buckbstr_1
Well-Known Member
I seen a big group in the bottom of a dry creek bed. They have not moved in a few days. Same deer are staying put.
Interesting as I found the same thing. Zero tracks in the timber...I spent 5 hours scouting around 250 acres yesterday. I found 3 different deer groups: 6 does, 5 does, & 3 bucks. Each group was primarily along field edges. Almost no tracks in my hardwood tracts or snow-buried food plots (forgot the turnips last year). The bucks had just gotten up to feed right before dark. The bucks had been bedded along a TVA powerline easement, under cedar trees and out of the wind, for a while as there was no snow or ice in their beds. The doe groups were about 1/2 mile apart. The groups fed along field edges on leaves, privet, greenbriar, and bull briar leaves. I was able to get within 75 yards of one group. (by accident) The wind carried my scent straight toward them, but they never ran away. A few deer looked up, raised their noses, but returned to feeding. I watched them for 30 minutes, then was able to retreat into the woods without spooking them. Either they read hunting season is over or they were very hungry after several days of storms ;o) Finding their movement patterns gave me a new idea for shed hunts this spring.
I saw some tracks yesterday in the snow. All were on logging roads. But I found very little sign in any wooded area I went through. Some spots still had enough snow that I only skimmed for rubs. I have a few places that I didn't scout because by that time I was done with snow somewhat blocking potential scrapes or feed sign.I see very little movement in the snow where I am, and we get quite a bit more snow than most of TN. I don't know why but it always seemed that way. I checked 2 miles of 4wheeler trail and did some boundary walking today, not a single set of deer tracks was seen, only predators.
I was shocked at the amount of predator tracks I saw in the snow compared to deer tracks. Predator movement greatly exceeded deer movement. The highest density of deer tracks were associated with the tall-grass environments in powerline right-of-ways.
I was shocked at the amount of predator tracks I saw in the snow compared to deer tracks. Predator movement greatly exceeded deer movement. The highest density of deer tracks were associated with the tall-grass environments in powerline right-of-ways.
What was attracting them to those tall grass environments? How tall was it?I was shocked at the amount of predator tracks I saw in the snow compared to deer tracks. Predator movement greatly exceeded deer movement. The highest density of deer tracks were associated with the tall-grass environments in powerline right-of-ways.
Just a wild guess here but I would say the tall grass has more vegetation exposed during a good snowfall vs the Forrest floor therefore it's a matter of being easier to get to the food. Also with the amount of predators roaming the woods and the fact that it's impossible to be quiet crunching through the loud snow and ice this would expose them to ambush. At least in a field they can see. That's my redneck guess.What was attracting them to those tall grass environments? How tall was it?
I suspect they were finding two critical things: protection from the roaming predators, and some sort of food source, most likely honeysuckle or natural occurring clover intermixed with the tall-grasses.What was attracting them to those tall grass environments? How tall was it?
I suspect they were finding two critical things: protection from the roaming predators, and some sort of food source, most likely honeysuckle or natural occurring clover intermixed with the tall-grasses.