I'm not gonna lie- I SUCK at scouting. When it comes to locating a bucks bed, I'm at a loss. I've done it, but, I could use some info from guys like Gri22ly, Greg and the rest of you buck slayers. I have my own answers to these questions, but, I wanna learn the TRUTH ! How does a buck choose his bedding area ? What are some terrain or structure features that are commonly associated with mature buck beds ? How far will a buck travel from his bed during the early season, late season and will he go back to his bed during the rut ? Will a buck choose an area to bed that is very secluded, or, will there be other deer bedded in the vicinity ? I've actually been able to hunt a bit this season, which is a welcomed surprise. It's been, perhaps, the most productive season for seeing mature bucks. I've actually had my "main target" buck under 30yards, with no shot offered, as well as 2 other shooters. I'm walking around with a smile, everyday However, I'd like to be walking around with a smile WHILE holding some antler !! I did NOT scout this summer, so, I'm depending on the rut. If I fail to drop a buck during the rut, I really need to hit the timber and key in on one of the "resident" bucks I'm chasing. Any info appreciated !! Thanks.
The best informational for scouting and topography/wind theory is both of the blood brothers DVD. It's done wonders for this middle aged hunter...
Yes Sir and it should! This was my first buck bed I found using the "Joshquest" map site from Kentucky Always a big thank you... I'll have a few chores for you soon, hint-hint! Another bed just as Gri22ly explained...
Good post. Asks a very good question. I think I might check out the Blood Bros. DVD, especially the hill country one.
First of all, a buck doesn't lay down in the same exact spot every day of the year. He will have daytime bedding areas and then night time bedding areas near his food sources that often change through the seasons...Heck he will have rut bedding areas based on the doe group he is targeting.. I look for his outside of the rut daytime bedding areas, by getting actual visuals through observations or trail cameras of him.. I find his sheds in there as well and then start dissecting the general area how it associates with daily thermals and wind patterns .. hunting pressure etc.. to decipher and hunt a bucks bedding thickets.. Here its usually 1/2 to 2/3 of the way up on a mountain side, usually facing the North outside of Jan/Feb.. its usually a 40-60 acre area that he can move freely around in and browse or just lay up all day.... His bedding zone is different from his core area too.. which a core area expands out into where he waters and feeds.. I have killed several bucks within 100-300 yards of where I found there sheds.. the older a buck gets in these mountains the smaller his core and bedding zones seem to get.. his comfortzone really gets detailed though as he will know if ANYthing is out of place or if there is a strange smell in there that shouldnt be.. I like hunting on the fringes of bedding zones were I expect him to walk during daylight hours ...I almost always use terrain features that are beneficial to his pathways.. to help dictate where I set up.. in other words spots where terrain will help steer him past me.. due to either a food,/water or doe checking stimuli... one more thing, once it snows.. the forest reads like a book, you can find right where he lays up then.. backtracking a buck on his normal pattern is way better imo than tracking him and bumping him into an escape pattern.. Snow snow snow.. really helps decipher a big bucks hideouts! Just dont follow him if you see him, let him walk slip out when hes gone and backtrack where he came from..
