Changing Patterns
Filed under: Ask Grant, Hunting Tactics
I hunt on a small 40 acre property with very little hunting pressure. Recently a new neighbor moved in and their dogs have been chasing the deer. Because of this the deer have changed their patterns and it has made hunting very hard. Luckily the dogs have finally been penned up, but the deer patterns are still messed up. What are some tips to make it a better season next year? Stephen
Stephen,
Dogs and other predators can easily cause deer, especially mature bucks, to change their pattern. Be thankful your neighbor began keeping his dogs on his property! It’s likely that the deer will return to using their traditional patterns by next hunting season.
Deer need food, cover, and water. I suggest you determine which of these habitat features are limited in the neighborhood and supply them on the property you hunt. A good strategy is always to identify a limiting factor and supply it in an area that allows you to approach a stand or blind without alerting deer to your presence. Identifying limiting factors is always a good strategy on any property.
Growing Deer together,
Grant
