Thread: deer wallow behaviour (timing)

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

I've recently noticed a wallow spot;



I see this wallow is being used regularly now, it's changing everyday. I have never seen the deer using it so I don't know what time of day they are actually there. I need a trail cam to watch. Every time I go have a look there are no deer there, but there are signs it's been used regularly.

Unfortunately this is on the neighbours, my boundary is the fence in the background, and I do not have permission to shoot in this new pine forest. So I need to wait until they hit my boundary fence. It's easy to see where they jump in, but more difficult to be there at the right time.

So has anyone noticed patterns of timing when they are most likely to use wallows?


Quite a lot of damage to the new pines, the new forest owners don't seem to be doing any pest control, but also don't want anyone shooting there.

Idiots
See it a lot
A block just not far from me
90K planting cost - literally buggered
Near every tree had top taken out :-(

Here these guys have someone like you @Ben Waimata over the fence will to get cold and shitty and do it for free
Idiots !!

Originally Posted by Sarvo

Idiots
See it a lot
A block just not far from me
90K planting cost - literally buggered
Near every tree had top taken out :-(

Here these guys have someone like you @Ben Waimata over the fence will to get cold and shitty and do it for free
Idiots !!

Hey @Sarvo I now have permission to shoot on the pine block, possibly sending them this picture above and the one of the damage to their pine trees did the trick. The manager said they intend to bring in a ballot system for people to shoot there in future, but I'm welcome to shoot anything I can see, which also will be damaging my place. I have no intention of doing all their pest control work for them but from now on if I see deer (or any other feral pest) from my side of the fence I'll be knocking them over if I can. There are a couple of forum guys who come out here on occaison too so it might work for everyone.

I have put many game cameras on wallows in Doc land and this is what i have discovered.
Deer use them all different times of the day, night , any hour. Does depend if its in the bush out the way or near foot traffic etc.
Open country like the one in the post it be at night or early morning while still dark. I had deer most hours on camera at wallows, normally the stags are late at night or early morning but
all depends on time of year and where the wallow is etc.
Hinds use them more than stags unless its the roar of cause. Pigs use them too , more often at night. Prob more so at night generally animals turn up as i think there guard is a little
down when in a wallow so the cover of darkness might make them feel more secure.

Thing is i have found is they turn up very random. one day at 8am sometimes there then it might be 5 days before the next animal appears and that be at 11pm..
Rarely have i found a animal turns up at any regular time or days in a row unless its in the roar then the time is random but might turn up a couple of days in a row.

Best way to hunt such animals that are using a wallow is just hunt the bush etc around the wallow.
The deer will be living not miles away, look for a likely ridge or river flat first thing in the morning and you come across them or sign where they travelling.

I have shot many deer from sign from a wallow and followed used games trails from them that lead to the areas the deer are living.

You can stake out the wallow, if private land at night etc but i wouldnt waste my time.
i have faith i find them in the surrounding bush just bush stalking
Hope that helps

Originally Posted by deer243

I have put many game cameras on wallows in Doc land and this is what i have discovered.
Deer use them all different times of the day, night , any hour. Does depend if its in the bush out the way or near foot traffic etc.
Open country like the one in the post it be at night or early morning while still dark. I had deer most hours on camera at wallows, normally the stags are late at night or early morning but
all depends on time of year and where the wallow is etc.
Hinds use them more than stags unless its the roar of cause. Pigs use them too , more often at night. Prob more so at night generally animals turn up as i think there guard is a little
down when in a wallow so the cover of darkness might make them feel more secure.

Thing is i have found is they turn up very random. one day at 8am sometimes there then it might be 5 days before the next animal appears and that be at 11pm..
Rarely have i found a animal turns up at any regular time or days in a row unless its in the roar then the time is random but might turn up a couple of days in a row.

Best way to hunt such animals that are using a wallow is just hunt the bush etc around the wallow.
The deer will be living not miles away, look for a likely ridge or river flat first thing in the morning and you come across them or sign where they travelling.

I have shot many deer from sign from a wallow and followed used games trails from them that lead to the areas the deer are living.

You can stake out the wallow, if private land at night etc but i wouldnt waste my time.
i have faith i find them in the surrounding bush just bush stalking
Hope that helps

Thanks @deer243 that is exactly the kind of information I was looking for! Now I have permission I will be stalking the wallow every time I'm nearby.

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

Hey @Sarvo I now have permission to shoot on the pine block, possibly sending them this picture above and the one of the damage to their pine trees did the trick. The manager said they intend to bring in a ballot system for people to shoot there in future, but I'm welcome to shoot anything I can see, which also will be damaging my place. I have no intention of doing all their pest control work for them but from now on if I see deer (or any other feral pest) from my side of the fence I'll be knocking them over if I can. There are a couple of forum guys who come out here on occaison too so it might work for everyone.

Good News !!
Maybe the read my Post :-(