Final Resting Place

[semperfidelis]

I was thinking about a successful hunt last year when I shot a buck. The buck ran away and with no blood trail and dry conditions I defaulted to a circular search of the area in order to locate him. In short I found him 75 yards from where he was shot. What is noteworthy is that he chose a point as a final bed down location that featured a small depression. I remember seeing the depression and thinking I could walk right by him if he died in there and not even see him. I walked closer and as I got to the edge sure enough he had sought the concealment offered by this small depression. The depression was about five feet deep and eight feet wide.

It is obvious in retrospect the buck knew where he was going after being hit and that he felt "protected" by this location. I now wonder if he would have bedded there before. The point he occupied took advantage of the predominant wind in hill country.

Would a buck normally bed in such a location that he had literally only feet of visibility?

[JakeJD]

I have jumped bucks bedded in minor depressions created by blowdown rootballs. But they were with does. I am no expert but I dont believe this is normal as they would negate their vision defense downwind.

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[dan]

In woods usually not... But in cattails and high grass they often rely on sound and scent, rather than sight and scent. So its possible. But I don't see that often in woods.

[semperfidelis]

Thanks fellas

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