Building and protecting a whitetail sanctuary is critical for hunting success. However, many hunters misunderstand what truly defines a sanctuary. The term is widely used in the industry but is often misapplied. Some believe simply avoiding an area makes it a sanctuary, but that is not the case.

A true sanctuary provides whitetails with a space where they feel completely safe and secluded from human presence. Establishing this type of environment allows you to be the herd influencer and better hunt the property. In this article, I will break down the essential elements of a true whitetail sanctuary and how to establish one on your land.

Sight Sound Scent

To be a true sanctuary, an area must be dedicated to all deer, all the time and be completely free of human sight, sound, and scent. If a deer can see, hear, or smell you within the sanctuary, then it is not truly a sanctuary. This applies to your hunting access routes, stand locations, and wind direction.

During the hunting season, a true sanctuary must remain undisturbed. However, in the offseason, I highly encourage walking through these areas to observe deer activity. Many hunters set aside land as a “sanctuary” but never check to see if it actually holds deer. When this is the case, I generally find that their “sanctuary” rarely holds deer at all. Exploring these areas allows you to make necessary improvements and ensure they provide the necessary requirements.

Food Plots:

Food plots are often overlooked as a sanctuary component, yet they are the most critical. If you want to influence the herd and consistently grow and harvest mature bucks, your food plots must be part of your sanctuary. Without them, even the best bedding areas lose value. A well-established sanctuary includes both bedding areas and food sources, ensuring deer stay on your property instead of seeking food or cover elsewhere.

Property Efficiency:

Now that you understand what constitutes a true whitetail sanctuary, it’s important to consider property efficiency—the percentage of your land devoted to all deer, all the time, free from human sight, sound, and scent.

Efficiency varies based on property characteristics, but in general, the higher the percentage, the better. To maximize efficiency, you must minimize intrusion by following the critical access strategies discussed in a previous article. Keep in mind, no property will ever be 100% efficient—and that’s a good thing. If it were, you wouldn’t be able to hunt it. Here are two very generic examples of property efficiency:

The first example illustrates a high-efficiency property where most of the land is dedicated to deer, and hunting is conducted from the outside-in. The second example shows a low-efficiency property where poor access and stand placement diminish its effectiveness in having true sanctuary.

Public & Private:

These concepts of whitetail sanctuary apply to both public and private land. The key difference is that on private land, you can design, build, and protect sanctuaries, while on public land, you must locate and maintain existing sanctuaries.

Conclusion:

With a clear understanding of property efficiency and the key elements of a true whitetail sanctuary, it’s time to put these concepts into practice. Dedicate a large percentage of your land to all deer, all the time, including food plots, and structure your hunting strategy around it. Use proper access strategies, stand placement, and wind direction to minimize intrusion. By implementing these principles, you will hold more deer, increase your hunting success, and become the herd influencer. Make these changes, and you’ll find success this fall and in seasons to come.