blacktailslayer

I was wondering if they study was by deer all taken from the same location and held in captivity at the same location. "Thanks to Marchinton's studies we can actually pinpoint estrus cycles in captive deer. The study was conducted to find out how many estrus cycles unbred does would experience. During the study recurrent estrus ranged from 2 to 7 times. Of the eight does studied one 2.5 year old came into a first estrus on October 17, another on October 24, three 1.5 year olds on November 11, one 2.5 year old on November 19, one 1.5 year old on November 21, and one 5.5 year old on December 1. The last recurrent estrus occurred on April 7." I know deer in different states, county, mountains/ridges will come into estrus at different times. The farther apart they take the deer from would however skew the data a little I would assume. I always assumed deer would breed at the right time their biological clocks would tell them; so their fawns would be born during the best nutritional time of year in that particular area. If deer for this study were taken from all different areas; then I can see why they got their results. I would be interested if deer in the same herd on the same mountain have really spaced out estrus cycles. I know there can be a difference from older mature does compared to young does. Can there still be a difference between two does of the same age living with the same herd of deer?

This is what I came up with, but got it wrong. I'm not sure about your weather patterns at your location of you data, but will give it a shot. Here in western Oregon we have still been getting some of our South to North fall/winter winds. I will just assume you had the same type of wind direction as I have had where I live. The doe would came from the north in the mornings and then left to the south. This would allow the doe to catch any scent out in the meadow before she entered it. She then would leave the meadow to the south with the wind in her face. Leaving with the wind in a deers face will allow the deer to get the scent of anything up ahead of her. Blacktails here in Oregon have been known to do the opposite in some situations. I could have had your wind directions wrong and then the doe you watched would have been doing what some blacktails do here. Blacktails have been known to travel with the wind at their back. This would have allowed the doe to watch her back trail she used to enter into the meadow for any predators. A predators scent would have blown into the meadow and warned the doe before the predator even entered into the meadow. The doe would then leave the meadow again with the wind at her back. She then would make a circle right before she reached her bedding area. This again would give the doe the advantage of watching her back trail for any predators following her scent trail. I would assume the day she did the opposite travel route in the morning was because of the cloudy, no wind, lower temperature day. Elevation and terrain could have played a part, but I would need pics to decide why the doe did what she did. I have never believed in the tables for hunting. However; an elk rancher did mention his farmed raised bulls would always breed with his cows 3 or 4 days before the full moon in Sept. That was kind of interesting and I'm not sure it only happened because they were farmed raised elk. Well I have only really hunted blacktail deer. Blacktail deer in all my areas that I hunt have enough food, water, bedding areas, and trails to travel on in every direction. A person would be lucky to get the same buck on the same trail on a Tcam in a 2-4 week period. Blacktails mainly go by the wind to determine where they feed, drink, bed, or travel. I would have to say that the wind is determining everything this doe is doing, but I'm no whitetail expert. Learning whitetail and mule deer behavior and hunting is something that I need to do more; if I ever plan on harvesting any. Blacktail deer have to worry about Oregons huge cougar, bear, and yote problems all day long as well. That is why they are always on high alert and use the wind to their advantage no matter what time of day or night and what activity they are doing. I guess I might be a little lost; unless I think of something later.

I wish blacktail deer made all these scrapes.

I have heard some guys will pack a pad or solar blanket if they hunt during fall. Others said if you have a sleeping bag that handles the colder nights; they were fine when the temps didn't drop way to low.

Does anyone use one of these? They look pretty good for a spike camp. http://www.junglehammock.com/news_nx200.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wI-9RJi0Qo

I was wondering if everyone could answer a few quick questions for a statistics class I have in college by posting or sending me a PM. No names will be used and responses will be deleted as soon as I record the data. Thank you so much for all the help. 1. How many days a year do you hunt (If you hunt with a bow and rifle/muzzleloader/shotgun; please separate days hunted per year) 2. Do you hunt with a bow, rifle/muzzleloader/shotgun, or both? 3. How much money do you spend on hunting each year (please separate as best you can if you archery and rifle/muzzleloader/shotgun hunt. This will include license, tags, gas, hotel, clothing, equipment, etc…) 4. Are you male or female. Please disregard this post after 6-3-09.

