River crossing

[street28ss]

Anyone ever notice deer routinely crossing fairly deep rivers that aren't extremely wide? Depth where they would have to swim. This one property I hunt has this kind of river. The flow rate is low. They could easily do it but I'm not sure how much they do. I haven't noticed any heavy trails in the bordering grass but I haven't walked the entire edge of it.

Or do you guys think they will typically travel further distances to avoid doing this?

[Kcbuckeye22]

I witnessed 2 decent bucks cross a 50 yard wide gap with about 3-4ft of water flowing steady this past weekend. They both crossed it to get to a valley between two steep ridges in the evening before dark. I am assuming they both wanted to wind check that valley, before moving into the valley. I was expecting them to come off the ridges, not from the river.

[bowfreak8]

Great question and honestly it probably depends on the temperament of each deer. I've definitely seen deer travel at least a few hundred yards just to cross a river in a shallower section but have also seen deer trudge through the deeper stuff.