I can't remember who did it. Someone asked about what to do if a deer is nervous and gives the old snort alarm. Another (very smart) person said to snort back. Well I tried it today. It is first day of firearms season here so I was using a shotgun. A deer was coming in from behind me and was snorting at intervals. He was behind me for about half an hour. After 2 or three snorts I started snorting back. 45 minutes after I heard the first snort and 3-4 snorts back from me he walked into my sight. Stared right at me and blew his nose all over. It seemed like I jumped a mile, but he didn't see me. He wandered around for a few and I took him. He's not big and he's only a spike but he's my first. I gutted him myself (mostly). Husband asked where I heard about snorting back (he never heard of such a thing). I told him about all the smart people on bowhunting.com!
Never tried it myself but I've heard that it can work. Congrats on getting your first! Are you just getting into deer hunting?
I've been hunting a few years (I think this is my 4th). First year bowhunting, although I struck out doing that. I hunted hard during bow season (6 weeks) and learned a lot. I started seeing more deer. Husband says that the deer was blowing (not snorting) trying to get me to move. He was suspicious. I feel like I actually called him in. Not sure if I can claim that distinction. He was young and stupid(the deer not husband).
Blowing, snorting, whatever you want to call it, it is an alarm response. You very well may have called him in by doing what you did. Congrats again.
Nice job Amy...Congrats! I have learned a lot on here as well. I am proud of you for gutting your own deer. That is one thing I haven't even tried yet. My boyfriend got me in to hunting last year and he said as long as I hunt with him and continue to like it...he will gut all my deer for me. I am taking full advantage of that as long as I can
Very nice job. Congrats on ur first. My first 2 bucks were spikes(firearm). I have yet to harvest a buck with the bow as this is my first year bowhunting. I would have to say that in a way u did call him in. Obviously not grunted or bleated but my guess is he wouldn't have come in to investigate if he was suspicious without u blowing back at him. That probably put him at ease enough to come see what deer was snorting back as apposed to just smelling something weird and not investigating it. Good job and congrats again.
Ha! It isn't that I am being a wimp. If I HAD to do it, I would. But, as long as he is willing...I will let him I do have to help with the skinning and the butchering.
Thanks everyone! Knowing I maybe calmed him down has made me feel like less of a noob. We took 2 deer to a local family processer. Got great quick service and our skull caps back with 7 bags of meat. All in the freezer now. I'm sad it's over. I may go out in late bow/muzzleloader season and see what I can see. Once I found a comfortable way to sit(I need lumbar support) I was ready to stay out and watch for a long time.
