After exposed aggregate concrete is poured and processed for a walkway, how many hours before deer won't leave hoof prints on it?

Deer footprints are 'added value", no?

Our herd could make quite a mess.

Clearly depends on how long since mixed & temperature during cure. Generally 6-12 hours.

More artsy fartsy then ?

More traction, less likely to slip on it in leather soled wingtip shoes?

Good luck with it, did you pour today? What's the weather like over there? Might set up enough by nightfall if you have decent weather today.

like coyote tracks in saltillo tiles.

Just an idea that might work just long enough.

Do you have any extra rebar?
If not, any big pole should do.
Set them up around your corners.
Wrap a rope fence around it or any other visible barrier.
A second one about two feet around the first perimeter will usually stop their crossing that. Some use old VHS tapes that vibrate with the wind. Men's cologne or aftershave might help too.

If you exposed the concrete it was already pretty well set up when you were walking on it while brooming and hosing to expose the aggregate.

Unless it's a huge deer herd I wouldn't worry about it.

The pour is going on tomorrow morning. It is all formed up and ready to go. The concrete truck will show up at 8 am. The walk way is 100 feet long and about 6' wide

By the time the concrete crew leaves your sidewalk should be pretty well set up and able to withstand hoof prints, I would think.

Sounds like a nice improvement, logger. Good luck!

This^ Unless it’s cold, it will set up in a few hours, although it continues curing for over a month. Once finished, they should spray it with a retarder and cover it with plastic. The next day, they will come back and spray it off with a water hose to expose to aggregate. I wouldn’t think deer would brave the concrete crew nor the plastic sheeting to walk on it before it hardens sufficiently.

Hire a neighbor kid with a sling shot for a few hours after dark.

That's my job, but with a bb gun

Now you're thinking.

Good luck with that pour.

Weather coming tomorrow night though, no?