Deer & Turkey Hunting Tips

There are many tactics that can be used throughout the deer hunting season. The foundation of these tactics revolve around deer movement. To be successful, the hunter should strive to understand reasons why deer move.

Food

The number one and must consistent reason for deer movement is food. Deer need to replenish their food throughout the day.

This requires the deer to search out the available food sources. These food sources will change as the season progresses resulting in changing deer movement patterns.

As long as the food is plentiful, deer will travel relatively short distances. However, during periods with less available food, deer will travel longer distances.

Breeding Period

The breeding period also brings deer movement. For the does, they will be on the move avoiding the bucks until they are ready to be bred.

For the bucks, they will be actively searching for the first doe to come into estrus.

Depending upon the doe to buck population, the bucks may expand their normal home range.

Regardless, the bucks will generally spend more time on the move than any other time of the year.

Pressure

The pressure that deer have to endure also affects how deer move. Generally, the more pressure, the less the deer will move.

There are predator animals that hinder deer movement. However, human pressure normally has a higher impact on deer.

Deer will often keep daylight activities to a minimum in heavily pressured areas. They will spend more time moving after dark.

Weather

The weather can also play a factor in how and when deer move. Extreme temperatures, whether high or low, can reduce movement.

Heavy rain or snow storms normally result in the deer not moving.

Strong winds make deer skittish. Winds mixed with low temperatures can be hard on deer. Under severe conditions, deer will move less frequently awaiting a break in the weather.

These are just a few factors as to why deer do or do not move. Although there are others, these are primary reasons. By understanding these factors, the hunter can prepare accordingly, resulting in better success.