Scouting for white-tailed deer in Arkansas involves more than just finding a good spot in the woods. Understanding deer tracks, trails, and feeding signs helps hunters identify deer movement patterns and feeding areas, increasing the chances of a successful hunt. Here’s a guide on how to interpret these natural clues and locate prime hunting spots.
1. Reading Deer Tracks
Deer tracks offer valuable insight into a deer’s size, direction, and recent movement:
- Identifying Fresh Tracks: Fresh tracks have crisp, clear edges and are often deeper than older tracks, especially in softer soil. Look for signs of moisture or a sheen on the surface, which indicates a recent passing.
- Determining Size and Gender: Larger, wider tracks are often left by mature bucks, whereas smaller, narrower tracks are typically made by does or younger deer. Buck tracks usually have a more pronounced width between the hooves.
- Analyzing Movement Direction: Tracks that show a consistent direction are likely part of a deer’s travel route, often leading to bedding or feeding areas. Tracks that meander or overlap could indicate a feeding area where deer were foraging.
2. Following Deer Trails
Deer trails reveal the regular paths that deer use between bedding and feeding areas. These trails often become well-worn, making them easier to spot:
- Identifying Main Trails: Main trails are used frequently and will appear as wide, packed paths with minimal vegetation. These trails are good locations for tree stands or ground blinds, as deer are likely to pass by regularly.
- Finding Secondary Trails: Secondary trails branch off from main trails and are less used. These can lead to specific feeding areas, watering holes, or bedding zones. Secondary trails are excellent for late-season scouting, as deer often change routes after early season pressure.
- Watching for Convergence Points: When several trails meet, it’s a sign of a high-traffic area, usually close to food sources or bedding areas. These convergence points are prime locations for setting up observation points or cameras.
3. Identifying Feeding Signs
White-tailed deer in Arkansas have diverse food sources, and feeding signs vary with the season. Understanding what deer are currently feeding on will help you locate active feeding areas:
- Browse and Forage Signs: Look for small branches and shrubs that have been nibbled down. Deer typically tear off leaves or buds, leaving rough edges on plants like blackberry bushes, greenbrier, and saplings.
- Acorn Droppings and Feeding Zones: In fall, acorns become a major food source, especially near oak trees. Look for acorns on the ground and signs of husks or shells where deer have been feeding. This can be a reliable spot for a stand during the fall season.
- Scraped Ground for Agricultural Fields: In areas near crops like corn or soybean fields, deer will often scrape or dig in the soil for fallen kernels and other residual grains. Freshly disturbed soil and leftover crop remnants signal recent feeding activity.
4. Locating Rubs and Scrapes
Rubs and scrapes are common signs left by bucks marking their territory. These signs are more prevalent during the pre-rut and rut:
- Identifying Rubs: Rubs are created when a buck rubs its antlers on small trees or shrubs, often stripping bark away. These are indicators of buck territory and can help you estimate the size of the buck by the size and height of the rub.
- Finding Scrapes: Scrapes are small patches of exposed soil where a buck has pawed away leaves and vegetation, often under low-hanging branches. Bucks mark these areas with scent, creating a communication point. Fresh scrapes, with freshly disturbed soil, indicate recent activity and a potential hotspot during the rut.
Conclusion
Reading tracks, trails, and feeding signs provides invaluable insights into white-tailed deer behavior and helps hunters locate prime hunting spots. By interpreting these natural clues, you’ll have a better understanding of deer movements, feeding habits, and potential locations to set up for a successful hunt.