Great post on SCENT: "This is correct... there are other things that contribute to your "scent" but it is believed that all these hundred thousand skin cells, referred to as "rafts" we shed every minute (depending on whose number you use, but it's a lot) are cariers of your scent, and then continue to give off scent as bacteria work to break them down. Below is from a research article by the FBI: "Human scent has been historically defined as a biological component of decomposing dead skin cells, also known as the skin raft theory (Syrotuck 1972). Scent-dog handlers have relied on this theory, but it has had no supporting scientific basis. Current research suggests that human odor is more complex. Human Skin Emanation Research for Mosquito Attractiveness. Research has been conducted to determine the components of human odor that is breathed out or is deposited by the skin, not for purposes of specialized canine use, but to identify a mosquito's attraction to human odor. In a study, test subjects transferred their odor by touch onto 2 to 25 2.9mm glass beads. On this small amount of surface area, 346 discernable peaks were detected by cryofocused gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer analyses. All but 43 component peaks were classified and identified (Bernier et al. 2000). " If you really want to see how hard it is to truly get rid of this thing we call scent, read this article : http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/oct2004/research/2004_10_research03.htm IMHO I think the moral of the story is you aint going to ever really get rid of all your scent . There is no way on earth that you will "eliminate" your scent, it aint gonna happen. Use common sense, do everything you can to keep your odor down, watch the wind, and do a lot of research before you spend big bucks on scent "elimination" products. Some things may help, but "elimination" is a claim none of them can back up." SMAXWELL Agreed, and I also believe that scent reduction is also overrated.You could take every step and scent related precaution possible and the scent coming off your head and body are still plenty potent; more than enough to alert a game animal; that is if it actually gets a snootful. IMO, there are two very key factors that can shed some light on the misconceptions of detection through scent. 1st misconception: "animal was downwind and didn't smell me". Most of the time you are right when you say that "the animal did not smell me", but you are wrong when it comes to why. Many guys are mistaken in their belief of animals being downwind of their position and not detecting them because they believe they were not giving off enough odor. Believe me you were giving off more than enough odor molecules to get detected by an animal that has a highly advanced sniffer. Because the animal was in the general direction of "downwind" does not necessarily mean that the scent stream you were giving off at the time was passing exactly into the animals nose. A scent stream will normally take many twists and turns as it snakes it's way meandering in the general direction of downwind. A lot of these animals that you "think" got a whiff of you, in reality did not. 2nd misconception: "He would have got out of there if I was giving off odor and he smelled it". Lets say this time the meandering scent stream did actually pass into the nostrils of the animal. He will run right?; not necessarily. Mood is also a key factor that regulates behavior. There are times when animals will demonstrate a high level of tolerance to human presence and times when they will not. I know what your going to say next. The level or concentration of odor will be what determines the reaction of the animal that does actually smell your presence; right?; so reducing your overall odor footprint is very important, right? Well, this may or may not be true. It sounds good that I took an odor neutralizing shower and did the same with my gear, but when you step out and get in the woods new odor molecules are being produced by your body and by the gazillions. These also smell real bad to a deer. The second you stepped out of the shower and started to get dressed your body was already in full blown skin shedding, pores gushing, massive scent production mode. The human body does not have to be working hard or sweating to produce mass quantities of odor; your body does so all by itself. You could be sitting in a chair and your pores are still churning it out big time; and here's the shocker for all you scent gurus out there: it also smells the same to a deer. So I ask you: The guy who did the whole nine yards of scent "elimination" goes out there and sits in his stand. Do you really believe that the "new" odor coming off his head doesn't stink real bad if a deer actually does get a whiff of it? It does! The animals mood will be a key factor in how he reacts. The concentration of odor coming from this guys head is substantial; shower or not. The foreign stimuli can be visual, audible, or odiferous, and some times the animals "see" you as an immediate threat, and some times they do not. Many of you probably have had a similar story as I had. I had a doe come in and bed down by my stand once as I was about to come down. I wanted her out of there before I climbed down so I tried to alert her without spooking her too bad. First I started clanging my release against the metal stand, but she wouldn't budge. She heard me; looking up, but stayed bedded. Next I started waving my arms at her as she looked up. She saw me, but again would not flee. I had to climb down with her there, and it wasn't until I started walking towards her that she finally got up and ran. The point is she knew I was there and that something was not right, but in this instance, she did not care very much; nor did she feel threatened. Why?; mood. There are also many times when they catch your scent but don't really react to it as a grave threat. Other times they are on alert and very wary of danger. When this is the case the slightest stimuli can set them off. The point is: IMO the whole scent thing is a lot of hog wash. You give off a ton of odor no matter what you think you are doing to "eliminate" or reduce it. The new odor coming off your head can be perceived by an animal that actually gets a whiff of it, and who is in a mood of low tolerance, as a nuclear bomb" SKYHUNTER

