Yesterday I decided to get some badly needed exercise and park my ATV about a half mile away from my feeder for an evening hunt. One of the landowners has been hounding us for a hog and with the season soon to end, I wanted to see if I might increase my chances. That's because I've hunted this feeder at least seven or eight times this season but have only seen good hog sign, a few doe and small bucks, while parking just a couple hundred yards from my stand.

Later today I'll post a snapshot of the nice 12-point that showed up well before dark.

Not unsual for bucks to be back on feed post rut. Go back and park in your normal spot and see if he returns again.

He won't be coming back because his next stop will be at the processor later this morning. First blood on my new Winchester Model 70 25-06.

Congratulations Dan. I think they are wary of ATV's. I see more deer when I walk in. Better exercise too. Can't wait to see your buck.

Congrats Dan!!!

F

Yes, I would say they are. ATVs are rather noisy and not as natural sounding as say a truck IMO.

Deer freak the F out over a ATV, especially on a place like I have that has not been hunted in 40 years.

Sweet Congrats. I know the deer around me run when they see/hear a atv. I don't even bring mine out here anymore. I'm hoping the new guy realizes it bothers soon also.

Congrats!

I always walk in.

Congrats!!! And to answer your question... YES an ATV will f up a hunt in a hurry!!!

The deer come on the run when I drive my Ranger to the stand. I am always putting out corn when I go with the road feeder.

It is all about the environment.
If there are atv out all the time, year around feeding,etc. - positive/normal environment.
If atvs show up like bees in Sept. Deer pattern that and bad environment.
Me I walk in unless I am being dropped off and then I slip off the tail gate on a roll.

I agree.

Still, the just seems there is something about hunting season that deer recognize and adjust their movements. If they are smart enough the sounds of ATV's, are they also smart enough to recognize all the shooting that's going on around them? I know I have seen deer (pardon the pun) shoot their heads up at the sound of a distant shot.

All the comments and congrats are very much appreciated as I share these comments to encourage others just to give more walking a try. If you're like me, a few healthy walks will be very good for you.

Here's the promised snapshot below. Now I can start filling all those orders from friends and family for some deer meat.

Knowing that some take a sincere interest in such details, the 100 grain Remington Core Lokt (25-06) entered and passed cleanly between two ribs just behind the right front shoulder. After passing through the heart/lung area, it took out a rib on the left side before destroying the left shoulder. After the shot and still looking through the new Nikon Buckmasters scope, I could see the deer begin to almost scoot away. I found him less than 20 yards from the point of impact. It was about an 80 yard shot.

Did I say how much I like this new Winchester Model 70?

Nice buck, Dan. SHNF or DCNF?

I have a spreader on mine..so noise = corn..

Thanks.

Private lease in Houston County (East Texas).

Point well taken. I took a buck around this same time last season when he showed up at a feeder in a post-rut bachelor group.

Still, several things stand out about this buck.

First, I had hunted this stand four consecutive times earlier (including twice this week alone) and didn't see anything. The repeated empty hunts is much of the reason why I decided to get off my duff and walk in. Also, the hunting on another small tract in this same area that I hunt as a familty guest has been horrible this year after family members began hunting and driving their trucks all over it. In years past when a friend and I were the only ones hunting it and made it a point to limit our activity, it was nothing less than a deer honey hole.

I must admit that I have long since been a believer that deer, and especially older bucks, are likely to lay low at the sound of an ATV. But here lately, I've just been more on the lazy side after doing a lot of hog hunting during the off season. All of this, along with the need to get more exercise, drove me to get off the ATV seat and start walking more.

nice buck and truck

Thanks!

A fellow Toyota owner?

Congrats on the buck Dan....

I agree in general that deer are not crazy about the sound of ATV's. But I also think it is a conditioning thing. On most leases the guys are not there regular. When the season rolls around they are not only there more, but some feel like they can run around and play. It really doesn't surprise me that the deer would react negatively to this. Flip side... I am on my place constantly...working, feeding, etc. The deer seem to be used to the sound and I believe at least some relate the sound to fresh feed. I refill feeders, putting out corn and protein and drop off alfalfa regularly. This goes on all year and a UTV running around is normal life to them.

That said, I walk from 1/4 to 1/2 mile to all my feeders.

Nice buck! Nothing wrong with a little walking!