Did I make a mistake?


huntaholic1

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well the other day I found a really good set of sheds from last year in an area that doesn't look hunted at all. maybe 50 yards from where I found the sheds I found an unbelievable bedding area, alot of beds some pretty big too. Long story short,I set up a stand in the bedding area. Was this a mistake or has anyone had success hunting a bedding area? Also i ve been told that a big mature buck wont bed with other deer, is this true? Any feedback or past experiences would be appreciated. Thanx

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Find the trails leading out. Set the stand there. DOn't get inthe bedding area.

I agree, if this deer is using the bedding area it will be nearly impossible for you to get in their without spooking him. Even if he doesn't see you, you're scent will be around long after you're gone. The worst place to jump a mature buck is in his bedding area, this is the area that they spend the most time and feel the most secure. They have spent a lot of time finding the perfect bedding area which has allowed them to grow old and smart.

You should check for trails leading from the bedding area to the feeding areas. Setup somewhere in between these and try to catch him leaving his bedding area and heading out to feed or vise versa. Good luck

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I agree, if this deer is using the bedding area it will be nearly impossible for you to get in their without spooking him. Even if he doesn't see you, you're scent will be around long after you're gone. The worst place to jump a mature buck is in his bedding area, this is the area that they spend the most time and feel the most secure. They have spent a lot of time finding the perfect bedding area which has allowed them to grow old and smart.

You should check for trails leading from the bedding area to the feeding areas. Setup somewhere in between these and try to catch him leaving his bedding area and heading out to feed or vise versa. Good luck

Good points, I agree with a lot of that. It can be really tricky getting in and out of those areas. And if you spook deer out of areas where they feel most secure, you can really screw things up. It's probably a better idea to set up where you can catch deer going in and out of those areas.

I will admit though, there is one spot on my property that the first year I lived there I may have pushed the limits and my luck a bit by setting up right on the edge of a great bedding area, but it has easily been one of the best spots on our property. I've had great success there every season, see TONS of deer year round and experience a lot of great rut action.

And to answer your question about mature bucks bedding away from other deer, I've read that too. I think that often times yeah, you might notice that, I've experienced that to some degree. But that isn't to say that a mature buck will never bed with or near other deer. One thing I've noticed for sure is that if you set up on trails leading in or out of bedding areas, you may not catch a mature buck that beds in there, but you definitely have the chance of intercepting mature bucks who cruise through, scent checking, and bird doggin' does come the rut! Good luck!

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I wouldn't hunt right "IN" the bedding area either. Even if you were 50 yrds away, it would be better than right in the middle of it. It makes some morning hunts impossible, depending on the moon phase and most afternoon/evening hunts can be ruled out as well. Once you bump him/them a few times, they'll find somewhere safer to take a nap.

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I wouldn't hunt right "IN" the bedding area either. Even if you were 50 yrds away, it would be better than right in the middle of it. It makes some morning hunts impossible, depending on the moon phase and most afternoon/evening hunts can be ruled out as well. Once you bump him/them a few times, they'll find somewhere safer to take a nap.

Sums its up, You dont wont be right inside of there bedding areas...Find a pretty heavily used trail leading to the bedding area. Maybe 30 - 50 yards out, you never know, you may catch them coming out, or back in. Best of luck to you. Between all of the advice im sure you will come out on top! Stay safe buddy!

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