What's the deal with deer drives....?

[NeoGeo]

Apparently this is a heated topic sometimes. I just saw in another forum, a bunch of dude fighting over this so everyone be chill.  I'm a new hunter. Like 6 months new, so I don't really know anything. Trying to get some info and direction here. I went out for a morning hunt today and just about got to my spot and heard this hootin hollerin and yelling. Didn't realize what it was till it was getting closer and closer and shotguns started going off. To be fair I was late getting out there (baby woke up crying right before i was supposed to leave) so I should have already been in the trees. But still, wtf, no hunting for anyone else when a bunch of dude disrupt the whole damn forest!  That shit was a little to close for comfort. I have windows of time that I can get out there and this just shut my hunt down. Not trying to be a jerk but I'm a little pissed off. How is that allowed in the same areas as normal hunting, is there dates/schedules or posts about these drives and how long does it take for the deer still living to return to the area. I know I wouldn't be back any time soon after the shotgun brigade lit the woods up. Fill me in please I'm sure I'm missing plenty of info and I'd like to avoid this in the future. not trying to get shot out there.

[archer36]

Here we go again. 

[Hunter115522]

If you hunt public land during shotgun season, just expect it to happen. If you'd rather not deal with it, hunt during bow season and it'll be a non issue. 

[Nomad]

That’s perfectly legal here in New Jersey.

[archer36]

Is it PUBLIC land?

Definition: "accessible to or shared by all members of the community".

 

[Tuck]

Welcome to NJ hunting.  Start looking now for next year for a piece of private property.  Public is public and sometimes like the Wild West.  Like said above start hunting archery season, much longer season and more time to get out.  Good luck

[NeoGeo]

Yes I get it. Perfectly legal.. public land... not exactly sharing with the whole community when your shutting everyone else down, but thanks for defining the word public. Not saying it shouldn't be legal either.  Regardless. Its a thing apparently, so it is what it is. The only thing I really care about is, Is there a way to know when and where its going to happen to avoid it or is it just something that comes up. I'd rather not waste my time and plan accordingly if possible.

[Mpdiesel]

It sucks when you got limited time to hunt and that happens. To answer your questions, deer will return fairly quickly so I wouldn't worry about it. Also they could push deer to you that you otherwise would never have seen.

No there is no where online that you can look to find when people are going to do drives. It's not like there is an app or portal to log into and post when and where groups will do deer drives. However, there is a club that you better call if you plan on doing deer drives so he knows when and where you will be so you don't screw up his deer drives (old forum joke so probably won't get it).

Not sure if you were gun or bow hunting. If bow hunting you could look for land that drives aren't allowed. Some county parks and land trust don't allow it. Some don't allow gun hunting.

If you were gun hunting then I would suggest not to hunt 6 day or Saturday's when gun season is open because Saturday's is most likely when deer drives will be done outside of 6 day. Could try and get permission on private land.

As much as it sucks, its public land and drives are legal.

[NeoGeo]

11 minutes ago, Tuck said:

Welcome to NJ hunting.  Start looking now for next year for a piece of private property.  Public is public and sometimes like the Wild West.  Like said above start hunting archery season, much longer season and more time to get out.  Good luck

I gotcha, plan was to cover all available seasons for bow. Gives me more opportunity to get out there. I'm just getting rolling with this and learning on the fly.

[BowhunterNJ]

No way to know when or where clubs will drive.  Hope for the best, expect the worst.  One thing to keep in mind as much as you believe they may be messing up your hunt, deer can be smart and avoid them entirely.  They might hunker down in cover and never move or they might double back and bed down.  Likewise, a club might kick something into you that you get a shot at and would be happy about.  Many of us who hunt solo get the perceived frustration from clubs and the "peace" of hunting, but it's not always all bad.  Keep a positive perspective and good luck out there!

[Lungsonlvs]

Welcome to the Jungle.🦌

[GoodOleBoysinPA]

Use the drives to your advantage.

[electric10162]

Welcome to NJWW Neo! Driving deer is only one method of hunting in NJ. Standing and still hunting are some others. I would suggest starting out with a simple ladder stand on public or private. Locate in a place where deer funnel through or put bait out. I'm sure you get lots of info from the guys and gals on here.

[Devil Horns]

This must be something new. Never heard of it. 

[NeoGeo]

9 minutes ago, Mpdiesel said:

It sucks when you got limited time to hunt and that happens. To answer your questions, deer will return fairly quickly so I wouldn't worry about it. Also they could push deer to you that you otherwise would never have seen.

No there is no where online that you can look to find when people are going to do drives. It's not like there is an app or portal to log into and post when and where groups will do deer drives. However, there is a club that you better call if you plan on doing deer drives so he knows when and where you will be so you don't screw up his deer drives (old forum joke so probably won't get it).

Not sure if you were gun or bow hunting. If bow hunting you could look for land that drives aren't allowed. Some county parks and land trust don't allow it. Some don't allow gun hunting.

If you were gun hunting then I would suggest not to hunt 6 day or Saturday's when gun season is open because Saturday's is most likely when deer drives will be done outside of 6 day. Could try and get permission on private land.

As much as it sucks, its public land and drives are legal.

Awesome, good to know. Its a good spot I had hopes for def planned to return when the deer do. Yeah only bow hunting for me for now. One step at a time lol. But yea that's helpful. Unfortunately Saturdays are the most commonly free days for me so I'll have to deal I guess. If I got out there on time and was in my saddle that wouldnt have freaked me out as much. Based on where the beds, shouting and shotguns were, if they pushed deer to me I may have been run over lol 

Edited January 18 by NeoGeo