Question about big storms

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 8:52 am

With all these storms coming through
Can they change the deer's feeding and travel patterns?
I was thinking if the storms put down trees and such it may mees with stands already set.

N8tr Boy · Post by **N8tr Boy** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:03 am

That could be a problem if the trees that fell had stands in them. I think they would change for a short time until they surveyed the area themselves on the damage and re-route their days patterns.

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:24 am

If it puts enough trees down it will change patterns.
We had a freezing rain/ice storm several years ago that drastically altered the huntability of a great tract of state land. It was very hilly terrain, and after the storm it was difficult to even get through, let alone drag a deer out. I'm not sure of the exact harvest numbers (been a few years back) but they dropped from the hundreds to single digits the next year. Not saying the deer population was hurt, they probably even flourished with the added browse and cover, but hunting was very difficult to impossible. I shot a buck there the year before the storm and it took almost 3 hours for 3 of us to get him about 1/2 mile to a road on a clear trail (up a very steep hill). Looked at it after the storm and decided to hunt elsewhere.

Sleeping Dog · Post by **Sleeping Dog** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:42 am

I agree with WABI. A severe storm that takes down a lot of trees will definately change patterns. Deer are like people, they look for the path of least resistance and if there are a lot of deadfalls on the trail they will simply look for an easier way through.

This often completely and permanently changes deer trails in a given area. We had to relocate several permanent stands after a servere ice storm a couple of years ago. There's still plenty of deer, but not where the stands were located.

SD

mikej · Post by **mikej** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:46 am

i agree with wabi and sleepingdog also, if it does enough damage i think it will definately change their patterns

crazyfarmer · Post by **crazyfarmer** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:54 am

ive actaully had storms help me.. deer will funnel aorund those fallen trees and if you find the funnel, its like finding gold

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:43 am

If Ike comes through, then it may change their feeding patterns and their location.

You may find stands from other counties too.

Be careful Sax. I'm glad Hanna was just a strong rain storm. We need for Ike to miss us completely.

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 11:33 am

I agree with the previous responses, I've actually knocked a tree down to funnel deer closer to the stand.

Rich

crazyfarmer · Post by **crazyfarmer** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 12:01 pm

Rich wrote:I agree with the previous responses, I've actually knocked a tree down to funnel deer closer to the stand.

Rich

rich, ive got 2 on boards that followed a fallen tree right to its base to cross. Just so happens my stand was right over them

Without any pressure, deer walk right down and around the tree trunks. Now if they are in a hurry, they just jump over of coarse. But one of my best spots is in a fallen tree funnel since they have to cross between that and a stream to get to the other side