Elk Foundation Honors Oregon Researcher MISSOULA, Montana-An award honoring the science-based conservation legacy of Olaus J. Murie, the late biologist remembered as the father of modern elk management, has been presented by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to Dr. John G. Cook of La Grande, Oregon. Cook is a research biologist with the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, an independent nonprofit research institute that focuses on environmental topics of interest to the forest products industry. He is stationed at the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Forestry and Range Sciences LaboratoryMuch of Cook's career has concentrated on elk. "Dr. Cook's body of work has challenged the wildlife and forestry professions to change the way we perceive habitat quality for elk. His research on nutritional requirements has inspired a ‘rethinking' that has moved our profession toward an integrated approach to habitat planning and management. He has been a catalyst for new techniques in elk management and his work will influence conservation for decades to come," said Tom Toman, director of conservation for the Elk Foundation. Approximately 65 percent of Cook's 55 printed works and 80 percent of his 34 peer publications deal with elk. "Few biologists can demonstrate such a record of sustained and productive focus," said Toman. "Equally important, Dr. Cook is tirelessly committed to making this research accessible to managers and the public, giving formal and informal presentations to virtually anyone interested in learning about elk." Cook graduated from the University of Idaho in 1981, then completed M.S. and Ph.D. programs at the University of Wyoming. While in Wyoming he developed and tested habitat suitability models for pronghorn antelope, evaluated factors in declining populations of bighorn sheep, and compiled a database and literature review for over 300 rare, threatened and endangered species in the National Park System In 1996, he moved to La Grande to begin his elk research. The 2009 Olaus J. Murie Award was presented April 29 at the 8th Western States and Provinces Deer and Elk Workshop held in Spokane, Wash. The award is based on five criteria: 1. Relevance of work to the conservation of wild, free-ranging elk 2. Application of work "on the ground" to benefit wild, free-ranging elk 3. Dedication to his or her profession 4. Commitment to the conservation of wild, free-ranging elk 5. Credibility and respect among peers Murie was educated at the University of Michigan. He was the first to conduct elk and habitat research at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyo. His detailed work led to the classic book, The Elk of North America, published in 1951. He promoted sound stewardship and protection of wildlife habitat, receiving numerous honors and awards. Murie died in 1963. The Elk Foundation's award honors Murie's legacy while recognizing those who have become conservation leaders in their own right. Past recipients include Jack Ward Thomas, Jim Peek, L. Jack Lyon, Valerius Geist and Robert D. Nelson. About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.5 million acres-a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK. Contact: Steve Wagner, Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766 or [email protected]

I'm not sure if I did something wrong or if my post didn't go through. Here is a pretty funny video.

Another good site: http://mapper.acme.com/

Here are some USGS 24k maps (among many other forms of data) available for free. It is much easier to search this site than others. Select your state, then county, then click on the .tiff link to download the map that covers your area of interest (the map names are quadrangles). http://libremap.org/data/

