Normally, deer hunters seek out remote hunting spots, where human scent and the sounds of civilization can’t be heard.
Ironically, a growing number of sportsmen are finding that just the opposite works extremely well. Jeff Harrison of Frederick, Maryland, for example, has taken ten Pope & Young bucks in the suburbs of Maryland. In doing so, he’s become a specialist in hunting small suburban properties where deer interact with barking dogs, heavy vehicle traffic, and the scents and sounds of humans.
If you’ve thought of hunting suburban deer, you’ll find this OutdoorHub post extremely helpful. Backyard hunting isn’t for everyone, and that’s why the bucks grow so big.
More and more big bucks are showing up in suburban areas. If you find the right small property and get permission to hunt there, you might be surprised to see what walks by your stand.
I’ve seen some really nice deer in some really weird places. Often these places are in parks on the outskirts of cities, and even more often, big bucks live in bedroom communities where the habitat may not be ideal, but the hunting pressure is minimal or even nonexistent. Take for example the experience of Josh Runksmeier, a friend of mine who was discussing deer with a coworker who told him that a big buck was often seen in his neighborhood. The area was comprised of five- to 10-acre properties with homes and buildings cut out of the hardwood forests of northcentral Minnesota. Seems this particular buck was sporting some big headgear and was known among the locals. My buddy simply asked if he could come out and have a try at the buck on opening weekend. He was granted permission and shot the deer in the woods behind his coworker’s house on opening day.
