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21 members (Stacey, sw1002, woodduck, trlrdrdave, Daveleeal, mathews prostaff, BobK, BACK40, M48scout, Morris, Booner Hunter, BearBranch, AU338MAG, Okatuppa, desertdog, kodiak06, Frankie, dtmwtp, 3 invisible),
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,401
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,401 |
I have hunted a field within 200 yards of several duck hunters blasting away and the deer never even pick their heads up at the sound of the shot. They are completely used to it as evidenced by my earlier statement that I had a deer stand still for 3 consecutive misses.
The few shots that are fired while deer hunting have no more effect that the occasional clap of thunder. When they hear a shot they aren't sitting there thinking their cousin Sally just became dinner. They just aren't that
smart. This 100%. Ive had deer keep feeding after one fell right next to them. I dont know if they think "Sally" just fell asleep or what but low pressured deer arent that concerned. The shooting doesnt concern me. Im more worried about once I have one on the ground how I can get it and get out of here as undetected as possible.
Last edited by TChunter; 02/06/14 10:16 AM.
On the Eighth day God created flounder.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,076 Likes: 2
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,076 Likes: 2 |
Pressure is pressure is pressure. It don't matter what your weapon of choice is. Yep. Deer aren't all that bothered by gun fire. I have had them stand still while I missed 3 shots in a row. They have no idea what it is. It is the human scent left in the woods that causes deer to modify their behavior. The advantage of bow only is that fewer deer are killed which translates into more bucks reaching maturity. To add, the comings and goings of hunters in a hunting area will modify their behavior. Deer become aware of the little things like truck doors shutting, trees being climbed, talking, golf carts or ATV's riding around, ect. I don't think the deer care whether you have a gun, bow, or camera in your hand. If you are consistently in an area, they know it and adapt accordingly. Dr. B
AKA: “Dr. B”
Aldeer #121
8-3-2000
Proud alum of AUM, UAB, and UA
2023-2024 ALdeer Deer Contest Winners
2024-2025 Aldeer Deer Contest Winners
Glennis Jerome "Jerry" Harris
1938-2017
UGA Class of 1960
BS/MS Forestry
LTJG, USNR
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,867
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,867 |
We tend to hunt plots a lot at one of our places. 2 members bow hunt only and 2 gun hunt only. As one of the gun hunters, my point was that I can sneak in and out of the shooting houses without ever alarming a deer (as long as I hunt proper wind). However, every time the bow hunters hunt those same plots they walk through the plot to climb a tree along the edge of the field and at the end of the hunt they either scare deer out of the plot by making noise climbing down the tree or by walking back through the plot. IMHO this type of consistent pressure is much worse than shooting a gun in a plot 1-2 times per year.
Of course, if I had it my way we would not shoot any does on plots!
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 214
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 214 |
Just from an opinion standpoint, I would fall in the camp that says human presence is bad regardless of what weapon I'm toting. However, I do feel like the loud noise of guns shooting is more detrimental than not.
Case Study: Most of my hunting is done on a military base that has some "bow only" areas. Except for this season that just ended, those areas have been open every day of the season for years and years. And there's not a day goes by that someone isn't bowhunting in them (retired military guys apparently have nothing else to do but hunt, LOL) The gun areas are only open on selected days (normally weekends only), and even then are rotated around for the purpose of limiting pressure. Except for what I've just explained, there's no difference in the terrain, locale, food sources, nothing. But by mid-season those bow areas are absolutely loaded with deer, while all the gun hunters are complaining about not seeing any deer, even though the pressure distribution would seem to be at least equal (if not worse in the bow areas). And the perception is always that the big bucks are "hiding in those bow only areas" (and honestly, they do seem to be). So make your own conclusion from that example, but I think there's something less "pressuring" to deer about a bowhunting only area than a gun area. Correlation does not equal causation...the reason more deer are in the bow only area could easily be because there are fewer hunter hours over all. Also, think of how much more scent/presence you leave in an area retrieving a dead animal vs just hunting? Surely more deer are killed in the gun hunting areas. There are a lot of variables in any study and without controls on the variables, there is no way to pinpoint the exact cause and effect. Agreeing with other posters, I know I get blown at a lot more bow hunting than I do gun hunting. I think bow only would be fun in that you would likely have a group of hunters that really enjoyed all aspects of "the hunt" I however, still enjoy a cold morning glassing hundreds of acres of cutover, and I like having the option for a quick/easy hunt in a permanent stand or a comfortable hunt with a new hunter.
"The kill is the satisfying, indeed essential, conclusion to a successful hunt. But, I take no pleasure in the act itself. One does not hunt in order to kill, but kills in order to have hunted. - Finn Aagard
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 397
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 397 |
Pressure is pressure is pressure. It don't matter what your weapon of choice is. Yep. Deer aren't all that bothered by gun fire. I have had them stand still while I missed 3 shots in a row. They have no idea what it is. It is the human scent left in the woods that causes deer to modify their behavior. The advantage of bow only is that fewer deer are killed which translates into more bucks reaching maturity. ^^this^^
Luck is where preparation meet opportunity
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,896 Likes: 1
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,896 Likes: 1 |
It is the scent of man that scares the deer. Weapon is not material.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 196
3 point
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3 point
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 196 |
So if Alabama opened the entire archery season to smoothbore/round ball muzzle loaders there would be essentially no hunting pressure change. The Smoothbore frontloaders, the crossbow and the high tech compound bow all have roughly the same functional accuracy range.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,063
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,063 |
Hunters in the woods = pressure, no matter what you're carrying. Most of the clubs in Baldwin county were once $50 permit land. You were allowed to hunt Sat-Wed only. I killed/saw so many more bucks over there when it was permit land than "managed" club land. Transferred to Kodiak and then returned to find out the land was leased to clubs. Joined a club, hunted all the time, barely saw bone... TOO much pressure from the locals. The most enjoyable part was watching the clubs board members break/push the limits on the rules they were supposed to enforce.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,687
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,687 |
I'll add 2 more cents to this topic...there are bow hunters and there are very successful bow hunters, just like you have gun hunters and very successful gun hunters. The continually successful group of both do things smartly to minimize pressure and increase their odds of seeing and taking game. In my opinion though, the bow hunter has to be a little better due to their limited effective range.
The key to any continual individual hunting success by a group will be inversely proportional to the lack of pressure discipline displayed by any member in that group. That's why I prefer large tracts with few hunters who are like minded in their approach to hunting.
"Never met a deer that I didn't like" - QDMAV8R
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