Deer are very tough critters to figure out. But the very foundation of figuring out how to kill one is determining where they live. Once you know where they bed, feed and water, the rest is knowing when to hunt and when not to and waiting on the right conditions. As for the location factor, here are seven things you need to know.
1. Home Ranges Aren't Circular, Square or Rectangular
We often think of home ranges as a big, square block. Well, it isn't. Most home ranges will be an irregular, organic shape. A deer establishes its home range based on its needs and where it can find them.
2. Food, Water and Bedding Cover Play a Role
As mentioned, a home range will vary based on the availability of food, water and bedding cover. These are the three basic needs of a deer and greatly influence the size, shape and location of the home range.
3. They Are Fluid
Home ranges can and will change. Oftentimes bucks will have a different spring and summer than fall and winter range. Also, it isn't uncommon for bucks to change home ranges from year to year, too.
4. Don't Confuse the Core Area with the Home Range
A home range is the entire area that a deer lives in. On average, these are generally about 650 acres or one square mile. But remember, the home ranges aren't square. As for the core area, this is the location that most the deer will spend the vast majority of their time. In fact, core areas are approximately 50 to 75 acres and deer will spend 75 to 80 percent of their time within that location.
5. Deer Go On Excursions
It is possible for deer to occasionally travel outside of their home range. It's actually quite common and numerous studies have documented this behavior. It might explain (at least some of) the cases when random deer show up for a day or two and then suddenly vanish never to be seen again.
6. Pressure Can Quickly Become a Factor, Or Not Be at All
Some deer react negatively to pressure. Some bucks rarely react at all. Every deer has more or less toleration to human intrusion. But, in my opinion, it's best to just not test that theory out. Stay off their radar regardless of their personality.
7. Every Deer Is Unique with Different Habits
Each deer has its own personality. This means each deer will have different food preferences, bedding habits, travel routines, etc. And it certainly means that no two buck's home ranges and/or core areas will look or be the same.
Don't Miss: 8 Bedding Habits of Mature Deer | 10 Feeding Habits of Mature Deer | 5 Watering Habits of Mature Deer
Editor's Note: This was originally published September 27, 2017
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FAQs
A home range is the entire area that a deer lives in. On average, these are generally about 650 acres or one square mile. But remember, the home ranges aren't square. As for the core area, this is the location that most the deer will spend the vast majority of their time.
How big is a mature whitetail bucks home range? ›
Home ranges of whitetail bucks in excellent habitat with plenty of food available can be quite small. GPS studies in prime areas of Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Maryland have shown home ranges averaging from 269 to 559 acres; not even as much as a square mile (640 acres).
How far will Bucks bed from water? ›
#3: Buck Bedding Areas Will Be Near Water Sources
Most buck beds that we have seen are within about 75 yards of a source of water—even if the water source is relatively small.
What is the effective range of buckshot for deer? ›
The second lesson I learned was that the effective range of buckshot was less than 50 yards. In all reality, it was more in the 30-40-yard range. Shot shells, barrels and chokes have progressed since I was a youngster, and these days longer, more accurate shots are easily achieved.
Do Bucks leave their home range during the rut? ›
But several recent studies of buck movements have found that bucks don't always leave their home ranges (where they spend 95 percent of their time) during the rut, and those that do aren't gone for very long.
How far can a buck hear? ›
In normal conditions, vibrations produced by walking in leaves and branches can conservatively travel 300-400 yards, and slight metal clanging (like when hanging stands and climbing sticks) up to a half-mile, all within a whitetail's audible frequency range.
How far will a buck roam? ›
There was a general decrease in home range size as deer aged from yearlings to 3 years of age and then an increase in mature bucks. Daily movements in November averaged just less than 3 miles per day. That movement rate jumped to over 5 miles/day during December and over 6 miles per day at the peak of the rut.
How old is a 10 point buck deer? ›
The number of antler points a buck has does not correlate with the buck's age. Yearling bucks have been known to grow antlers with eight or 10 points when the habitat and nutrition are good. The spread of the antlers can offer a clue to a buck's age. Yearling bucks rarely have antlers that grow wider than their ears.
What attracts mature bucks? ›
Mature bucks seem to feel more comfortable in “dirty” plots with plenty of cover and brush nearby. In fact, different types of plants or even weeds growing in the plot may actually be better. The varying height of different types of plants adds “structure” and something near them to which the animals can relate.
Does rain make deer bed down? ›
Heavy rains or thunderstorms will cause deer to bed down in a sheltered area of some kind. Any high winds, rain or not, will also discourage their movement. Since light rain doesn't alter a deer's activity, this time can be very rewarding for you.
Outside of the rut, deer often hit water during daylight, but sometimes wait until after dark to drink. Rut aside, the early season, pre-rut, and late season are also good times to hunt over water (in that order).
Where do big bucks hide during the day? ›
Besides the obvious areas of thick cover, bucks will retreat to city limits, industrial parks, wildlife sanctuaries or even tracts of land that are off limits to hunters completely… anywhere they can hide without being seen or bothered once hunting pressure begins.
Why is buckshot illegal? ›
Conversely, states such as Colorado, Delaware, and Florida have imposed restrictions or outright bans on buckshot usage, often citing safety concerns and the potential for unintended harm to humans or property.
How far is 00 Buck lethal? ›
A load of 00 buck center mass from close range is guaranteed to spoil your day. What is the maximum effective range of a 12-gauge shotgun slug? With a rifled “slug” out of a smooth bore, 100 yards is the max for accuracy.
Is 000 buckshot good for home defense? ›
Which Buckshot Loads Are Best for Home Defense? For decades, the gold standard for defensive buckshot loads has been 12-gauge 00 or double-aught (. 33” diameter) lead buckshot in an 8 or 9-pellet 2 ¾” load. This is the most popular defensive load used by civilians, police, and military organizations.
How far does a buck roam? ›
There was a general decrease in home range size as deer aged from yearlings to 3 years of age and then an increase in mature bucks. Daily movements in November averaged just less than 3 miles per day. That movement rate jumped to over 5 miles/day during December and over 6 miles per day at the peak of the rut.
Will a buck stay in the same area? ›
Home range can shift and grow seasonally with outside influences. Even though a mature buck lives within what biologists call a “home range,” where he is located 90 to 95 percent of the time during the calendar year, researchers have found that a variety of factors (food, cover, etc.)
What is the typical home range size for whitetail deer? ›
In autumn, yearling males disperse up to 25 miles (average 5 miles) to establish permanent ranges with a different social unit. The average size of the summer home range is 536 acres for both sexes, but during the rut, expands to 853 acres for males. White-tailed deer are polygamous.
How many Bucks live in one area? ›
Normally, in forested regions where deer are not overabundant, each square mile includes 4–5 doe ranges, 2–4 ranges of “lesser antlered bucks” — bucks 2–6 years of age (few live longer) that do not have opportunities to breed because they are lower in their 1–2 square-mile buck pecking order than the one big, dangerous ...
