Still a Few Deer Left in NH
02-26-2006, 04:22 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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Still a Few Deer Left in NH
I got a few free hours on Saturday so I grabbed my Topo Map and went looking for a new spot to hunt closer to the house.I saw lots of fresh sign and beds and apparently stumbled on to a deer yard. I've never seen so many deer in one place in New England. They stampeded by me and I countedfifteen and it was pretty thick so I know I didn't see them all.It sounded like a freight train going through the woods. I didn'tsee any antlers on any of themand walked through where they came from looking for any sheds. I soon left them aloneand made my wayback to the truck where we (my black lab and I) came across eighteen turkeys crossing a logging road. Not a bad day.
So here'smy question.
Does anyone know, or have a guess, how far these deer came toyard up there? Although a very nice area, I can't imagine it supports that many deer year round.
So here'smy question.
Does anyone know, or have a guess, how far these deer came toyard up there? Although a very nice area, I can't imagine it supports that many deer year round.
02-27-2006, 06:51 AM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 801
RE: Still a Few Deer Left in NH
Depending how far north you were some deer yarding areas will pull deer from 20+ miles away. An area in Maine has studied deer in a particular yarding area travelling almost 50 miles.
In my experience it seems that deer seem to concentrate in less than 5 to 10 mile areas. I am pretty far south though. In Rindge NH where I hunt, the places we see deer each fall are completely devoid of any deer in the heart of winter, but about 5 miles away there is a yarding area in a thick cedar swamp that has groups of 40+ deer. I "think" this is where some of the deer I hunt go. If I were you I'd look for excellent "fall" feeding areas within a few miles of the yard you found as that would be your best bet for finding them I would think.
In my experience it seems that deer seem to concentrate in less than 5 to 10 mile areas. I am pretty far south though. In Rindge NH where I hunt, the places we see deer each fall are completely devoid of any deer in the heart of winter, but about 5 miles away there is a yarding area in a thick cedar swamp that has groups of 40+ deer. I "think" this is where some of the deer I hunt go. If I were you I'd look for excellent "fall" feeding areas within a few miles of the yard you found as that would be your best bet for finding them I would think.
02-27-2006, 05:16 PM
#3
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RE: Still a Few Deer Left in NH
Thanks for the info MA Jay.
I lived in Ashburnham, MA for a year and Rindge wasnearly in my back yard. I never got chance to hunt either place unfortunately. When I hiked around, there seemedto be plenty of nice spots though. Lots of oaks around Lincoln Pond on the MA side. Youshould check it out.
I lived in Ashburnham, MA for a year and Rindge wasnearly in my back yard. I never got chance to hunt either place unfortunately. When I hiked around, there seemedto be plenty of nice spots though. Lots of oaks around Lincoln Pond on the MA side. Youshould check it out.
02-27-2006, 06:56 PM
#5
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RE: Still a Few Deer Left in NH
Fitzwilliam is a sweet spot too. Another area I spent some time in andnever got to hunt.
You didn't find my wallet there did you? About five years ago I was at the gas station at the Rte 12 & 9 intersection and drove off with my wallet on top of the car.
Not one of my better moments. Ihad to buymy hunting license twice that year.
You didn't find my wallet there did you? About five years ago I was at the gas station at the Rte 12 & 9 intersection and drove off with my wallet on top of the car.
Not one of my better moments. Ihad to buymy hunting license twice that year.
