9/26 live hunt observations.

[JHbowhunter]

Hunting z2 big fields and hedgerow spot. Had 3 very mature doe and a button buck feeding 12 yards away directly upwind of me. All relaxed and happy. I was well hidden in a big cedar tree with branches and brush between us. I was as undetectable as I could ever be. - just perfect. I know there is a guy 450 heads way downhill of me that baits and hunts. In fact I saw through binos several deer on his bait pile before these deer came to me from opposite direction. All of a sudden I hear a deer snort at the outer range of being able to hear - so very far away. Well don't you know that deer also sent the deer by me on high alert running away. I still heard snorting and glassed a big single doe with tail up getting ready to cross a busy county road. Every bit of 450 yards or more. The deer on that guy's bait pile gone so I surmise a shot by a crossbow was taken. My point is this: when that old Molly busts you and snorts - just imagine a 500 yard diameter being blown out. Heck possibly more as that was the outer range of my hearing ability. The deer can sure hear a lot farther. I mean I always knew pretty much "hunt over" in most instances but tonight I got the full visual and scope. Something to think about.

Edited September 27, 2016 by JHbowhunter

[DV1]

Just a thought but they may have been more skittish because they were in the open. I can't imagine deer 500 yards away in the woods being so scared. I've actually had deer snort and have others come by a minute or two later. I've also been hunting a creek bottom field in Ohio and heard a few 4-wheeler's over 1/2 mile away ripping through the same creek bottom, and that sent the deer in the field I was watching running for the hills. Once they get into cover, they seem to relax more. 

[Rusty]

 My point is this: when that old Molly busts you and snorts - just imagine a 500 yard diameter being blown out. 

 

That's an interesting observation.  

[JHbowhunter]

Just a thought but they may have been more skittish because they were in the open. I can't imagine deer 500 yards away in the woods being so scared. I've actually had deer snort and have others come by a minute or two later. I've also been hunting a creek bottom field in Ohio and heard a few 4-wheeler's over 1/2 mile away ripping through the same creek bottom, and that sent the deer in the field I was watching running for the hills. Once they get into cover, they seem to relax more. 

 

It is possible that in a big hardwoods or thick swamp, or any big area with thick cover, the alert zone radius would shrink. These deer had to cross a small road that is a car here and there, between two houses to get in the first of 3 massive fields divided by hedgerows.  They were eating calmly and all it took was that first few snorts and it was a game changer, with the biggest of the bunch leading the charge. Two of the doe were about the 100lb dressed variety, she was a year older in size.   The button just lost its spots, and was actually trying to nurse on the smaller of the 3 big doe.  Another observation was that there were two mature doe w/out fawns which always troubles me, because that generally means fawn predation is high.   Decent deer densities in this particular area though due to a much larger tract of land that is very heavily managed for QDMA - to the extreme.  I am just the pauper trying to get some crumbs from the table    Not my idea spot - I love big woods or big agriculture hunting, but see more deer at this spot than any other and it's also an easy "late" or "early" hunt because all you really need is that last or first hour...   These deer did show at 6:30 right on queue.

Edited September 27, 2016 by JHbowhunter

[Rusty]

  Another observation was that there were two mature doe w/out fawns...  

 

3 does and only 1 fawn is not good.  Are there a lot of yotes and bears in the area?  

[JHbowhunter]

3 does and only 1 fawn is not good.  Are there a lot of yotes and bears in the area?  

 

not compared to where I live in Z5 - but sure, they do exist... It's just bigger wide open country so I am sure they are used to being chased by something. I did hear yotes Friday morning at first light like 1/2 a mile away (beyond where I heard the doe snort).