Just got on to a decent piece of property and the land owner has a few horses that roam freely. It's only 10 acres but it's surround by lots of great land, with a lot of deer, and no hunting pressure. My question is: do the horses affect the deer?
I hunt a 160 acre tract, and the farmer has certain sections fenced off to allow the horses to roam a little. I set up one evening on the edge of the horse pasture, with my back to the horse pasture. I didn't think I'd have any deer come from behind me, and I wanted my scent to blow out towards the horses. I was wrong. I looked out at one point during the evening and had probably 6 does heading towards me, coming right through the horses. Since then, when I walk to my stands, I step in every pile of horse poo I can. I haven't had a deer cut my trail and spook since doing so. So no, I don't think they bother them too much. Will they hang around them all the time, no I don't really think so.
The land owner of a place I hunted has a certain section fenced off to allow the horses to roam a little. More than once I would look in the direction of the horses from the tree line and I would see the horses on point like a good bird dog so to speak. On every occasion a few moments later here comes a deer right past the corral coming across the field from out of view. If it weren't for those horses I might have missed the deer until it was too late. Keep a check on those horses, they might just tip you off.
YEP I have to agree, one of the spots I hunt is right on a horse trial, it seems most of the deer there r used to people being around, AND YES THE HORSE DUNG DOES DO THE TRICK,,I have had deer so close i can read the stricker on the bumper made in USA! It is a excellent cover scent , the wife dose,nt think so though lol!good luc!
Alright, I feel a little more confident about my situation. Thanks for the help guys...that's why this forum is the sh**!
DrawBackBowhunting, The landowner is counting on you to thin the herd!!!! Remember his crops ain't $hit!!! And every time he sees those Critters in the pasture that goes through his head! Your Golden as long as you don't mistake a Horse for a Deer! How does that work? Good Luck!
I hunt a piece of property that has horses and cows and the deer mingle with them like they are best friends!
I have never felt so important, thanks silentsling,haha! And you're right his crops ain't ****, Illinois needs rain!
Made Me Laugh On a few responses on this thread I read don't mistake a horse for a deer, how's that? A deer is on average 150lbs compared to a horse at 650lbs to 800lbs. No antlers!!! and they stand so many more hands high???? I can see if your hunting Moose but even then,no antlers. Yet it happens year after year?? People shoot people mistaking them for deer ?? How ??? Do you actually believe you can mistake a person for a deer at 30 yards?? Can't figure this out, I'm 56 and my eye's are starting to fail and I need glasses to read,yet I can still see at 300 yards a deer is a deer and a person is a person. Could never figure this out????. Two seasons ago my hunting partner was shot at, at about 250 yards from 2 guys thinking he was a moose from the side of the road. He lucked out and at the moment of truth dropped as the shot flew harmlessly above him and into the bush. That was an Act of God ,giving him the feel to drop. He later approached the said hunters and blasted them verbally for not knowing what the heck their shooting at!!! Rocky
Complete ignorance, obviously the average guy would pay attention but there's less intelligent folks out there. It's jacked up that people have to say " don't shoot the horse", but I get it, if it didn't happen, people wouldn't say that. Can't wait to see how the deer act with the horses.
I agree with most everyone. I've seen horses and deer grazing together. If the horses aren't new to the area then the deer are used to them being there.
2 properties I hunt have horses, the deer are used to horses in pastures, and if you have riders the deer get used to them to. Make friends with the horse people, they can give you some good info on where they are seeing deer. I always bring treats for the horses, most of them see my truck and come right to it, Im baiting the horses and riders in for more than 1 reason : )
Thanks for y'alls help! Seen 2 does walking the fence line this evening, and guess who were mingling in front of them, the horses...can't wait to kill a deer! Good luck to those hunting, and those that are about to start. Oct. 1st, I've missed you darling!
