Spooking Bucks While Deer Hunting | Why Worry?

[@jimpeterson3806]

Your videos are truly worth their weight in gold. I'm one of those guys who hunt in a non fantasy state in a non fantasy area(central Michigan). Shooting a 2 year old buck on the public land I hunt around here is my only goal. Anything older than that is a cherry on top. Your knowledge on whitetails and habitat has not only helped me pick better stand locations, but also helped with better entrance/exit routes etc. I don't think I've ever been so pumped to bowhunt this fall. Thank you for sharing your whitetail wisdom!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man, Jim...thank you so much! That really means a lot to me and it gets me fired up for YOU! Good luck, sounds like you are well on your way ☺️

[@PickNarks]

I relate to this video. 50 Acres here in Central East Missouri, high hunting pressure area. I have a plot that I used to always come and hunt and fling an arrow at the first doe that would come out. Granted that I've hunting this piece since i was 7 and I'm 25 now. Learned a lot just having a small piece in big timber. But 2018 I didn't hunt the plot. 2019, I stayed off it early season for the most part and just watched trail cam photos. this plot blew up, more than I have seen in 15 years. Was actually getting multiple mature, DAYLIGHT bucks. I couldn't believe. I do think there were other factors also play but mainly the pressure and the way I used it definitely made a difference. But what was crazy is in all the years hunting and "monitoring" the deer activity on this place, I would never get a mature buck in the plot unless it was night time or November. And now there is not 1 but 3 visiting quite often on weather fronts. With that being said. Oct. 15 cold front came, I hunted it, and one of the big boys stepped out and met his maker. First Archery buck and buck that I actually killed that wasn't a "rut buck." This is not fantasy land Missouri. This is big timber, hills/small mountains, rocky terrain, Mark Twain Forest stuff and super high hunting pressure. I relate to a lot of your videos and want to share that and say thanks for providing content! Keep it coming

[@brianoimoen5627]

Wonder if we are hunting the same place lol…

[@davidtpierce]

Jeff, absolutely PERFECTLY said !! Great video and topic....well said and awesome advice !!!

[@darinbarber2922]

As always a very educational video. This will reinforce how we hunt not to spook doe movement patterns.

[@studentoftheoutdoors3348]

can not wait to watch this as soon as i have time! always look forward to your educational vids!! have a good day.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot...I really hope that you have time soon! Have a great day, I always appreciate your feedback 👍

[@royguidry1311]

Interesting topic today while I sit in my undercover vehicle and watch drug dealers. Thx brother👍🏻

[@UndisputedRoofer]

There no different sleep all day up all night brother.get em

[@markhumphrey855]

Awesome video again Jeff, I always look forward to your videos.

[@brianlenneman5032]

Great video Jeff!!! This is by far the most important step!! I needed to spend some more time on my doe bedding around the plots, getting most of that taken care of the past two weekends! Hope all is well!! Can’t wait for the web series!!

[@markr.1547]

Thanks for another great one! Been at the cabin for over 30 days doing so much of your recommendations while avoiding the virus. Stands being taken off of the food plots, travel corridors just to name a few but what I’m excited about is shooting my bow while sitting down! Confidence is high and I think I’m shooting better! Just waiting for weather to warm up to plant 1000 red osier dogwoods and fenced . Can’t wait to getting my screenings set up with the product from John K and start preparing the soil to plant switchgrass next winter. Have that movement of deer already and can tell the does are carrying fawns! When do I kill the winter rye? Do I leave it until I prepare for the fall plantings?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Mark that's awesome to hear...well except being quarantined 😲. Hope you are healthy and safe and man, that all sounds really good! Enjoy hunting sitting down 👍 Also, I like taking care of the rye as soon as possible...either killing or mowing. I kill to get ready to plant my ultimate no till planting method. It can be a mess if you let it go until Fall planting time...

[@BuckSchott-pu9ow]

I start spraying the last week of turkey season. Actually be spraying 24d and round up tommorow.

[@myronlaidler8034]

Morning Jeff ,have heard it quoted someplace before "nature abhors a vaccume" I have observed when a buck is shot another takes its place,some spots seem to hold bucks year after year.Same movements especially during rut,you see this too?

