Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles
"Bounce" the Deer to Your Stand
ynn"Bounce" the Deer to Your Stand
This guide outlines the strategy of "bouncing" deer—a tactic used by hunters to influence the movement of deer herds or individual animals toward a desired location, typically a hunting stand. This is not a guaranteed method, but a calculated approach based on deer behavior and landscape management.
I. Understanding Deer BehaviorSuccessful "bouncing" relies on an understanding of local deer habits.
- Rutting Season vs. Non-Rut: Deer movement is dramatically different during the rut (mating season). Bucks will move more erratically and cover more distance, making the "bounce" less predictable. Outside of the rut, movement is often more centered around food and bedding.
- Bedding Areas: Deer prefer thick cover for bedding, often on elevated ground or near water sources. Bouncing should aim to move them away from these safe havens.
- Travel Corridors (Funnels): Deer consistently use the path of least resistance. Look for trails along ridge lines, creek beds, fence lines, and areas of dense-to-open cover transition. These are the natural "bouncing" routes.
Before you attempt to move the deer, the stand and area must be prepped.
A. Stand Placement and AccessThe stand must be positioned where it intercepts the deer's anticipated escape route.
- Wind Direction: Your stand should be downwind of the anticipated travel corridor. Deer will always approach an area from downwind to use their sense of smell.
- Entry/Exit Route: Plan a low-impact route to your stand. The deer should not be able to see or smell you entering or leaving. This route should be clearly marked with a stand access map.
The concept of a "bounce" is to make a particular route or area uncomfortable, but not terrifying.
- Fencing or Natural Barriers: Use temporary, low-cost fencing (like snow fence or wire) to subtly shift a known trail. Alternatively, pile brush in a specific area to narrow a funnel.
- Scent Placement: Use human-safe, non-alarming scents (such as a weak predator urine scent or a dominant buck scent outside of the rut) to slightly deter them from a certain patch of woods, encouraging movement toward the stand.
- Food Plot Management: If you have multiple food plots, intentionally allow the plot near the stand to be the most appealing while slightly minimizing the appeal of other plots.
The actual "bouncing" involves a calculated intrusion into the deer's bedding area. This is a one-time, high-risk maneuver and should be executed with caution.
Action | Timing | Rationale | |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Scout the Bedding Area | Early Morning | Verify fresh tracks and wind direction. Do not enter the core area. |
2 | The Intrusion | Midday | Deer are typically bedded down and less alert. Use the wind to your advantage. |
3 | The Soft Flush | Walk the perimeter of the bedding area, making only enough noise to be detected. | The goal is for the deer to move, not bolt. |
4 | Post-Flush Retreat | Immediately go to the Stand | Wait for the deer to follow the funnel toward the safety of the new bedding area, passing the stand. |
The execution should be preceded by checking the weather forecast and the local deer activity report available in File local game report.
IV. Monitoring and ReviewMonitor the success of the "bounce" via trail cameras or direct observation.
A. Post-Event AnalysisReview the data collected for the Calendar event Deer Bouncing Attempt to determine if the deer followed the intended path. If the movement was unsuccessful, the barrier or stand location may need adjustment.
B. Future Planning- Document the precise route of the deer on a map and note any unexpected behaviors observed by Person.
- The next "bounce" should be planned for the Place area on Date.
About the author
