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#99822 - 01/07/12 12:51 PM

Where are the deer?

TomG
stranger

Registered: 03/30/08
Posts: 24
Loc: Nebraska

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I have access to about 240 acres (private land in eastern Nebraska)when I step out my back door. Timber, pasture, CRP and no crops but excellent deer (whitetail) habitat. My house overlooks several deer trails. During our recent December/January "spring" (temperature 40's low 60's) there has been little movement on the trails. I still hunt (spot and stalk) most of this land almost daily and during this late season I have only seen only a dozen or so deer and have had no decent handgun shots. I do have a good ground blind set up overlooking one of the major trails. I have not used it but have watched the area with binoculars from a big window in my great room. (No sense freezing my butt off for nothing.) No movement on this trail for the past week. So where am I going to find a doe or two to fill my tag? Again there is no cropland on this piece of property, but a heck of a lot of cover including ravines, but the ravines are not holding the deer.

Tom

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#99826 - 01/07/12 02:34 PM

Re: Where are the deer? [Re: TomG]

Gregg Richter
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Registered: 01/18/04
Posts: 1758
Loc: Pine, Colorado

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That is a good question. Usually food is the answer, or at least the pathway to and from the food.

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#99828 - 01/07/12 02:48 PM

Re: Where are the deer? [Re: TomG]

s4s4u
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Registered: 01/18/04
Posts: 4395
Loc: Northern MN

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Do you have some neighbors with cropland? Circuit the perimeter of your property and see if there are any trails leading to and from bedding cover on yours. When you find a trail, follow it until you find a good place for ambush and set a stand or two.

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Rod, too.

Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.

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#99834 - 01/07/12 04:44 PM

Re: Where are the deer? [Re: s4s4u]

TomG
stranger

Registered: 03/30/08
Posts: 24
Loc: Nebraska

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The most heavily used path to food is the one that goes to my wife's bird feeders...but sitting on the deck with a hot cup of coffee in my hand isn't really hunting, is it?

There was quite a bit of movement until we were hit with this warm spell. The answer might just be a good old Nebraska blizzard. I have my coveralls and snow camo ready. Our late season ends January 18 so I still have plenty of time. I'll just keep at it. I am the only person who hunts this piece of land and because I retired I can hunt during the week.

I might add that I am not all that good sitting in a blind for long periods of time and I gave up tree houses when I was about 12.

Tom

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It's all good: handgun, rifle and bow.

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#99850 - 01/07/12 07:54 PM

Re: Where are the deer? [Re: TomG]

racksmasher
enthusiast

Registered: 07/24/10
Posts: 360
Loc: new york,central

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Late season food source is the key, don't over hunt your area, nothing shuts deer down like pressure and human scent.

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#99852 - 01/07/12 08:24 PM

Re: Where are the deer? [Re: racksmasher]

SChunter
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Registered: 12/26/07
Posts: 1313
Loc: Coastal SC

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I'm with Racksmasher - in reading your original post, my first thought was either you've conditioned these deer to your scent, or educated them to your presence. Now that it's late season, the deer that have survived archery and general firearms seasons are in the "unlikely" places...find those areas that look like it wouldn't hide a field mouse, much less a small herd of deer - my guess is that the "deery" areas have been worked over pretty good by now.

Do you have any trail cameras? If not, that's your offseason homework - they'll tell you exactly how active those trails are...and might surprise you with what's walking when you're not there!

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#99853 - 01/07/12 09:44 PM

Re: Where are the deer? [Re: SChunter]

EricS
journeyman

Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 72
Loc: South GA

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I agree with the others if you are still hunting almost everyday on 240 acres you have put alot of pressure on your deer. You either need alot more land or start hunting treestands and blinds. Even then you need to place them in a way that allows you to enter and exit them without alerting deer to your presence. I would think real hard about where I haven't been still hunting and start there. Theres a WMA near my house that during the late season I don't look for deer sign as much as I look for a lack of boot prints.

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#99859 - 01/07/12 11:23 PM

Re: Where are the deer? [Re: EricS]

TomG
stranger

Registered: 03/30/08
Posts: 24
Loc: Nebraska

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Thanks for the suggestions. There I several locations overlooking trails that I can set up in. I can get to these areas very easily without alerting any deer. I'll bundle up and quit the still hunting for a while. Only problem...the shots will be at 100 yards or more. Time for the rifle and scope.

Tom

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It's all good: handgun, rifle and bow.

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#99860 - 01/07/12 11:46 PM

Re: Where are the deer? [Re: TomG]

s4s4u
Distinguished Expert

Registered: 01/18/04
Posts: 4395
Loc: Northern MN

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Quote:

100 yards or more. Time for the rifle and scope.

Huh?

_________________________
Rod, too.

Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.

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#99876 - 01/08/12 08:58 AM

Re: Where are the deer? [Re: s4s4u]

TomG
stranger

Registered: 03/30/08
Posts: 24
Loc: Nebraska

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Originally Posted By: s4s4u

Quote:

100 yards or more. Time for the rifle and scope.

Huh?

Yep, I know my limitations with open sights. I limit my handgun hunting pretty much to the same distances as bowhunting...been that way for almost thirty years. Besides that I have a very nice bolt action rifle that needs to get out of the case once in a while.

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It's all good: handgun, rifle and bow.

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