[tator]

Curious what everyone thinks/knows on this subject. The land I hunt, as many of you know, is my father-in-law's, who happens to be a cattle farmer. He swears by it, that deer do not get spooked or "bothered" by cows. Like most cattle farmers, you have to rotate your cows every so often to allow the grass to grow back and for the cows to have fresh grass to eat. In the 5+ years I've hunted this land, I have noticed that deer don't come into areas where cows are located. I don't think they are scared by them, but they avoid them for some reason.

What are your thoughts? What about other animals that many be on your property?:nerd:

 

[Addoelephant]

The reason for this is that both cattle and deer feed on grass and therefor compete for food. Here in ZA you'll find that the same thing. Cattle normally feed on long grass and springbuck for eg. are like sheep, they prefer short grass ("prefer" not correct term, they are "designed for long or short grass), you'll find these two species together.

Grass & leave grazers will share common ground as well.

 

[guppy11]

My guess is that if deer tried to stay near the cattle they would be chased off by the cows. I don't think the long grass/short grass thing has anything to do with it as i have seen deer in the same pastures that cattle graze day after day. Also I've seen deer grazing and then move off when cattle come into the same area.

 

[tator]

Very true, that's what I have witnessed guppy. I think the deer just don't want to "deal" with the cows. So they avoid coming close to them. Now they will come down opposite fence lines, etc.. from cows, but as far as walking right by them within a couple yards, they won't do it, period...