Quick Answer
Deer leave their usual trails in late season due to a combination of factors including food scarcity, increased human activity, and the need to find more reliable sources of water and nutrients.
Habitat Pressures in Late Season
In West Virginia, public lands can become overcrowded with hunters during the late season. This increased human activity forces deer to alter their movement patterns, avoiding trails that are heavily trafficked by hunters and dogs. Deer will often shift to secondary trails or new routes that are less likely to be used by hunters.
Deer Food Scarcity and Alternative Sources
As the late season progresses, deer are faced with dwindling food sources. This scarcity can lead them to search for alternative food sources, such as mast-bearing trees or agricultural fields. Deer may abandon their usual trails in favor of these alternative food sources, which can be located in areas with less hunter pressure. It’s not uncommon for deer to travel 1-2 miles or more to reach these alternative food sources.
Water Sources and Nutrient-Rich Areas
Deer also require reliable sources of water and nutrients to survive the harsh winter conditions. In West Virginia, public lands may have limited access to these resources, forcing deer to travel longer distances to reach them. Deer may leave their usual trails to find areas with reliable water sources, such as streams or springs, or nutrient-rich areas, such as areas with high concentrations of mast-bearing trees or agricultural fields.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.