I tried another thread that didn't get many responses, but the question that I am wondering is if deer bedding areas might change from south facing slopes in the late Fall/winter to north facing slopes in the summer/early Fall. Where I hunt the temps in September can easily be well into the 90s and I am trying to figure out if the deer are seeking the cool shade of north facing slopes when it is hot. Anyone have any experience with this?
I’d say where ever they can be with the wind at there back and see out in front. It doesn’t have to be a slope, as long as they feel safe in some sort of cover, think they can detect predators, and then get away.
I found that no matter what time of year the deer will always bed on the leeward side of the hill. meaning the downwind side. all the bedding we find in the winter is on the east or north side. I believe it to be a myth that the deer hang out on the south facing slopes all winter. all the sheds we find are on the north or east slopes. the weather is much calmer and doesn't wear on the deer so much. which ever way the wind is blowing the deer will always get up and move to the leeward side of the hill.
In the northeast you will find bucks bedding on north west facing slopes all year long. North slopes tend to have the bulk of coniferous trees, helmocks, spruce and pine. Bucks will be bedding near the top 1/3 of the hill and using thermals to their advantage. Ledges, and points in these locations will hold bucks even in bad weather.
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Where I live and hunt I live in a big horse shoe shaped bowl the elevation from swamp to hill top is about 30'. I have brush areas and oak flats I see the deer bed on the south facing slopes in the winter, they have topography and a row pine wind break. Come summer they move down in the bowl by the ponds.
Thanks guys, I am trying to figure out the areas where I hunt, which are around creeks and have very few south facing slopes. Finding the bedding areas has not been easy because it is all thick wooded areas with tons of brambles. Need to continue my scouting so I can understand their winter pattern a bit more.
On my property ive got a big hill that runs east and west, the far east point on the hill is the first part that gets sunlight on my property, on cold morning's I can almost guarantee deer to be bedded there soaking up the first mornings son.
I think in early season, the deer bed close to water with the wind to their advantage in thick cover. Usually the temps are cooler close to water.
