Deer movement on Farms
#1
Thread Starter
Typical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
First a brief description of my setup and then my question:
a- I' m on a 1000 acre farm. In different sections of the farm there is planted: Alfalfa (sp?), corn, wheat, hay, and soy. There are, tho in some places thin, wooded areas that connect all these places. I will be hunting in an area that has corn and alfalfa now, a deer pasture and an un-used pasture. By Oct 1st the corn will be harvested, the alfalfa will be too (I think), along with the rest of the things not in my area.
b- My question: What will the deer' s habbits be like when their main food supply (the alfalfa/corn/etc) is gone? Will they still frequent those areas looking for food? Will they scatter? Should I plan on looking for alternative food sources now for when they go to them?
Any help would be appreciated.
by the way, here' s one of my targets:
http://www.scofield.cc/GameCamPics/deer1.jpg
a- I' m on a 1000 acre farm. In different sections of the farm there is planted: Alfalfa (sp?), corn, wheat, hay, and soy. There are, tho in some places thin, wooded areas that connect all these places. I will be hunting in an area that has corn and alfalfa now, a deer pasture and an un-used pasture. By Oct 1st the corn will be harvested, the alfalfa will be too (I think), along with the rest of the things not in my area.
b- My question: What will the deer' s habbits be like when their main food supply (the alfalfa/corn/etc) is gone? Will they still frequent those areas looking for food? Will they scatter? Should I plan on looking for alternative food sources now for when they go to them?
Any help would be appreciated.
by the way, here' s one of my targets:
http://www.scofield.cc/GameCamPics/deer1.jpg
#2
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Irwin PA USA
Most likely with all of their food gone the deer will begin seeking out mast crops. If I were you, I would start trying to locate Oak trees, Persimmons, and crab apples...or whatever else the deer prefer to eat in your area. Hope this helps.
#4
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 0
From: CWD Central, WI.
I see lots of stuff for them to eat in your pic. Deer will also keep hitting corn even after its picked. They can find the lone kernel in a hundred acre field. Least it seems that way for all the time they spend in cut corn fields. Same with the alfalfa. They paw through pretty deep snow if need be for it around here. Sticks, twigs, and dead leaves will all supply enough to keep them going. What about oaks? Around here they will gobble up the white oak acorns before they hit the ground. They save the bitter reds for hard times.
#7
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Most experienced Whitetail bowhunters can tell what common feeding patterns deer will usually follow and provide some possibilities that might apply to the area you describe; however, it will have be you that will have to identify the feeding locations and routes and their changing patterns specific to your area.
Regardless that the available feed and cover might be similar, there are too many variables that can exist from area to area to be able to say that the deer in your location will do the same as the deer in mine.
Weather vs. cover vs. available food vs. human and/or predator presence and activity, etc. often dictates particular patterns. The patterns change when human presence increases, the weather hardens, and certain food sources are no longer available
Regardless that the available feed and cover might be similar, there are too many variables that can exist from area to area to be able to say that the deer in your location will do the same as the deer in mine.
Weather vs. cover vs. available food vs. human and/or predator presence and activity, etc. often dictates particular patterns. The patterns change when human presence increases, the weather hardens, and certain food sources are no longer available
#8
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 0
From: WARTRACE,TENNESSEE walker country
IF ALL ELSE FELLS TRY TO GET AS CLOSE TO THE DEER BEDDING AREA AS YOU CAN.USE A CLIMBERTREESTAND . YOU MIGHT JUST WON' T TO LOOK AROUND AND FIND THE MOST TRAVELED DEER TRAIL GOING INT0 THE BEDDING AREA.
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