How to tell if I got a bedding area?

Infantry-Soldier

Infantry-Soldier

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Hey guys

I'm pretty new to hunting, and trying to learn as much as I can about deer.

Anyways, went out for a scouting trip yesterday to the spot I used 2 years ago... In a bit of low ground, I found all the weeds/grass was all flattened down, with what seemed to me to be pretty obvious trails heading in/out of the area... Also, when I pulled in on my atv, there was a huge Doe standing there watching me! It's a really heavy forsted area, with lots of tall grass and dead fall.

I had used this spot two years ago, had my stand set up to far, for the one day I saw about 8 does and 3 bucks move through (had my bow that day :( :( :( ). After that day, I never saw anything else there. I want to invest in a game camera to try and see whats moving through there...


Anyways, where I go is off a logging trail, that sees 0 traffic as it's kind of hard to get too. I didn't see any tracks, but lots of droppings from deer and moose.

Next time I go out I'll try and get some pics of the area, but do you think it sounds like a bedding area? I'm going to go out again and start looking for rubs and whatnot..
Is there any other specific signs I should be looking for?


Thanks for any help!
 
Sounds like a bedding area. Are the flattened spots about the size of a curled up deer? If so, then they're sleeping there.
Rubs on trees and hoof digs on the ground are a good sign too.
Have fun.:)
 
Yea, the area I'd say is about 20' square. The low ground, is actually really steep, with the trail leading in from both ends. Down in the bottom it's fairly wet, with lots of weeds/brush/berries and whatnot... But yes, all the flat spots seemed to almost be circles.
Also, on my way out, I noticed another area, that looked like the size of one deer... Could that be a sentry or something? Lol.

Yea, never got a deer two years ago. After those does moved through, I followed them, as I'd been in my stand for like 9 hours... Ended up walking right up to one w/ my bow, but my anterless tag was for a different area, so I couldn't shoot!
I've never got a deer, but I'm looking forward to this season, as last season I was in Afghanistan, and couldn't hunt!

Thanks for the reply lister.
 
Youll also know by the amount of ####........

Found a bedding area in the winter and you could not go more than two feet in any direction without running into half a dozen piles of ####
 
Keep in mind their habits do change from day to day and through the season as well. That can be the frustrating part. Probably part of a survival strategy. A want to get a game camera as well to improve my odds.
 
exactly, their where the food is, come November they will move on , or not , depends on whats available, heck even a field that never got all the grain off will mess with your plans..
Stay away from bedding areas anyway( only when your a seasoned hunter would you get close to a bedding area without blowing the deal), and locate paths to and from , remember the wind is your friend, and if in hill country , the thermals will screw you . Learn up and down currents in the morning, and evening etc..
NE corners are choice for stands..
Find a food source that will be there during the hunting season, hunt that,

bucks will spread out more as the rut comes closer. Look for old sign, rubs first ,easier to spot, then a careful look for scrapes , a line of 'em, then your cooking...

Hunting the rut ? then hunt the does...
 
No fields where I am... Heavy forest bordering onto Algonquin park. Few clearings here and there... I think I'll have to go back out this weekend and do alot more walking aroudn... Hopefully I can get a trail cam by then
 
Come November, you want to locate your ass along ( not on, but within reasonable shooting range) a well used trail between feeding and bedding areas. It sounds like you know how to sit and wait already. Pay close attention to the wind, and be carefull not to sillouette yourself.

Once the rut is on, the bucks will be travelling pretty much 24/7. If you find the does, the bucks will find you.

Good luck , and thanks for your tour overseas.

Puma
 
Is there a set distrance (usually) between bedding and feeding areas? What should I look for for a feeding area? Clearing in the woods, etc? Would getting a call be a good idea also?


And you're welcome. :D
 
Infantry-Soldier said:
Is there a set distrance (usually) between bedding and feeding areas? What should I look for for a feeding area? Clearing in the woods, etc? Would getting a call be a good idea also?


And you're welcome. :D
Click to expand...

Deer feed on lots of vegies, and other plant life, look it up on google , and match to your area.
Calls , the box(bleat -n-heat) is king during the rut. A fawn , and grunt during the chase phase, just prior...
box also works during the chase phase, and tinkle of the horns will also attract deer , but may not work right off , depending on buck to doe ratio
 
Last season I set up too close to a bedding area without knowing it, I saw a few deer cross out every morning, but no shooters. I'm pretty sure the deer knew I was there and tried to steer clear. This season I'm setting up about 300 yards down a well used run from that spot to catch them enter/leaving their bedding area. Try ambush a nice buck between where he feeds and where he beds... and I picked up a trail camera, so I can see if I can pattern a nice buck as best as I can in the 2 months I have before the season opens here.
_____________
Jason
 
Right on! Sounds like a good plan.
I haven't been out to my spot since I made the original post here... Goign to get a salt lick tonight, and gonna see if the wife will buy me a trail cam with her 6k in backpay she just got... Hmmm... Flowers maybe?? :p
 
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