KLEMZ wrote:Interesting topic. From the great posts made in this thread by beasts from all over the country, I think we all have a unique concept of "old logging road" depending on the logging history of the area we hunt. If I am interpreting things right, it sounds like in some areas of the country, a 20--30 year old cutting (that had roads cut in) is considered an old logging road. Hunting in northern Wisconsin national forest land, "old logging roads" means... roads cut 120--140 years ago.
I don't think it matters how long ago the road was made as long as the access to them by humans is restricted....Logging roads are irresistible to bucks! The proof of that is seen by rubs and scrapes on these roads at a much higher percentage then any other location, even when made at night when there is no fear of humans.
I believe that younger, more recent logging roads, have an increased possibility of human intrusion, but as long as there is some factor that keeps people from using them, they are just as important to deer as the 100 year old hidden trails.
If I were hunting the rut in a big woods situation (which I do), I would first walk likely areas of deer bedding/feeding and find where they are currently active. Next, I would consider the wind direction... Next I would consider terrain/vegetation edges... Next I would consider any old logging roads in the immediate area. If there is an old, undisturbed logging road in the immediate area, or better yet, a junction of two logging roads, that is the highest odds edge to be able to shoot to, as long as the wind cooperates. This is based on personal experience. A logging road in the right spot is 5X's more important than an edge between pines and hardwoods. There is something about undisturbed logging roads that bucks can't resist.
Klemz, how do you determine an area is active when there hasn’t been rain and the ground is really hard and dry?
One thing I have found as relates to bedding are little spots where the leaves are depressed. Especially of leaves are falling and there aren’t any new leaves over the depressed leaves you know it’s fresh. The hard part is not seeing any tracks when it’s dry. However one thing I noticed last weekend was a thin line of leaves disturbed. I take this to be a buck walking and dragging their hooves in the same way they do in the snow.