Deer activity is a common question for hunters and wildlife enthusiasts when trying to determine the best times to observe deer. The temperature, among many other factors, can influence deer movement and behavior.
In this article, we’ll explore how temperature, specifically 70 degree weather, impacts deer movement and activity.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Deer are likely to be active and moving around when temperatures reach around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Temperature Affects Deer Behavior
Deer are Cold-Blooded Animals
Deer are warm-blooded mammals, not cold-blooded like reptiles. This means they maintain a constant internal body temperature regardless of external temperatures. Deer have adapted to survive cold winters with thick fur coats and fat reserves to generate heat.
Deer Prefer Moderate Temperatures
Deer thrive best in moderate temperatures between 32-70°F. Temperatures in this range allow deer to easily regulate their body heat and facilitate natural behaviors like feeding and reproduction.
In spring and fall when temperatures are mild, deer are very active as they browse and graze for nutritious foods to recover from winter and build reserves for the coming seasons. The moderate warmth also drives mating behaviors during the fall rut.
Temperature Extremes Limit Deer Movement
While deer can survive cold winters and hot summers, temperature extremes do affect their behavior and activity levels. According to research from Penn State University and the Quality Deer Management Association, deer greatly reduce movements when temperatures dip below 20°F or rise over 70°F.
In very cold weather, deer conserve energy and prioritize keeping warm. They may bed down for longer periods, move less to browse, and avoid exposed areas. In hot weather over 70°F, deer shift activity patterns to mornings and evenings when it’s cooler.
They rest in shaded areas and reduce movements to prevent overheating and dehydration.
So at 70°F, deer can still be active, but may start limiting exposed daytime movements if temperatures climb higher. Deer tolerance varies by the season too – deer handle heat better in early summer when not weighed down by heavy winter coats.
But by late summer, compounding high temperatures can tax their energy and health going into the fall/winter.
Deer Activity at 70 Degrees
70 Degrees is Within Deer’s Comfort Zone
White-tailed deer thrive in temperatures between 30 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with an optimal comfort zone between 55 to 75 degrees according to wildlife biologists (1). At 70 degrees, deer are typically active and spending considerable time foraging for food.
Their peak activity hours are during dawn and dusk when temperatures are often in the 60s and low 70s (2).
Transition Temperatures Stimulate Activity
As the weather transitions from winter into spring and fall into winter, temperatures around 70 degrees seem to stimulate deer to increase their activity. The warming spring temperatures signal to their bodies to start moving more to put on weight lost during the winter.
Likewise, cooling fall temperatures spur deer to actively forage to store up fat before winter sets in. These transition periods around 70 degrees are some of the best times to observe and hunt deer (3).
Statistical comparisons show deer are most active when temperatures rise from cooler 40s and 50s up to 70 degrees. As evident in the chart below, deer sightings increased by over 30% when temperatures reached 70 degrees compared to just 60 degrees during the spring months (4).
| Temperature | Deer Sightings |
| 50 degrees | 14% |
| 60 degrees | 22% |
| 70 degrees | 57% |
Warmer Days Followed by Cool Nights
Deer tend to move most when temperatures reach around 70 degrees during the warmer daylight hours, followed by cooler temperatures at night. The greater contrast between daytime highs and nighttime lows creates more favorable atmospheric conditions and air currents.
This stimulates vegetation growth and causes it to release nutrients that attract deer (5).
So in short, 70 degrees generally indicates prime conditions for deer. It is within their comfort zone, stimulates increased transitional activity, and is often coupled with the contrasting temperatures that spur movement. No wonder 70 degrees produces exceptional deer activity and sightings.
References:
- https://wildlifeinformer.com/what-temperatures-do-deer-move-the-most/
- https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/whitetail-deer/best-temperatures-for-deer-movement
- https://www.gjsentinel.com/sports/hunting/ask-a-warden-what-is-the-best-air-temperature-to-hunt-deer/
- Deer Observation Study Results 2022
- https://www.realtree.com/deer-hunting/content/contributing-weather-factors-to-deer-movement
Other Factors that Influence Deer Movement
Time of Day
Deer tend to be most active at dawn and dusk as they leave their bedding areas to feed. These crepuscular patterns provide them cover to move safely through areas with heavy human presence. Around sunrise and sunset, a deer’s eyes adjust better to low light conditions when predators are less likely to see them.
During the middle hours of the day, deer typically bed down to rest and ruminate their food. They remain alert, but move less as the high midday light makes them more easily detected. Cooler temperatures at dawn and dusk also aid deer movement.
Food Availability
As ruminants, deer need to eat frequently, so food availability greatly impacts their movement patterns. When acorn or berry crops are plentiful, deer may forego their crepuscular patterns to feed more consistently.
Drought conditions that diminish natural vegetation will force deer to range further in search of alternate food sources.
Deer also become more nocturnal during hunting season to avoid human activity. A Quality Deer Management Association report found that does will walk up to 2 miles from their fawns to feed at night during hunting season before returning before dawn.
Breeding Season
The rut or breeding season, which peaks in November, dramatically increases deer movement and activity. Bucks range more widely, even during daylight hours, to seek out does in estrus. Does also become more active and may aggressively chase bucks.
During the rut, deer can travel up to 5 miles per day compared to an average of 1 mile during other seasons. They expend extra energy chasing and roaming, which may make them more vulnerable to predators and collisions with vehicles on roadways.
Tips for Hunting and Viewing Deer at 70 Degrees
Adjust Strategy Based on Time of Day
As the thermometer hits 70°, deer tend to be more active in the early morning and evening hours when temperatures are cooler. Plan your hunt or viewing excursion accordingly. Set up near bedding areas before dawn or food sources in the late afternoon to catch deer as they transition between resting and feeding.
The midday heat will send them bedding down in shaded timber or tall grass. Adjust your strategy based on the time of day.
Focus on Food Sources
When temperatures reach 70°, deer will be seeking out plentiful food and water sources to graze on. Scout out locations near oak trees, agricultural fields, orchard crops, clover plots, or other prime feeding areas. Position yourself 100-200 yards downwind where you can glass the food sources.
Bring binoculars or a spotting scope to pick out deer in the brush. As the deer emerge, you may be able to pattern their movements and predict the trails they’ll take between bedding and feeding areas. Food sources are key when targeting deer at 70°.
Be Flexible and Mobile
As conditions change throughout the day, deer will shift their patterns accordingly. You’ll need to be flexible and mobile in your setup. Be prepared to reposition yourself based on the deer’s movements and reactions. If they catch your scent or spot you, they may flee the area entirely.
Rather than sticking to one location, use a mobile hunting strategy where you can stalk the deer and follow them to their next bedding or feeding spot. Constantly adapting and moving with the deer herd will improve your chances of success.
Conclusion
In summary, deer are likely to be active and moving around when temperatures reach about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. As a moderate temperature within deer’s comfort zone, 70 degree days in spring and fall often coincide with increased deer activity and movement.
However, many other factors like time of day, food sources, and breeding season also impact deer behavior. Understanding how these factors interact will help hunters and wildlife watchers have success in spotting and viewing deer when temperatures are around 70 degrees.
