Deer and horses
 

This morning I was up early and set up my stand overlooking a couple nice trails and a alfalfa field. Just before light, I was able to make out a horse standing out in the alfalfa field. I figured it must be one of the neighbor's horses that had gotten out and then I remembered another neighbor saying that this one one thinking about extending his pasture. Eventually, I made out 2 horses and saw the electric fence which effectively blocks my property from a large percentage of the deer.

About 6:45am, my fears were confirmed when a HERD of 10 showed up, looked out at the horses in the new pasture, got spooked and turned tail running back the way they came. An hour later, I saw 4 more run back as well. It's now clear why I didn't see any deer yesterday sitting most of the day deeper in an empty woods. I thought it was the heat.

It won't do me any good to talk to this guy. He once told me that he and his wife were anti-hunters. Even though they now claim to be neutral on it, he finds a way EVERY YEAR to do something right about this time that messes up my hunting.

Now I'll head to my other places, but with upper 70's temps through the weekend and winds forcast for next week (like I predicted), it's getting tougher right when it should get better.

RE: Deer and horses
 

Stick one of his horses. Maybe he will move the fence back. Just joking. Where i live there is a horse farm and i see the deer feeding near the horses nightly. Its getting to me that the rut is starting and its 70 degrees and windy.

RE: Deer and horses
 

I hunt adjacent to and in a horse pasture. there are three horses in there. I am seeing deer in with the horses. Maybe because they are new to your area that the deer are acting differently. the deer in my area do not seem to be bothered and are often in the same area as the horses.

RE: Deer and horses
 

Don't worry about it. Deer aren't afraid of horses, or they'll get used to them quick.

The deer are always in the pasture with my horses. My stand is in a section of woods that has pastures on one side - I see the deer mill out to where the horses are quite often. They won't let a horse get near it, maybe 50 yards or so, but they just move somewhere else in the pasture and go back to grazing.

RE: Deer and horses
 

My parents have a horse. Used to have more than one. There are no problems with deer and horses mingling, same with cows. It is common to see them feeding side by side. Give it time, they will get used to it and eventually be right at home with the horses.

Shane

RE: Deer and horses
 

My neighbor has horses and when there were deer here they would stand right next to the horses and eat the horse feed

RE: Deer and horses
 

Hopefully, the deer will adjust to the pasture extension QUICKLY --the rut is beginning in earnest around here.

The farm I'm talking about already has plenty of horses and cattle. The deer always avoid the area with either of those nearby. This new pasture is closed off and causes the horses in there to stay there. The deer would have to go right through this rather small area and get up close and friendly with the horses in order to get where I need them to be. I hope the deer find a way to get to me here--it's my home and it's nice to be able to walk out the door and hunt.

RE: Deer and horses
 

I have a friend with a mini pony, 3 donkeys, sheep and a bunch of goats.. the deer actually jump the fence to get in and eat with them.

RE: Deer and horses
 

i have 10 acres and 3 horses.i see deer in are pasture quite a bit.1 really nice buck.it dont bother the deer i bit.my wife calls the deer are pets lol

RE: Deer and horses
 

at least there aren't "trail rides" in your deer woods.