OK, so this spring it was my goal to track down my target buck's bedding area. I came across an area nearby that fit the bill and ignorantly stopped my search. Since then, I've come to believe that the area I scouted most likely is not where Blade is spending his daytime hours. Today it hit me. Like a ton of bricks. An area I scouted 2 1/2 years ago, about a half mile away. It's a south facing slope between the lake and an old spruce bog. Thicker than all get out, and quick easy access to food & water. I'm kicking myself for not thinking of this earlier! So, here we are, late July, and I want to sneak a peak. Is this a horrible idea this late in the game, to be walking through what might be his bedroom? If I do, I'm going to wait for a heavy rain and bust out the canoe. My other options are to either wait and see how this season plays out, and hit it up post season, or when my new cameras get here, try and ease them around the perimeter in hopes of confirming my suspicions. What would you guys do?
Fitz Jump right in, you can even push him this early, as he'll come back if he's liking the area. The only real time I find not to push a buck is during the pre rutt as he'll head out for 2-3 weeks before he's setteled back in.That's when it's prime time and any thing can happen then. Good luck putting an arrow in Blade this year,he should be a dandy. Rocky
I think if you do go in the theory of making a lot of noise on the way in makes sense. If blade is bedded, he spooks early and escapes and feels like his bedding area is working for safety. Personally I wouldn't go in, I'd use the trail cam option. You can figure you're only going to be able to hunt in his bedding area a few times in a season without pushing him out, so the trail cam locations need to be your possible hunting locations.
I'm Not a scent freak but I really do try to stay away from a big deers bedroom. The day before or in a rain might be a good time to put a cam out close. We have one buck bedding area that we just can't get into. It's on top of a hill and you just cant get up there without a deer winding you or hearing you. We just run cams on the trails going up or spread some yellow deer candy and get picks of whatever's sleeping up there.
Maybe you could set up some trail cams on the perimeter before you go in. Then, when you do go in, maybe he'll show up on the cams so you will know for sure he was in there.
If you did go in make it a one time occurence. Gather your evidence an get out. I would run the trail cameras long enough to gather evidence again an pull them out.
I would not go in... I would either set fringe area cameras up or just hunt it. If it were me personally I would only set cameras up if they were completely unobtrusive to his safety zone. In other words I would not want to bother him at all.
Thanks for the input guys! Keep it coming. I'm verifying with my buddy our scouting path back then. I didn't have my GPS that day, and I keep going back & forth on where we came out on the lake. I can feel myself getting sucked into the Blade game again. I have to remember not to get the same tunnel vision this season and push him away. Man I'm getting pumped for the season!
I started a thread not too long ago asking the same question with mixed responses. The one response that made the most since was one person suggested taking a 4wheeler in to the location and just make as much non-human noise as possible then go in the noose should get the deer out of the bedding area. It makes since to me so I'll try and do it this week.
Go for it, nothing ventured nothing gained. I would do both cameras and a walk though on the same day....you still ave plenty of time at this point. Even if you can make a confirmation that day without the cameras i would still leave em set for a couple weeks....they might tip you off to the way in or out that he is using.
No possible way (leagally or not) to get a 4wheeler in there. No trails and its in the Superior National Forest.
Oh yeah, I forgot about that buddy. What about venturing in at dark? Dark and rain would be great, but not always available or reasonable. I've done scouting at night while deer are out feeding; however, Blade seems to move more at night from you previous pictures. I'd still say you have plenty of time to take a quick looky lue, without damaging the bedding area. I wouldn’t hang a trail camera in the bedding area because you would have to go back to get the pictures. I think one trip in and out wouldn’t hurt, but you just never know with the mature whitetail. If he no longer feels safe he’ll leave for sure. Perhaps you should just flip a coin. lol
I would go in and take your chances you will be thinking all season if you don't, should I have gone in???? Go in once check it out so u know that's his bedding area or not, now there is no what ifs they drive me crazy during the season thinking about it over and over!!! Go for it Fitz!!!
