So, the discussion on the effectiveness of winter scouting deer on winter patterns vs fall patterns got me thinking. Today, I decided to get out and do some more legwork in the bottom of a hollow on our property that I pretty much have avoided for most years. It's fairly steep with a fairly short basin, with one side covered in thick pines and hemlocks, and the other with thick nasty scrub brush. Anyways, on my way in, I jumped a TON of deer out of the Northern side (the pines). I went in to where they were bedding to look for other sign that might alert me to anything pertinent for next season. I found little information, but it got me thinking. Do you guys take note of where you jump deer during scouting sessions in the winter? If so, do you find that these areas are good indicators of potential bedding areas come fall, or do you take these signs with a grain of salt knowing the deer are currently on winter patterns? The reason I ask is, other than the fact that terrain wise this is prime bedding cover, I didn't find much else that stood out to me when I walked in closer. Could this have just been a yarded group resting for a midday lounge? I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this.
I know alot of guys say it is useless where they are now...but I know for a FACT, that in my favorite area...I could walk those cane thickets any time of year and blow out deer....they bed there at all times, Im not psychic enough to tell if they are the same deer, but there are deer there year round. Main reason I don't EVER step foot in there...ever. I can only hunt one side of it, so it does me absolutely no good to know where they enter from on the other side...probably a shed goldmine in there, but I just cant bring myself to go in and check. Im thinkin I will this spring though, surely it can't hurt THAT bad next fall. Good question. I have no clue..probably a case by case basis. Spooking a deer will NEVER be a good thing, but then again it will likely have little effect on net october for you if you spooked em shedding right now. I look forward for more experienced people to chime in here. Good thread.
When I jump deer during scouting, or any time for that matter, I note the current weather pattern, past couple of days-current day-next two days, and relate where they are bedding to that. It is my understanding and observation that deer bed in pine thickets or other really thick area during cold, windy, rainy type weather or if one of those fronts is coming. I have read that it can be 10 deg warmer in dense vegetation and pine thickets have the added floor insulation of shed pine needles. So, now that I have noted where they want to bed when this type of weather is happening or imminent I can now hunt funnels and other likely avenues that will lead to this dense vegetation from food sources when the front is approaching or here. I have another area I have jumped them out of in the past that is at the top of a draw where a creek starts during wetter weather. The draw runs down and north. During warm weather they bed at the top of this draw (it is also somewhat thick with some blowdowns and such) because the northen breezes blow up cooler air from the bottom of the draw to the top. In the morning they move south (towards me LOL) to browse on acorns. I hunt that spot with any northerly type wind. I pay attention to the weather patterns when I jump them and try to relate why they were there to the weather patterns and how the terrain may fit in.
Awesome info, Bruce! Today it was partly cloudy, 32, and WINDY. Usually a sign a front is approaching. Supposed to get a bit warmer this week. I thought it was odd they choose the Northern slope of the hollow, but I suppose the benefits of the pines as you mentioned outweighs the southern exposure on the other side.
They will likely sleep in the pines and start moving to the southern side as the sun rises. If you know how they will move to the southern side, over or around the ridge, then you can intercept them. This tactic would probably be good late season after a low pressure system has come in when it's cold and rainy with a high pressure on the way in to move out the nasty weather and bring some sunshine. The weather we are experiencing now is likely due to the low pressure system moving out being followed by a high pressure system. I just checked: SYNOPSIS... GUSTY NORTHWEST FLOW WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE MID ATLANTIC THROUGH MONDAY. HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS INTO THE AREA DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK...WITH MODERATING TEMPERATURES BY WEDNESDAY. A COLD FRONT MAY BRING UNSETTLED CONDITIONS ON FRIDAY. && http://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=LWX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off
Speaking of jumping deer, I was at the cabin today and the snowmobilers from up on state land jumped 6 down to me.
Any good sign to be found up there? Bruce, I knew the weather was supposed to warm up later this week, so it will be interesting to see if there's a shift in their movement like you said. I THINK most of their travel occurs along the bottom when moving between the north and southern slopes. There's plenty of cover, and there's an old logging road coming from the bottom up the southern side that I've seen scrapes on the past few years. That's one of my key spots for stand next season.
Jeff, I'm not worried about actually bumping the deer at this time of year (I've done it before at much later times in places I hunted later in the fall), but I was more or less curious as to whether I should take note of that location. My thoughts were along the lines of what you stated in that it's probably not the same location they will be bedding come fall. I will be returning to the area a few more times to look around again.
If these aren't yarded up deer and you have a little snow, It's nice to see where they go when bumped and pushed (escape route). Something to think about and keep In mind come hunting season.
No, I'm not worried about it now. They have plenty of time to relax throught the rest of the yr. In fact I'll probably go out trim some lanes in late summer. As long as I'm in there touching every thing or spending days in there, I think it's fine.
I would pay more attention to the actual place you found the deer, rather than the fact that you bumped them. Thick pines & thick nasty scrub as you describe it, sounds like a place they will bed on a pretty consistent basis. (Depending on food source and proximity to other "good" bedding areas)
Their escape route was sporadic at best, lol! Two went one way, two another, etc. They all eventually rounded up and headed east on the southern facing slope. I've got a plan of attack for this area next season now, I THINK.
If it's really good cover, and the only cover available they may very well be there in the fall. But remember this time of year with them yarded up in large herds, here today, gone tommorow. I wouldn't worry about disturbing them now. But if it's the best cover around this could be important info for the fall.
It's good cover. In fact, I've noticed a decline in scrapes and rub lines on our property over the past few seasons, but not far from where I bumped these deer the rub lines have been consistent throughout the years. I will post an arial tomorrow that shows how big and thick this hollow is. The problem is getting in and then back out to hunt.
' Where were they coming from? Which part of the land? All Does? Any sign of G2 buck? I GOTTA KNOW!!!!!
Great Questiion! Obviously, it is really hard for us to judge that certain area without seeing it! The smart rule of thumb would be to leave the bedding area alone. However, I would definately try to make it work somehow. Sounds like it is impossible to gain access and shooting lanes for the early season. It might be better to wait for rut in a place like that. Catch those big guys trying to find some tail or following the doe to her safe zone. I would set it up early season and try to hold out for them to get pushed there towards the later season. Also, you might have to get in about an hour earlier than normal (morning) just so you don't bump them on the way in. Good Luck!! Keep us updated!
