Spooking desert mule deer question

longshooter · Aug 19, 2007

I got a question for some of you mule deer gurus

Yesterday my wife and I were out scouting for the upcoming archery hunt and taking some pics of a few bucks threw the new vortex spotting scope to see how they compare to others.

While I'm glassing I noticed a monster buck running down from the top of a ridge into a small canyon. So i dropped my pack and grabbed the spotting scope ,tripod and camera so I could put a stalk on him to get some pics. I got into the same canyon he was in and started glassing it looking for him. Well after about 10-15 minutes glassing for him he jumps up out of some thick brush within 150 yards of me and runs up and over into the next canyon.

My question is with it being August and this area he is in gets little pressure do you guys think I completely blew him out of the area for good ? My guess is I probaly blew him out of the area for a short period of time or I caused him to go nocturnal for awhile.

Thanks

MuleyCrazyMan · Aug 19, 2007

I think if you give him a few days, you should be able to find him again. When he rubs his velvet he will definately change his behavior, so you should be fine in a couple days as long as there is little pressure like you said. Good luck.

browncrazy · Aug 19, 2007

I HAVE HAD A FEW CASES THAT SAME WAY, I THOUGHT THAT THE BUCK WOULD RELOCATE BUT HE WAS BACK IN THE SAME CANYON THE NEXT DAY.
I THINK YOU'LL BE SAFE. GOOD LUCK ON THE STOCK.

huntsonora · Aug 19, 2007

He shouldnt go far, he might change his routine depending on how much water is in the area. This time of year they need lots of H2O

Drum

Gator · Aug 20, 2007

He will be back the next day but if he gets jumped out again he might start looking for a hidey hole.

CouesSniper · Aug 21, 2007

Well, let me ask this in addition to Longshooter's question: What if you shoot at a buck in a similar scenario? Remote area with little pressure, deer don't get hunted, etc. Does he move out then? How long?

NMHUNTNUTT1 · Aug 21, 2007

If there is private land and he gets pressured he will change his habit and press on.It's still pretty warm and even though bucks do go nocturnal when pressured , they also get lazy and if pressure hasn't happened , you can still catch him out and about , same area. Good luck , hope you find him and get some pics...

Rammu · Aug 21, 2007

The buck will stay in that same area even if he gets shot at. he may leave for a day or two but he will go right back. IMO

BrianID · Aug 21, 2007

I also think he will stay in the same general area.

longshooter · Aug 21, 2007

Thanks for the help guys... I have had trouble sleeping at night wondering if I blew a chance at finding him again during season. I know bucks of this caliber are far and few between and I just hope I did not screw it up over a picture.

I did find water within a mile of were I jumped at so I guess that might work in my odds on this buck