Why do bucks follow transition lines?
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Why do bucks follow transition lines?
I'm trying to understand their behavior. Why not always take the shortest route, as long as it isn't exposed? They would save calories always taking the shortest route...
Anyone with any insight on this?
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Anyone with any insight on this?
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
I would not say that they follow transition lines per say.
But the transition line is a good place to look for sign that they passed thru.
jmo.
But the transition line is a good place to look for sign that they passed thru.
jmo.
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
What you call transition lines....I call breaklines. And, at least where I hunt, the break is typically between an area that does use for bedding.......and hardwoods.
In my experiences, they travel these breaklines scent-checking for receptive does. I also feel they use whichever side of the break (in non-rut times) to their advantage, for cover (and/or being able to sight threats).
Just my .02
In my experiences, they travel these breaklines scent-checking for receptive does. I also feel they use whichever side of the break (in non-rut times) to their advantage, for cover (and/or being able to sight threats).
Just my .02
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- Stanley
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
There are many different cover types. Timber to open fields, Corn to beans, CPR to timber. The combinations vary from area to area and are many. The common feature they all have is a quick escape. A buck does not like to be seen any time it is moving especially in daylight. The first thing a buck does when any human encounter occurs, is disappear. Bucks are masters at it. They know where to travel with the least possible exposure and fast escape from sight.
You can fool some of the bucks, all of the time, and fool all of the bucks, some of the time, however you certainly can't fool all of the bucks, all of the time.
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
As JV NC stated, most bedding occurs on transitions, so when looking for does they travel transitions, and as Stan pointed out, its good escape cover to one side, and open walking / vision to the other. They will still cut across areas, but
Transitions are the areas your going to find the best sign and the best daylight movement mainly cause its near bedding where they spend there daylight hours.
I also think there is something to do with the visual aid of being able to see the transition line... Its like looking at a side walk... You can walk on the grass, zig zag around the houses, or just walk down the side walk... Which do you do?
I have noticed out on the marshes and swamps when there is one isolated tree, most of the trails lead right to that tree. I think they use it as a visual aid, much the same way you or I would...
Walk thru a huge swamp and try to keep your bearings on where your at and how to get back out... Naturally, you follow a transition that you know you can follow back out. Even once you know that swamp intimately, you still tend to follow the old wrought you took in...
Transitions are the areas your going to find the best sign and the best daylight movement mainly cause its near bedding where they spend there daylight hours.
I also think there is something to do with the visual aid of being able to see the transition line... Its like looking at a side walk... You can walk on the grass, zig zag around the houses, or just walk down the side walk... Which do you do?
I have noticed out on the marshes and swamps when there is one isolated tree, most of the trails lead right to that tree. I think they use it as a visual aid, much the same way you or I would...
Walk thru a huge swamp and try to keep your bearings on where your at and how to get back out... Naturally, you follow a transition that you know you can follow back out. Even once you know that swamp intimately, you still tend to follow the old wrought you took in...
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
Good question with very good answers. We always worry about scent and a deer’s nose. I feel bucks watch transitions lines. When a buck or older doe is on full alert it appears they nervously watch everything around them. I think the average hunter does not realize that deer are watching us. Dan’s sidewalk example is well said.
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
1.)Security cover
2.)Multiple habitat types generally means multiple food sources, the greenest foliage and the majority of your berry producing shrubs are also located along shade/light transition lines.
2.)Multiple habitat types generally means multiple food sources, the greenest foliage and the majority of your berry producing shrubs are also located along shade/light transition lines.
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
Very good (makes me think!) answers, so far (IMO).
Another thing I think about is travel routes switching, after leaf drop. What was once a cover-laden ingress/egress for the deer.........may not be, after lead drop. I tend to see their travel patterns change a little, once the foliage is down. It may only be 30yds. But, if you're a bowhunter, that's the difference between a shot opportunity and a "sighting".
Cool stuff. I'm subscribed.
Another thing I think about is travel routes switching, after leaf drop. What was once a cover-laden ingress/egress for the deer.........may not be, after lead drop. I tend to see their travel patterns change a little, once the foliage is down. It may only be 30yds. But, if you're a bowhunter, that's the difference between a shot opportunity and a "sighting".
Cool stuff. I'm subscribed.
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
JV NC wrote:What you call transition lines....I call breaklines. And, at least where I hunt, the break is typically between an area that does use for bedding.......and hardwoods.
I call "Breaklines" drop-offs in lakes, like the transition from shallow to deep. Transitions refer to the transition from one type of terrain to the other, including open field to dense cover, cattails to dogwood, marsh grass to tag alder thicket, slight elevation changes, etc... No busting your chops, JV NC, just saying what I think of when you refer to "breaklines". There isn't really any right or wrong way to say it so long as we're all on the same page of what we're talking about.
