Getting old is tough, eyes and ears aren't what they used to be. My ears are really bad but I've learned ways to still know when deer are coming. Blue Jays are a good way to know something is moving, they love making a racket when deer are moving. Last year I was hunting near a small swamp and kept hearing a Blue Jay squawking. Sure enough a couple minutes later a doe stepped out.

I also like it when the squirrels are all over, they like to bark at deer and a lot of times I know a deer is coming when I see them run up a tree and wag their tail. They always run away from danger so it gives me a good idea where to keep watch. Last year I could hear a squirrel really barking and could tell he was stressed out, a couple minutes later a nice red Fox came walking by.

Out behind my house where I hunt there are houses around the outside and woods in the middle. It's a great place for Archery and its slug gun only, no rifles. One house sets way back in the woods. I hunt about 200 yards from it and they keep a dog. That dog is the best part about hunting there, he barks every time deer are moving my way. I can focus on the creek bottom and let the dog watch the other direction.lol

I have found the same, Will. But I also find they lie a lot! Still, its fun to see how often those critters are right.

Around here, squirrels couldn't care less if a deer is near. They're a normal part of their environment. However, let a raptor alight in a nearby tree and all hell breaks loose. Same with those damn chipmunks. If arrows and broadheads weren't so damn expensive, the chipmunk population especially would be facing extirpation. They drive me nuts with their constant barking.

On the really good piece of private land that I hunt some years, a barking dog was the bane of my existence; he never barked at the deer, but one whiff of me and he’d just stand there and give me hell ‘til the caretaker took him inside...

But at least that allowed me to learn where my scent was blowing to!

I got my first deer with a bow on a tip from a Raven; I had gotten to a fork in the trail where I had planned to go left when I heard a Raven call. Looked up; nothin’. Looked down; Raven tail feather, quill pointing to my right. Heard another call. Looked up; Raven crossing left to right. Went right; found the deer.

So I always listen for Corvids: Jays, Crows, but especially Ravens.

Easy to tell when a Jay is just talking, rather than giving a raptor hell....

But all of the animals move in waves; I’ve never seen a deer when nothing else was moving, so if the squirrels and chippies are active, or a flock of birds feeds through, I’ll be paying attention to all of that as well.

It’s easy to spot a #200 deer when you’re picking apart the woods looking for a 2 oz. Dickie-bird...

It keeps you attentive even though they are less than reliable many times...squirrels and jays. When I hear them barking and it follows a line, then I get attentive. They told me of deer coming my way one year and being attentive got me a nice seven point with Ol' Buck. Most times they just as likely will holler just to hear themselves, or at other squirrels or jays. Good thing is the deer know that too and rarely give them a second look when they are in spasm mode.

I didn't notice squirrels barking at deer until a couple years ago. Now that I'm paying attention it darn sure happens. Where I hunt if a squirrel barks it is a deer most of the time, and if not a deer it's a house cat.

I've been covered up with Blue Jays over 12 at a time this past season and with squirrels and chipmunks and turkeys and deer a real zoo. Try to stay still with that many eyes on ya.

One time I was about to shoot a deer in MD and drew down on him and a squirrel droped a nut on his back and spooked him. I was so made then the darn varmet started to chatter like to say not today you don't take my buddy.LOL

I know it might sound dumb but I gave that squirrel the finger. You think he knew what it meant. He gave me the vambosal.

I've killed turkeys before, because I heard squirrels barking and was able to get turned and get my gun up in the right direction. Wrens and Titmouse (Titmice?) are also potential indicators of game moving near you. They are not the best indicators though, because they will scold anything bigger than them, but they have alerted me to deer before.

Yes Sir. Learning to use everything around is just part of it.Other hunters will often push game by you too. Take advantage of it all.>>>----> Ken

....chipmunks. if they aren't pissed at me, then something else is coming my way. -ted

I've had both Jays and squirrels alert me to deer moving. Usually a pretty sure thing when they keep going down the line and the first ones quit.

While watching a doe and her fawn feed this year, a squirrel started to bark. The doe went on high alert, her tail flaired, her eyes locked along with her ears in the direction of the squirrel. She could not see the squirrel due to the heavy brush.

A few minutes later a red fox kit ran under my stand and ran up to within 3 yards of the deer and stopped. The doe seeing the fox, charged it and send it scampering away. In forty five years of hunting I have never seen interaction between species like this.

That’s why we love it out there!

How many times have you heard a persistent squirrel digging in the leaves behind you, suddenly turn into a deer feeding your way?

Once I noticed a squirrel running towards me and past my tree. Shortly another did the same thing, and right behind him was a bobcat. The cat sensed my presence at the base of the tree and looked up at me, then bolted away. One of those enjoyable observations, that mark the time spent waiting for deer.

As with any topic, I'm one of the persons whose experience has been the exact opposite. Since hearing decades ago about blue jays and squirrels warning hunters of approaching deer I've made a point to pay attention...no such luck. In fact, one time I observed a spike walk between a couple of squirrels and three grouse. Other than parting to let the spike pass by, neither paid the deer any attention. But I'm still watching and waiting.

Hunting busy Iowa public hunting land I have found that other hunters that like to put tree stands in the same places every year and they like to be close to each other. They are like area perch fishermen, they look out and check to see who is fishing and then go there. They do not tell me where the deer are, but they do tell me where they are not, they are not near any of those tree stand cities. As far as squirrel, I have seen them go bonkers over a falling twig or a passing crow.

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