How do you guys do this? This is something that I haven't been able to figure out since I started deer hunting. Thanks, Rory
I'm no expert, but look for areas where the taller grass has been pushed down and flattend into somewhat of a circle. Visualize a deer curling up and sleeping kinda like a dog would. It would look kinda the same but may be alittle harder to see in the woods. I remember seeing an article on this awhile back. Let's see if I can find it with a photo. Yeah, here we go. Scroll down alittle to the part about bedding area. Hope this helps. http://www.pabucks.com/deer_signs.html#Deer Bedding Areas
they bed in high grass and laurels,briar thickets, i'm always weary of traveling thru or near those areas. think about where you would be if you was a deer some place where you are out of the elements as much as possible the heat, the cold,the snow,the rain, and still close to a food & water source
Rory, I am go to go out on a limb and say that finding bedding areas and specifically buck beds is a lot harder to do than most people give credit. I would also say that it is one of the most overlooked parts of hunting, yet the most important. I dove head first into finding deer beds this year and I found out that it is a lot harder to do than most would admit. I am really hoping I slowly get better at finding the deer beds as I know they are the key that unlock a lot of the issues I have when I am hunting. Best of luck, I PM'd you.
This is such a broad question that I don't think I could convey it in words. Look for sign.. and use your head. Ask a better question and perhaps you'll get your answer.
How do you find where a bedding area is? What do you do to find one? How do you know it's a bedding area? What kind of sign do you look for? Thanks for the info guys.
yes all comes down to what your land has to offer, and every buck has different survival strategies. If there isn't tall grass, a buck may bed on ridge top where he can easily wind you and see his surroundings very well. There are so many places he can bed. I like scouting after season when there is alittle snow on the ground, you can see all the trails muddied up and can pick out bedding cover pretty good. you just have to take the time to walk around and figure out the layout of the land.
Now is not the best time to out stomping around looking for bedding areas. You can blow any deer out of your area right before the season starts. It's best done after the season is over when things are more visible. Not saying it can't be done now, but there are better times to be looking for them. One clue you could get now is sitting near an open feeding area and take note which direction the deer enter the field. Which may vary on different wind directions.
If your hunting ag ground or have It close by I don't think going by what a buck was using last year for a bedding area Is going to do you much good. Different crops In the ground will change up ones pattern I think. I'm no expert In this stuff though either.
Call me a skeptic but I do not believe one quick trip through your hunting grounds will cause the entire herd to jump ship. There is a reason they bed where they do, because they feel comfortable. Is this public or private ground Rory?
You read my mind. I agree, I think it's a safer bet to focus on a feeding area and note where they are coming in from.
Rory, doesn't your season open in 7-8 weeks? If so, I swear that you will not bump the deer from your property if you scout it a couple of times. Just think about this, the good hunting does not even big for almost three months after you will have scouted. I am sure there are dogs, coyotes, and other humans that move around your hunting grounds....and all those things do not cause the deer to run to another state. Now if you pound a specific area time and time again that may hurt you, but general scouting through specific areas that you have pre-determined might be bedding areas will not hurt your chances come fall.
It is private but gets a lot of pressure that I can't control from other hunters, 4 wheelers, etc. No crops.
I agree with virginiashadow. I dont think going in now for a lookaround is going to hurt much. Any deer you spook will be back in my opinion.
My favorite topography in your hunting area is around the eastern most pond, especially to the south of it.
definantly set up near those watering holes and look for sign in early season. them boys need to get a drink some point during the day!
