Home on the Range #056: Where Have All the Whitetail Deer Gone?…

It is that time of year! The air outside is crisp, if not downright cold; the leaves are changing colors and falling everywhere; and the most popular hunting season of all is about to open for firearm hunters (or, maybe it already has in your state) – whitetail deer. Right before the season it can sometimes seem like all of the whitetail deer disappear like a magic act. Where did they go? This phenomenon can occur for a couple of reasons. There might be pressure from archery hunters if you hunt public property, there could be predators afoot (fox, coyotes, wolves, etc), or it might be some other reasons entirely. We are going to delve into this topic of right before you hit the woods all of the whitetail deer seem to vanish. Let’s dive in!

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Welcome to our reoccurring series of “Home on the Range.” Here, we would like to share all of our experiences for those who may be homesteading, living off the land, hunting, farming, ranching, and truly investing in nature and the great outdoors. The ability to provide for yourself and your family can be tremendously rewarding and simultaneously difficult at times. So, in “Home on the Range” we want to share our different exploits so you can learn and hopefully we can receive your feedback along the way as well.

Where Have All the Whitetail Deer Gone?…

We spend most of summer fishing, getting out in the sun, and spending time with family. Then, once fall hits it is time to go hunting! You had your trail cameras out all summer and you were watching all the critters of the forest. Comical squirrels, an occasional rabbit, lots of deer, and sometimes a fox or raccoon. Now, that you already picked out the whitetail deer you’re totally going to shoot opening morning (as if we can openly control that), like a Houdini vanishing act… all the whitetail deer have disappeared?! So, what’s the deal?… There are a multitude of factors that could contribute to why deer suddenly aren’t appearing on your trail cameras or simply being in your general area. Let’s navigate some of those reasons (most of which you have no control over).

Crops are being Harvested – As farmers begin harvesting their crops, this can push deer to you and also away from you. Whitetail deer can be “held” in your area because they are happily munching on corn. Then, once its harvested, its adios! Simultaneously, as deer might vacate one area, they could come running to yours. All the sudden days before the season opens a new, huge buck arrives. What da heck! A lot of whitetail deer will use farmers’ crops as cover to bed down, sleep, and hide. Once all those crops are gone they need to boogie to somewhere else.
Predators… Foxes, Coyotes, Wolves, Oh My! – As many animals begin to become dormant, like field mice, and other easy prey matures (wild turkey and pheasant chicks grow up), predators may need to resort to more difficult food sources to survive. Predators begin patrolling a much larger area to find food to eat, and they will become more bold at eating (attacking) more difficult targets like whitetail deer. This additional movement and pressure will push whitetail deer around in abnormal patterns.

Public Land Hunting Pressure – If you happen to hunt on private land or own your own hunting land, you are blessed. Public land around the United States is sparse and receives very heavy hunting pressure. If you are waiting until firearm season to hunt whitetail deer, public land has likely already been pounded by upland bird hunters, people walking their dogs, and/or archery hunters. You can still harvest some monster deer on public land, but it can be very difficult because of how aloof those big bucks and smart does are.
Preparation on Hunting Stands/Locations – We sometimes overlook the very pressure we, ourselves, apply to our hunting area. Whether its public or private, if you are running around in the woods a bunch – you, too – can push whitetail deer. As clever as you might believe yourself to be, deer are pretty smart. If you erect a glorious, new box stand in the perfect spot, that is a completely abnormal and weird occurrence for a deer to one day see. They might avoid your stand and that location entirely for months. That is why pruning areas for brush is best done after the season or in early spring so areas can “cool off” for a few months.

Whether you are a trophy hunter looking for Da Turdy Point Buck, or you are simply someone looking to hunt for the sustenance and food it supplies, remember that hunting can be a marathon. There are many years where I will hunt archery (September/October), firearm (November), and muzzleloader (December) to only harvest one deer near the end of the year. Other years, I harvest a magnificent deer on opening day in September. As much as we try to calculate, predict, manipulate, and control the outcome of our hunt, a lot of it is chance. Enjoy your time outdoors, take lots of photos for the memories, and be a good steward while you are out there. As always, let us know all of your thoughts about whitetail deer hunting in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Photography

All of the quality photography for this article was completed by Savannah Pierson of Savvy Photage. She is an expert in her field and her assistance in creating engaging photography and content is greatly appreciated.

Adam Scepaniak