Here is some great information I found by T.R. Michels: “White-tailed Deer Communicative Vocalizations Through research we know that deer use different sounds to keep in contact with each other (Social Contact); to express alarm and distress (Alarm/Distress); to solicit attention from and respond to does and fawns (Maternal/Neonatal); to express dominance/threaten other deer (Agonistic). Deer also make sounds associated with courtship and breeding behavior (Mating). The statistics on whitetail vocalizations are based on studies by Dr. Larry Marchinton. The tone of the call usually depends on the deer. Larger deer, especially bucks, tend to make deeper sounds. Alarm/Distress Calls The Snort is an intense blowing sound produced by expelling air through the nostrils, best described as a loud whew, or whew-whew-whew; it may also sound like a whistle. It may be heard farther than 1/4 mile. Deer that see or hear a disturbance but cannot smell the source often use repeated low snorts, foot stomping, head bobbing and tail flipping, possibly to alert other deer of danger. The head bobbing and foot stomping may be used to startle a predator into moving and giving itself away. A deer's sense of smell is thought to be independent of conscious discrimination, and deer that smell danger usually snort, then flee while flagging the tail. The Bawl is an intense call used by deer of all ages when they are in distress, often when caught by a predator , trapped or injured. The sound is a loud baa. Does often respond to the call by running in, presumably out of maternal instinct. Agonistic Calls The Grunt is used in three different forms to express dominance or to threaten another deer. The Low Grunt is used by both does and bucks throughout the year. It sounds like a soft guttural err. This is the first level of aggression, used along with body language to displace lesser deer. If the lesser animal does not move it is usually rushed and may be kicked with a forefoot by the dominant. The Grunt-Snort is used most often by bucks during the breeding season in more intense situations. One or more snorts are added to a grunt; err-whew. The Grunt-Snort-Wheeze is the most intense form of an aggressive call. It consists of a grunt-snort followed by a drawn out wheeze through pinched nostrils. The wheeze may sound like a whistle. The Bellow is a long, very intense call that is probably a louder and longer version of a Grunt-Snort or Grunt-Snort-Wheeze. Unless the deer is close you may not hear the Grunt or Snort of these calls. Social Contact Calls The Social Contact Grunt is often performed by members of a doe group when they become separated, and it may help deer stay in contact when they can't see each other. In one study only females performed this call. This call is longer than the Low Grunt and can be heard by humans as far as 100 meters. It may attract bucks during the breeding season. Maternal/Neonatal Calls The Maternal Grunt is a low, quick grunt performed at short intervals when a doe approaches the fawn's bedding site. The fawn generally leaves its bed and joins the doe. It is audible to humans for only a few meters. It is similar to a Low Grunt but often louder. It may be heard up to 100 yards away. The Mew is used by the fawn when it wants attention, or is given in response to the Maternal Grunt of the doe. The Bleat is the fawn version of the bawl, it is given by the fawn when it wants urgent attention, is hungry, or wants care, and may be heard as far as 100 meters by humans. The Nursing Whine occurs while the fawn is nursing or searching for a nipple. Mating Calls The Tending Grunt is a low grunt used by bucks when pursuing an estrus doe. It may consist of a single short grunt, several grunts or a long drawn out grunt. It is probably given to alert other deer of the presence of a dominant in order to keep them away; and to attract does. The Tending Click is a clicking sound bucks may make when looking for of following estrus does. It sounds like someone slowly running a fingernail across the teeth of a comb. It appears to be a slow, drawn-out version of the Tending Grunt. The Flehmen-sniff is a low sound produced during the lip curl, when air is inhaled to bring urine/pheromones in contact with the nose or vomeronasal organ, allowing the buck to determine the breeding readiness of the doe. Although several call manufacturers, writers and speakers claim there is an Estrus Doe Bleat or Doe Mating Call, no call of this nature was noted in the scientific studies I have read. These people may be referring to the Social Contact Grunt or a variation of it, used when the does are looking for their fawns or other relatives. God bless and good hunting, T.R.”

