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I don't doubt you saw that happen but it does make me doubt we are talking about the same thing when we say, "heavy hunting pressure". Heavy hunting pressure will make deer leave. If you see them come back, your spot isn't that heavily pressured. Was recently reading a study by Penn State regarding this. To sum it up, deer start relocating the day the heavy pressure hits, which is sometimes the day before season when people get in the woods to prepare for opening day. They go to pockets where they are undisturbed, sometimes many miles away, and do not return to their core areas until after gun season is over. This was a radio collar study, which interestingly didn't confirm the nocturnal theory we all have. Deer still moved during daylight they were just miles from where they used to be, in protected, little pockets.
go to the protected pockets! you know the stuff to thick or steep or wet , the places most wont or cant. get in early and wait for the fun.
 
I don't doubt you saw that happen but it does make me doubt we are talking about the same thing when we say, "heavy hunting pressure". Heavy hunting pressure will make deer leave. If you see them come back, your spot isn't that heavily pressured. Was recently reading a study by Penn State regarding this. To sum it up, deer start relocating the day the heavy pressure hits, which is sometimes the day before season when people get in the woods to prepare for opening day. They go to pockets where they are undisturbed, sometimes many miles away, and do not return to their core areas until after gun season is over. This was a radio collar study, which interestingly didn't confirm the nocturnal theory we all have. Deer still moved during daylight they were just miles from where they used to be, in protected, little pockets.
Well then I must have some suicidal deer where I go. The area I hunt sees a lot of bow hunters and especially gun hunters and gets pushed all week by 4 different clubs. But who really knows though every piece of land is different I guess.
 
I hunt only state land too, what I have found out through the years the hard way is that your strategy is probably only viable for bow season, once the first two days of muzzy and then 6 day comes...all bets are off. I wouldn't get too worked up about it, on state land that is just the way it is. Also...if you are willing to go further than all the rest, then at least during gun season you can still have some peace out there.
 
Discussion starter · #166 ·
I hunt only state land too, what I have found out through the years the hard way is that your strategy is probably only viable for bow season, once the first two days of muzzy and then 6 day comes...all bets are off. I wouldn't get too worked up about it, on state land that is just the way it is. Also...if you are willing to go further than all the rest, then at least during gun season you can still have some peace out there.
Yes thats the plan. Going PAST the swamp im currently on the edge onlf and then going further.. itll prob be a 2 hour walk.
 
Drivers are just god damn bullies with guns trying to compensate for the lack of skill they have. Driving deer is as easy as walking through the woods... [emoji107] [emoji107] [emoji107]
How many Good bucks do you have hanging on your wall ? . How many deer have you shot ?
 
you guys are funny [lol]
 
I'm new to the sport as well. I can say that I don't agree with drives but I don't bad mouth them either as they are legal. The problem I have with what I witnessed yesterday is that the drivers set up within 30 yards of me and my son, clearly seeing us in our stands. The shouting and noise ruined our hunt. I was hoping to use it to my advantage, but not this time. Lesson learned; I will stay out of the woods this week from now on. Just my .02.
 
I'm new to the sport as well. I can say that I don't agree with drives but I don't bad mouth them either as they are legal. The problem I have with what I witnessed yesterday is that the drivers set up within 30 yards of me and my son, clearly seeing us in our stands. The shouting and noise ruined our hunt. I was hoping to use it to my advantage, but not this time. Lesson learned; I will stay out of the woods this week from now on. Just my .02.
more time than not the deer circle behind the drivers, having a drive go past can be a good thing if the deer are not moving on there own. I do hate when they come by me but when they do I quickly move to the far end of the drivers close to the thickest stuff I know of and wait. killed a lot of deer that way. the deer are not dumb and know what is going on so they try to get back to safety especially the older smarter ones that been through the ringer before.
 
Funny sh!t, same old same old. The one day a year I do drives is awesome. Everyone I hunt with on that day I met through this forum and always meet a new hunter or 2 also, good times. I used to drive deer in a club with rifles in NY on 250 acres and I miss those days which is why I do the deer a thon. There's plenty of strategy, knowledge and hunting know-how involved in driving deer as well as that just shoot sh!t mentality and what's wrong with either... go back and read the stages of a hunter. If you didn't see it coming, then you were not prepared for your hunt. Had you anticipated the events and devised a strategy appropriate for the day, maybe your preparation would've met your opportunity and that's when you get lucky. No matter what ones opinion is, be thankful for your time in the woods, the safe return of yourself to your loved ones and an opportunity to learn and grow from the experience. Go dust off a shotgun, come to the deer a thon, drive some deer and have a good time. It will not be an easy day in the woods, it will be tough hunting. It will test your patience and tenacity, your woodsmanship and your shooting skill, your stamina and your ability to take a ribbing if you eff up... that sounds like hunting to me! Be safe and shoot straight!
 
Does-0
Bucks-0
Nuff said.

LOL that's what I saw. Youngest member of our drive group is Very selective at just 16 years old. He has already shot a good buck as well as half a dozen does.looks like the OP needs to reaccess what he really knows about hunting before throwing stones at guys who know a hundred times more
 
Do you remember last year? the year before? 10 years ago? 40? Have you heard the saying "a house divided"? Look at it this way, the gun guys let the bow guys have >3 months in the woods, including the rut. they stayed out of your way and patiently waited for their turn. They have this one week. If it gets you so upset to see drivers, stay out of the woods for them then this one week. Plenty of stand hunters shoot deer while or just after a drive went by. (I have) If not, theres always next week, next month, next year.
 
I love how people judge somebody by his 0 does and 0 bucks on posts...and how everybody knows more then them...I haven't shot a deer this year either...and that's cause I'm picky...but I guess if you kill bucks and does during a drive or you are just shooting deer you know more...that's a bunch of BS....cause as far as I can see nobody on this site is a pro.. if you don't know somebody how can you say what they do and don't know
 
I actually participated in my first drive ever this afternoon and man was it a blast.
I was sitting in the parking lot of a convenience store eating jerky taking a little lunch break 5 trucks pulled up and asked if I wanted to tag along I gladly accepted.
Had a great time after they asked if I wanted to follow them to the clubhouse for dinner and drinks but had to decline because I had to help my buddy track a 6 point he shot.
Great group of guys and look forward to going out tomorrow with them.
For those that are going to bash me for it...Go pound sand
 
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