gary22923

Simple question for everyone. I've got a small piece of land that's mostly bedding area. I've been a stranger to the woods up until this past thanksgiving and I'm trying to figure out what kind of habbits the deer around here (Orange Co. - Barboursville) have. I know they bed down in my area but that's about it.

So what's up? Do deer usually eat/sleep in the same area each day or what?

Also I'm a complete noob when it comes to hunting but I've been shooting almost my entire life so if you have any threads that you would like to suggest, I'm open to your suggestions.

Thanks everyone!

FtWorthHunter

When it comes to deer, I think does can be pretty predictable and certain bucks can as well. As for "dears", based on my wife they are completely beyond being predictable.

Sorry, I realize your title was a typo, but I couldn't resist.

gary22923

LOLOOPS!!!! I guess there goes the chance of making a good first impression. [:@]If it's any excuse I was talking to my g/f at the time. LOL

So DEER are a pretty predictable animal?

Maryland_Whitetail

Well.....I predict I will see no DEER tonight and my DEAR will be yelling at me for always being in the woods......AGAIN!!lol


I do think deer are pretty predictable, the ones in my woods travel the same routes somewhat religously. Now the wind plays a big role in this as well, the wind seems to blow from the SSW on a regular basis, this being said, when the wind shifts, I have no clue which way they will come from, but they still seem to stick to the area.

gary22923

alright well if deer are fairly predictable, can you tell me what their routine is? I know deer are as different as people but do the sleep then eat then go back to sleep or do they graze and/or play at some point or what? If nothing else, try to at least suggest some reading that I should do.

Thanks again everyone!

StealthyOne

I recommend watching the deer channel. Google it...

Maryland_Whitetail

Well, without going into the woods with you and patterning your deer for you......I can't really give you a conclusive answer. All I can say is spend more time in the woods looking for sign, trails, water sources, and food areas. You know they have to sleep, eat and drink....so.....place yourself in between these areas to get a better idea on what the deer in your area are doing, and at what time. Trail cams with date/time stamps help alot also!

Gundeck

Well, you will see a lot of talk on here about how predictable deer can be. If that is so true, there should be a whole lot of people with VERY short seasons. I think they have some habits, but they are also subject to influence from many, many things. Their habits change very easily. The best thing is to study the deer near you, study deer habits (on here and other sources) and then find out what things change their habits (like the first day of gun season).

gary22923

Oh I forgot to mention, there's a small creek running through the bedding area/my property.

I did a lot of scouting today and I know the feeding area is west-south west of me. The creek is going/coming to/from a swamp in the northern edge of my property from/to another unknown water source to the south of me.

All I know is that shortly after I go into the woods, most of the gunshots I hear are to the west of me, that is in the area towards the food plots. I always go in the woods east of the creek because I can be a lot quiter and I know my way around down there. It's possible that I could get in the woods to the west of the creek but I can barely do it if full daylight and I like to be settled down in the woods at LEAST 30 minutes before first light. Either way, if I can get ahead of the deer without them knowing it maybe I can funnel them in and get off a shot.