Typically a deer follows a transition for sight and smell. If they need to break for cover because they see danger over an open area, they can disappear into the dense cover in a heart beat. If they smell something in the dense cover, they can make a mad dash across the open area to another thicket safely because they can see no danger is out in that open area before they cross it. If it's an elevation change, they can walk the higher side to improve their sense of smell or vision. Deer walk ridge tops so if they see or smell danger on one side they can disappear over the other side.
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
dan wrote:I also think there is something to do with the visual aid of being able to see the transition line... Its like looking at a side walk... You can walk on the grass, zig zag around the houses, or just walk down the side walk... Which do you do? I have noticed out on the marshes and swamps when there is one isolated tree, most of the trails lead right to that tree. I think they use it as a visual aid, much the same way you or I would...
Walk thru a huge swamp and try to keep your bearings on where your at and how to get back out... Naturally, you follow a transition that you know you can follow back out. Even once you know that swamp intimately, you still tend to follow the old wrought you took in...
Completely agree with this angle, too. Well put, Dan.
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
Actually they don't necessary run the transition line. We do. That's how we can quickly and effectively scout a large area to start figuring out the story. Usually there's 2 edges. There's the hard edge and the soft edge(the edge within the edge). I run the hard edge first and then the soft edge and from there I can usually isolate the bedding the staging the runs and then figure out the food sources for the time of year.
Scouting effectively is important not just to be efficient. Even if you have the time and like being out there you can't be trampling all over the area multiple times and leaving your scent all over the place, unless you want to impact them.
I'm kind of slow though it usually me take me a year or 2. The cameras are helping a bit with daytime movement with the black flash, if you put them where the deer can not see them.
Scouting effectively is important not just to be efficient. Even if you have the time and like being out there you can't be trampling all over the area multiple times and leaving your scent all over the place, unless you want to impact them.
I'm kind of slow though it usually me take me a year or 2. The cameras are helping a bit with daytime movement with the black flash, if you put them where the deer can not see them.
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
just saying what I think of when you refer to "breaklines".
Yes. We're likely speaking of the same thing. A breakline (in my mind) doesn't even have to be a terrain differential. The way I describe them, a breakline is any break that creates a funnel OR makes a deer think twice about using the alternative (the other side of the break). A field edge is a breakline. A row of houses is a breakline. A fence along a logging road in the woods can be a breakline. These examples aren't set in stone. But, the fact that deer travel them, parallel, isn't a coincidence in my mind.
My example of the cutover/hardwoods is simply the best example of how I see bucks using breaklines. I don't typically see does walking a cutover/hardwoods breakline. I DO see bucks doing this. In my mind, they're covering as much ground as they can, during the rut, searching for a receptive doe. It makes a lot of sense (from their perspective) if you think about it.
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
Buckfever wrote:Actually they don't necessary run the transition line. We do. That's how we can quickly and effectively scout a large area to start figuring out the story. Usually there's 2 edges. There's the hard edge and the soft edge(the edge within the edge). I run the hard edge first and then the soft edge and from there I can usually isolate the bedding the staging the runs and then figure out the food sources for the time of year.
Scouting effectively is important not just to be efficient. Even if you have the time and like being out there you can't be trampling all over the area multiple times and leaving your scent all over the place, unless you want to impact them.
I'm kind of slow though it usually me take me a year or 2. The cameras are helping a bit with daytime movement with the black flash, if you put them where the deer can not see them.
Great point. Barriers are much different for deer than humans. I hunt some transitions, timbers to Rail Road tracks. The deer don't necessarily follow the timber line butting up to the tracks. Unalarmed deer tend to bump the track line and may follow the track line for some time or not. When alarmed the deer can jump the fence, jump the rock ditch, jump the tracks, jump the rock ditch, jump the fence and disappear in a couple of seconds. It takes me minutes to follow the same route (and ripped coveralls ).
You can fool some of the bucks, all of the time, and fool all of the bucks, some of the time, however you certainly can't fool all of the bucks, all of the time.
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
Like mentioned above I think its all about having options and staying close to thick cover or an escape route. I don't see them going out of their way to zig zag on the transitions but they will take them when available. I also think you see a little more diversity of food along transition lines so its convenient to grab a bite to eat as well.
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Re: Why do bucks follow transition lines?
Stanley's observations of the zig-zagging isn't foreign to me. I've watched bucks several times hop over a pasture edge fence......back and forth for the length of the fence. I have no idea why, though. He could have walked very easily in the pasture (it's secluded, but he wouldn't have any real cover) or in the pines it's not a hard walk for even a human.
Only thing I can figure is....he was crossing where he'd smelled places does crossed (or crawled under).
Only thing I can figure is....he was crossing where he'd smelled places does crossed (or crawled under).
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