Do deer avoid treestands left in the woods?

Treek · 11-02-2007, 11:48 AM

Posted this ina local site, thought I would open it up for discussion nationally.

I was watching the Deer & Deer Hunting TV show yesterday and they had a segment stating that years of research have shown that deer will change their patterns after 3 days of noticing a treestand in the woods. They used this logic to prefer climbers or portable tripods versus leaners or permanent stands. They weren't clear if the stands being noticed by the deer were hunted for the 3 days or just left there standing.

Has anyone noticed this type of avoidance behavior with their stands, or is it only after you've hunted it for a spell?

Predator19 · 11-02-2007, 11:49 AM

Sounds like they were trying to promote a certain product. If this were true I would never see any deer!

wis_bow_huntr · 11-02-2007, 11:55 AM

I have never noticed any change in deer paterns when leaving stands in the woods, i have some that are left all year long and doesnt seem to bother them.

GR8atta2d · 11-02-2007, 11:56 AM

Hope not I'll leave mine in the woods tonight and return in the AM. Might leave the bow up on the hook too??

bigbulls · 11-02-2007, 12:05 PM

Depends on how many deer see and hearyou climbing and sitting in that stand that live to "tell" the others.

If this were true then people in Texas would never kill any deer and we all know that isn't the case.

Davwilli · 11-02-2007, 12:33 PM

I would have to agree, on our hunting property we have had permanent stands in the same locations for the last 15 years. To the deer I would guess they are just a part of the woods unless you are constantly getting busted by them using the stands.

GMMAT · 11-02-2007, 12:36 PM

I have a theory that they climb and frolic in them when we're not there.

I can't prove it.....but I feel strongly about this.

125py · 11-02-2007, 12:40 PM

i dont think so

Montyo976 · 11-02-2007, 12:50 PM

I have several trailcam pics that prove stands left out doesn't bother them.

bhunter50 · 11-02-2007, 12:54 PM

I am jumping on the GMMAT bandwagon o' thought, I am pretty sure that deer have parties in my treestands while im not there as well! on a more serious note, this is a bunch of bull*#$&, if this were the case then why do I return to find tracks and scrapes around my ancient deer stands. I think most of us will agree that it is a great time to call bull@#*$ on this one!