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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ohiorider on March 29, 2020, 11:55:49 AM

Title: Do deer seem to 'hunker down' when it's really windy?
Post by: ohiorider on March 29, 2020, 11:55:49 AM
I think someone once told me they'd heard secondhand that deer tend not to move around so much when it is windy, because it interferes with their keen sense of hearing they use to alert them of danger.  Any validity to this, or an old wives' tale?

Bob
Title: Re: Do deer seem to 'hunker down' when it's really windy?
Post by: sidmonsters on March 29, 2020, 12:19:58 PM
I buy it, especially as a hunter having spent many windy days swaying in a tree stand.  Really strong wind interferes with hearing but probably even more their sense of smell, which I would say is their first line of defense—I have been busted that way more than by hearing or sight combined. (Their vision is pretty bad overall).  Also, in cold weather strong wind is going to sap body heat, so I think they do bed more and longer.
Steve
Title: Re: Do deer seem to 'hunker down' when it's really windy?
Post by: MotoG5 on March 29, 2020, 12:27:53 PM
As a life long deer hunter it has been my observation that they dont completely stop all movement but do tend to stay in and around heavier cover. And closer to food and water sources. So on average you will see fewer deer on windy days than low wind days. But like any wild animal they can still turn up  just about anywhere at any time.
Title: Re: Do deer seem to 'hunker down' when it's really windy?
Post by: s1120 on March 29, 2020, 03:28:07 PM
They dont do much in weather. Between noise and smell its better for them to stay put.
Title: Re: Do deer seem to 'hunker down' when it's really windy?
Post by: lucian on March 29, 2020, 03:42:41 PM
Up here they mostly head down to the elks club to blow a few bucks  :evil:
Title: Re: Do deer seem to 'hunker down' when it's really windy?
Post by: Cam3512 on March 29, 2020, 04:26:21 PM
Up here they mostly head down to the elks club to blow a few bucks  :evil:

Now that's FUNNY....
Title: Re: Do deer seem to 'hunker down' when it's really windy?
Post by: PJPR01 on March 29, 2020, 06:06:30 PM
Up here they mostly head down to the elks club to blow a few bucks  :evil:

Best post of the year!!    :laugh:
Title: Re: Do deer seem to 'hunker down' when it's really windy?
Post by: ohiorider on March 29, 2020, 09:44:11 PM
Aside from the deer heading to the Elk's Club, I was asking to get an idea as to whether wind and noise might keep the deer slowed down, ie, not running madly across roads I often ride.  Just out of curiosity ...........
Thanks to you hunters who offered your opinions.  :thumb:

Bob
Title: Re: Do deer seem to 'hunker down' when it's really windy?
Post by: Muzz on March 29, 2020, 10:41:27 PM
The ones do in NZ.

Having said that, ours seem to have a few more clues that your lot and hide around the hill tops and don't tend to leap out in front of motorbikes. :evil:
Title: Re: Do deer seem to 'hunker down' when it's really windy?
Post by: BRG-BIRD on March 30, 2020, 07:27:29 AM
I will agree that deer tend to not move much when it’s windy, there are exceptions of course.
Title: Re: Do deer seem to 'hunker down' when it's really windy?
Post by: Bill929 on March 30, 2020, 08:37:08 AM
We live in a heavily wooded, low populated (three houses on 120 acres) area and have several resident deer on and around our property.  They do not like the wind and definitely hunker down when the wind is howling...