I was always under the impression that deer use heavy cover to bed until I got this picture on my trail camera. A little background on the area: The terrain could not have any more transition in it. It goes from steep to flat back to steep, from thicket to hardwoods to this very open hardwood clearing-ish. Behind the camera is a steep hill going down and to the right there is just about the peak, similar to the peak in the left of the picture. There is heavy deer sign all over and I have several does on camera here (no bucks though). I just found it odd that this deer chose to just plop down in the most open area it could find, but in a way it makes sense because it could see a long distance. Any input? The deer is on the very left edge of the picture.
Well like you said , she can see better and it looks like the area drops off quick on both sides of her .Not to uncommon for a deer to bed in an area like this im sure the wind is approaching her from behind as she watches in front and she can go left or right for quick escape.
Deer will rest wherever they feel comfortable and safe. check this pic I got of a doe resting feet in front of my cam. It's like she knew it was there and wanted to pose for it.
My deer like to bed in areas like that in the woods around field edges. Especially during hunting season. They know when the hunters are approaching and exit the opposite direction. I have had several deer bed up around me in spots like this.Saw a doe once bedded beside a lake in a pasture field along the edge of a well traveled highway.
Sometimes thick areas dont have enough shade. We have deer that bed just before our swamp in the hard woods where they can stay cool and can hear anything walking in.
