Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

Was wondering if anyone has some idea's about the sound of an ATV has any effect changing the the way a deer might normally react without it? My cousin and I walk out to our stands in the morning and evening to be a little more quiet going to and from the woods, but the person who lives at the property always take out the 4 wheeler instead (he is not the land owner, my aunt is). My cousin and I think the ATV is causing the deer to be more hesitant when it comes to traveling throughout the woods. What do you guy's think? Thanks

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

Personally I don't believe that any noise that the deer hear on a regular basis does any harm. I also believe that a person sneaking to their deer stand would alarm more deer than a 4 wheeler which is ridden pretty often. Although I'm like you and prefer to walk at least 500 yards to my stand, its just a preference. One stand I hunt this year is right next to a grass road in which another hunter in my club uses to drive his truck to get to his stand. At 1st I wasn't to thrilled about it until I started to think that the deer will get used to this and it will not bother them. 1 morning this year while in my stand waiting for sunrise the other hunter drove in about 15 minutes before daylight. Right at daylight I had 3 deer already feeding on my oats. If they were there when he passes it would have been about 40 yards from where they were. I am also begining to believe that when I put out corn, which is when I use my 4 wheeler, is when I usually see the most deer sign. It seems like they have come to understand when they hear that bike, it soon will be feedin time.

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

I spend alot of time on my property year round, and use my ATV all the time. I have had deer come up and watch me and follow me around as long as the ATV is running. As soon as I turn it off they are gone.

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

Hi huntinMN,
I live in Ohio NW kinda same as Anoka or Coon Rapids,same terrain anyway.I grew up here and there were mighty few deer not too many yrs ago.Now we have homes dotting the roads and lotsa farm ground behind them.There are ATV's in every drive way and I see'em zippin around here lots.I have a Polaris Ranger,I take it hunting everyday just about.The deer are larger healthier and more plentiful than ever.They are so used to lawnmowers,atv's air conditioners,weed wackers,combines etc. That I believe if ya want to spook'em walk to your stand as quiet as you can.That I think scares the deer more than anything.I'm onto a really big buck,seen him 3 times never when I was stalking or in my blind always while atving or walkin with other people.I'm to the point where I think diesel fuel is the best cover scent and maybe I'll take a chain saw and run it while I'm up in my stand.Just my 2 cents-GOOD HUNTING!

lizzzard

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

ATV's have practically ruined one of my areas this season. The neighbor on the adjoining property also bowhunts his land and this area. Without question he has changed their patterns to almost no patterns at all. Its not so much when he hunts but when he decides to do a little riding. For me, ATV's are ok for early/late season scouting and dragging a deer out. Other than that they are nothing but a nuisance.

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

We use electric golf carts

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

I think of an ATV as an alarm clock for the deer. What awakens you in the morning, your alarm clock. what do you start up and ride into the woods when you hunt, the deers alarm clock! I say this because in most areas I hunt the atv's are not out riding everday day in and out but only during the hunting season. We only ride our atv's on the main roads and walk to our stands. We do ride them to move stands, pick up deer and fill feeders when needed during hunting season. just my 2 cents.

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

I park mine within 500yds of my stand, has not bothered any of the deer movement, but that could be because I live in a populated area, I hear dogs barking, people slamming doors, and other riders. I have driven within 30yds of a doe on my ATV, was not scared until I got close.

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

I think it depends on what deer you are hunting. Immature deer are lots more careless and may adapt to the intrusions. It also depends on where the atv's are ridden. Its one thing if you're driving across fields, but if you are driving through the woods including core areas you might as well forget ever patterning a mature whitetail who probably knows what it means when people start tromping through the woods on atvs in the fall. I myself won't take any risks when it comes to exit and entry and it usually gets me within bowrange of at least a couple of mature deer each season.

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

I don't think it affects them, if they're used to it. On a typical day in the woods I see anywhere from 2-20 deer. It's rare that I go out and don't see something. All the hunters in our woods, of 900 acres, use 4 wheelers. No recreational riding, just to and from the stand and dragging deer. We have 5 hunters and take 25-40 deer per season combined. I park about 150-200 yards from my stand and walk the rest of the way. A lot of hunters, especially ones not from suburban areas, don't realize that in these areas deer are not affected by a lot of noises and even some smells. I put corn out with my hands and have seen up to 14 deer on the same corn pile eating 2 hours later. Some people go deep into the woods, in suburban areas, and don't realize that the deer are on the edges where they know where the people are. I've taken 6 large 8 points in the last 6 years and countless does and they were all within sight or hearing of houses. Sometimes that little thicket between your house and the neighbors can hold bigger bucks than the center of a 500 acre piece of woods.

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

I believe it does.Where my cabin is,there's also other property owners and a few of them use ATV's.This past season,I noticed on quite a few occassions how deer reacted to the 4-wheelers.I was in a treestand behind my cabin watching deer come thru when each one of them stopped and looked over across the dirt road at the cabin across from me(these guys are always running their atv's during deer season)and were very cautious before moving along.Another time this year I had some deer above me just milling around when I heard an atv a couple of hundred yards away on the lease that borders my property.When the deer heard it coming our way,they took off real quick.I don't think they'll leave the area-I just think they adjust their movements accordingly and avoid the "high traffic" areas.When the guys pack up and go home,the deer fall back into their normal travel patterns.

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

I'm not sure what effect they have on the deer but they have a hair raising effect on me! I think they should be banned from any part of the hunting season for anybody that doesn't have a physical handicap that prevents them from hunting without one. If we could eliminate ATV's, cell phones and walkie-talkies from the hunting woods maybe we could all get back to what hunting is all about and that's being a part of the woods that your in.

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

Without question they do spook deer. I have seen them bust out 400 yds away when I have been touring my property. Some deer may ignore them but the majority as a minimum will be alert to activity in the area. I use my for access to areas far off the road but I do not drive anywhere close to my hunting area or to what I believe the travel routs of the deer. With a little common sense they can be a good tool for retrieving deer and accessing areas not accessable otherwise, and they don't tear up wet pastures like pickups do.

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

ATV sound a lot like tractors. . . . .so . . . .at least where I hunt we have farms around. . .the deer spook less with an ATV than with a person cruching throiugh the brush. I still walk in the last bit but unless the ATV guys have set up a race course you should be fine.

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

The land I hunt was recently (finished 2 weeks ago) select cut. It went from being really thick to open with a few trees. This was the 1st time it has had big machinery on it in about 25 years. These skidder operators see deer from their machines all the time. When they finished cutting they brought in a dozer to clean the grass roads that run through the property, which some of them ran directly to our stands. I was worried at 1st but have noticed that the deer still have basically the same movements that they had. If they want to get from point A to point B they still do this but have found an alternate route where the thickest cover is now. I'm not saying that it is good to ride everywhere you want to go I'm just saying that if you keep it to a minimum it will not have a great affect on the deer.

RE: Do you think ATV noise effects deer movement?
 

beyound a shadow of a doubt most will run away, especially when it stops. At least that's what I have noticed as far as four wheelers and deer are concerend. so if your on one and you see deer, you can bet there were more than you are looking at.