| most hunters tend to think the biggest bucks are | | | | on land and harvest a deer which has reached |
| to be found in the farthest reaches of the | | | | land fully. This method of hunting is productive at |
| wilderness areas, many are realizing that the deer | | | | some larger lakes and on rivers of larger size. The |
| they were after might have been right there at | | | | hunter positions himself across river from prime |
| home all along. | | | | deer habitat which is certain to be invaded with |
| Of course it is true that unhunted places harboring | | | | hunters on opening day. This prime deer habitat is |
| really big bucks do exist in some of the less | | | | usually the low-lying side of the river, the flood |
| accessible, out-country areas. These places | | | | plain. The hunter takes a vantage point on the |
| become less and less of a haven each season as | | | | high bank opposite and glasses the water for |
| the motorized hunter enters the wilderness. | | | | deer. When spotting his prey he plots a possible |
| Many a buck has crouched low to watch the ATV | | | | landing point for the deer and while disguising his |
| go by and gone back to the normal routine after | | | | movement positions himself for a telescopic shot. |
| the noisy intrusion passed by. | | | | A 200-pound live-weight deer will drink two to |
| A stand of pines, a blackberry thicket, or a | | | | three quarts of water daily at average weather |
| honeysuckle thicket right behind a house which is | | | | temperatures. |
| cut off from the rest of the woodlands by a cow | | | | A deer which has drowned does not make good |
| field or other fields is ideal for deer. | | | | eating. Drowning can be avoided by allowing the |
| You might find big bucks next to urban areas in | | | | deer to fully clear the bank before shooting. |
| the most unexpected places. These bucks have | | | | A deer disease commonly called "blue tongue" |
| chosen these places to hide from hunters. There | | | | dehydrates deer and sends them to water |
| are fewer natural predators here also. Here they | | | | continuously. When deer are affected by this |
| feel safer. The sounds of farm activity intrigue | | | | disease, it is usually publicized by state officials. |
| them. They like to keep tabs on the enemy. | | | | The tongue of such a deer will be swollen and |
| Regular activity is unalarming. Some like music and | | | | blue. These thirsty deer are discovered drowned |
| will take up residence near a regularly-played radio. | | | | as they died while attempting to quench their |
| Although dogs can be a formidable enemy to | | | | thirst. It is said that the meat of such an animal is |
| deer, deer might feel more at ease bedded down | | | | still consumable, but I suggest that no diseased |
| near dogs they know won't bother them. These | | | | deer of any kind be eaten unless you are |
| dogs will keep other dogs away. | | | | desperate. |
| Campfire stories at any deer camp will eventually | | | | Islands are good places to find deer, for they are |
| include some story about a deer being | | | | isolated from dog packs and have fewer |
| encountered in an unsuspected, nearby place. An | | | | predators. Often island deer seem to have a |
| example is one I heard about a farmer who | | | | generally happier attitude about things and roam |
| headed off in early morning to the wilderness in | | | | more freely as a result. Islands with agricultural |
| search of a buck. When he returned worn-out | | | | crops bordered by tree-lines or other cover on |
| and empty-handed, his wife said, "You should | | | | the banks are particularly productive. Willow |
| have stayed at home; that old buck got his horns | | | | thickets are great food in themselves. Farmers |
| stuck in the cow feeder." | | | | who take advantage of the fertile flood-plain silt |
| WATERHOLES | | | | soils carry their machinery by ferry to such |
| During periods of drought, watering places are | | | | places. |
| choice places to hunt. They are not the best | | | | Deer are excellent swimmers. A big river or lake |
| selection when water is plentiful. Wounded or sick | | | | is no obstacle, but rather a pleasure for them to |
| deer will go to water often, but healthy deer can | | | | swim. Deer have been known to cross |
| do without it awhile, finding needed moisture in | | | | considerable distances in the water, such as the |
| vegetation or snow. | | | | Great Lakes. The hollow hair makes them |
| Deer have definite water preferences and are | | | | buoyant, as when a person swims with a life |
| quite choosy about what they drink when they | | | | preserver strapped around his chest. Nature's |
| can be. A mineral spring is the choice type of | | | | equipment for the deer allows it to exert minimal |
| water source. A valley spring is ideal for a stand. | | | | effort to stay afloat and transfer its energy to |
| The minerals found in these sources make the | | | | movement. Deer can swim at a speed of 13 MPH. |
| antlers large and firm, a fact which the bucks | | | | When hunting pressure hits, large concentrations |
| seem to instinctively know. Big bucks will frequent | | | | may flee to island retreats. Big bucks particularly |
| such places just as body builders go for protein | | | | favor islands for security. There are islands which |
| supplements to health-food stores. Deer prefer | | | | are traditionally used for the rut that generations |
| sulphurous water to clear water. Water can be | | | | of deer instinctively head to for breeding. |
| quite dingy in appearance yet be delightful to deer. | | | | Deer like to cut off their scent paths by crossing |
| Deer do not hang around ponds, lakes, streams, | | | | water and placing a barrier between themselves |
| or waterholes long because of the steady animal | | | | and their predators. Of course, islands are not |
| traffic to these locations. Does searching for | | | | fool-proof protection from coyotes and dogs |
| bucks or vice-versa may prove an exception to | | | | since these animals can swim also, but they will |
| this rule, but if they do hang around they will be | | | | swim reluctantly. For all these reasons, islands are |
| concealed and on the alert with choice escape | | | | good places to find deer which other hunters |
| routes handy. Generally they just drink and leave. | | | | cannot reach. Predators do sometimes invade |
| All the predators frequent the water, so any deer | | | | island herds and chase them away, but this is the |
| here exhibit an unmistakable wariness. Their ears | | | | exception and not generally true. |
| move endlessly, and they spend several minutes | | | | Islands in the Atlantic Ocean have sub-species of |
| waiting, looking, and scenting the air before each | | | | deer which are found nowhere else. These islands |
| drink. In groups, one will drink and then the other. | | | | are generally fairly far from the mainland, making |
| Swimming deer are easy prey for boaters. | | | | commuting by deer unlikely. |
| Harassing swimming deer is strictly forbidden by | | | | Remember that rifle bullets can travel long |
| law. Taking a swimming deer is subject to a strict | | | | distances when glancing across the water in |
| penalty. The hunter can, however, position himself | | | | ricochet unobstructedly. |