When to move in for kill on a buck I just bumped out of bed

[Ognennyy]

While scouting a ridge this afternoon I bumped a buck from his bed. I'm guessing he's a 3.5 year old based on what I saw of him, his bed measured 42" - 48", and I fit 4 fingers in his track (I don't have very big hands, and I assume the 4-finger rule is measuring length-wise, from tip of hoof to back of hoof). He did not wind me, just heard me snap a twig as I crested a ridge. I don't think he was that alarmed, he just kinda ran off casually.

I layed down under a bush for about an hour but he didn't come back.

I got up and sniffed around his bed... measured it, found deer hair, looked around, found a chink in his radius of awareness. I set up a natural materials ground blind 40 yards away, and I have a solid approach plan. If I can get to that blind undetected, I can kill this deer with my shot gun no doubt.

Obviously I spent a lot of time in the area, and I was even right in his bed. I figure if I sneak in there tomorrow morning before gray light I'm wasting my time because he'll smell that I was there and move on to a new bed.

How long would you veteran buck killers recommend letting this bed cool off before moving back in for the kill?

[tbunao]

Sounds like it could of been a good bump and dump opportunity.
I would be back in there way before first light.

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[Ognennyy]

Sounds like it could of been a good bump and dump opportunity.
I would be back in there way before first light.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

Wow really? I mean I did put my hand right in his bed to pick up deer hair... But now that you mention it, it looked like a wind-specific bed (for N / NW wind) and we'll have the same wind tomorrow.

Oh and I forgot... I crawled on my hands and knees for 100 yards behind my blind, with no gloves on, clearing away leaves and sticks with bare skin.

[tbunao]

There you go!! I've been waiting for a good opportunity to attempt it.

From what I've read and listened to how he j-hooks into it will be key

This is just my opinion. Something I'm beginning to doubt myself lately
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[hunter_mike]

Seeing a buck leaving his bed, i would call that hot sign and hunt it again asap!

[ Post made via Android ]

[E72]

Same thing happened to me tonight with bumping a buck . I set up the stand right over several beds that were there . Going to slip in early in AM.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[Ognennyy]

Ah crap... just checked updated weather report, supposed to be W wind tomorrow morning around 5am. My blind and rally point are set up directly East of his bed. I want to go back in really bad because what's the worse thing that can happen, I bump him and I have to come back in a month to get another buck there on a NW wind. But at the same time I feel like this is destined for failure. He's going to walk right by my blind to get downwind of his bed.

The wind is supposed to be a consistent W tomorrow, so if he comes to that bed in the darkness then theoretically he should still be there at 11am - noon. I think I'll go to a different property for the morning hunt, then come back to this bed in the early afternoon.

Or do you guys still think the move is to get in there early tomorrow?

[hunter_mike]

Not sure but i dont think he will appreciate your scent in his bed tomorrow

[ Post made via Android ]

[stash59]

Try setting up on the escape route he took for the AM hunt. When he smells you were there he may head that way again.