They don't always bed in thick nasty areas. Here are a few areas I regularly and not so regularly see bedded deer. What about the rest of you, Where are some not so typical spots you find deer bedded? I have seen bucks bed next to a little clump of weeds out in the middle of a bare field. In really cold weather they will bed on a somewhat open sunny hillside in the woods. Especially if they can lay up next to a log or big rock. In hilly country they like to bed just over the top of the hill and let the wind carry any scent over the hill to them. Plus they can see the whole valley in front of them from that position. Also check out any small woodlot or weedy patch seperated from the big woods. Especially if it has a brushy ditch connecting it to the woods. They have good cover in there and can see danger coming from a long ways. And it doesn't have to be very big either. Just a few nontypical bedding areas to throw out there.
You just described my favorite hunting spot. 8 acres of hardwoods with one end that is briars and blowdowns. Great place to harpoon a deer while hunting on the ground.
I hunt hill country with a southerly prevailing wind for most of the year. I find the majority of the beds on north facing points.
