what to do when you spook deer

droptinewv · 10-30-2004, 12:21 PM

today at 6:30 a.m. I was going to my tree stand and as I went up the hill I noticed movement in the darkness about twenty yards ahead so I froze in position. It was a deer and it watched me for about five minutes trying to figure me out. I didn't move and she began to leave. As she walked out of sight she blew once so I blew back at her( a technique I learned from a hunting show). Then she blew three times very quickly and I answered her again then three more stood up. They were bedded down ten yards from my stand. None of the deer ran or raised there tails they just walked away. Has anyone else used this method of answering deer when they blow? It is supposed to make them think you are another deer so they wont be alarmed. I,m not sure if it works or not but the guy on the show was very convincing.

John Deer · 10-30-2004, 03:41 PM

I personally can't say whether it works or not because I've never tried it, but I've been reading a book by Larry Weishun and he says he's done it with success. I would think that if you could actually sound like a deer "blowing" at you it might assume your just another deer unless it has clearly seen you.

droptinewv · 10-30-2004, 05:48 PM

It has been a while since I watched the show but it was an older gentleman and he made several sounds by mouth and even did a snort and wheeze. I believe there was about 9 or 15 ? sounds whitetail deer make. I find it very interesting and believe anything you do to gain an advantage over deer in any aspect is a positive thing. I am fairly new at hunting and have an open mind to new ideas.

cnhntr · 10-30-2004, 06:11 PM

I have "snorted" at a doe. When I was turkey hunting last year a yearling doe walked up to me and was looking so hard to figure out what I was. she snorted and stomped her foot at me. For kicks I snorted back at her. she just kind of looked and then walked off.

kevin1 · 10-31-2004, 07:59 AM

I just freeze and try not to make any noise , it's really about all you can do .

Snort back ? Hmmm ... That might relieve some frustration for you , but I doubt that it is a good thing to do since it's an alarm call to other deer . You're probably just sterilizing your spot for a few hours . It's not something I would try .

Timbrhuntr · 10-31-2004, 10:25 AM

Last year while walking into my stand I jumped a buck . I heard him crash loudly as he got up. I froze and then grunted to him softly twice . He immediatley grunted back and started to walk towards me. He grunted with each step. When he got about 10 yrds away he stoped and urinated. Then began to approach again grunting all the way. I was aliittle concerned as I did not want a 300lb, buck to think I was his lady. I turned on my flashlight and he was standing broaside at around 10 yds. looking at me. He turned and I heard him walk off into the distance. At the time the wind was blowing directly at me so I don't think he winded me. It was quite interesting and my heart was pounding. I was thinking this'll be a good story when they finally find me. Hunter gored by horney deer. I have had many deer weeze/snort at me but this was a first. Usually once they weeze/snort they are long gone.

Tim

1dahunter · 10-31-2004, 05:59 PM

Very interestingIll have to try it.

Hiawatha · 10-31-2004, 07:21 PM

If i spook one up i will just grunt to try and calm them, never tried snoting back at them but i suppose it could work. If an elk busts me and begins to bark i move towards the elk barking back this really seems to work great for me. However deer could be a different story.

James B · 10-31-2004, 09:56 PM

I just eat beef for a few more days until they settle down.

skeeter 7MM · 10-31-2004, 10:13 PM

It depends on the situation, if the deer is spooked, meaning fleeing or snorting I just keep going. I would much rather them get lost then sit around and snort me. If the deer notices me, I will try to remain as low as possible and still, hopefully it will move on or return to normal. I generally try not to make any noise as that will allow them to pinpoint me/position and bring their attention to high levels.

I have tried snorting, grunting, fawn bawling but most times it leads to the same thing snorting or fleeing, so I now figure why prolong tha agony!