Bedding Area Deer Hunting
Early Season
The warm temperatures often associated with the early deer hunting season sometimes result in late day or even after dark feeding habits. A hunter can set up near a bedding area to catch deer as they first begin moving towards food sources. This approach can often lead to better activity than hunting the actual food supply sources.
Mid Season
As the summer feeding habits end deer become more nocturnal. They spend most of the day bedded down. Hunting near a bedding area is an excellent tactic for producing results during these periods. A well placed stand that takes into consideration wind directions should offer a good hunting opportunity.
Rut Periods
The rutting period is known as the time of the year when bucks are the most active during day time hours. Finding bedding areas that are used by does can be a very effective way of harvesting a nice buck. Since bucks are in search of estrus does during this time, they will often visit and monitor various locations that the does use to bed down in.
Late Season
The late season brings with it shorter day light hours. Deer will move less frequently during the day due to hunting pressure and dropping temperatures. They prefer to bed down and absorb as much heat from the sun and spend more time on foot after dark. In some cases, hunting a bedding area is the only chances at consistently seeing deer late in the season.
Locating Bedding Areas
Deer will use many different bedding areas during the course of a season. For the most part, these areas are based on nearby food sources. Since the food sources change throughout the year, so will the locations of the bedding areas. Find the food source and back track the trails to locate the beds. Also look for rub lines as they will generally be directional from a bed to the food.
Beds can be found in tall grasses, patches of woods, thickets, cut overs, swamps, ridges, and anywhere else that offers concealment. The main criteria is that they provide protection from danger with numerous ways to escape should the deer become alarmed.
Tips On Hunting
The main rule to follow when hunting beds as with any other form of deer hunting is to not be detected by the deer. Unlike other set ups, deer are less tolerant to intrusion near their beds and will leave and relocate if too much pressure is put on them. Pay close attention to wind directions and scent control. Make quiet approaches to and from stand locations. It is better to hunt these areas sparingly to reduce the chances of being detected.
Good luck, be safe, and enjoy your next hunting experience.
Visit deer hunting tips for additional information.
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