[@fattroutlounge]

Hi Jeff, I jumped a nice 8pt (120"+) during a mid-October morning hunt coming out of my stand. It was a great find b/c I was able to establish his core area and kill him later in the year about 320 yards from his Oct bed in late rut. I have one or two stands on food plots and only hunt 0-3 times a year depending on opportunity. What has been a real joy is to see the amount of buck sign after 3-years of implementing your design. There's an area of my property I don't really hunt (by my house) that has just exploded. I really leave the area unpressured and scrapes have just exploded. In general, it's great to hear your philosophy on this b/c I'm on constant egg shells trying to get in and out of stands. Needs a few more years of regeneration, additional cuttings and switchgrass needs to get to at least 4 feet. Good luck!

[@axiong1036]

Wonderful tips! Thank you very much!

[@dak8840]

Jeff I stalk hunt public land , but I'm relatively new at hunting. I hunt with the wind in my face and tend to jump does up frequently by accident. Should I continue to pursue those deer or should I give up at that point. I'm pretty sure they didn't smell me , but I think they hear me walking through the leaves. Cause they don't seem to run as if they're in fear of there life , but more less trotted off for several yards then stop. I struggle to see them before it's too late.

[@HarvestOutdoors]

Jeff, I'm struggling this spring (COVID-19 boredom) with wanting to be in the woods all the time working on things. I've thought of starting projects I didn't plan for another 2-3 years, just because we have the time. We have just 10 acres, but it's in the middle of a 330 acre section and we have some of the best bedding. How much is too much time in the woods? Is there a point of diminishing returns where your projects do too much damage due to spooking the deer? Great content, as always.

[@brianstiff5680]

Looking forward to your classes and another new book in the future.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot Brian, really hoping that it all helps!

[@josephgallo1459]

Hey Jeff, how many does is too many? I hunt a 150 acre plot in Western NY and we are very lucky if we harvest a single mature buck every 1-2 years. This could be due to hunting pressure but we always see does!

[@benmicheau6046]

Great video Jeff. You talk a lot about food first and that all deer relate to food. How big of a plot is necessary to create a consistent movement? I hunt in the up and there is no ag around.

[@KuhnenOutdoors]

Thanks Jeff. Any plans to release a whiteboard video of how elevation changes impact where you establish foodplots/bedding areas on a new property? I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts on that!

[@PT-yk4nt]

Great video Jeff, hope my neighbors don’t hear this about not spooking foodplots, lol. can’t wait for your web class.

[@danaboyd5656]

Learning a great deal from your videos. What is the best way not spook deer on a small parcel,20 acre farm? Thanks

[@kurtpearson8597]

Thanks for more great hunting tips! Question; what would you do to convert ag land to wildlife habitat? Switch grass 50% and browse pocket the rest? (Braska redosier winter rhy? )

[@joenicmck]

Jeff . I always learn something from your videos.That being said ,i wish you didnt always come down on looking for buck beds.Yes there is a lot more to it than finding the beds,.you have to determine when they bed there and where the does are in relation to the beds,where the food is and so forth..sometimes finding the buck bedding is easier than finding the food ,if youve learned what to look for ,so its the starting point..my point is learning to find the buck bedding has been extremely helpful to me as a hunter over the past few years and i think you often downplay its value . i appreciate your confidence ,and your experience. But just ask that you keep an open mind. thanks again for the videos..

[@stickjr.3715]

Does your book really cost $200.00? I'm having a hard time finding it online. And when I did that was the price I found. Is that correct.

[@joshuapierce3463]

I got busted this morning by my number one hit lister as I was drawing back, first time I saw him this entire season, I have a doe family by me that I haven’t spooked once, is he now gone?

[@ahmetyesil1286]

How about in public land? I spooked does few times in same spot either with my walk or my car. Last 2 weeks I am not seeing anything since last encounter. Should I keep waiting in that area or should I move to new spot? Thanks

[@markmeyer2757]

Another well done vide and coffee moment!

[@foxf6]

I spooked a buck on the way to my food source plot I late day or evening hunt, he was in his bedding area I watched him run away and I kept cool. Sat right on the ground and waited 20 minutes. Hit the grunt call and boom there he was 20 ft in front of me.

[@aptvfishing9608]

I have a loner buck that ive seen more towards the end of the season. We have 2 weeks or so left and ive got him on camera sometimes 6 and 7 pm then it will switch to 12 to 3 am. Ive seen him in the same spot during the day twice. And spooked him twice. He hasnt blown or anything just ran off. About 200 yrds away. Should i be worried he will leave or not?