MISSOULA, Montana-Twenty counties in Oregon are slated for wildlife habitat conservation and public education projects using $207,030 in new grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The 2009 RMEF grants will affect Baker, Benton, Coos, Crook, Curry, Douglas, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lane, Lebanon, Lincoln, Malheur, Morrow, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Yamhill counties. "Our volunteers across Oregon helped drive the 2008 fundraisers that made these grants possible. This is where Elk Foundation banquets, auctions and other events transform into on-the-ground conservation work, and it's part of the payday for supporters who are passionate about giving something back to the outdoors," said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO. Elk Foundation grants will help fund the following Oregon projects, listed by county: Baker County-Treat invasive weeds and restore forage on 1,500 acres of elk range in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and BLM Baker Resource Area (also affects Wallowa County); prescribe burn 4,200 acres to rejuvenate meadows in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and BLM Vale District. Benton County-Co-sponsored E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area 2009 Youth Outdoor Day for over 700 students who learned about wildlife conservation, fishing, archery, shotgun sports, wildlife art and search and rescue. Coos County-For elk and other wildlife, thin overgrown forest, seed native grasses and, in conjunction with local students, mark project boundaries in Rogue River National Forest. Crook County-Thin juniper and aspen on 576 acres, treat noxious weeds on 385 acres and prescribe burn 1,434 acres to improve elk habitat in Ochoco National Forest; prescribe burn 500 acres, mechanically thin 600 acres, seed 100 acres and construct a 9-acre pond in Dow Ranch area; prescribe burn 450 acres, remove juniper on 180 acres, thin 98 acres, treat weeds on 45 acres and seed 85 acres in Pine Creek Ranch area. Curry County-Treat 35 acres of weeds and prescribe burn 196 acres to improve meadows for elk and other wildlife in Siskiyou National Forest. Douglas County-Enhance Watchable Wildlife location featuring Roosevelt's elk in BLM Coos Bay District; clear, fertilize and seed four new forage openings in Umpqua National Forest. Grant County-Enhance elk habitat by rejuvenating forage on 725 acres in Murderer's Creek Wildlife Management Unit; treat forest overgrowth and noxious weeds on 431 acres in Malheur National Forest; restore 150 acres of meadows by tilling, treating weeds and re-seeding native grasses in China Peak area. Harney County-Rebuilt 10 guzzlers destroyed in 2007 wildfires, and treat 40 acres of noxious weeds, for elk and other wildlife in Malheur National Forest. Jefferson County-Thin 1,000 acres of encroaching juniper to improve ponderosa pine and sagebrush/steppe habitats favored by elk in Crooked River National Grassland. Klamath County-Enhance wetlands for elk and other wildlife by removing encroaching conifers and repairing stream course in Fremont-Winema National Forest; thin overgrown lodgepole pine and prescribe burn 300 acres, plant 10 acres of hardwoods and construct fencing to protect new plantings in Deschutes National Forest. Lane County-Remove invasive plants by mowing, treating weeds and seeding native grasses on 320 acres of elk habitat in Siuslaw National Forest (also affects Lincoln, Douglas and Benton counties); prescribe burn 52 acres and thin overgrown forest on 15 acres to improve elk forage in Willamette National Forest. Lebanon County-Provide scholarships for Corvallis, Ore., 6th graders attending natural resource education program. Malheur County-Host Malheur County Kids Fair to educate youth about wildlife. Morrow County-Prescribe burn 980 acres to improve elk forage in Umatilla National Forest. Tillamook County-Mow and slash 200 acres of invasive weeds and encroaching brush to maintain forage for elk and other wildlife in Siuslaw National Forest (also affects Yamhill and Lincoln counties). Umatilla County-Prescribe burn 1,291 acres and treat noxious weeds on 3,340 acres to enhance forage for elk in Umatilla National Forest (also affects Grant and Morrow counties). Union County-Fertilize 200 acres, treat for noxious weeds and seed 100 acres, and develop spring for elk and other wildlife in Owsley Canyon area; sponsored international workshop on scientific management of deer, elk and habitat. Wallowa County-Treat 50 acres of noxious weeds and re-seed 20 acres to improve abandoned homesteads and fields for elk in Wallowa National Forest; treat 1,492 acres of weeds and restore native plant communities in Lower Grande Ronde, Imnaha and Snake river drainages (also affects Union County). Partners for 2009 projects in Oregon include Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, other agencies, corporations, landowners and organizations. Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 594 conservation projects in Oregon with a value of more than $34.3 million. About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.5 million acres-a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

Yes Scent Lok is innocent until proven guilty. I think this topic get people going and I am one of them. I never have bought any of their products, but hate to see people fall for false advertisement. It may not seem like it, but I care about other hunters and not the million dollar executive of some company that preys on people and their money. I have always agreed that Scent Lok has great quality of clothing from what I can tell and hear from people. I think they just should have changed their wording in their advertisement years ago. I think a lot of people fell for it. Not everyone is like us on these hunting websites and do all the research we do. Most people just watch a TV show or read a magazine and believe it. Those are the people I hope may get on here and learn the truth. I think it is great if people still buy their products; as long as they know the truth. I think all hunting and non hunting companies need to be a little more honest.

