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

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.

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.

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

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.

We use electric golf carts

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.

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.

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.

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.