How do deer cross creeks? I know they don’t fly over them but slowly or fast?

[Saltwater60]

I set up a stand this year and I have been seeing a good amount of doe on my cameras late afternoon 2-6pm so I figured I’d start the hunt there in the am and see what was shaking. Well it’s a bedding spot and I bumped 2-3 deer early and saw none all day. So I was looking for an alternative route into my stand for stealth and avoiding the bedding area directly in front of my stand and I found a deer super highway. I found an area that crosses the creek and it is so heavily crossed you can’t make out their tracks. Must be 5-10 deer traveling that daily. Just a guess, but not out of the question.
So to my point and question it boarders my property and another property. The other property is not posted and the guy doesn’t care if anyone hunts it. He never comes out, no posting, no structure, just has the land. I plan to hunt just inside his property about 40-50 feet off the creek crossing. There is an old road that follows the creek and an area with ivy that is spotty with trees. So my question is how to deer cross creeks? It’s only 6-8” deep so no swimming needed. I’m more wondering do they run across them or walk slowly. I would want to hit them right as they are coming out of the creek as it should be a good angle and nearly a broad side shot. I just want to make sure on average that they aren’t running across the creek. I do plan to get a ground blind for stealth. I will set it up outside and spray it with odor neutralizer.
Any thoughts on what to look for on a ground blind?

 

[Saltwater60]

This is what I mean. Do most deer cross creeks cautiously like this? If it’s this slowly I’ll be able to hit them for sure.

 

[fresch]

Tail down moving slow. I would say normal behavior, didn't get that big by rushing around.
In full rut could make them less cautious.

 

[Saltwater60]

Tail down moving slow. I would say normal behavior, didn't get that big by rushing around.
In full rut could make them less cautious.

That’s what I was hoping for. Also I’m assuming that’s why that area is so packed down. It normally isn’t. I’m assuming a buck is pushing for there since it’s a bedding area in some bottom land. Feeding is on top of either side of the hills.
I plan to toss some doe piss in the path for a pause.

 

[livingston]

Brother in law was hunting by a large drainage ditch . Was in a tree stand. Large buck was swimming-walking down the middle of the ditch . Never saw him until it was out of range for a good shot. If one was on ground level would have never seen him.

 

[Saltwater60]

Brother in law was hunting by a large drainage ditch . Was in a tree stand. Large buck was swimming-walking down the middle of the ditch . Never saw him until it was out of range for a good shot. If one was on ground level would have never seen him.

It’s not deep enough where I wouldn’t see them from ground level. It’s only a foot to 18” bank. That’s why they cross there.

 

[FrankenCub]

I used to hunt a couple creeks where traffic was heavy. They always took their time unless spooked.

 

[Saltwater60]

I used to hunt a couple creeks where traffic was heavy. They always took their time unless spooked.

Woohoo. Should be no one around to spook them. No one will be at my parents property and no one will be up the hill. Not far from where the two bucks locked horns.
Thanks guys.

 

[repete]

I have a small stream on my property and have heard rocks moving and turned and looked and seen deer crossing slowly because of the shifting rocks (slate), I also saw some just jump it when they got spooked.

 

[Saltwater60]

I have a small stream on my property and have heard rocks moving and turned and looked and seen deer crossing slowly because of the shifting rocks (slate), I also saw some just jump it when they got spooked.
Makes sense. I heard them crossing slowly this weekend. I heard the same as you overturning rocks in the creek. It’s loose sand stone free stone creek. There are many foot prints and slip marks on the on the side of the bank so I would imagine they are crossing slowly there.
I just remembered seeing this.

 

[diggs223]

My creek is deep and wide, they usually jump crossing, walk away

 

[Saltwater60]

My creek is deep and wide, they usually jump crossing, walk away

This is actually a funnel point for them. The other parts of the creek have a bank 4’ tall and the other parts have a lot of brush. That’s why this is so well traveled. I’ve never seen it this well traveled actually. We walk past this point a lot.

 

[meketrefe]

Without boots.

 

[fresch]

To get to the other side.

 

[1075tech]

One foot in front of the other

 

[Tisto]

Be very careful...the NYS hunting regulations clearly state that you may NOT take a big game animal while it is in water. Technically, it doesn't matter if the animal is swimming across a river, or just walking across a stream that is only deep enough to get their toes wet. You must wait until the animal is no longer in the water to shoot. I know, I'm being a dick, but that's the law.

That said, any time I've watched deer cross a stream, they do so slowly unless they are fleeing some perceived danger.

 

[fresch]

No hunting in the rain!

 

[Saltwater60]

Be very careful...the NYS hunting regulations clearly state that you may NOT take a big game animal while it is in water. Technically, it doesn't matter if the animal is swimming across a river, or just walking across a stream that is only deep enough to get their toes wet. You must wait until the animal is no longer in the water to shoot. I know, I'm being a dick, but that's the law.

That said, any time I've watched deer cross a stream, they do so slowly unless they are fleeing some perceived danger.

That’s fine since I want to wait until it gets out of the water anyway. I appreciate it since I didn’t know that. I doubt it would be an issue anyway.

 

[Tisto]

No hunting in the rain!

The spirit of the law suggests that the body of water must be established. You would not be in violation if the animal was merely standing in a mudpuddle, but a stream would be a different story.

Not directed at anyone in particular, but...Hunting ethics are what seperates sportsmen from assholes, in my opinion. Shooting before or after hours, using buckshot instead of a slug, hunting from the road, and a zillion other little things show what kind of person you are. Be a pillar, not an example of bad sportsmanship.

 

[Saltwater60]

The spirit of the law suggests that the body of water must be established. You would not be in violation if the animal was merely standing in a mudpuddle, but a stream would be a different story.

Not directed at anyone in particular, but...Hunting ethics are what seperates sportsmen from assholes, in my opinion. Shooting before or after hours, using buckshot instead of a slug, hunting from the road, and a zillion other little things show what kind of person you are. Be a pillar, not an example of bad sportsmanship.

I agree. I do my best to know the laws and follow them.
I truly didn’t know about the water thing. As soon as they exit the creek is my best shot angle anyway so that’s my plan.
I’m guessing this is a rule so I don’t shoot a deer and have it unable to be recovered due to the water.
I will be shooting across an abandoned road, but I don’t see that as any sort of violation. The road is trashed and we haven’t seen a car on it in over 10 years, no upkeep, and 4-wheelers can’t even navigate it at this point. One part is washed out so bad it’s a foxhole.