Great post Doc. I found this posted by “Scentguy” on another website. “This is from the original filing in the Minn.case. There are over 200 documents filed in that case. Depositions etc. All the documents are not available because some are sealed. (All available on justia.com) Arguements for certification were held May 5,2009. Decision to be announced shortly. There have beeb additional suits filed in Ill., Wisconsin , Flordia , Maryland , Indiana , and Washington . In each of these their are speficific charges against the defendants. Cabela's , Gander Mountain , Bass Pro , Browning , and Robinson Outdoors along with Scentlok are named defendants so this is a much larger suit then has been discussed and will be very far reaching in its effect on the hunting community. The scope of the suits has widen to include TV advertising and shows , magazine advertising and promotion , and prostallers statements. The hunting industry is strangely silent in providing information and most publicationa are afraid to provide up to date information. Scentguy”

It looks like some lawyers are looking to help other people out who feel they got ripped off by Scent Lok. http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/scent-lok.html[/font] Looks like more cases: Washington http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-waedce/case_no-2:2009cv00107/case_id-47192/ Indiana http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-insdce/case_no-1:2009cv00388/case_id-22807/

If it gives you a mental edge; then use it. I don't plan to sue or be a part of any lawsuit. I never bought into the gimick. I just find it sad that someone found something to sucker hunters into paying a ton of money in a product that does not work as claimed.

So are you saying the our government/military and universities with all their scientific studies are wrong about carbon clothing?

The problem is that a ton of hunters believed their advertisment and then later on found out it did not work. That is like Ford telling everyone their trucks get 50mpg and then after you buy it; you only get 12mpg. Would you not be mad?

A google search on "TR Michels Scent Lok" or search any hunting website forum will have tons of information about the lawsuit and why Scent Lok does not work like they claim.

Did anyone hear that Lee Lakowsky has been subpoena in the Scent Lok lawsuit? That should be very interesting with his background as a chemist and having a very successful hunting background/career. I can’t wait to hear or read about his testimony.

Here is a good resource that will help break it down further. http://ronwold.googlepages.com/

