Where did all the Deer Go?
 

Here I am in northeast PA and I am trying to put together a mystery puzzle. I have over 200 acres of mountainous land with four food plots (ladino clover, alfalfa & rye). I have been scouting with the use of two deer cams. It seems almost exactly to the day that my cameras are getting much less deer activity during the period of 9/20 to early October. The cameras are set up on food plot areas with mineral piles. I normally get around 24-40 trips of each camera per week. Starting the third week in September my camera trips go down to 6-10 for each camera per week, and it seems to continue like this the next two to three weeks. This is my second year of this type of research.

These cameras seldom record the same bucks, so I think I have two independent survey areas. I am trying to put the pieces of this puzzle together. Are the deer going to different food sources? This could be, but the dominant mast crop is beech and cherry and the cherry is good this year but the beech is spotty. Are their social structures changing so rapidly with the upcoming rut that they have abandoned there patterns? This I am not sure of. I have photos of 4-6 dominant 3.5+ year old bucks on each camera. Maybe their territorial clashes have forced some of these bucks out, but what about the does? Have the food plots lured in many bucks and does from other areas, who are now going back to the areas in which they breed?

I sure would appreciate any ideas anyone has to offer. I am not a professional researcher and would value any interested replies.

Kevin C.

RE: Where did all the Deer Go?
 

I notice the same thing, only in my area I loose the deer from August through to September. The apples are ripe now and the deer are back. I think the deer are moving around to utilize the most appealling food source. If I bushhog the clover/alfalfa the deer will be in it about 2 weeks after. This goes to show (at least in my eyes) that it's the appeal of the crop and not the quantity. Unless the area is severly overpopulated the deer will be picky in what they eat.

Dan O.

RE: Where did all the Deer Go?
 

Acorns, bitternut hickory, apples, standing corn. When thats gone, they'll come back to the foodplots.

RE: Where did all the Deer Go?
 

You need to look at what food sources are available on neighboring properties. It definitely sounds like the deer are hitting different food sources than what your property has to offer during the time that they are gone.

RE: Where did all the Deer Go?
 

Thanks guys,

I appreciate all of the feedback. I really so think it has alot to do with the food sources also, but my adjoining neighbors have nothing to offer the deer in the line of plots. They also have the same forest makeup as my land (cherry & beech). Not sure where they all went but it seems to be a pattern that will be reoccuring.

Kevin C.

RE: Where did all the Deer Go?
 

It'll be intersesting to see what ensues in the next few weeks. I have always observed the same, or similar behavior. Before I understood what was going on, I called this period "the buck shift". It always coincides with the velvet shedding period, if that helps you some. It is this situation that got me looking into Buck Dispersion - which is also impacting what you are observing.

Its not surprising that the mineral sites show less activity, even does and fawns should start ignoring them soon. I would still hope to photograph the older bucks in you better plots at night, but do not be surprised if you do not. Most of these 2-1/2-4-1/2 year old bucks are likely very active during the rut. It is this time of year when the establishment of Home Turf is expanded to areas measured in square miles, not acres. While a dominant deer may take up residence on your property, for 9 months of the year, it is possible that he could completely relocate to another area for the rut. Most bucks do not completely relocate however, though they will spend much less time in their core area than most think once they start expanding their range.

Once we get a frost or two, food plots will again be a little more attractive.

RE: Where did all the Deer Go?
 

The nutritional needs of deer are different at different times of the year. We now know that there are three different periods of a deers nutritional cycle. The sodium/potassium needs are higher during the "Green up" period than at the rest of the year. During the green up period the bucks are growing their antlers and does are lactating. In this time period the salt intake increases to about 14-18 percent of TDN.The protein intake is greatly increased also. Doe's require about 150% more protein during the lactate period than the rest of the year. At about the time of the pre-rut the animals start to slow in the antler/lactate area and starting to "bulk up" with protein. It is not unusual for deer to stop/reduce using licks and start hitting the alfalfa and clover fields, while during the mid summer they may have stopped/reduced using the forage fields amongst the other types of available nutritional products vailable, to search for other needs in their diets.
Another thing is, the types of clover/alfalfa/forage may be bitter during different times of the year, ergo the custom blends. Also, maybe mow to increase new growth. Taste the forage product. If it is bitter try limeing...
The licks should resume heavy usage after the start of the following green up season.

Romans 10:9 Psalms 42

RE: Where did all the Deer Go?
 

Hey FH & LB,

Thanks for the insight, I am always eager to learn. Your info is quite similar to what I have read and now see being practiced. Thanks Again!

Kevin C.

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RE: Where did all the Deer Go?
 

Thanks Brian,

Yeah your right i did not mention water. There is water close by now with all of the rain, more even than when i was getting alot of pics on my cameras. I really think its a transition as you and others have mentioned. Forget all about the recent past patterns now there gettin ready to rumble (rut). I am sure they will establish new patterns, its now my job to find them, hunt them and bring them home <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>.

Thanks Again,
Kevin C.