Bird alerting deer?

fnshtr · January 12, 2015, 10:48:00 AM

I agree that blue jays sometimes will alert YOU of approaching deer... I've had that happen. As for squirrels barking (and "crying")... I've noted them doing that at me when deer were close and the deer seem to ignore them.

Early season tree stand hunting can be down right frustrating as jays and other birds first spot me in the stand. I suppose they "see" a hawk, owl or big crow as they will raise cain for quite some time.

Slimpikins · January 12, 2015, 11:12:00 AM

LOL Bldtrailer.

I know exactly what your uncle was saying Gary. I have experienced that several times, and even killed a few deer that probably would have slipped up on me and busted had the Jays not alerted me.

mj seratt · January 12, 2015, 12:16:00 PM

Havilah Babcock wrote a book titled "Jaybirds go to hell on Friday". This was supposedly proved by the fact that you never saw one on Friday.
I don't know. Never tried to prove/disprove it.

Murray

Ray Lyon · January 12, 2015, 03:46:00 PM

My experience with Blue Jays is they squawk at you and they squawk at everything else including deer. If I hear blue jays squawking in the distance, I'm focusing attn. in that direction. Tent blinds are great for avoiding scrutiny from birds.

JMG · January 12, 2015, 04:07:00 PM

I have followed deer moving through the woods by Blue Jays squawking and the chatters of squirrels. They seem to let me know when the deer are moving, but in turn the Blue Jays and squirrels will tell the deer of my presents just as fast!!

hogless · January 12, 2015, 04:51:00 PM

I have heard squirrels barking at deer coming my way and all so a small wood pecker will do the same thing

Dan bree · January 12, 2015, 05:17:00 PM

I shot a buck years ago and after the shot had a wood hawk land right next to me up in my tree stand . Just checking me out. And every time I see one now I know I'll have a bad day ! It's just a bad mojo thing put on me from the spirits of the forest. . ? .. But jays and such. Will tell ther brothers that something just ant right.

Duncan · January 12, 2015, 08:56:00 PM

The Wood Thrush and its relatives will nail you around here in early bow season. The quickest way to end the "I tawt I taw a bowhunta" alarm is to go ahead and stand up and shoo it off. Then at least you have a chance for the woods to settle back down. But yeah the sight of one and I won't even bat an eye to keep from getting made. Squirrels come in second and again shooing it off if it is really close works on them too. I figure I can't lose, its raising an alarm so I might as well move and get rid of it.

hightop_hunter · January 13, 2015, 03:15:00 AM

In my area I actually find that the magpies will follow deer in the hunting season they love the gut piles so when im deep in the woods some times the deer will be followed by magpies and ravens

grouseshooter002 · January 13, 2015, 10:19:00 AM

I don't pay attention to the natural chatter of the woods, but when all goes silent that is another story. Always pay attention to turkey that are moving and feeding through the woods because often the deer are with them. Never let the turkey know that you are present, but pay attention to what is bringing up the rear.

Grouse

Wallydog · January 13, 2015, 01:10:00 PM

I know pine squirrels have an effect on deer. Ill wager birds do also. I had a pine squirrel "yak" at me for 2 solid hrs on a hunt in Wisconsin a number of years ago. He would NOT quit. I threw rocks, sticks and insults to no avail. I finally raised my scoped 7mm mag rifle scope and settled the crosshairs on his ...well you can figure the rest out!

Krex1010 · January 13, 2015, 03:29:00 PM

I've had jays and red squirrels persistently scold me many times. Grey squirrels do too but seem to lose interest quicker. No doubt these animals are sounding the alarm. I've seen them scold other animals too foxes, hawks, coyotes as well as deer. I'm not sure the effect it has on deer though. I've seen deer ignore them completely, and if deer avoided the area because of them I have no way of knowing.