I found this by TR Michels. It is about whitetails, but is still good information for deer hunters "Home Range, Core Area and Bedding Sites A lot has been written and said about whitetail home ranges, core areas and bedding areas. However, much of it is based on the knowledge of deer in particular areas, or in particular types of habitat. Whitetails inhabit many different types of habitats: dense hardwood forests, mixed woodland and agricultural, prairie, southern swamp, northern tamarack bogs, open or dense coniferous forests, open agricultural, semi-open river bottoms, and various mountain types. Because of this wide range of habitats the daily habits of whitetails, their home ranges, core areas, and their use of bedding sites varies. Home Range Depending on the type and quality of the habitat whitetails often have traditional areas, referred to as their Home Range, that they use each year after they are 2-3 years old. The Annual Home Range of each deer consists of the area used by the individual throughout the year. Non-migratory deer may spend both the summer and winter on the same home range. However, migratory deer in the northern states or mountainous regions may have two or more widely separated seasonal home ranges used during different times of the year. Dr.'s Larry Marchinton, Karl Miller and other researchers have found that the home ranges of whitetails are generally elongated, from two to four times longer than they are wide. However, deer in open coniferous or agricultural habitat may have irregular or circular shaped home ranges. Chart 1: Whitetail Home Range (it won't post) Note: The oval on the left is the daytime core area, the rectangles on the fright are food sources. The wandering blue line is a creek. The white line outlines the deer's fall home range. The size of the home ranges of deer is governed by the availability of cover and food sources. Home ranges in monocultures of pine or hardwood forests; prairie river bottoms; and primarily agricultural fields, are larger than home ranges in mixed habitats of wood lots; agricultural fields; and river bottoms. The home range of a deer is generally restricted in size by topography - mountains, ridges, bluffs, rivers and ravines - can limit deer movement. The lack of cover in open prairies or agricultural areas restricts daytime deer movement and therefore usage by the deer. Home ranges are often restricted to preferred deer habitat in valleys or river drainage’s and the surrounding hills and woods. Because of the limited size of the habitat, the home ranges of several deer often overlap. The geography of the area and the type of habitat often restrict the size of the home range of the deer; mountains, ridges, bluffs, rivers, ravines, wooded areas and open areas limit deer movement. The lack of cover in open prairies or agricultural areas restricts deer movement, particularly during the day. Because of this deer home ranges are often restricted to preferred habitat in valleys or river drainage's and the surrounding hills and woods. Because of the limited size of the habitat, the home ranges of several deer often overlap. The type and amount of food and cover determine how many deer the habitat can hold; and the number of deer in the habitat affects the size of the home range of the deer. Deer in prime mixed habitats, with abundant food sources, generally have smaller home ranges (from 60-1000+ acres) than deer in open coniferous forests, where food sources are low and widely scattered (up to 20+ square miles). Climate directly affects the time of year, the length of the home range, and the use of the home range by the deer. In mild mid-west or southern climates whitetails may have home ranges no longer than two miles, and they often have traditional core areas. Deer in colder northern open prairie or foothill habitat may have larger home ranges (up to 120+ miles in South Dakota), and are less likely to have traditional core areas. The climate and the number of bucks and does in the area affect the size of the home ranges of the bucks, especially during the rut. Buck home ranges are generally larger than doe home ranges; often two or more times the size of local doe ranges; and the bucks use of their home ranges varies by the season. Bucks in mixed woodland/agricultural habitat in the mid-west may have home ranges of less than a thousand acres, to five or more square miles in size. During the summer adult bucks may use only a small portion of their home range. But, during the rut, adult buck home ranges often expand to include portions of several nearby doe and other buck home ranges. In the hardwood forests of Mississippi Dr. Harry Jacobson calculated that the average annual range of does was 1,820 acres; bucks had average ranges of 3,773 acres, with the largest range at 5,500 acres. Dr. James Kroll found that bucks in Alberta may occupy a 3,000-acre core area and travel circuits of 20-25 miles during the rut. Seasonal Home Ranges In many areas even non-migratory white-tailed deer may use four different Seasonal Home Ranges; one each for winter, spring, summer and fall. In general, one end of the seasonal home range consists of the core area and daytime bedding sites, often in a wooded area, where the deer spend most of the day. The other end often consists of an open or semi-open feeding area, where the deer spend most of the night, and where they have night bedding sites. Generally speaking the seasonal home range of a deer is oblong or dog legged in nature, from three to times longer than it is wide. These seasonal home ranges may be several miles apart, or they may overlap each other. The home ranges of bucks may be from two to five times the size of doe ranges during the rut, but they often restrict their movements to a small core area during the winter, spring and summer. Depending on the type of habitat the deer are in these seasonal home ranges may be as small as 20 to 40 acres for does, and 1.5 to 2 square miles for bucks in the mixed hardwood/agricultural areas of the East and Midwest. Because does have fawns, and they need lots of forage, they often select core areas based on the availability of food, security and comfort. This core area is defended against other does, which causes the does to spread out into available habitat to avoid conflict with each other. Because bucks are need security they generally select core areas away from other bucks, often in more secure than the does us. In northern hardwood forest, open agricultural country or western plains, both buck and doe home ranges may cover several square miles. Missouri researchers found that there were differences in the size of the home ranges of bucks and does. The average home range of a buck was 1,576 