Fall Field+Stream hunting?

[Shawike]

Im from Illinois as you can see in my info, and this has been my first spring and summer involved in relic hunting. I'm wondering what the fall brings for my area and climate in the means of clear hunting grounds? By this I mean, when the farmers harvest the corn or soybeans which surrounds and covers all sites I've found so far, does it leave too much debris to be walked over? I understand they sometimes? maybe "usually"? do some sort of fall tilling or discing process to top off the year, is this ever a very productive mix up? Also the overhangs and creek shores that are now lined with weeds, when it gets a bit colder after a couple frosts will these shores become more visible and huntable or will the dead foliage cover the open dirt... This is something I feel like I should know but i have just never cared to see dirt before so I have no idea?

[uniface]

Try everything and swing with what works.

[rmartin]

I really wish you luck. I have hunted my area for almost thirty years and the last ten have really been non-productive for fields. Hardly any body fall plows anymore. Corn stubble is a real waste of time and soybean stubble is really iffy. In the spring the best they do is chisel. I hate to sound so negative but that is the way around here. You are a little further north so maybe you can find some decent fields. I would certainly try any thing you can find. Ray

[eddies]

good luck,and let everyone know what works

[wiseshanks]

That's why I like hunting waterways the most; i.e. Creeks, rivers, and streams. They're a little hard to bear in the winter time so it's good to invest in a good set of insulated waders. I'm pretty particular about the river because that's what I've mainly hunted on my whole life with good results. Creeks are a whole other beast because they are plagued by leaves all over the ground during the fall. Arrowhead shaped leaves are the enemy btw. It's really all about trial and error. You just have to try different things and find what works best for you and your area.

[River Man]

Waterways are good spots because the current keeps moving materials around and increases your odds of finding pieces everytime out.

[Shawike]

Well I've been out in the creeks for the past few days, walking through gravel bars and sand bars of all sizes of stone washout. Not finding anything at all really... The area I found flakes and a broken old point is almost exactly the mark of the last gravel bar I have access to, so i'm hoping the hills upstream from the rock piles I search had enough activity to produce finds for me.

[wily]

My attention goes from creeks and waterholes (which in my area are full of leaves) to horse pastures. In Aug. and Sep. the horse pastures are picked very clean, often less than an inch of grass remains. I found my first mano stone and several knife points this way. Also when the hard packed pastures freeze in Jan. (maybe earlier in your area) points are often pushed to the surface.

[questor]

Shawike, their is possibly some hope for you on some fall hunting prospects, and upcoming soon most likely. Hunt right in the tall corn fields themselves prior to harvest! This is most certainly not for everyone, but can be quite productive IF your timing and methods are right.

Here are some recommendations to help better your chances, and ability to survive the ordeal as well. By ability to survive I am referring to the fact that it can be quite hard on one's neck and back from the increased need to be bent over in between the rows to both avoid facial injuries and also to best see what lies beneath. I know it sure is for me. The upper corn leaves are constantly swatting you in the face and eyes. So I suggest you wear a billed cap to help protect these necessary parts. Corn leaves are actually quite sharp, and especially once dried out. I like to go in on a cool weather day, so I can also wear a long sleeved shirt or jacket to protect my arms. Try not to pay to much attention to those two inch diameter tiger-striped garden spiders that are now dangling from your ball cap at this point. Sounds like fun-eh? Wait-there's more(and hope)!

Timing is everything; Watch for the lower level corn leaves to begin to hang out of the way of your vision in between the rows. For this, the plants themselves will begin to change to lighter colors as they begin to dry out late in the season. This causes them to loose their rigidity, and thus begin to sag downwards. This is when you now need to be in the field! Improved vision within the rows is now at its best along with the least amount of interference. It is usually a short window of opportunity, because one good wind is all it takes to crap over the ground with crumbled up dried leaf debris.

As far as to which field and where, here are some criteria I use to choose my best odds of scoring a few very well earned R-T-facts. The row spacing should be what here in Iowa is referred to as 'wide rows'. Which themselves are becoming less and less common, in favor of closer spacings. Also take into consideration weed factors. A cleanly cultivated field will obviously be your best bet in that regard. No use wasting your time to look at weeds that in some cases can be as tall as the corn itself! Then their is the 'worked field' factor. In other words, did the field get turned over fairly well either last fall or early spring prior to planting? Too much crop residue ,or chafe, from the previous years crop will most likely lead to disappointment also.

A couple of other factors I use in choosing a worthy prospect are to concentrate your efforts on a well proven site, one that is a better than average provider of decent quality finds. And on top of that, only the honey-holes or sweet-spots within that site area so to speak, depending on the size factor, if possible. You can only see within one row at a time which is time consuming, so concentrate your efforts as best as you can. It can be a challenge to stay orientated once into the tall corn. So I suggest you also line yourself in from outside of the field, before you enter, so you can hit that honey-hole with some degree of certainty. I will stand up on the gate of my pickup and eyeball things over to accomplish this when I can. Go in where the rows run straight to your objective if possible.

One other factor that seems to have helped me when using this method is to pay close attention to sloping areas. These have usually had an extra degree of wash on them during the course of the season's rains. I would also suggest that you follow these slopes down to see what might lay there at the bottom all washed out in a rivulet awaiting your happy face upon it's discovery!!!

One other recommendation to keep in mind while employing this strategy. Stay conscientious of the fact that the ears of corn themselves may be hanging fragile on the stalks. Avoid bumping into or brushing against if at all possible, so as to not knock them off. Staying on the good side of the landowner is always a good thing of course.

Hope this helps. Possibly, some other Midwestern hunter's can expand on this even more for you. Good luck to you if ya try this, let us know how it goes here. Below are a few In-Situ finds I have made myself while hunt'n in the tall corn rows. Just in case you need a little inspiration.....

[Shawike]

That information was great! Thank you very much for that. I actually just went out and tried this the other day with some luck, no full points but definitely found myself another site and I'm surely gunna bring home a full point from it soon. Corns not quite tall enough yet to get outta the way and definitely not dry enough yet in this field... some are completely dried up right now however and I hadn't really thought about scoping out new land that I could possibly ask permission on. (Only have 1 permission plot right now : /... )


On a second note... that last point in your in-situs, the white side notched point, I have one just like that, very rough and large, about 3 inches long but almost exactly that shape.. whats it called? I never really typed it per se.