Guest Ironhorse Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 The place I lease is a working cattle and row crop farm. The owner rotates the cattles access to several different pastures. When he does they have direct access to some timber. The cattle then travel through the timber to get from lot to lot and I assume to eat whatever they can get at. What kind of impace can I expect this to have on the woods and the deer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 On the deer? Probably not much at all. Cattle is natural to deer. As far as your woods, well i wouldnt want to be sitting in the same hollow with a herd of a cattle or anything . Plus if you plant food plots, you can count them as good as gone. Also, watch your steps while walking . Of course, if the cows are in the area, a little manure on your boots will make for a great cover scent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Have seen deer in the fields with our cows numerous times, dont think they bother them all that much if at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Those guys pretty well covered it. With only a few exceptions, cattle and deer don't directly compete for food. At least not for their preferred foods. Deer don't necessarily like being in close quarters with cattle, but they usually won't take off in a panic either. If some cows show up, the deer just detour around them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Have seen deer in the fields with our cows numerous times, dont think they bother them all that much if at all. Same here,, in fact the Doe I took this season was feeding with some dry cows under my stand.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I've hunted a few farms that allow this, and to be honest, I don't think I've ever seen a deer on the same night I've seen cattle. I really dislike hunting an area that has cattle roaming in the woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerngirl Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 We have deer walking thru our cow pastures here all the time, no problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ironhorse Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Thanks for the input guys. I guess my bigger question is this...Will cattle roaming the woods do any habitat damage? It seems like they really beat the thick stuff down in the woods. You can definitely tell where they have been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Will cattle roaming the woods do any habitat damage? It seems like they really beat the thick stuff down in the woods. You can definitely tell where they have been. Yes it will cause there to be areas that get worn out and do damage to the natural habitat. Cows may also eat some of the same natural browse that deer will eat like honeysuckle, low leaves from trees and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerngirl Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 true, but deer can get higher than most cattle plus cattle will keep your shooting lanes open Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HUNTINGMAN Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 The farm I started hunting on 20 years ago had cows on it then.And then all cows were sold and the farm did not have cows on it for about 10 years,it realy got grown up.3 years ago they bought more cows and turned them loose.This has helped the hunting more than it has hurt,because the deer did jump the fence at the open feilds and lay down makeing them hard to get to,now they have to move around more to go farther into the woods to reach there sanctuaries wich in turn makes them come by more of my stand sights.As for what they leave behind,I find myself searching for these piles af gold to walk through on my way to the stand.The piles are also great for turkeys to find bugs and other food under. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RackBlaster Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 I took this buck this year walking thru a herd of cows. I have seen deer walk up to the water tanks and take a drink right beside them. I would say that unless cows are brand new to the area , the deer pay no mind to the cows at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 The land we lease in GA is a cattle farm, not many problems. Deer seem to graze a ways away from them or come out at the other end of the fields. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 i've hunted deer in cattle pastures all my life, with great results. now, if the farmer has sheep in the area, find a new pasture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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