Why I'm not seeing deer.

[ihookem]

I think I have it figured out to some degree. For the last four years I'e been hunting over corn with my 11 yr. old son because I want to stay on my small parcel where I can see our cabin in case I get hurt my kid can get to the cabin. So we hunted over corn this year again and saw one nubby opening morning and nothing on the cam in daylight. Then hunting muzzle season nothing until I go back in the woods and hunt naturally then I seen the same two deer  seen on the cam that only come in at night and I see turkeys too. I think the reaseon is because the wolves came back and figured out real quick that bait piles mean lots of deer scent, and deer visiting the corn figure out real quick wolves are visiting very often. We see deer on the cams only at night when corn is present but when corn is gone deer show up randomly on the cams day and night. I think the wolves are using bait piles  as ambush sights. Have you noticed less deer in the day when corn is out ? Does this make sence?

[1sourdough]

 Not to comment on your particular stand but; I see a lot of stands that are setup to give the hunter a great view but they are not where I'd want to be. I'd rather be in thicker cover with 1/8 the view but a much greater chance of seeing undisturbed deer during shooting hours. A stand that covers mostly a wide open field may allow some deer sightings, many out of range or running. Also be sure you hunt right to the last legal & safe shooting minute. Your 11 y/o should be able to find the cabin even if it'sa little out of sight. I know the drill though, I hunted with my 12y/o this Fall. He got one shot but no deer.

[ihookem]

You are right. I don't know how he would react if I had a heart attack or broke my leg or something. I have been taking him 1/2 mi. back on the county land and he has been finding his way back very well with the compass. We will hunt across the Flambeau River next year where there are no hunters if we can get across safely. It is very thick with cover on both stands and close to the river and the wolves run up and down the river all the time so I think the deer avoid the whole area where there is corn until night time and calm. They don't even come to the corn when it's windy at night except for one fawn. I think it's because of a few close calls with wolves.

[banen]

only problem is, if the wolves were frequenting your bait pile, don't you think they would show up on your cams too?  Also, it doesn't make sense that the deer would be safe at night, wolves are more than happy to hunt at night as well. 

[Graybeard]

Basically there are only two reasons why you might not see deer when you go hunting. One is there just are none or darn few living around there. The other more likely reason is they know you are there before you know they are so they don't hang around to be seen.

[ihookem]

You are right Graybeard, there are very few deer there. I only got an old doe and her fawn in five days with the trail cam. The wolves don't waste their time coming right up to the corn. They run the river that is 50 yds from the corn. They also run the ridge that parralels the river about 100 yds away. Some run the river, some run the ridge in pefect timing. If there is a deer at the corn pile  the deer is in trouble if the wind is right. They are very good at this. I am sure the deer know they can sence wolves better on a quiet night so that is when they show up. They seem nervous  when the wind blows at night and don't seem to come around the corn much then. This is the South Fork Flambeau River just upstream from the state forest.

[Ahshucks]

You may have to scout for another hunting spot, how are the deer moving in surrounding areas?  Their bedding areas, feeding areas, travel lanes.  If you are in Northern WI you have to compete with both the bear and the wolves

Wish this site would list the location of the poster!