Streams, Creeks, Ditches, ect.

[SouthernHunter]

How do you guys use/hunt this type of terrain feature?

Has anyone discovered a pattern relating to buck beds?

What about using for entrance/exit purposes?

Creek setup I hunted during the rut a few seasons back.

Summer pic of a well used trail paralleling a stream.

Another pic taken in fall. The pic doesn't show but, several of the "small" saplings closest to the water had rubs of various ages.

[SouthernHunter]

Here's a well used crossing that appears to be a runoff/drainage point from uphill. (there were tracks both fresh and old)

[Brad]

I think they are not only a natural funnel but also seem to have transition lines, whether it is the terrain, (steep bank dropping down or up etc) or the type of vegetation's forming a soft transition. I have seen a ton of sign over the years in those areas. especially if there is heavy cover nearby.

[NCmedic]

I haven't been able to see this too much personally, but learning from the Farm Country bucks DVD and hunters on here deer tend to bed in the S bends of creeks, streams, and drains... I jumped deer near an S bend that were bedding in some dense thickets in the bend so it clicked for me when I learned that later!

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[PK_]

Those parallel trails will see good buck traffic during rut, that's what those rubs are from most likely. They like to cruise the upwind edge, they scent check while their downwind is protected by the water barrier. If there is a spot you can shoot across stream this make a great ambush. Easy undetectable access as well.

[Stanley]

I love hunting around creeks. They make a nice edge for deer to follow. This by no means indicates they wont cross a creek in a heart beat. But on a natural browsing pace the deer will parallel a creek with some consistency in an undisturbed pattern. I have used creek as approach routes on many occasion. Always nice to have some structure to break up a timber.

[Bucky]

Creek bottom with cover is my favorite spot to hunt during the rut

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[BassBoysLLP]

Creek bottom with cover is my favorite spot to hunt during the rut

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X2

[BassBoysLLP]

How do you guys use/hunt this type of terrain feature?

Has anyone discovered a pattern relating to buck beds?

What about using for entrance/exit purposes?

Creek setup I hunted during the rut a few seasons back.

Summer pic of a well used trail paralleling a stream.

Another pic taken in fall. The pic doesn't show but, several of the "small" saplings closest to the water had rubs of various ages.

It is my favorite way to enter and exit in hill country.

Also, I rarely hunt within the deep ditches and creek bottoms that you find in hill country even though the runways look awesome. You are better off staying on the high side. The winds swirl like crazy at the bottom.

[backstraps]

I agree with BsssBoysLLP

I most always try and use these terrain features as entry and exit. Doe the to inconsistent winds, I have never been able to hunt the lower creeks and ditches. However I also only hunt Hill Country too

[SouthernHunter]

Always nice to have some structure to break up a timber.

On the property I hunt a main creek runs north/south and one smaller branch runs east/west. All travel routes and movement, in the area "somehow" correspond with the two, with few exception. If it wasn't for the creek and its branch, there would not be much elevation change to begin with. It seems you can't walk anywhere without taking them into consideration.

The advantages when using the water for access are well worth the effort, at least in most situations. Little or no scent trail, quiet approach, and when the water is really moving the sound and motion can really help to cover your movement.

[MOBIGBUCKS]

I love creek bends...Here is an area I scouted last year that is tore up with buck sign right along the creek.




Here is the bucks bed about 50 yards away on the bend



I found one of the bucks dead in it's bed last September. The rubs are from a different buck because those pics were taken in January.

These can be great locations in my opinion.

[MOBIGBUCKS]

Here was that bucks view from the bed...He was located just off to the side of the bend in this instance.

[BassBoysLLP]

I love creek bends...Here is an area I scouted last year that is tore up with buck sign right along the creek.




Here is the bucks bed about 50 yards away on the bend



I found one of the bucks dead in it's bed last September. The rubs are from a different buck because those pics were taken in January.

These can be great locations in my opinion.

Good stuff

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