Do ATV's spook deer?
12-31-2007, 11:20 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location:
Posts: 28
Do ATV's spook deer?
I live on a farm in Wisconsin. There seems to always be some type of machine running, whether it be a tractor or atv. I drive my atv at least three, four times a week, back where some of my treestands are at. The deer seem to be used to the noise. What do you guys think?
12-31-2007, 11:34 AM
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 575
RE: Do ATV's spook deer?
My personal opinion........from what I have noticed............the deer do not spook to trucks ortractors, but a 4 wheeler DOES spook deer. That has been my eye witness account.
I drive my truck most of the way and then walk to my stand. I use my 4 wheeler for fun, not hunting.
I drive my truck most of the way and then walk to my stand. I use my 4 wheeler for fun, not hunting.
12-31-2007, 12:26 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: west central wi USA
Posts: 2,242
RE: Do ATV's spook deer?
Even if they don't spook, they associate 4-wheelers with people. You've alerted them that there are people in the area. They'll be more vigilant. Also, you've just added gas/oil smell to your hunting clothing.
12-31-2007, 12:49 PM
#4
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: grottoes,va.
Posts: 764
RE: Do ATV's spook deer?
last year i hunted on a farm where the deer were used to seeing all types of things,tractors trucks and atv's
i rode my atv to within 50yds of my stand everytime i hunted.after i got there it was straight to the stand and straight back out. i could still my atv while on my stand ,a ladder stand.i saw over 100 deer in 3 weeks from that stand i killed 5 bucks,2 were the biggest i'd seen on the property before the season. i think riding a atv on your hunt property will do far less damage then walking all over it. the deer on this farm smell fumes from all types of vehicles daily alot more then they smell me.
i rode my atv to within 50yds of my stand everytime i hunted.after i got there it was straight to the stand and straight back out. i could still my atv while on my stand ,a ladder stand.i saw over 100 deer in 3 weeks from that stand i killed 5 bucks,2 were the biggest i'd seen on the property before the season. i think riding a atv on your hunt property will do far less damage then walking all over it. the deer on this farm smell fumes from all types of vehicles daily alot more then they smell me.
12-31-2007, 01:55 PM
#5
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: On an Island in Vermont
Posts: 22,605
RE: Do ATV's spook deer?
I don't feel the sounds of an ATV are that rare in most deer country. They are used to hearing them and farm equipment. If it were to bother anything it might be a mature dominant buck. I still feel the best way in and out of a stand is quietly on your own 2 feet.
12-31-2007, 03:49 PM
#7
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Tonganoxie, KS
Posts: 978
RE: Do ATV's spook deer?
I don't think he is saying he rides it to his stand but more that he "pleasure" rides on the same property and in the deer woods. With that said, you will be fine. I have noticed while cutting wood that the deer will actually come in to see what the noise is, same when we had a guy bring in a dozer on my hunting land in MO last year. While he was running the dozer about 7-8 deer came in and just stood there about 20 feet inside the woods and not 75 yards from the guy running the machine. They would hang out there off and on all day long watching him. Just remember if you see them while out riding you don't want to chase them, otherwise they don't see the atv as a threat.
12-31-2007, 04:57 PM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location:
Posts: 254
RE: Do ATV's spook deer?
I do not think it scares deer. This year at the end of the season we drove around to get the seats from are ladders. We were riding ATV's and we had a doe that was beded 15 feet off the trail and stayed there as we pulled up and sat there. She did not spook until we sat there for5 minutes and we made her move.