Double down on bucks

You have sat in a treestand all day long and did not see a deer. Maybe you have been still-hunting and saw sign where the deer had been recently but did not see as much as a “flag” when the deer fled. There are lots of reasons for these situations –- some of them may be your fault; some may be beyond your control. In situations where you are hunting with another partner or two, it may be time to put on a deer drive.

Some people may have images of the large groups of hunters covering a couple miles like the old days in the Adirondacks. Actually, the term “deer drive” is a misnomer. Today, small groups of hunters try to move or “bump” deer into moving, hopefully towards their partner. Secondly, it is practically impossible to “drive” deer like cattle to someplace you want them to go. Herding cattle or even young children is tough enough!

Two or three hunters can increase their odds by knowing the territory, being careful, and planning out their moves. But since deer will be alerted to movement in their territory, they will usually get up and move out of the way of the hunter usually unseen by the driver. It is important that all hunters know where they are supposed to be and where the other hunters will be, in addition to wearing some blaze orange.

A key to success is that the watchers get into position without being detected. This means going the long way around to their spot, taking into consideration wind direction, and not getting too close. Far too many drives are wasted by hunters trying to get too close to where the deer are located. They should hide themselves in the next cover to where the deer will move, not the one where the deer are possibly located. They should also hide themselves behind a tree or some natural feature to avoid being spotted by the deer heading that way.

Another good spot for watchers is a natural funnel or normal escape route. That does not mean that deer will always go that way, but tend to go there if the watchers and drivers pay attention to the wind or visibility and do not spook them into go-

ing elsewhere. Remember the goal is to get the deer moving slowly, not racing at full speed into the next zip code.

Keep the drives short. The longer the drive, the more likely it is that deer will go somewhere other than where you want them to. Deer will sneak ahead of the drivers, but frequently will circle around and go back in the opposite direction. For this reason the driver should also move slowly and check for deer moving behind him or her.

The driver should hunt non-traditional or heavy cover. This is where bucks, especially once the hunting season opens, will be bedded or hiding. It’s the job of the driver to “dig ‘em out” of heavy or nasty cover rather than walking in a straight line.

The most effective drives utilize stop and go movement. This often makes the deer nervous and causes them to get up and sneak ahead of the driver. On both small drives, or even with larger groups, it is best to move quietly or with stealth. Some people feel you should make a lot of noise, but the deer will hear you anyway. In most cases making a lot of noise only causes the deer to hunker down and hide.

One friend described a situation where he was in his tree stand and could see a small buck bedded nearby. A noisy group of hunters drove through the area and the buck simply hunkered down and hid while they passed. A short time later, they came back in the opposite direction just talking occasionally within the group. This time the buck got up and snuck away ahead of the group of hunters!

Deer drives or “pushes” are certainly not the only way to hunt, nor are they everyone’s preferred method of hunting. But remember, deer move most in early morning or evening and may spend much of the day bedded down. And in the north country or large patches of woods a “deer run” may be a half mile wide and bucks have several trails that they use at different times. When done properly with hunters showing concern for safety, planning the most likely locations, and having watchers stay far enough away this can be an interesting and effective way of deer hunting.

SHORT CASTS

Deer Management Permits Still Available: The DEC recently announced that remaining Deer Management Permits (DMPs) will be available to hunters in several (WMUs) beginning Nov. 1. In some WMUs, all applicants received permits during the initial application process and the DMP target was not reached. In these units, DEC will reopen the application process on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters may apply for up to two additional DMPs in these WMUs at any DEC license sales outlet on Nov. 1.

Applications for leftover DMPs will be accepted for the following WMUs: 1C, 3M, 3R, 3S (bowhuntingonly), 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8C (bowhunting-only), 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 9A, 9F, and 9G. During this extended application period, DEC will issue DMPs for an individual WMU until the target quota is achieved. A list of units with available leftover DMPs will routinely be updated on DEC’s website or via the DMP Hotline at 1-866-472-4332.

Applicants that previously paid the $10 DMP application fee during the initial application period, or who are exempt from the application fee, will not be charged for this additional application. Hunters that did not previously apply for a deer management permit are required to pay the $10 application fee.

Deer Hides Wanted: The bow season has been open for several weeks and the northern zone rifle season opened last Saturday. For the deer hunters who have been successful and are wondering what to do with the hide, Jim Ward of Oneida Trap Supply is again buying hides. Call Jim at 363-2913 for information and hours.

Venison Donation: Any hunter interested in donating a deer, please call 866-862-DEER or visit the Venison Donation Coalition’s website (www.venisondaontion.org) to locate a processor near you. Remember, you must call ahead before dropping off any deer for donation.

You can also help by donating $1 or more. One dollar will feed four people. Financial donations are appreciated and tax deductible. For every dollar that is donated to the Venison Donation Coalition, $.90 is used towards processing the venison.

Financial donations can be made anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Just inform the D.E.C.A.L.S. licensing agent that you wish to make a donation to support the Venison Donation Program. All donations through D.E.C.A.L.S. are deposited directly into the Venison Donation Fund. Donate today! One deer or one dollar goes a long way to help curb hunger throughout New York State.

Deer-Car Collisions: This is the time of year when deer hunting gets underway with of bowhunting in the southern zone and firearms in the northern zone. But it is also the time when deer are in the news in another way – deer-car collisions.

There are close to 57,000 deer-car collisions in New York State annually and the majority of them occur in October and November. Not only is this a significant economic loss in automobile damage, it is a serious threat to human injury or even fatalities. Those of us who live in Central New York are aware of this threat. However there are ways we can minimize this threat.

Most deer travel in groups so when you see one, be alert for others that may follow. Many times the first may be aware of you while it crosses the road, but the others rush to catch up and are more likely to dash heedlessly into the path of your car. If it appears that you are going to hit a deer, resist the urge to swerve. That could turn a potential property damage accident into a possible fatal rollover.

Whenever possible drive with your lights on high beam. Be especially alert in areas where deer are frequently seen. Certainly you should not be texting or some other asinine activity when you need to devote full attention to your driving.

All year long deer are most active just before and after sunset. And guess when our heaviest traffic, with most people coming home from work, occurs at this time of year? Yes, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that when these two peaks coincide there will be more accidents.

Hopefully, this year you will not be a statistic and any deer that you come in close contact with will be in the woods while hunting.