Suburban deer are flourishing (photo Jon R. Remus)

For bowhunters in the know, the suburbs offer prime deer habitat. Here’s why

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In many small to mid-sized communities across Canada, white-tailed deer have readily adapted to the man-made environments. Semi-rural properties and hobby farms offer up manicured field grass, fruit-bearing trees, vegetable gardens, pumpkin patches and bird feeders, all ripe for the picking. And when snow blankets the ground, landscaped yards with cedar trees, shrubbery, red willows and low-hanging branches laden with crab apples become the main attraction.

The proximity to human activity, meanwhile, provides deer with a safety zone by deterring large predators such as wolves, bears and cougars. The only real threats are vehicle collisions and aggressive unleashed dogs. Add it all together and deer numbers are on the rise, leading some municipalities to permit controlled bowhunting within their jurisdictions.

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Most deer sightings in these communities are of does and yearlings, with the human-savvy bucks proving to be much more elusive. The patchwork of woodlots, fields and sprawling homes provides the ideal chess board for hunters looking to take on a battle of wits with these wily deer, complete with strategic moves and counter-moves. Here’s what you need to know to plan for a successful suburban bowhunt next fall.

Suburban deer are flourishing (photo Jon R. Remus)

PATTERNING

Bucks have a women-and-children-first mentality as they lay back to observe does and fawns graze on open food sources. They typically go on the move between dusk and dawn, but they’ll also take a mid-morning stretch once the waves of commuters have departed. Their travel routes can be subtly manipulated by making portions of fences easier to cross. Many large bucks, in fact, have needed rescuing after getting a rear hoof hung up on a fence, or snagging their antlers in a swing set or clothesline.

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LOCATIONS

While there are opportunities on neighbouring public land, your best bet is to seek permission to set up stands on unpressured private land, especially the following hotbeds of buck activity.

  • Tree farms offer rows of cover, along with tasty branch tips, and fruits or mushrooms growing in the shade.
  • Golf courses feature woodlots, ponds and fertilized green grass. By late fall, golfers have vacated these vast open spaces for the season; some courses will divvy up access for a fee.
  • When overgrown with tall grass and surrounded by chain-link fences, abandoned industrial properties can provide attractive big-buck sanctuaries.
  • Kilometres-long pipeline and hydro rights of way typically have major game trail crossings.
  • Railway corridors with spilled grain from train hopper cars are sure to attract hungry deer.
  • Shallow gravel runs in creeks make ideal deer crossings and water sources.
  • Adjacent wetlands make the best hiding spots for bucks, especially when there’s raised ground for bedding.
  • Funnels, fencerows and woodlot corners that narrow down to a point are prime deer intersections.

STANDS

When setting up stands in these prime locations, use the distraction of planes flying overhead and nearby rumbling trains and trucks to help mask your movements and any unintentional noise. While anything from a hay bale to a camo tent blind can serve as stand, the best option is to hunt from a ladder stand. Along with providing the chance for a closer encounter, the elevated position allows for easier scent control. Plus, a down-angled shot creates a better wound channel, entering high and exiting low. It’s also safer than a level shot, as the arrow will lodge into the ground if it passes through or misses, rather than keep travelling.

TIMING

As with hunting whitetails wherever they roam, knowing how bucks behave during the pre-, peak- and post-rut periods is key to optimizing your chances in the burbs. The prime time to hunt bucks close to food sources is Halloween, during their last-minute feeding frenzy before weeks of rigorous breeding activity. By then, they will have swollen into testosterone-driven powerhouses, their necks doubling in size to handle the intense sparring.

Throughout November, follow the does; they will attract bucks more than any food source will. By the time the post-rut, or trolling period, arrives, the dominant bucks will have satisfied many different does. There will be very few new encounters by then, as most does will have moved out of estrus. The bucks won’t have realized that yet, however, and they’ll race around in a vulnerable state of exhaustion and mental fog—offering you a final chance to fill the freezer.