Thread: Where are all the deer

Hi gents,

I’m relatively new to all this so I thought I’d ask you lot a few questions. I’ve been out solo looking for deer 7-8 times. Mostly in the same area ( Aorangis ) but to no avail. I see plenty of sign which, to me, looks relatively fresh. I have seen a couple deer but they’re always on the wrong side of the fence so I figure I must be in the right ish places. Questions are as follows

Do deer hang out at different altitudes at different times of year?

What is the range of deer generally? Ie. if I see fresh sign they can’t be that far away?

Do they move around a lot during the day or do they tend to stay in the same spot?

I’ve googled a bit about deer behaviour etc but I’ve not really found much. Any answers or links to info would be appreciated.

Thanks


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Get the book stalking the seasons round, by Roger Lentil and Frank Saxton. Pretty good guide for that sort of info.

Originally Posted by 300wsm for life

Get the book stalking the seasons round, by Roger Lentil and Frank Saxton. Pretty good guide for that sort of info.

Thanks will have a look for it


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yes.up to a km.correct.depends on time of year/feed avialability/hunting pressure. the book above is well worth whatever it costs you...never grows out of date.red deer in NZ by same authors is another cracker to get you doing it better.

If I can dig my copy out I will lend it to you.

If I can’t get my hands on a copy that would be amazing


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I find this time of year is harder hunting but another six weeks time when the grass starts to grow in the creeks/river beds and slip faces or on clearings thats where they will be or not far away. early morning and late afternoon.

Originally Posted by HOO

Hi gents,

I’m relatively new to all this so I thought I’d ask you lot a few questions. I’ve been out solo looking for deer 7-8 times. Mostly in the same area ( Aorangis ) but to no avail. I see plenty of sign which, to me, looks relatively fresh. I have seen a couple deer but they’re always on the wrong side of the fence so I figure I must be in the right ish places. Questions are as follows

Do deer hang out at different altitudes at different times of year?

What is the range of deer generally? Ie. if I see fresh sign they can’t be that far away?

Do they move around a lot during the day or do they tend to stay in the same spot?

I’ve googled a bit about deer behaviour etc but I’ve not really found much. Any answers or links to info would be appreciated.

Thanks


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If you are seeing them over the fence I expect that I know where you are going in the Aorangis.

PM me to make contact and introduce yourself and I will see how I can assist you to get one (on the right side of the fence ).

I hope that you are a NZDA member and that you are going to their head judging tonight?

Cheers

Originally Posted by HOO

Hi gents,

I’m relatively new to all this so I thought I’d ask you lot a few questions. I’ve been out solo looking for deer 7-8 times. Mostly in the same area ( Aorangis ) but to no avail. I see plenty of sign which, to me, looks relatively fresh. I have seen a couple deer but they’re always on the wrong side of the fence so I figure I must be in the right ish places. Questions are as follows

Do deer hang out at different altitudes at different times of year?

What is the range of deer generally? Ie. if I see fresh sign they can’t be that far away?

Do they move around a lot during the day or do they tend to stay in the same spot?

I’ve googled a bit about deer behaviour etc but I’ve not really found much. Any answers or links to info would be appreciated.

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Deer on the "wrong side of the fence" hardly puts you in the "right place" if they are farmed deer...unless you are looking for "escapees"

the good news is spring is upon us....get your bum back out the door as often as you can....get out of bed EARLY and be on the spot at daylight,take ya binos ,find a good vantage point and sit n look. stags are mostly shedding so for next 5mths will be growing velvet so need to scoff enough tucker,all the deer will be hungry after winter,the hinds are still in fawn so eating for 2. good time to shoot hinds as no fawn at foot to worry about. spikers will get the boot from mum soon....spring is great time to fill freezer,arguably the easiest time of year to find deer.

I am not yet a member but my Dad suggested the same thing. Hope the meetings good this evening. Will PM soon


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Originally Posted by DavidGunn

Deer on the "wrong side of the fence" hardly puts you in the "right place" if they are farmed deer...unless you are looking for "escapees"

They’re not farmed deer it’s private property


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Well I found it. So if you want to borrow it send me a PM.

Originally Posted by HOO

They’re not farmed deer it’s private property


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Exactly. You aren't doing anything wrong so long as you are on the Park side of the fence.

Deer do move around at different times of the year. During winter they tend to get into the shelter of the bush and generally on the sunny side of the valley. They will feed on slips and clearings at this time of the year when the weather allows. Come spring and summer and deer tend to be everywhere and are looking for new growth. Stags are growing velvet and hinds are getting ready for fawning so both need plenty of food. This time of year the open tops and the riverbeds are good areas to hunt as the animals are looking at the high value food.
Generally if you are onto fresh sign the animals won't be far away, when fresh dropping ( numerous amounts)are found in areas these are feed areas and good areas to target, especially early or late in the day.
We have found on the trail cameras that deer are up and about at any time of the day and night so bush hunting all day will generally pay dividends.
When you encounter good fresh sign ( green, slimy, and possibly warm) you need to go at a snails pace with the wind into your face, spend a lot of time looking and listening as quite often you hear them moving around. Before your shot make sure you have a positive ID before firing.
It can be frustrating trying to get onto deer but you will soon learn to ID the areas that are productive and these areas stay productive always. Young deer are introduced to the feed areas by their mothers so these places are where the deer are likely to be.