I have had (and usually do) have two different doe groups pretty well pegged in terms of their bedding areas (have all year). I've managed to stay clear of the cores of these areas all season, but close enough to confirm it's where these deer are hanging. Just last night I saw one group come out at dusk and feed in my plot, and the other, my dad was watching 200yds away...both groups came from the same ~20 acre new growth/hemlock thicket. I was talking with Quick about this, and timing is my problem. I know my property doesn't hold mature bucks in terms of an actual core area existing on my property. Therefore, it's logical to hunt near or around these doe very soon, but probably just not yet (there was a nice 8 spotted cruising this patch Saturday AM by myself, and Sunday AM by my uncle). I don't want to slide right into the bedding area just yet, so I'm going to experiment (possibly) with one travel feature leading to this area. We have a prevailing W wind here, and tonight it's coming out of the SW/W (supposedly). I'm thinking of trying to setup on a bench that runs E/W between this known bedding area and our property line. The bench is at the bottom of a pretty steep side hill, and I have seen scrapes on this particular bench a few times in the past, but I haven't hunted it in probably 7 or 8 years just because it doesn't scream travel route. However, I'm thinking now (not next week) is the time to do a little experimenting. The wind direction coupled with thermals should make this spot safe. Whether I see any deer or not, that's another story. I'm curious to see what others here have to say about hunting benches, and what you've found works best terrain wise when utilizing these features.
X2 what rybo said. I have a bench on public land, that I will slip into around late October. Makes for an awesome spot to catch cruising bucks.
Matt, you have all the ingredients listed for a potential encounter during daylight hours. From sign to terrain to doe bedding family groups and finally low pressure in that spot. I'd get in there A.S.A.P and see whom happens to be using it for travel. I have hunted and still hunt several benches and they are consistently great travel areas for crusing bucks. I am purposely not hunting them quite yet out west here, because my bucks have not yet started to move in the doe family groups, I am about a full week away from that at the least. I am still hunting feeding patterns right now but keeping an close eye on that transition that is soon to come. Good luck man, benches can really produce buck travel corridors.
