Hunting during (or after, hopefully) a drought

[jpuke]

Does anyone have any experience with, or memories of how a drought affected their deer hunting? 

I didn't get into deer hunting until I was 30 and haven't been through a drought year yet.  I hunt in Nebraska and we've had it pretty bad this year, a lot of the crops are already in where I hunt, the ponds are barely surviving, and I'm wondering if anyone has some advice.  The trails I hunt are on the way to both water and food but both of those will be scarce this year. 

I had high hopes for this season since last winter was so mild, thinking that most of the deer survived well but now I worry the drought may even things out or change their habits.  Of course, the point is moot if we start getting rain.  No complaints if it happens.

[SHOOTALL]

Each area is different but here crops were cut early or not at all both would alter deer activity during bow season. Also many creeks were dry also forcing more deer to use the ones with water which means a well placed stand will see more deer . M uch of the normal weeds that deer eat are not aval. which causes deer to travel farther between the water and food as the season progeresses . This gives more opertunity to see them if they don't feed at night . Watching for no moon is a good time to hunt as some deer will feed later in the AM and early in the PM.  Some times it can effect the Rut also if deer are starving.

[222]

Several areas have had several deer die due to "blue tongue". Hopefully will freeze hard soon and stop it spread. Water is a key early (unless it rains) season and food will be scarce making hay piles and feedlots after it snows. Healthy deer will survive it snow and ice don't become impossible to move. I'm in Valley Co.

[SHOOTALL]

We had deer die from hemorigic diesese ( sp) in some cases 50 or more in an area most were found by a river but not sure it was caused by drought . Here Yotes and lions seem to be getting fawns alot .

[yellowtail3]

We had deer die from hemorigic diesese ( sp) in some cases 50 or more in an area most were found by a river but not sure it was caused by drought . Here Yotes and lions seem to be getting fawns alot .

what part of the country are you  in, Shootall? We've have more hemorrhagic disease & coyotes than I'd like in NC. Can't do anything about the sickness, but I did plink a coyote last Nov... if I see a coyote and a deer, the coyote gets it unless it's a really nice buck.

[SHOOTALL]

Central Virginia . I hunt mostly near Blackstone Va. in Nottaway Co. just up I-81 from NC. 10 years ago we never saw a coyote or a Mt lion now there are both and we are seeing bears in Chesterfield Co enough to have a bear season . So much for a nap on the deer stand these days. I want to get a shot at a yote or bear !

[yellowtail3]

Hunt report - Muzzleloading opener today... shot a spike buck. He rolled down a very big hill. Took forever to drag him out.
I'm tired.