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Two best days each week to be in the deer woods #7934643 08/14/20 12:38 AM
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Much has been studied and written about how deer respond to hunting pressure. Having killed my best bucks during the middle of the week, I've always subscribed to the belief that deer quickly catch on that so many are after them and alter their movements as a matter of prey survival. The current issue of Deer and Deer Hunting magazine mentioned the results of yet another study that used radio-collared deer to measure the impact of hunting pressure on deer movements and found something quite interesting. As expected, the study found that deer reduce their movement on weekends since these are the days when hunting pressure peaks. However, what the study also found was that deer continue to lay low for a couple of days more as the woods continue to settle down. The study found that it wasn't until Thursday that many of these collared deer returned to their unpressured movements and often continued this into Friday. Then, just as if they had a calendar, they seemed to anticipate the return of hunter pressure by the time Saturday rolled around. These findings fall right in line with what I have seen over many seasons with one addition. I've also seen deer activity increase during the middle of the week during the later part of the season, just as it does during the later part of the week. You might say it seems, at least to me, that deer treat the later part of each season the same way they do the later part of the week, and seem to know when a lot of hunters have found other things to do.

Now IMO, a point not to be missed in all of this is that these findings are based on a normal season where the vast majority of hunters are at work during the week and only hunt during the weekends. Given the ongoing COVID situation and so many people able to spend more time in the woods, the deer might have a much harder time patterning hunter activity this year.

[Linked Image]

Another late season, middle-of-the-week buck

Last edited by Texas Dan; 08/14/20 02:24 AM.

"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7934836 08/14/20 02:50 AM
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I killed my best deer ever 2 years ago on a Saturday afternoon at 2:30 pm, the rut was on, and nothing else mattered.

Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7934950 08/14/20 11:32 AM
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Best two days are today and tomorrow.


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Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7934960 08/14/20 11:38 AM
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thats a fine deer

Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7935023 08/14/20 12:36 PM
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Yep, this day and the next day

Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7935061 08/14/20 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Texas Dan
Much has been studied and written about how deer respond to hunting pressure. Having killed my best bucks during the middle of the week, I've always subscribed to the belief that deer quickly catch on that so many are after them and alter their movements as a matter of prey survival. The current issue of Deer and Deer Hunting magazine mentioned the results of yet another study that used radio-collared deer to measure the impact of hunting pressure on deer movements and found something quite interesting. As expected, the study found that deer reduce their movement on weekends since these are the days when hunting pressure peaks. However, what the study also found was that deer continue to lay low for a couple of days more as the woods continue to settle down. The study found that it wasn't until Thursday that many of these collared deer returned to their unpressured movements and often continued this into Friday. Then, just as if they had a calendar, they seemed to anticipate the return of hunter pressure by the time Saturday rolled around. These findings fall right in line with what I have seen over many seasons with one addition. I've also seen deer activity increase during the middle of the week during the later part of the season, just as it does during the later part of the week. You might say it seems, at least to me, that deer treat the later part of each season the same way they do the later part of the week, and seem to know when a lot of hunters have found other things to do.

Now IMO, a point not to be missed in all of this is that these findings are based on a normal season where the vast majority of hunters are at work during the week and only hunt during the weekends. Given the ongoing COVID situation and so many people able to spend more time in the woods, the deer might have a much harder time patterning hunter activity this year.

[Linked Image]

Another late season, middle-of-the-week buck

Yup
Seems the fishing at the coast nowadays is about the same way with all the weekend warriors screaming across the flats in their $80k rigs on the weekends.

Love that double muley split buck in your pic! Hell of a deer


High fence, low fence, no fence, it really doesn't matter as long as you're hunting!
Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Mako My Day] #7935089 08/14/20 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Mako My Day
I killed my best deer ever 2 years ago on a Saturday afternoon at 2:30 pm, the rut was on, and nothing else mattered.


Feedback appreciated.

Yes, all bets are off during the rut.

If only it would last much longer.

Last edited by Texas Dan; 08/14/20 01:40 PM.

