To add to the backrest, when a buck beds the backrest is usually on the upwind side of the bed. He beds with scent blowing over the backrest to him while watching downwind. So plan your backrest in a way he can utilize specific winds.
Yuppers...and another thing is some bedding spots work in favor of the buck with wind shifts...we've been known to give two back rest options in one bed depending on bed spot.
I personally have not...but I do know a few QDMA threads over the years have come up and I wanna say with mixed reviews....I'll see if I can scrounge them up and link them.
I'm just wondering because I have several plantings that I can cut plugs from. The stuff grows fast and doesn't really spread, so I thought that it would be a cheap, quick, and effective way to make some great screens and bedding cover.
the more i thought about this it occurred to me, i have seen several beds in the snow up against dirt mounds (real old blow down roots) hmm........
If you have a free source and are willing to experiment I wouldn't hesitate. I know one guy around me that bought up every single decorative grass plant a going out of business nursery had one year...he didn't know what would work but basically stole them and loves some and hates others.
Yeah, I've got a free source and we already have some planted on that piece of property that gets used as a blind of sorts. It doesn't take much to get a stand started and I also have some at home and some more at my dads house. I'm gonna give this stuff a try, hopefully the results will be as good as I think they have the potential to be. If not, I'm not out any money and I am still going to plant 400 pines and cedars to help with the cover anyways.
I sure will. I need to remember to take my camera for some before and after shots. I hope to make everything look totally different.
Just wanted to provide a little update for some results we are already seeing from the creation of our new bedding areas. We've had more does staying on the 50 acres than ever before. Early season I had pics of 8-10 does at all times of the day. I killed a doe and nobody hunted it until the other day. My dad saw a nice buck, but couldn't tell for sure how big he was. The next day my dad and brother went back to hunt again. My brother had a 120" 8 pointer at 34 yards, but it was just a little too dark. That buck was standing right inside the new hinge cut area. He had also seen another smaller 8 cruising along the bottom side of the hinge cut area. It was easily one of the best days any of us ever had hunting that place. There will definitely be more improvements and hinge cutting happening after season.
WOW!!. this is crazy!. i've been doing this for 6-7 years but have NEVER discussed it do to people thinking i was nuttso. i use 1 squre straw bale per location. some i put in very thick cover with a good tight canopy, some in a log jam area and some on a south facing area for a cold day. and yes, the back rest seems critical for a mature buck. i have found sheds in these "planted" beds.
Just for anyone coming across this post from old, I link to the blog in a post but now everything is all over at Small Acre Hunting | Deer Hunting Strategies Every Hunter Can Use if you are curious as to what we've done. Lots of great sources out there as well!
A quick question on the backstop, see any difference in use by size and height? Wondering if they need to be able to see over it of if taller is better. Thanks.
