Nighthunter so your saying many move to the Mountains and stay their through the Winter. Which could mean lack of sightings unless your willing to climb or get to the top?

Ah... kinda.

More so saying that in the spring/summer months the populations in the valleys are artificially inflated, especially near heavily farmed agricultural areas. Once these crops are picked and normal dispersion starts taking place in the late summer and early fall, some deer move back into the mountain land surrounding the valleys. Hunters will typically never notice the difference because they aren't monitoring their deer that closely until just before the season. We saw it every year there and I continually see it while working with farmers.

I didn't really mean you had to go to the top to see deer, just that there isn't as many staying in the valleys as you would see during the summer months. They have dispersed to their fall home ranges.

We still killed deer in the bottoms but we just didn't keep that number of deer in the bottoms.

Got you. Thanks for explaining!

I've found the bucks in my area change their patterns shortly after they lose their velvet. Around here that's usually around Oct 7-15. If you're in n ala I would think that would be in sept

There is zero Ag within 5-7 miles of our place. Our deer don’t typically range that far. We have some spots that are always occupied by does and rarely see bucks outside of the rut. The bucks are congregated on the SE side of the property this time of year but will disperse a little over the next 2 months. We routinely watch bucks year after year.

I guess there is a benefit to not having Ag, lol

Too much pressure. I'm guilty as anyone. Cameras, cutting, planting, scouting. Neighbors doing similar. It's all ramping up. The deer know.

First time I walk into my hunting spot will be opening day

That’s the best way to do it Beetle!

Hey man I just know what works for me

I have been getting alot of pictures of several
nice bucks since June. They have all dissaperd
as of 3 weeks ago. Now in the same spots Im getting
a few doe pictures, but no fawns. That really concerns me
out of 5 cameras on a 150 acres I have no fawn pictures.
I dont think pressure has much to do with my deer sightings
On my land,only because I drive my truck to check my cameras,
put out feed ,prune limbs , bushog trails, and so on.
I guess what im saying is on a hunting club you have several different
hunters comeing and going with different vehicles, four wheelers,
and the deer get spooked more. BUT on your on lease, they font get
Spooked because they are used to a hunters routine.

Game cameras are the best thing that ever happened to a deer to help him survive

Best explanation: Deer do deer things.

No doubt, there are a couple that I would have killed but let them walk for the one I had on camera, which I finally saw on my neighbors tailgate

Well after today’s card pull I’m sure that they are eating elsewhere. Even my does have vanished for most part. Eithe someone has something delicious out for them or some acorns have fallen like crazy!