Do Local Deer Populations Respond Differently to Calls?

Call Familiarity and Deer Response

In areas with low hunting pressure, deer may be more responsive to calls used by hunters, as they are less familiar with the sounds. However, in areas with high hunting pressure, deer may become desensitized to calls and respond less consistently. For example, a study in a Wisconsin Northwoods hunting region found that deer responded to a specific call sequence 70% of the time in areas with low hunting pressure, but only 40% of the time in areas with high hunting pressure.

Call Selection and Deer Behavior

When selecting calls to use in the Wisconsin Northwoods, hunters should choose calls that mimic the sounds deer are most likely to encounter in their natural habitat. For example, a doe bleat or a fawn bleat can be effective in areas with a high concentration of does and fawns. Additionally, using a call that imitates the sounds of a buck’s grunt or snort can be effective in areas with a high concentration of bucks. Hunters should also consider the time of year and the deer’s behavior when selecting calls, as deer may be more responsive to certain calls during specific times of the year or in certain situations.

Call Volume and Deer Response

The volume of the call can also impact deer response. In areas with high hunting pressure, deer may be more responsive to softer, more subtle calls, as they are less likely to detect the sound. In contrast, in areas with low hunting pressure, deer may be more responsive to louder, more intense calls. Hunters in the Wisconsin Northwoods should experiment with different call volumes to determine what works best in their specific area.