So I have the opportunity to hunt some land just outside of city limits. It's good hunting with great numbers and the odds are very good. It's very close to my house so I can be there after work and can get more hours in hunting. The problem I run into is when I sit up in that tree and look out I can see several houses and I have this gut feeling that when I shoot something it's going to run into some kids yard and die. Would you take a shot knowing that it's a distinct possibility of the deer running into private property to die?
It would depend on what way the deer was facing...Im sitting here trying to remember any deer I have taken that ran back the way it came from....every one I can remember ran in the direction they were already going.
How far away are these houses? With a good hit, a couple of hundred yards is a good buffer.
Tough call to make. A situation like that could have many bad results. Or you may be worrying yourself over nothing.
Good luck, either way.
The kids might think it's cool. You never know...
But seriously, I agree with the above. Every deer I've ever shot ran the way it was facing or made a 90 degree turn. Never had one do a 180.
just don't leave the gut pile by the swing set..... :knothead:
but seriously, are you legal there? Outside of that, its only what you feel. Property issues can become an issue with recovering game, but that can happen on large parcels too. Is there a concern with permission? Is it public where discussing it with adjacent folks could be an issue?
You can't hunt urban areas without that being a possiblility. Deer run for cover though, and not the open area of someone's yard. I've killed many deer under the circumstances you describe and have never had one run into the open when shot. They run back into cover. I wouldn't worry about a deer dropping in someone's backyard because that's just not likely to happen.
I agree with Molson, deer instictivley run for cover injured or not and defintley when run threw with an arrow.
But I can understand your concern people can just ruin one's day sometimes.
One word. Absoulutly! I've hunted just like this for several years. My experience is like what has been mentioned already. After being shot, all the deer run for cover, in which direction they come from.
It wasnt uncommon to hear kids playing and the family dog barking just a 150yrds away, and be surrounded by deer.
Yes I would! More and more hunting opportunities like this are out there. We hunt a farm that is bordered along one side by big "McMansions" and more homes across the road which borders one other side. never get too close to the houses though. If I shot a deer and it happened to run that way.....I'd be proud to go and get it. There have been several deer over the years of hunting there that have been shot in the woods and run across the big open pasture towards these homes and it's never been an issue for us or anyone else.
I would add that the dogs barking in the yards was a signal to get ready that deer were walking the power line heading our way!
Around here if you hunt any public land close by you are usually watching people in there yards.You make good shots and as others say do it when they are pointing the right direction.Very few places that I hunt where you can't see a house unless the leaves are just too thick to block the veiw.
I have seen some of the biggest bucks in my life living in the suburbs, Go for it!
I've hunted around the Westchester NY burbs,with houses in plain sight.I'd hunt in your spot all day long.I always had it in my mind about the deer running into a yard,but I say take the chance.
I hunt in some tight areas, Most of the time I try to contact the surronding landowners/homeowners just to let them know I will be there and to reinforce that I will not enter there property without permission.If the situation ever arrises. Also take only high percentage shots. Hope this helps, Ed
If its legal go for it. One of my spots is very similar. Its also my spot where I see the most deer. Usually 10+
I would do it if all is legal and you are not in any safety zone or anything. With a gun it would be different for me. I don't want to rile folks up to much. I have a spot like this, and I only bow hunt it even in gun season. Great spot only I can't always hear the deer because of the traffic noise. I have shot some good deer there. Look at it this way; you are probably saving someone from hitting one with their car or it eating all their flowers. They may be happy you are taking them out. If they are unhappy if they see it go down what are they going to do about it if you are legal? Just ask to remove it if it goes down off the property you hunt. If they want it fine. If they freak out about it so what. That is their problem and what are they going to do with a dead deer? If you are legal you have every right to hunt so do it. The deer in the urban areas need to go. You are doing a public service.
Welcome to nj...those are some of the best spots! Hard to find big open woods with out houses in these parts. I'd hunt it.
Use to help the local city with there deer population problem " contract killer" so to speak only one time did the deer after being shot by a friend ( another contract Killer)run toward civilazation dying with its head on the front step of a house -- the owner was cool with it we cleaned up the situation best we could and everything was OK. Just be careful and have fun!!!
They changed the safety zone laws in Pa so you could hunt in town. It used to be 150 yards from a ocupied building while hunting and they changed it to 50 yards if you are archery hunting. I hunt right in town and have seen the biggest bucks there of anywhere I hunt.. I might also add the quietest spots I hunt, no 4 wheelers to bother me.
