I have noticed people that have hunted outside of the deep, deep South say that the deer in other states respond more favorably toward decoys, rattling, grunts and bleats than they do here. Maybe it's their smaller stature? Does anyone have theories or data as to why?

I am a transplant here in Alabama. I am from Va. I typically did not have any luck in calling deer. However I have had good luck in Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky. Maybe it's the population, Buck/doe ratio or whatever. I personally don't mess with calling down here. When I'm in the Midwest it's a different story. But it's just me

They are truely a Horse of a Different Color!

Deer are hunted hard here from spots to pots. They are very smart.

this

Pressure

the midwest states have short seasons. Illinois only a 3 day firearm opener, then a 4 day 2nd season.

They also restrict you to shotgun or muzzleloader and limit effective range to 200 yards or under..

In Alabama deer are hunted for 2 1/2 months with rifles.

A huge difference in pressure!

Agreed.

100% due to buck to doe ratio in my opinion. I have hunted farms in south Ga most of my life. On farms where the buck to doe ratio is closer to 1:1 or even 1:2, I see alot more response to calling. Rattling works well with quick response too if you have the right ratio.

That's correct on Illinois. I have two farms I hunt there.

Its definately a pressure thing. When I hunted IL. any type of calling worked for the most part. Down here, deer learn quick.

I think its a combination of pressure, buck to doe ratio, and I believe they are just smarter than most and wily. I'm comparing them to whitetails I've hunted from NJ to FL to WY. I grew up in NC/VA and they respond very well to grunts and rattling, and definitely aren't as spooky as AL/FL deer. Illinois/Ohio/Nebraska deer (just my opinion from experience) are not as spooky. I think they are not pressured as much and just seem big and dumb at times. It seems you have to put in the time here and you'd better do your homework if you want to kill that 4+ year old deer.

Pressure Pressure Pressure.

I think deer in Ohio, for instance, are much more comfortable stepping out into fields since they already have much less cover. When I was there in October, I saw less wooded area in two weeks than I see in one day in Alabama.

I've never seen deer act like they do here. Even in neighboring states, the deer are much less on edge and are much easier to kill. In my opinion, the deer here in Bama are some of the smartest creatures in the lower 48.

If only Alabama would wake up and follow the midwest states. 10 day firearms season, archery only the rest of the season, 2 deer limit of 1 buck and 1 doe. Start this in 2016 and by 2020 people would be amazed at how many more deer they were seeing, some giant deer would be killed and they would respond to rattling and grunting just like they do in the midwest.

I agree with FullPotential 199.9999%. He has the answer as to why. I'm good with a 10 day firearm season, but let's throw in a 2 week muzzleoader season too. I don't bow hunt.

As far as public land goes here I have been amazed at all the dang roads going through it. I Va they ain't but a few roads and you can walk for miles and miles in the mountains.

Pressure is key there as it is everywhere. Other areas I've been don't have as many "road hunters" and people not willing to walk. So if you don't mind to walk and get away from everybody then you could usually increase your odds.

EXACTLY!!!

Fullpotential nailed it