Is it good to hunt a bedding area for deer?

Hunting a Buck’s Core Area Can Be Highly Productive Over the years, I have been fortunate to kill mature bucks by hunting food sources, rutting hotspots and bedding areas, and what I’ve learned is that a buck’s bedding area — where he spends most of his time — is the best place to kill him.

How far do deer travel from bedding area?

However, when mature deer do feed during the day, it’s generally within 100 to 150 yards of their bedding area.

What do deer look for in a bedding area?

A southwest-facing slope provides two key elements a buck will look for in a bedding area: headwind and sunshine. This allows them to smell danger long before they see it and seek out a little warmth in the colder months. Mature bucks will typically lay down with a thick stand of trees at their backs.

Do Bucks make scrapes near bedding?

Trail rubs are made by bucks traveling through their core home range, often from feed areas to bedding cover. These are excellent spots during the pre-rut. Deer will usually head toward the blazed side of the rub.

Should I hunt a bedding area?

Why To Hunt a Deer Bedding Area Bedding areas are meant to be taken advantage of, and hunted. Because although the distance a buck may bed may be a mile or more away from his evening food and social locations, he is most likely spending the majority of his morning and the rest of daylight hours, in his bedding area.

How do you find a Bucks bedding area?

The most obvious sign to look for is the presence of oval depressions in the grass, brush, or dirt indicating where a deer laid down. Take note of how many beds you see clustered together in one area. If you see four or more beds in a circle, it’s likely a doe bedding area.

Do deer travel the same path every day?

They leave their home going to a place they know they can feed and then walk back home. As long as this continues to be a safe place for them, they will continue to walk along this same path every single day. Of course throughout the year, depending on what the deer are doing it may be more or less frequent.

What time of day are most big bucks killed?

Most of them are specifically between 9:00 and 10:00 in the morning to be exact. It’s a proven time, and it could have a lot to do with the common perception among deer hunters that things slow down once early morning is through.

How long before sunrise should you be in your deer stand?

I always settle in about 30 to 45 min before sunrise, but you can never be in the stand to ealry. It just allows everything to settle down.

Where do does like to bed?

Facing Downwind Typically, bucks will bed against these solid objects (logs, rocks, etc.), watch downwind with their eyes, and cover their rear (upwind) with their nose. Of course, those ears are always on a swivel, too. This “system” allows deer to better protect themselves from danger.

Is it better to hunt scrapes or rubs?

Although scrapes can attract deer and influence their behavior, rubs are a much more effective signpost for deer. As noted by such experts as John J. Ozoga, bucks make rubs to show dominance. That’s why mature bucks usually make the most and biggest rubs each season.

How often will bucks check scrapes?

We discovered that during the two weeks leading up to peak breeding mature bucks made 6 to 12 scrapes every hour they were on their feet. During the two weeks leading up to peak breeding mature bucks can be expected to make between 6 and 12 scrapes every hour they are on their feet.

Where is the best place to place deer bait?

However, there is one common denominator when deciding where to place your bait site and that is its proximity to deer bedding locations. If you are truly looking to hunt over bait, you need to understand deer movement and how deer would potentially be traveling to and from your bait site.

What’s the best way to hunt a bedding area?

By first defining the exact acres (or less) that include the bedding area, your goal is to slip into the downwind edge or adjacent funnel, and wait for the sun to rise!

What do you need to know about baiting and feeding?

Feed must be at least 100 yards from any area accessible to cattle, goats, sheep, new world camelids, bison, swine, horses or captive cervidae. Food plots — Naturally occurring foods, standing agricultural crops, or food placed as a result of using normal agricultural practices are not considered to be bait or feed.

What do you need to know about hunting over bait?

If you are truly looking to hunt over bait, you need to understand deer movement and how deer would potentially be traveling to and from your bait site. In addition, you need to look at how you might access and hunt that compared to where the deer will already be.