Shelley, last year our ducks laid eggs randomly around the pond, but not in any particular nesting spot. We found another newly-made nest too. It was in the same spot our Blossom duck nested this past spring. It only had a few eggs in it. We robbed it too.
As far as the deer go, I would agree with Lynne about the spots. That's why the DNR has set the deer hunting season in the later part of fall. And doe season is after buck season to give the young ones time to grow up.
