Community
Bowhunting Talk about the passion that is bowhunting. Share in the stories, pictures, tips, tactics and learn how to be a better bowhunter.

deer movement during snow cover

Thread Tools
 
Old 12-14-2004 | 05:34 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: South Bend IN
Default deer movement during snow cover

I have heard that deer movement changes drastically with snowcover. Assuming this to be true, how does it change? Do they stay in the woods and browse on branches since they can no longer graze in fields or yards? Do they still visit their acorn trees and try to dig acorns out of the snow?
dkeener is offline  
Reply
Old 12-14-2004 | 07:34 PM
  #2  
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Yorkville, IL (Kendall County)
Default RE: deer movement during snow cover

To me, nothing is better than snow for hunting, I have stands set up right on a picked Corn field, they seem to visit that quite often during or just after the snow. They will move where they will feel comfortable, which could be timber or fields. The only way to find out for sure is to get out and see.
3 Shot is offline  
Reply
Old 12-14-2004 | 07:34 PM
  #3  
Fork Horn
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin USA
Default RE: deer movement during snow cover

Right now we have only a light covering of snow and the deer don't seem to have changed up much. Still digging for acorns, you can see it quite easily in the snow. Just be careful you don't confuse the Turkey scratchings for the deer sign. I think with heavy snow fall their patterns may change more, but not with just a light covering.
BigLouie is offline  
Reply
Old 12-14-2004 | 07:39 PM
  #4  
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: ohio
Default RE: deer movement during snow cover

i am a deer hunter in ohio and i found out if the wind blows across the top of a field making somewhat of a bare spot the deer might try to get in on that uncovered grass. and in the woods i know that the deer will just move alot more.
Bigfoot223 is offline  
Reply
Old 12-14-2004 | 07:52 PM
  #5  
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: northern Minnesota
Default RE: deer movement during snow cover

hey has anyone had luck in the morning?
gruhotbigracks is offline  
Reply
Old 12-14-2004 | 08:42 PM
  #6  
MDManiac's Avatar
Typical Buck
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 845
Likes: 0
From: Stacy Basin, NY
Default RE: deer movement during snow cover

Yup, 4 of our 6 deer shot in snow. (over a 3 week period). Opening day i saw 20+ deer, only other day was when we had 4 inches of snow, when i saw over 20+ deer also.

Also, all shot between 8am-12pm
MDManiac is offline  
Reply
Old 12-15-2004 | 12:48 AM
  #7  
Boone & Crockett
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,451
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: deer movement during snow cover

Around here they head for the brush just off the yard.Warm and everyone puts feed out.
cardeer is offline  
Reply
Old 12-16-2004 | 05:19 AM
  #8  
deertale's Avatar
Fork Horn
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Default RE: deer movement during snow cover

I think the snow brings an urgency to eat for the deer. They definatly key on the food sources, digging for acorns up here in N Wisc. As the snow gets deeper (1' and more) they start to head for evergreen cover. Around here they "yard up" in cedar thickets. They also use spruce/balsam fir as a transition zone/bedding area before they hit the traditional yards. I've also seen them take cover in a spruce thicket during snow storms. I don't know how they survive the harsh winters up here with -30 and 100" or more of snow. They are amazing creatures...
deertale is offline  
Reply
Old 12-16-2004 | 07:05 AM
  #9  
finner's Avatar
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 0
From: Da-U.P-keweenaw peninsula
Default RE: deer movement during snow cover

It really changes there movement here they go from browse food this time of year to higher energy foods like, white cedar and food sources that are help retain there body heat...This time of year they really key on bedding areas that have good thermal cover, in my area here and theymigrate from the farm fields to the deer yards after the first big snow, like we just had (got 2 feet of snow sunday) hunting can be quite tough this time of year with the food sources dwindling, but if you can find them it can be great too.
finner is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
joemr1288
Bowhunting
3
12-20-2008 10:01 AM
Four Sox
Northeast
8
12-27-2005 06:48 PM
Robv2007
Whitetail Deer Hunting
2
11-20-2005 04:40 PM
Bucky10
Whitetail Deer Hunting
7
12-27-2002 07:31 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.