I hunted all saturday morning in a spot i haven't hunted since last year. I seen about 30 deer including a several bucks, but none were shooters. After lunch, i figured i'd try the same spot for the rest of the day. Right before dark, i had 5 deer comin towards me and i figured i'd shoot one of them. Then, when they were about in range, a stupid fox come out of the woods and scared them off. I was furious but about to get madder when i seen a 9 point standing about 70 yards away. The fox was in between me and him and he was staring at the fox. The fox then walked down the hill and the buck never took his eyes off of him. After the fox went out of sight the buck turned in the other direction and walked off. If it werent for that fox, that nine point wouldve walked right to me.
I have NEVER had a deer show fear of a fox. In any way... thats why you can buy fox piss as cover scent...
i am guessin the deer was on to something else. the fox was jjust there hiding you, and happened to be in the same direction as whatever the deer was looking at, either that or the deer couldnt make out the fox and tell what he was
I use corn, before the season (I didn't this year) to get my trailcam pics. I've got photos of fox and deer eating out of the same pile.
My dad told me about a hunt when he was stationed at Fort Knox. He said that a fox came running by him followed by a doe close on its tail. then a couple seconds later they came back through but the fox was chasing the doe. He said this went on for a while. And there were other deer feeding around him while this fox and deer were playing tag. So I have to agree with the others. The deer picked up on something else.
Were the deer edgy in any way prior to the fox coming through. Do you have a lot of coyotes in the area? All of these can contribute, but in my experience a fox is usually more scared of the deer than they are of him. i feel bad for you. As long as the nine point did not pick you up, then you should be fine to get back on him.
i have seen deer take off running because a squirrel made to much noise in the woods deer can be very unpredictable sometimes
One of the does looked at me for maybe 5 sec but continued to eat. As soon as the fox stepped out, they looked at him and took off down the hill. There are some coyotes around. As for the nine point, he never looked my way even when i stood up, so hopefully he'll be back soon.
Short of a rabid or extremely aggressive fox in the area I see no reason for a deer to be alarmed by a fox. Maybe they mistook him for a young coyote and thought the rest of the pack would show up soon. Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Hopefully you will get a chance at that buck soon.
A few years ago, my hunting partner shot a big doe; and a fox chased her 250 yards out of her bed. We ended up shooting the fox (he made quite the shot) and got the doe too! But I agree with most of the comments... deer can be strange sometimes - sometimes noise or wind (or nothing at all) spoke them... thats why it's called hunting and not shooting. Keep after them!
