Cow Manure

[Michigan Hunter]

Our farmer that we lease from is spreading cow manure by injection (liquid one foot under) and spreaders all over the field next to our woods. Boy what a smell in the woods! My question: anybody else have this problem and what effect will it have on the deer? We have taken a few does and a couple bucks but I haven't seen as many this year.

[wecker20]

They'll avoid it while there is human activity but after a day or two after the speading, they should be back. Just remember that this is the way the farmer preps his fields and it will benefit the deer in the long run.

[Whit1]

The human activity may cause some problems, but the odor certainly won't. Cow manure is a part of the deer's environment in farm country.

[trout]

Tonight I hunted an area that from my stand, I could hear the kids across the road playing ( lots of screaming and some guys power saw and the radio full blast )
Just before dusk a big buck walked 200 yards across an open field.

If they are used to manure or kids,dogs and a radio all of the abpve won't bother tham.

Anything strange will alarm them, but not the manure in your case.

[ShallowRio]

Trout has hit the nail on the head. I've been on stand watching deer watch the farmer spreadin manure.

[allegan whitetailer]

I have been on the tractor picking corn and have had the deer in the field simply work around me. not untill the cover was to small to conceal them did they leave the field.

[Captain]

Our property butts up with a Dairy farm with about 2000+ head of cattle. It sures does smell with any sort of South wind, but it doesn't seem to bother the deer......

[choop]

It is part of the general landscape that the deer are used to so when the wind is blowing right I consider it 100%natural and effective cover scent! I hunt on a farm that pastures horses. The deer skirt the pasture and cut through all the time. I routinely will step in a fresh pile on my way out to the stand as a cover. Never seemed to bother them when the cut over my trail.

[Reflex]

I live on a Dairy farm in Harrison Michigan and we work in the fields all the time this time of year. It doesn't bother the deer I see tons of them there used to it. Don't worry you'll probly still see lots of deer. Plus everyone says the human activity bothers them. To them the activity is with the tracors and equipment. It would if the farmer was spreading with a pitchfork. They'll prolly come to see whats going on. curious little buggers!!:lol:

[wruebs]

The farmer had spread cow manure to the west of my property, big time! It was bad opening day and beyond with the westernly winds. I believe that some deer avoided my area because of this (maybe insecure with the overpowering smell). My hunting clothes stunk badly from the smell. But of the deer that did come though(downwind), some only 40 yards away, couldn't seem to smell or determine what I was. They would look at me, bob their heads, and just walk away. So I would have to agree with choop, from experience, that it is an effective cover scent.