Deer driving is a strategic group hunting technique designed to cooperatively move game from dense cover toward hunters positioned at predetermined escape points. This organized method relies on coordinated effort and detailed knowledge of the terrain. It is particularly effective in areas where visibility is limited or deer are reluctant to leave their bedding sites during daylight hours.
Understanding the Deer Driving Method
The objective of deer driving is to create a controlled movement of deer, gently nudging them out of cover without causing them to panic. This technique is effective in environments characterized by thick brush, heavy timber, or regenerating clear-cuts where deer typically bed down. A successful drive requires detailed understanding of the landscape, including natural funnels, escape routes, and pinch points.
Hunters often employ this strategy during mid-day hours when deer are typically resting, making it a reliable way to move deer when still-hunting has been unsuccessful. The size of the hunting party must be appropriately matched to the area being driven. If the space is too large for the group, deer will slip through gaps and escape.
Participant Roles and Execution Strategy
The execution of a deer drive relies on the coordinated functions of two groups: the Drivers and the Standers. Drivers, sometimes called pushers, are responsible for walking through the cover and initiating the deer’s movement. Their approach is slow and methodical, using sound—such as talking, clapping, or rattling brush—to apply subtle pressure and guide the deer forward without causing a full-speed flight response.
Drivers must maintain alignment and spacing, often moving in a slight zigzag pattern to cover ground and prevent deer from slipping back through the line. They channel the deer toward the Standers, who are positioned at the opposite end of the cover along known escape trails or funnels. Standers must remain completely still and silent, positioned to ensure a clear and safe field of fire.
Standers often utilize the wind, placing themselves downwind of the drivers so deer moving away from the drivers’ scent are pushed toward them. Communication between the two groups is maintained through radios or prearranged signals. Standers must not move from their designated spot until the drive is complete, as premature movement can cause deer to change direction unexpectedly.
Essential Safety and Regulatory Considerations
The coordinated nature of deer driving requires strict adherence to safety protocols and local regulations. Every participant must wear a highly visible color, such as blaze orange, to maintain visual awareness of all other hunters’ locations. This visual identification is important in dense cover where visibility is reduced.
Before the drive begins, the group must clearly establish shooting lanes and zones of fire for all Standers. This ensures that no shot is directed toward another hunter or in their general direction. Standers must confirm they have positively identified their target and the background is clear before shooting.
Many jurisdictions have specific laws regarding group hunting, including limitations on the number of participants. Regulations also dictate whether the technique is permitted on public or private land. Consulting local fish and wildlife regulations is mandatory, especially concerning the use of dogs or the prohibition of shooting at running game.