Where did my deer go? Up until rifle season opened I could count on at least seeing some deer. I have 80 acres of beautiful land to hunt. Exclusive rights. No deer has been shot by a gun all year on this parcel. I took one shot with my bow and missed. Now that gun season is open, it seems like the deer have left the safety of my property and have gun onto the properties that surround me. I seem to be seeing more turkeys now,but the deer seem to be gone. When will they come out of hiding?  

They probably went totally nocturnal.  Thats what they do around me this time of year when the Blaze Orange Army hits the woods.

Welcome to the late season.     The deer are still around, went nocturnal, but harder to find.

It will take some time for the deer to get back to "normal" routine. Now you will find them in the thick cover. Most of them will come out to feed in the fields at night, then head for cover before sunrise.

I've been hunting the same general area for 35 years. Deer do the same/same/same every firearms season. I know where they are... Just don't have the O.K. to get in there (now). Late Archery Can't Come Soon Enough!

... mike ...

is there good bedding cover for them?  As the woods clear out, so do the places where deer feel safe.....

I think the rutt was a little late this year in Kentucky. gun season ened last week here and I didnt see any bucks, this weekend they were running all over the place. I usally save my energy for late season anyway, I love hunting December and january.

ttt

Same with us here in Finger Lakes region of Ny. Not much daytime movement. Bow season was good.  Opening weekend is like a turn off switch. Tracks are all at night.

Find the thickest, nastiest stuff you can on that property and get in there downwind of where the deer will be.
You may need to change up your routine too.  Deer pattern us just as well if not better than we pattern them) Park somehwere else, walk in another way, go in early with a light(green or red supposedly doesnt spook game). Go stealth on them.
Only being there once, I would recommend a nice slow walk looking for fresh sign. I would start on the shore and go from there.