Do Deer Like Overhead Cover

[Maddog3355]

I was on YouTube watching someone talk about deer liking overhead cover is being blown out of proportion. I have seen enough deer bedded under cedar trees to think otherwise. Also why do deer come out in a field in the shaded spots first?

What is everyone’s opinion on this?

 

[yoderjac]

I would say deer like any cover that masks them but allows them to sense danger. In fact when I started archery hunting hardwoods I used to remove a significant amount of mid-story to create shooting lanes. Deer would change travel routes and avoid the spot. When I was very selective in removing mid-story to create just a few strategic shooting lanes, deer were much more comfortable.

In general, when a deer enters an open field during daylight hours they are taking a risk. I have seen them use a number of tactics to enter a field. One is to very slowly and quietly enter where they blend in well with the background. A deer in full sun is much easier to see than one that is in shade. I've also watch them walk around a field where they could see it and scent it from multiple directions before deciding to enter it, again often in the shade.

One very interesting strategy I've seen is deer entering a field that has a lot of archery pressure. I've seen them sneak quietly in cover until they are close enough to the field to see it well but not close enough to be easily seen in the woods. The sometimes stand and watch it for 10 or 15 minutes. Then suddenly the bolt out into the field, well away from the edges and begin to feed. I believe they have learned that the danger zone is 20 to 30 yards from the woodline.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Bill]

I kinda think they do based on some beds I've seen over the years. I don't actually try and make it though. Any time I've tried it got little use. Wasn't/isn't worth the effort for me, I just hinge cut now.

That's not to say I didn't do it wrong. I may have messed it up. Jim Brauker used to advocate it. Paul Knox didn't think it was worth while.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I've planted evergreens to create dark, shady cover - but only a smaller % of it is tall enough yet to be "overhead cover". I HAVE noticed deer using pines, spruce, hemlock, and balsam fir to travel from one area of open hardwoods to another. I've been in tree stands where the deer had no idea I was there and watched them use the cover and dark shade of these evergreens, rather than walk through open, leafless trees. I've watched deer use older, mature hemlocks to walk under as they travelled through otherwise open hardwoods in a "connect-the-dots" kind of pattern. This was in morning daylight as they worked their way to their bedding area.

Around my camp, bucks especially will use pines, spruce, and hemlocks to hang in while scent-checking/visually-checking the food plots and openings. Does just seem to walk out anywhere, but the bucks like those darker areas to " check things out " first. Rub lines coming from bedding areas tell the tale. FWIW.