Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
Moderators: GoodOyster, Cr0ck1
Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
I hunted my favorite WMA again this year and drew a big Nothing. Scouted my butt off found lots of sign, put up 6 cameras for 2 weeks, pulled the cards after first 2 weeks and again 3 days before the hunt. Picked the spots with good activity for the first two weeks on camera and set stands. I set morning and afternoon stands so I would not burn out any one location. Three days of hard hunting and not a single deer on camera or in front of me. Those of you who know me, know I am meticulous about scent control and stand setup. This is the second year in a row this has happened. I have killed a dozen deer on this WMA in various areas. Do you think the deer are just so smart they know when hunting season opens? The only think I can figure out is the roads are normally closed during the off season. Maybe they are spooked once they hear the vehicles? I am already walking 3/4 of a mile to the stand and would have thought that was far enough they would not care. Your thoughts?
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Re: Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
Sounds like east of Orlando all 3 wma nothing being killed. No deer being seen.
- Cr0ck1
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Re: Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
I swear they have an internal clock.
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Sent from Mossy Oak Swamp Bottom
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Re: Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
I have been talking with a number of hunters and alot think the rut is later this year. My camp has taken 3 bucks since the bow opener and none were showing the normal signs. Perhaps that supermoon we had has something to do with it. With that being said, the next 7 to 10 days we are expecting some good action.
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- down4dacount
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Re: Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
the pattern you are seeing is normal . Happens every year . As hunters start scouting and bumping deer they figure it out . They start heading for deeper cover . I generally like to use other hunters , by having them push deers my way . Go in deeper and stay longer . Or just hunt places that most people don't think hold deer . You'll be amazed the bucks that are shot close to roads . I've killed plenty of those . I have seen plenty of deers(bucks) this season . But I do lots of scouting and has always paid off . So far I have 3 bucks , 1 doe , and a hog . Also got my son on his 1st buck . Passed up a few and couple of misses in archery . Scouting is the key . Lot's of looking at Google Earth and figure them out . Then sit and wait . Good Luck
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Full moons make me crazy and I go out and kill deer . Come to think all moon phases do that to me
ShotKam Prostaff
Full moons make me crazy and I go out and kill deer . Come to think all moon phases do that to me
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Re: Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
ok were I am hunting normal for deer to be seen in pastures morning and evening. Seriously, I normally see 30 a day driving in and out. Normal at this time to see bucks midday running across pastures daily until about BP starts. Then the bucks would disappear but not the does. Even on the road into this place you normally see 10-20 in people yards and pastures. So far this week 3 young deer- small. I sat over rubs, food, raining acorns, sign scrapes look untouched.
I thinking there out of cycle. ? frustrating
I thinking there out of cycle. ? frustrating
Re: Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
Proven fact breeding occurs generally same time every year....d4cnt speaks the truth.
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Re: Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
In oct, the deer where I am hunting run crazy. Some thing is off changed. So this pattern is not normal, normal is like I described. So if he is hunting the same general area it may all be connected. Yes fl breeding happen generally at these times that why you some times you may harvest deer with a fetus on opening day.
Re: Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
Sounds like normal public land hunting to me. Just gotta keep at it.
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Re: Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
ok so all the scrapes look old unused fading away. So I think this is the first breeding period (slow movement) . plus talked to a land owner and he said they already ran and chased. That was in September, so some were around Octobers end November the does should go back in estrus (28 days). If I understand the cycle right. There are acorns everywhere.
so what your thoughts
so what your thoughts
Re: Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
Too many acorns.. Find a more preferred food source
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Re: Vanishing Deer / Pattern change?
There is not that many acorns. I see deer graze in the pastures when there been way more acorns. I remember year when you pull up on dry ground with the air boat and it was like ice because there was so many acorns. I cut the belie open on over 30 deer checking for what they eat.
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