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Do Squirrels Let You Know Deer Are Approaching?
Marty,Is it true if you hear a squirrel or a jay squawking around you it could mean there might be a deer not far away? The reason I ask is I read in a book that was just a myth. But, twice while I was in my deer hunting tree stand, squirrels and jays were making a lot of noise.
A few times I saw squirrels and jays just eating away and never saw anything else. Is this a coincidence? To me it might not mean that there is specifically a deer there, it could be any thing or any body right? So be on your guard?
Marcel
Marcel,
This particular question has been a topic of deer hunting debate for years.
It is always a great idea to keep your eyes and ears searching for any sign of deer activity when you are sitting in your deer hunting treestand, deer blind or out deer hunting.
Red squirrels are notorious for chattering when something new is in their territories. I can not recall one instance when I did not have a red squirrel chattering at me while I was sitting on my deer hunting tree stand. It is just the squirrel’s way of letting you know it sees you.
But, I have had squirrels alert me to an approaching deer on more than one occasion. In these cases, the squirrels were 50 to 100 yards distance from me when they started to chatter.
When I turned toward the squirrels’ callings, there were deer coming from those directions.
Did this happen every time? No. Many times the squirrels were simply chattering to let me know they saw me.
I have heard squirrels chatter at other animals like fishers, mink and coyotes too. Nonetheless, I believe squirrels could alert you to something approaching your location.
Jays, on the other hand, are opportunists. They will fly in and around your deer hunting area looking for food. When food becomes a bit more scarce, jays can be territorial, squawking to chase off other birds or squirrels.
I have listened to and followed the calls of jays and crows to help me find downed deer.
A few years back I had taken a nice buck toward the end of the deer hunting day. I knew I had a good hit but could not find any sign. I tracked the deer for an hour. Finding no sign, I opted to let the deer go over night. It was the only deer I have ever let go overnight. Talk about a sleepless night.
The next morning, I went back to where I saw the deer go into the woods. I noticed about 60 yards into the woods that two bald eagles were perched high in one tree and crows and jays filled the next tree over.
The eagles were quiet. The crows and jays were squawking. I walked towards the tree the crows and jays were calling from.
Twenty yards into the woods, I picked up a good blood trail. Forty yards further into the woods, right below the jays and crows, was a nice 10-point buck.
Always pay close attention to the sights and sounds when you are out deer hunting. Although squawking jays and chattering squirrels don’t always alert you of approaching deer, there are times they will. The next time a squirrel chatters in the distance, he could be telling you a big buck is heading your way.
Good Luck and Great Hunting!
Marty Prokop
www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
Posted by Marty Prokop
Comments
Hi I have a question.
About 30 times during the rut I have had a doe come out and look back in towards the woods where they came out.
They all acted real neverous and I always think a buck is about to come.
By them turning around and acting nervous, does that mean mabye a buck is along the edge where i can't see or is the buck coming out or what?
Thanks for your question.
Does can act jittery for several reasons. My guess if you were hunting at or near the peak of the rut, that the chances were good a buck could have been following them.
This would be especially true if the does you witnessed were coming into estrus.
When a doe approaches her estrus cycle a buck will follow her right up to the day she is ready to breed.
Once the doe reaches estrus and is ready to breed, the buck will stay with her for several days.
If your area allows you to use decoys, you may consider placing one in front of your deer hunting tree stand. When the doe hangs up out in the field and begins to look back from where she came, try rattilng a set of antlers and using a grunt call to coax the buck out of hiding.
If a buck is nearby, he may come running out of the woods to fight what he would perceive as another buck moving in on his territory.
Good Luck and Great Hunting!
Marty Prokop
Posted by: Cody Branthoover at August 1, 2007 9:57 PM
