Hunting area ruined?
 

Last week I took a doe off of some great hunting property. I went there today, and saw not a single deer. Talked to the landowner and they said they havent seen any for the past week, when they would see them every single day without fail before I took this doe.
Funny thing is, today was the end of a big storm. It had been nasty for the past two days, and at noon it cleared up nicely. Nobody came to eat the alfalfa and apples tonight! I know they had to be hungry as hell.
Any thoughts?

RE: Hunting area ruined?
 

Might be eating acorns closer to the bedding areas. They've changed their pattern,happens all the time. They'll be back.

RE: Hunting area ruined?
 

I neglected to say that there is a huge white oak that drops buckets full of acorns each day. the ground used to be covered in tracks, now its covered in acorns.
I sure do hope they come back

RE: Hunting area ruined?
 

Hmmm, they'll probably be back at some time. You never know what spooked em when you weren't around.

RE: Hunting area ruined?
 

Give them time....you might have shook them up a bit, but they will be back.


Shane

RE: Hunting area ruined?
 

That's not the only white oak with acorns in the area, they have others...See if you can find the white oak closest to their bedding area, that will be the first one they hit when they get up in the afternoon...

They are still in the area, just not out in the open eating alfalfa...

RE: Hunting area ruined?
 

I am pretty sure 1 doe harvest did not ruin your area, maybe something else happened, but not killing the doe.

RE: Hunting area ruined?
 

stick with it , they'll be back

RE: Hunting area ruined?
 

I agree. The deer near my house seem to have three distinct movement patterns. Which they use depends on the weather and activity in the area (farming, traffic, etc.). They will be back. Give it time.

RE: Hunting area ruined?
 

They aren't far, but with all the food they have to eat, they aren't moving.

My guess is they are eating acorns pretty close to where they are bedding.

Shooting a deer does not mess them up in my experience.