On one of the properties I hunt the land owner bulldozed a trail to an oil pump in the woods and runs almost the entire length of the block of woods. essentially cutting it in half... this area has certainly been more productive since the addition of the trail. about 4 years ago I planted about 80 percent of the trail with a clover mix type food plot seed blend. now this area has pretty much reverted to natural plants and seems to be just as attractive to deer as when it was when the food plot seed was growing... my thinking on this is that the area is highly agricultural so the deer have little need for another food source and more of a need for easy travel between food sources and a staging area to browse on their way to a corn, soybean, or hay field. the trail runs east to west and the majority of the deer on this property tend to move north and south through the block of woods. but, rarely do deer cross over the trail without moving up and down it (east and west) and browsing a bit... this has proved to be a great stand site over the years! so I say it's a good thing!
In fact this past year I was able to kill a buck that was cruising north to south on the property during the rut by grunting to him as he crossed the trail. he was at about 65 or 70 yards from me when i grunted to him. he came on a string walking stiff legged looking down the trail (I assume for a fight) to where I put an arrow in him as he stood at 5 yards from my stand that was hung just off the trail... I believe the trail gave him and easy travel route to investigate the call...
Also as the years go by since the trail was put in, black berry bushes and multiflora rose bushes have crowded the edges of the trail which seems to have helped the deer feel more safe while using the trail...
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