Deer Hunting Near Creeks/Rivers - Where and How

[@Dutch.1722]

Thanks for your video. I have been hunting high country in Shawnee for the 3 seasons. From where we camp, its a long haul, but I am gonna saddle hunt this fall and hike down about 2 miles from camp and search for these crossings on the big muddy river when I go to pick mushrooms in the spring. There is a big creek way down as you describe. I am a meat hunter so does are on the menu for me. Thanks again.

[@RelentlessSportsman]

Good luck to you! I'm sure you'll find quality deer sign around the river as it's fairly easy to find. Plus you'll hear deer heading toward you if they cross near by, that's always exciting! Thanks for watching!

[@Dutch.1722]

@@RelentlessSportsman I will need luck as I dont live down there but visit 1 to 2 times a year spring and fall. I am gonna use the tools in this video and mark some usable trees on the GPS. There is more public on the other sidebas well as crop land and pressure as there is a campground across the river. Hopefully I dont run into boating hunters. Thanks again.

[@RelentlessSportsman]

@@Dutch.1722 You can also watch this video if you want: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mma2nnptZbdmhpI It's a video about finding deer sign near water - practical tips that have helped me a lot over the years.

[@Gilbertking-c3i]

Perfect video very well explained I have same set up right across street from my house stream or creek this helps a lot cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@stevew3718]

Nice videos with some good tips. I really like early spring scouting, just before, or as the snow starts to melt, especially on public land. This will give you a good indication of deer trails, bedding, or migration routes. At this time of the year, it will look exactly like it does during late season. You can definitely narrow down areas that might be good and set up a mineral lick with cameras to get an inventory of the area. Look for potential stand sites and do some prep work. This way, you're not out cutting shooting lanes and spooking deer in the fall.

[@RelentlessSportsman]

Shooting lanes and mineral blocks are a big NO GO. I hunt primarily public land and both of those are illegal in my state.

[@stevew3718]

@Relentless Sportsman up here in Ontario, you can do it. Also, you can leave your stand up and remove it at the end of the season. Different rules in different provinces and states.

[@markheidema3699]

Great video. Have you had to drag a deer across the water? If so, how did you do it? boat? or did you just get it across w/o gutting it? tks!

[@RelentlessSportsman]

Thank you. Yes, I use an otter sled for smaller rivers. If it were to be a larger crossing, I’d probably use a canoe, but that hasn’t happened yet.

[@joshthompson112]

10 acres of woods with a river and a trout stream? That's your own piece of paradise.

[@RelentlessSportsman]

You're right. The struggle this property has is once it gets real cold, the grassy, ferns and nettles die off and it really opens up. Then the deer feel less secure. I'm trying to hinge and open up the canopy a bit more.

[@jadsr69]

I got a big buck I’ve been after and I found where he has rubbed alot of trees and all of these trees he has shredded are big diameter trees. These rubs are on both sides of a small creek. I’m talking only about 8-10 feet wide but there is enough water running through it to give them a water source. I’m trying to figure out when he’s there. Since this year the days have been warmer than usual the deer just haven’t been moving except at night. It seems they are moving at night when it’s cooler. Every bigger buck I’ve caught on my trail cams have been caught at night and very early morning like 3-4 am. What I’m trying to figure out is when these buck are coming in for their drinks. If they are moving more at night and are being caught on my cams that are set up away from this creek on a main path going in I’m wondering if they’re hitting the creek in the morning and bedding during the warm days. I have sat there for a couple evenings until almost dark and have seen a few deer in the thicket. Very thick. I’ve seen a tree moving which I’m assuming it was a buck rubbing it. Again in the evening. So I’m starting to think this monster buck is hitting the drink in the morning before he heads back into the thick stuff to bed. I’ve just found this place and these rubs and don’t really want to move any of my cams just yet and disturb anything by walking through to move a cam go out up near this spot I found that I think is his stomping grounds so close to the rut. What’s your opinion.

[@josephprosser7414]

If I have permission to hunt a small chunk of land on the river during the rut will deer pass through and move around the river all day? The land around is almost completly private so will the deer be moving through all the time or since its private do they just typically stay in one area?

[@RelentlessSportsman]

It really depends on the hunting pressure around the parcel you're hunting. Great timing with this question - just yesterday, at 11:30 am, a 6 pointer cruised through the river bottom I was watching. So yes, they will move through there, especially if it's heavier cover. In my experience, I see more bucks cruising river bottoms in the morning and later evening, than I do during the day. I believe the reason is because does are near food sources in the evening and near bedding int he morning, and the bucks I see during those times are using the river bottoms just to get there. I hope that makes sense, but yes, they will cruise river bottoms during the day.

[@lfaulk36]

Would this work in fl?

[@RelentlessSportsman]

No clue. Give it a try and let me know.

[@jamesschroeder969]

Those screw in steps are dangerous man. You have a fall they will gut you. And after a few years they have been known to snap at the tree line

[@RelentlessSportsman]

Yes, you are correct. Thank you for the reminder. I currently do not use them. For any private land setups, I use the ladder steps that strap onto the tree instead.

[@thannerz]

Deer can go weeks without a drink of water

[@RelentlessSportsman]

Idk about weeks, but they can go a long time. Especially when all their food is still green.

[@doncook3584]

Pointing camera without showing overhead view means nothing. You know what you see but viewers are scratching their heads. Build the video through the eyes of viewer who has never been there. Maps showing prevailing winds terrain features travel routes etc