Yep!
It is legal as the land I'll be hunting I have permission to hunt and they would like the deer gone. I'm aware that it's legal and that I'm not doing anything wrong but still worry about that feeling in my gut if a confrontation occured. Well I think I'm going to go sit in a stand anyway and if something that I really want comes in we'll see what happens.
Wait till the school bus leaves then let 'er fly.
I do it every year in my yard in PA. I have also hunted urban parks as part of organized herd control efforts. Deer usually don't just waltz into an area with human activity... they do it very carefully and are generally on somewhat high alert. Most importantly they always have an escape route in their head when venturing into dangerous territory, and you can be rest-assured it does not include running through the middle of the neighborhood. As long as you make a clean kill shot, they will go straight for cover and probably you can even guess their escape route making recovery very simple.
I'd be tempted to hunt there too. Given the state you live in and the prevailing ... political disposition there, I'd be more concerned with PETA and those sorts interrupting the hunt.
In other words - I think your primary concern ought to be remaining camouflaged from people. Hiding from the deer is probably a secondary concern.
I'm with Big Ed, talk to the neighbors, let them know what you are doing and go for it. Can't get enough hunting time.
I have had that happen a couple of times. Made a good shot and doe, she ran straight to the house and almost in garage before she expired. Another time while hunting near a golf course, I shot a big doe that ran up onto #7 tee box and died with people ON that tee box!!! Luckily both situations turned out good.
Go for it! You may be surprised at how many big deer you will see, especially if the hunting pressure is light. It will be a great spot in the gun season if gunners can't get in there due to the proximity of the homes. Sounds like a honey-hole.
Not to scare you but I had a buddy that hunted in a neighborhood setting. One year he shot one and it ended up in a backyard pool. Boy it's awful funny sitting around the campfire listening to that one. Luckily the landowner was understanding.
My setting is more rural, but I can see several neighbors' homes when the leaves are off. Two of my stands are in sight of my own house. I have 50 acres out the back door, but the hunting is best close to the house until the rut. Neighbors are all hunter-friendly here.
Heart-shot deer will run blindly straight ahead, but all of the deer I've shot through the lungs headed back toward where they came from.
Man those are some horror stories died in a pool, almost made it into the garage and died on the #7 T box. I can just imagine what the pool guys wife said.
I drug a deer out of someones backyard one time. Just be quick like a Ninja!
Yes.
I wouldn't. Not because there's anything wrong with it. But I would be too worried about the deer ending up in someones pool to enjoy myself. :bigsmyl:
I've shot tons (30+)of deer in that setting, take good shots only. I never had problems and a +1 for talking to neighbors.
I would everyday.. Take close perfect shots and enjoy the meat. Urban deer must be controlled and quality bowhunters are the perfect tool for the job.
John III
I have hunted a neighborhood of multi-million dollar homes set on 5 acre lots for about 7 years now and never had a problem. As stated by many above, only take high percentage shots. Learning the neighborhood is also important - when people come and go, which neighbors are antis and which are not, etc. Be discreet and not overly obvious about getting in and out of the stand. Buy something to wrap the deer up in when dragging him back to the truck or do it after dark - I use an old plastic toboggan and a tarp. Most importantly, give some venison and a nice bottle of wine to those who let you hunt there and you will get invited back and they will introduce you to their neighbors. I started with just one property in 'my neighborhood' and now have 7, plus a 40 acre woodlot all within spitting distance of eachother.
The ONLY thing that would stop me.....is if there was a law in place that DEMANDED I have permission from landowners to retrieve my downed game (this is important ANYWHERE).
If it's perfectly legal for me to retrieve....I'm hunting. If permission is required (to retrieve), I'm gonna get said BEFORE I hunt it.
I've got semi-urban spots I hunt regularly (with permission ....AND I can't be denied access to my downed game...if I'm not in posession of a weapon/bow). I still am very cognizant of how I get my deer out. One such spot is touchy (and I've taken my best two bucks from there). I call each time to speak to the landowner.....to let them know I'll be retrieving a deer from there. It's their choice, then, to look or not. They choose to "not". That's cool. If I could get it out without them knowing....I'd do that. But I don't want to surprise them. these folks are HUGE animal lovers.....and I consider their overlooking that (for my benefit) a blessing. I'd never rub that in their face.