Where do the deer go?

[PoisonSnake]

Have any of you ever wondered about this? The MDC tells us that 25% of the herd is killed every year. My thoughts are that it is more like 1/3, but that is a guess. Anyway, that means there are a few nice deer left. But, where do these deer stay once the banging starts, ends, etc... I do some serious late season hunting, and I do see quite a few bucks. But, I have always wondered where these deer hole up. Any thoughts on this? How is it that every year around November 1, the big boys come out to play once again?

[lonepine]

they become owls, you don't see them until dark. but when it become cold they have to eat. those Drury doys hunt the food plots in late season. I got lots of tags and I'am off for Christmas break. Its time to fill the freezer.

[Altonite]

I read an article one time about radio collared wild bucks . They would almost have to kick them out of there beds to get them to move. I know at home after that first weekend of gun season you better be hunting the brush or your not going to see much. I think they pretty much go nocturnal until you have a really bad cold spell that makes them get out in the day and look for food. I've been seeing quite a few deer in the fields going home(more than I did before gun season) guess they finally run out of acorns around here.

[hobiecat]

Altonite said:
I read an article one time about radio collared wild bucks . They would almost have to kick them out of there beds to get them to move.

This makes sense. I mean, after me and the old lady have done the nasty, I'm ready to go to sleep. Just think if ya bumped uglies 5 or 6 times a day for 3 or 4 weeks straight, how much sleepin would ya wanna do then????

[maw]

lonepine was right, they Shape-Shift into Owls! Seen it myself!

[Altonite]

Yeah they say they can lose up to 30% of body weight during the rut. Hey, Maybe if I did it 5 or 6 times a day for 3 or 4 weeks straight I would lose 30% of my body weight. That would put me down right around 200#. Thats my fighting weight.

[Warmouth]

They just lay up during the gun season, and let suckers walk (or run) by them within yards. For every deer that you see jump and run, there are probably 8+ that you never see letting hunters pass by.



I've seen deer climb into honeysuckle like a rabbit and disappear. Deer are a lot more sneaky than they get credit for and if they don't want to move, you darn near have to step on them to get them out of their hiding spot.



I think a lot of hunters don't realize that when they are in prime habitat, there is a deer within hearing distance, and usually a lot closer.



I'm sure that the biggest bow buck that I've killed, I walked within 40yds of him getting to my stand. A lot of hunters screw up by tipping off the deer to their presence before the hunt ever starts imo.

[counts]

Back in the day, when I did too much still hunting, I noticed that I would jump more larger bucks after gun season. Most would be as close as a rabbit would be when they go. I believe they nerve up and don't move no matter what.

[N2OUTDOORS]

Good Question...I think it is a combination of 3 things.

1. Tired after the rut, basking in the glorious thoughts of surviving gun season.

2. Almost completely nocturnal from being shot at during day light hours during gun season.

3. Onset of Human Fever in the wild deer population ...similar to Buck Fever in humans. Most of those deer you are walking past are so filled with human fever they are just shaking in their beds and can't move.

There you have it...Anymore questions?

[Tigerhaze]

I think that after opening morning they either lay up in the really thick cover just like Dave-T mentioned, or they get way out into the middle of big CRP or pasture land in high spots to where they can see long distances and bolt well ahead of any hunters.

I have a stand next to some really thick cover (overhanging hedge trees and briar patches less than 75 yards from my stand) where you can't really see into it. I had an instance this hunting season where late morning (after not seeing anything) I got out of my stand once my brother came over to it. I had him get up in my stand and I did a wide circle around this thick area and came back towards the stand. I kicked three deer (momma and two button bucks) right to him. I was somewhat suprised how tight they sat after the noise we made before doing this push. I have kicked out some nice bucks this way in the late season.

The large fields are much harder to hunt in the late season (even with a gun) but often if there is a lone tree surrounded by brush out in a large field (like you see in cropland), there will be a buck or even several deer bedded in the small area of thick cover around these.

I think your best chance this time of year (unless they are moving to food plots in cold weather) is to organize some bowhunt drives with some good shooters.

[2BHNTN]

I agree with most of what has been said here. I will add that some of these big boys will go to spots knowone ever would suspect. I have jumped 150+ deer up out of waterways in the middle of plowed ground that barely had enough grass for a quail. Also along fence lines and hedge rows. Never see em exept for out in the middle of the field at night.

[Gutpile]

they fly south for the winter

[PoisonSnake]

Well, I have seen deer in places like this as well. But, I know that they just can't stay holed up forever. Also, what are your thoughts regarding the percentages of deer that do get killed with a rifle. MDC has said in some regions that over 50% of the bucks will be killed. My thoughts are somewhere around 1/3 of the deer population is killed each year. I can tell you this. With all of the killing the last 2 rifle seasons, I see a lot fewer deer these days. Oh, I still see deer nearly every time I sit in a stand, just not like it has been. I hear folks say that you could never shoot enough does. I kindof feel a bit different about that. For example, on adjacent properties to me, I know of 40 does that were killed just last year (2003). That is why I tend to be kindof soft on the does. I know of a lot more deer than 40 that were shot within a half mile of me. I am just wondering when it is that the MDC is gonna say it is enough. For example, they estimated the deer population to be 50-70 deer per square mile in Rock Bridge State Park. After 2 continuous ML hunts, they closed the hunt, saying the deer population was now only 15 per square mile. All I am saying is that we have had a lot of deer killed out around us. I know the population is not anywhere close to what it was.

[maw]

smitty, errr...PoisonSnake, do you see a lot less Does? Or just Deer in general?

[PoisonSnake]

Deer in general these days. I'm really going on what I have seen from my truck surveys. I have also heard the same reports from extreme northern MO and other places. A buddy of mine over at MDC has clearly stated that LH feels they now have a good grasp on the population as a whole.