"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Biscuit] #7935094 08/14/20 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by EastTXbound
thats a fine deer

any day of the week


"A hungry dog hunts best." Lee Trevino

www.prospectlandsurveying.com
Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7935322 08/14/20 04:13 PM
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Makes sense. Two best days to be in the woods are any days I can be there but I preferred Wed-Fri

Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7935451 08/14/20 05:19 PM
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The two best days seem to be the day before I get there and the day after I leave


That's my $.02. Here's you're change!!
Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7935687 08/14/20 07:38 PM
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Noble Foundation in Oklahoma did a radio collar study of some bucks to track their movement during hunting season. Results were interesting. I have also seen better deer hunting on lower pressured places when the weekend hunters were out and about. They pushed deer onto lower traffic places no matter the size. My place is like this in late season and I hunt everyday of the season just about.


Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?[Linked Image]
Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: stxranchman] #7935840 08/14/20 09:14 PM
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Originally Posted by stxranchman
Noble Foundation in Oklahoma did a radio collar study of some bucks to track their movement during hunting season. Results were interesting. I have also seen better deer hunting on lower pressured places when the weekend hunters were out and about. They pushed deer onto lower traffic places no matter the size. My place is like this in late season and I hunt everyday of the season just about.


The article also mentioned a study done in Oklahoma by researchers as Mississippi State University (Hail State!). It found that over a two-week period during the season, adult bucks dramatically reduced their distance traveled and began utilizing smaller areas more intensely. As would anyone IMO, the researchers interpreted this change in behavior as an effort to avoid being seen.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7936032 08/14/20 11:22 PM
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Any day is good, but I enjoy it more when I am there.


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Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7938229 08/16/20 07:08 PM
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Friday mornings always seemed good depending on weather. But as many have said, any day in the woods is better than none.


Freedom is a fragile thing ...Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again.
-- Ronald Reagan


Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7938373 08/16/20 09:21 PM
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Beng retired, my buddy and I hunt the middle of the week. We're normally the only ones in camp and have the whole lease to ourselves. It's nice and quiet.

Last edited by retfuz; 08/16/20 09:22 PM.
Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7951432 08/27/20 01:50 AM
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I don't have that problem at my place in Kansas. However, I have had a fishing lodge on Lake Fork for nearly 30 years and have been fishing here for nearly 40 years and can tell you that the bite on Monday is tougher than later in the week.


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Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7951697 08/27/20 12:01 PM
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My guess would be Thursday and Friday.


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Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7951937 08/27/20 03:35 PM
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Only 2 of us on 300 acres. Anytime is a good time. We only hunt the perimeter and most of our place is sanctuary. Having said that, when we had a couple of other people hunting they would come out on weekends, ride 4 wheelers to stands, pull chips and generally muddy the water. Back then I definitely saw more deer during the week. So happy I don't have to put up with carp any longer.

Last edited by Erathkid; 08/27/20 03:35 PM.

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Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7951946 08/27/20 03:45 PM
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Any day. Just need a bag of corn. They are like rats. The other 2 shooting lanes look the same.
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Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: hollidayHunter] #7951961 08/27/20 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by hollidayHunter
The two best days seem to be the day before I get there and the day after I leave


That is always what my trail cams tell me.


I have a deer problem on my hog lease!!!
Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7952007 08/27/20 04:29 PM
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Deer don't have calendars. They only know when there is a lot of activity in the woods and when there isn't


if the place is normally busy then it really does not matter, they are used to seeing people.


imo deer hunting is much easier when there are people on the ranch every day of the week than when there is very few people ever there.


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: txtrophy85] #7952113 08/27/20 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by txtrophy85
imo deer hunting is much easier when there are people on the ranch every day of the week than when there is very few people ever there.


But they also seem to know the difference between people who are working and those that are after them.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7952124 08/27/20 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Texas Dan
Originally Posted by txtrophy85
imo deer hunting is much easier when there are people on the ranch every day of the week than when there is very few people ever there.


But they also seem to know the difference between people who are working and those that are after them.


True. We can drive in and corn a road let a guy out to get in a stand and the deer are out before the truck is gone. Corn the road and then let somebody walk 50 yards to a stand and the corn will sit until the evening hunt or until an oil guy drives by at 35 miles an hour.


Sometimes it's hard being me! But somebody has to do it.
Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7952176 08/27/20 06:49 PM
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I hunt the weather more than the calendar, work and wife willing.

Re: Two best days each week to be in the deer woods [Re: Texas Dan] #7952201 08/27/20 07:08 PM
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I just hunt when i can. Most of my best deer have been shot when i would not have thought it was a great time/weather etc.

My three biggest bucks have all been shot between the hours of 2 and 3 on hot mid/late season afternoons.


It's hell eatin em live
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