So today was epic in the woods... many deer (rare for where I live), the largest I have ever seen and a few shot potentials this morning on does (which I did not take, hoping to get a buck). Throughout the day it became apparent that the local farmer was spreading manure... pig or even human waste. It was very strong smelling and I got to wondering what if any affect this might have on deer movements? Would the strong smell overpower other scents and reduce deer movement as a result of them feeling less secure?? 95% of the activity I saw today happened in the am. long before the spreading... was this just coincidence? Anyone have experiences with this or theories? Thanks, T
The farm I hunt knifes in liquid pig **** every year. They rotate the fields and it smells awful. The deer still go in and eat in those fields every year. I don't worry about wind direction much if you are right on those fields because that **** covers up anything else.
I think this more than anything. Nothing abnormal about it, but may make them a bit more reliable on sight/hearing than their go to scent defense. Doesn't make it easier, but could take an advantage away. Given the hunter can stomache it
They will lay off eating what's in the field for a little bit. Farmer in Va rotates corn and rye. They spray the rye with manure and the deer will stop eating the rye until the manure soaks in some.
Freshly applied manure, especially the liquid stuff will dampen deer activity. I have noticed that, around here, some of the farmers seem to apply liquid manure or even turn under parts of their fields on the borders of their land just before the gun opener. Coincidence? I think not.
I'm sure it has nothing to do with hunting. Don't remember where you live but if they are putting on anhydrous, guys almost always work the field edges before because you cant back an anhydrous rig into corners.
The fields I'm talking about are being chisel plowed. Around here, 25 miles NE of LaCrosse, anhydrous is mostly applied in the spring before planting corn. Again, these fields are being worked only where they border the neighboring land.
Yeah it would be chisel plowed bean stubble. Who knows, people do weird things when it comes to farming practices.