What Is a Deer Drive?

The purpose of the deer drive is to make the deer move, not run, out of their hiding places.

• Driving involves a group of hunters, some acting as “drivers” and others as “posters.”
  • Drivers spread out across a field or woods and push game out of cover.
  • Posters take positions at the end of the cover to intercept game pushed out by the drivers.
• The success of a drive depends on good organization and being familiar with the terrain.
• It is critical that everyone involved in the drive is aware of the position of other drivers and posters. Wear fluorescent orange, and never shoot in the direction of another hunter.

Deer drives are an effective strategy to hunt deer, but they can be potentially dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. The purpose of the deer drive is to make the deer move, but not run, out of their hiding places. The deer will move toward hunters positioned in strategic areas. Before conducting a deer drive, hunters should properly plan out their drive. All hunters who are participating in the deer drive should carry out the plan. Deer drives with more than six or seven hunters should be avoided because of increased risks.