acres, about three times the size of the doe ranges which averaged 502 acres. In Nebraska researchers found that deer ranges averaged 400 acres, although they varied greatly in size. Thomas Baumeister found that in Idaho's Clearwater River drainage the deer (including bucks) have summer ranges as small as 190 acres in the drainage's upper range; but, in October and November, the deer migrated an average of 24 miles to their winter ranges. Deer in northern Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin may migrate more than 100 miles between fall and winter Seasonal Home Ranges. Even non-migratory whitetails may move several miles in the spring and fall as a result of snow depths, flooding or lack of food. The availability of food and the type of cover needed by the deer during each season determine which part of the annual home range the deer will use. Deer using a soybean field in August may move several miles away during the rut or the hunting season. Core Area Within the home range of the deer is the core area, where the deer spends much of their time during the day. In some cases the core area of the individual deer may be the same are used for one or more seasonal home ranges, but the area and size of the habitat may vary. The deer may use the northern area of its habitat in the summer and the southern area in the winter. It may use wooded areas in the winter to stay warm and open areas in the summer to stay cool. Because the core area is used during the day it generally provides security to the deer by: by being in heavy cover; by being in an inaccessible area, such as a swamp or on steep hillside; by being in a remote location. The core area generally provides protection from the elements by being in heavy cover or by being on the downwind side of hills or woods. The core area often contains readily available food. Bedding Sites Deer generally use different bedding sites during the day and night, and may use different sites on different days depending on the wind speed and direction, temperature, and precipitation. Deer spend the majority of the day in secure core areas, usually in the woods, where they can bed and feed during the day. At night they often bed in open areas where they can lie down in or near food sources as they move and feed. In open terrain both daytime and night time bedding sites may be located on hillsides, or in the middle of fields or swamps, where the dear can’t be approached without sensing danger, and where they have one or more escape routes. Although deer generally sleep during the day and feed at night, they often bed down to rest, ruminate, and sleep near nighttime food sources. Because the vision of many predators is limited at night, but deer can see well enough to detect danger, deer feel more secure in open areas at night than they do during the day. Therefore they may bed in open areas, often out of the wind, during the night. Night beds can often be found in fields, at field edges, and in nearby brushy and grassy areas. Deer may have one or more preferred bedding sites in their daytime core areas. The use of a particular bedding site is dependent on security, and is generally governed by the direction of the wind, the temperature, and the amount of precipitation. On hot windy days deer may bed on an open shelf, or in the shade of a tall tree, where they are cooled by the wind. On hot days with no wind deer may bed in shaded or in damp areas. On cool days with no wind deer may bed in areas that are out of the wind but open to the sun, where they receive warmth from solar radiation. On cold windy days with precipitation deer often bed in dense cover, or in low-lying areas where they are protected from the wind. When there is precipitation they often bed in areas with overhead cover, and may use evergreen stands where they area available, because evergreens may reduce wind speeds by up to 50 percent, which results in less body heat loss by the deer. These areas also allow the deer to smell and hear better than in areas with high winds. Deer often bed with their backs to the wind, on a bench or rise where possible, where they can smell and hear danger from behind them and see and hear danger below and in front of them. In hilly or mountainous terrain thermal currents generally begin to fall late in the afternoon/evening hours and rise in the late morning hours. When deer bed high during the day rising thermal currents bring scents to the deer. When the deer move down to feed in the evening the currents may be still rising, bringing scent to the deer as they walk downhill. When deer bed in low-lying areas at night the thermal currents carry scents down to them. When they make their way to higher daytime bedding areas in the early morning the currents may be still falling, bringing scent to the deer as they walk uphill. Deer bedding sites, especially those of older bucks, tend to be either in open or remote locations, that cannot be approached without the deer seeing, smelling or hearing danger; or they are on the downwind side of hillsides or benches in thick wooded, hilly or mountainous areas - where the deer can see and hear danger from downwind, and see and smell danger from upwind. During the fall in the Midwest, where the wind often blows from the northwest, I often find buck beds on southeast facing benches in wooded areas of dense underbrush, such as plum, briar (prickly ash) and buckthorn thickets. Because their need for comfort and security changes throughout the year, the times when deer leave their bedding sites may change from fall/winter to spring/summer. In forested areas deer may begin to leave their daytime bedding areas an hour or more before sunset, and arrive at open area food sources at darkness or shortly after. In open areas, or after the leaves have fallen, deer usually get up and begin to move later in the day, often within a half an hour of sunset. Deer have 4 different "seasonal home ranges" ( winter, spring, summer, fall). Spring and summer home ranges coincidce with spring and summer food sources, fall home ranges coincide with areas that have fall food source and doe home ranges, so that the buck can breed with as many does as he can get to during the breeding seaons (about 4- 8 does - and their home ranges), winter home ranges coincide with some type of habitat that provides both thermal cover from the wind, rain and snow and winter food sources. A buck may use the same daytime core area, and simply use differet parts of its "annual home range" during the different seasons of the year, or it may have widely separated seasonal home ranges, - each with its own daytime core area. I hope some of you "non-experts" found that interesting, and informative. God bless, T.R."