A new "tactic" for drawing deer?

[Bowhunter57]

I don't know if this can be called a tactic or not, but it works. I'd imagine that any fall that has a lot of dry and crunchy leaves, this wood work. I have an area that has wide game trails that the deer use, so this may not work in/on average game trails.

Anyway... I used a leave blower to clear all of the leaves off of the trail. There are several old logging paths/trails in this woods and the one that I cleaned the leaves off of is getting used, like a super highway.

I'm guessing that the deer don't like the crunching noises that they make while walking through, any more than I do when I'm walking through. The deer have put down more scrapes and licking branches on this path/trail than the other 4 trails.

I don't think this is just a coincidence, but thought I'd pass it along to others to try. I have a cousin that's doing the same thing and he lives just north of Columbus and it's working great for him.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57

 

[Thunderflight]

I think you'd be waisting your time.

 

[dante322]

I think you'd be waisting your time.

I dont know, I cleared a path to a spot I picked out for a climber when the leaves started coming down. A week later I spotted a small 6 point step out right where that path was. never know it might be worth a try.

 

[Kujo]

I have heard a lot about clearing pathes in the snow, but never leaves. I can see way they might like that.

 

[CJD3]

I have made paths in deep snow and found they will use that... Now I walk 40+ yards past my stand then circle back...

I have cut new paths through thick red brush and other vegetation where no run existed and found they will start useing that.

I have never found them to use a path I have mowed clean or raked off to any degree of increased travel however it does allow ME to get into the stand w/ a lot less noise. :smiley_beard:

 

[uglykat26]

they will also use mowed down paths through tall grass

 

[swantucky]

I think it works to some degree. Probably best in an urban area where they are used to a fair amount of human traffic. When I blow the leaves on my 4 wheeler trails in the woods the deer do seem to travel them more.

 

[uglykat26]

i brush hog paths through my inlaws thickets , they are lazy like us and like the easy route

 

[cotty16]

I've seen deer use paths I've cleared of leaves many times. I've witnessed it and seen fresh tracks in places I've cleared all the way to my stand.

 

[Carpn]

One tactic I have used on dead calm dry days in the thick honeysuckle we have in SW Ohio when even a squirrel sounds like a elephant is to lower a branch on my bow rope and make footstep sounds in the leaves in conjunction with grunts..I started doing this when I kept having deer show up just after I climbed into my tree...I know the deer were hearing my footsteps and coming to investigate.

 

[CJD3]

One tactic I have used on dead calm dry days in the thick honeysuckle we have in SW Ohio when even a squirrel sounds like a elephant is to lower a branch on my bow rope and make footstep sounds in the leaves in conjunction with grunts..I started doing this when I kept having deer show up just after I climbed into my tree...I know the deer were hearing my footsteps and coming to investigate.[/QUOTE

Cool Idea!

 

[Dannmann801]

57 I think this is an idea with merit. Gonna try it Friday, clear the paths to and around my ladderstand. Can't see where it would hurt, and at least I'd have a much quieter path to the stand.

 

[formerbowhunter1023]

I also believe there is some merit in this as I too have seen it happen. From my experience, deer are attracted to turned and/or exposed dirt. In the past when I have cleared trails, I've notice deer tracks in them within matters of hours in some cases. Deer are naturally curious and I believe this plays on that trait. I also believe that deer like to walk as quietly as possible to enhance their ability to hear. It only seems logical that would be something they would like IMO...

 

[Milo]

One tactic I have used on dead calm dry days in the thick honeysuckle we have in SW Ohio when even a squirrel sounds like a elephant is to lower a branch on my bow rope and make footstep sounds in the leaves in conjunction with grunts..I started doing this when I kept having deer show up just after I climbed into my tree...I know the deer were hearing my footsteps and coming to investigate.

i do the same thing...i take a snort wheeze call with me and if deer blow at me I blow back at them...usually shuts them up when you have that doe that will blow at you for 300 yards....

 

[formerbowhunter1023]

i do the same thing...i take a snort wheeze call with me and if deer blow at me I blow back at them...usually shuts them up when you have that doe that will blow at you for 300 yards....

Done the same with good results myself, minus the call. I just blow real hard out of my nose. Not only does it calm deer down, it makes for great snot rockets!!!

 

[cotty16]

57 I think this is an idea with merit. Gonna try it Friday, clear the paths to and around my ladderstand. Can't see where it would hurt, and at least I'd have a much quieter path to the stand.

I have paths leading to all my stands. Sneak in... sneak out.

Plus, like I said, they walk on the cleared path. Not sure if it's to be sneaky as well, but I know it happens.

 

[hickslawns]

Done the same with good results myself, minus the call. I just blow real hard out of my nose. Not only does it calm deer down, it makes for great snot rockets!!!

Freakin' hilarious Jesse! Just about spit my chew out!

Reminds me of last year. I thought I would blow a snot rocket before I got all the way to the stand since my nose was running. I think I underestimated the distance the sound would travel because I think deer were running that may have never had a clue otherwise. haha