[@mattb1340]

Off topic question: do you run the cultipacker over buckwheat seed on the first time you plant a field on open soil or just use the cultipacker when you are crushing down existing buckwheat, rye etc...

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Matt! Just a cultipacker to crush the buckwheat...and this is very important.

[@A-A-Mac2016]

What do you suggest if you can only control your doe population in the early season

[@danweiland6290]

Quick question, how many does do you feel should be on a 40 acre parcel before it’s considered a doe factory?

[@joelfreese269]

I just watched your video on how to catch a trespasser, and was wondering what you would do if they were looking for a deer that ran on your property? You didn’t mention that in the video and I was curious. Thanks!

[@rexicenhower1678]

I have 42 acres surrounded by hunting clubbers. I talked with them and have an agreement if they shoot one and it trails to my property call me and i will help them recover it. Same goes for if i shoot one and trail it to their lease. Works great

[@JM-bb8xi]

So I hunt a private property its my neighbors. So I cant do much to manage it. I have seen 2 bucks, 1 big one, in 2 days. But I dont see many does. Is this normal?

[@donkey8781]

I have permission to hunt a field in my backyard in Michigan. This year he said he’s gonna do a hay field do you have any advise for me? It’s hard to stay off it cause it’s so convenient for me to walk out my back door and hunt.

[@jeremyc.3848]

Morning Jeff. Let's say I'm hunting a food plot in the evening and I have deer on the food and I run out of daylight but the deer are still there. Instead of climbing down and spooking them, is having someone come in a vehicle or utv/atv to drive them off going to have them not associate the plot with danger or is that just as bad as spooking them from climbing down and them seeing me?

[@ericjenson7734]

jeremy casey the does will be back but the more it happens the more nervous they become. And we both know the does are the boss and if they are nervous the big boys definitely are

[@myronlaidler8034]

Carry a coyote howler,blow it to run them off,better in m.h.o than them seeing you educating them to human presence..

[@rfb7117]

Jeremy....I've tried it all including the coyote call. It did not work for me. I finally purchased the ultimate snort call from Peter Fiduccia (607-738-2754). It works perfectly, I only sort a couple of times, even at a few hundred yrds. and is inexpensive. The deer look around to see the danger , and don't see it then they slowly trot off.

[@dualthreatoutdoors]

Where do you balance attracting bucks with doe and not having a doe factory?

[@runningpranch68]

Great video as usual -Gabe

[@BattleBendOutdoors]

Great video

[@jasonparker92]

How far from food plot is sufficient to set up stand?

[@andrewmuntz4981]

Great video Jeff. Just curious, are you up for meeting in the morning at our house instead of a diner for breakfast and talking things over before the day? Also was wondering if you’re allowing handshakes lol. Just trying to feel ya out before you’re around. Thanks.

[@thedonerparty3347]

Can you make a video about how to make sure your fawns are being healthy or somewhere around that title

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

The cool thing is that most fawning grounds have more quality habitat than they need...there is very little that you can actually do. Kind of a myth out there that you can take care of fawns. One of the best ways however, has more to do with cover. Improve your cover and you can improve your fawn survival rates. It sounds feel good/sound good on paper, but fawns really don't need us to help them out unless you are providing more cover. But even then, those who own the best fawning grounds typically are not the her influencers in the neighborhood...just good spots for taking pictures during the he Summer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWnOaIeujM6tj8U

[@rondeal3823]

nice buck sign beside you there..very informative,thank you...question..im cutting in 2 200 by 100 plots..other members want to clover our logging rd...is that a good idea with the plots

[@angeloc9923]

Thank you Get information

[@trevtac7058]

I spooked 5 doe this season, should i be worried ? I mean its almost inevitable lol

[@shannonherb2048]

My hunting property is small, and it's agg. Deer get jumped all the time by tractors. I still harvest deer.

[@Quinn4999]

How do you protect bedding from beavers flooding it out? Kill the beavers? Haha

[@underdogoutdoors]

What!!!??? The ONLY way to shoot a mature buck is to sneak into his bedding area, on high pressure public land, in a saddle, with one customized climbing stick & spider wire aider loop (all gear combined must weigh under 2lbs.) It doesn't hurt either, if you bring a bunch of goofy kids with you wearing baseball caps & long bozo hair to film. Who taught you how to hunt anyway?