Rick,

Do you believe the local herd is using your property during the summer?  It might be that they are using the local commercial Ag field, especially if it’s better fertilized.  I ask because some food plot farmers don’t fertilize their plots as well as the neighboring commercial farmer.  Deer can readily taste the difference!  A likely scenario is that deer are consuming the adjoining farmer’s beans during the summer then switching to eating at your plots when the farmer harvests his beans and/or there is more hunting pressure on the adjoining properties.

In states with regulations similar to those in your area, the best you can do is place your trail cameras overlooking some limiting factor.  This may be water, the preferred food sources, etc.  Using the time lapse option when the camera is overlooking a field is a good plan as it will allow you to view deer that are farther than the motion sensor can detect movement.

Creating and monitoring mock scrapes, even during the summer, is an acceptable option.  Bucks, does, and fawns are very curious and will readily check out the fresh smell of dirt in the woods, especially when accompanied with the visual support of a busted overhanging limb, etc.

Whatever the case, I’m glad the mature bucks are using your property during the hunting season!

Growing Deer together,

Grant