Do white tail deer use the same bedding areas all year around or do they have summer bedding areas vs fall/winter? I found a great spot last and set tc up last Sunday and went out today to bring it home because of turkey season starting up soon. in this area their is/was a lot of scrape from last archery season light trail w/track but no pics on tc . I normal leave them out for 2-3 befor checking them and thought this area was for sure a bedding area because it was cut about 5-7 ago.
Depends on the area, but most shift at least slightly throughout the year. For instance, in the winter they may prefer south facing slopes that are exposed to the sun to keep warm. In the summer, they may prefer low thickets to beat the heat.
Some beds are used throughout the year, some are seasonal dependent on food sources. If the hill in question doesn't have much cover and there is bedding they may be bedding there at night when hard mast is dropping?
Yes, any edible nuts. It there are nuts dropping or a field in the area deer will bed near food at night between feedings, these tend to have less security than their daytime hideouts.
I have found that whitetails tend to use the same bedding areas regardless of the seasons, elevational snow fall is the only reliable exception I have found.