Bucks Bedding with "Off" Winds

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Twenty Up
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Bucks Bedding with "Off" Winds

Unread postby Twenty Up » Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:02 am

During my scouting trip last week, I entered the area with a SW wind. This bed works out perfect with our Prevailing NW wind so I figured I wouldn't bump the deer out of his bed because he would be elsewhere. As I began approaching the spot I presumed where the buck bed was, I hear a deer tearing through the brush and quietly slip away 50 yards out. Being this is a swamp, I never saw the deer but I could tell it was alone.

Fast forward to my question, why would a deer bed with an "off" wind? Was it a younger buck bedding in a mature bucks bedroom? Does this buck bed with multiple winds- even if they're not in his favor?

*With a N, NW or NE wind the bucks scent would be taken into the creek behind him. He can smell anything in front of him, nothing can sneak up behind him due to the creek & thickness of the brush. It's located in a swampy area adjacent to hardwoods.


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Re: Bucks Bedding with "Off" Winds

Unread postby dan » Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:15 am

They don't always follow the rules... The bed might be used on any wind. There might be a feature in the terrain that pulls scent or air currents from other than expected directions, or, the buck might of just got sloppy... I have seen deer use beds on the wrong wind on more than a few occasions, but, the older or smarter the buck, the more likely he beds by the rules. We try and hunt the odds like a gambler... Bucks don't always do anything...
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Re: Bucks Bedding with "Off" Winds

Unread postby Twenty Up » Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:16 am

Image

What I'm referring to. The green arrows are just to show the forest transition from hardwoods to thicket.
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Re: Bucks Bedding with "Off" Winds

Unread postby Twenty Up » Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:22 am

dan wrote:They don't always follow the rules... The bed might be used on any wind. There might be a feature in the terrain that pulls scent or air currents from other than expected directions, or, the buck might of just got sloppy... I have seen deer use beds on the wrong wind on more than a few occasions, but, the older or smarter the buck, the more likely he beds by the rules. We try and hunt the odds like a gambler... Bucks don't always do anything...


I was thinking this could have been a "community" bedding area; Or he could have gotten sloppy as you mentioned. It's relatively flat aside from the dry creek beds that fill up during heavy rains.

I uploaded a picture hoping to gain some information from other Beast hunters in general. I "feel" this spot would work perfectly with our Prevailing NW wind, or any variation of a N wind. Also to see if I am missing any pieces to the puzzle, so to speak.

Hopefully the picture can reveal some evidence as to why the buck had been bedding there.
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Re: Bucks Bedding with "Off" Winds

Unread postby Thermals » Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:21 am

With the pressure off things could change, but you did not say it was a buck forsure so maybe it was a doe.

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Re: Bucks Bedding with "Off" Winds

Unread postby Twenty Up » Fri Feb 13, 2015 12:19 pm

Thermals wrote:With the pressure off things could change, but you did not say it was a buck forsure so maybe it was a doe.

[ Post made via iPhone ] Image


Very well could have been a doe, but I am jumping to the assumption it was a buck due to the spot & it was by itself. Time & scouting will tell...
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Re: Bucks Bedding with "Off" Winds

Unread postby justdirtyfun » Mon Mar 02, 2015 8:57 am

My opinion is the bend is too open for great bedding. The good pockets allow the deer to see or smell what is coming. More U shaped than smiley face. But your boots on the ground trump what COULD BE from a map.
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Re: Bucks Bedding with "Off" Winds

Unread postby Twenty Up » Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:18 am

justdirtyfun wrote:My opinion is the bend is too open for great bedding. The good pockets allow the deer to see or smell what is coming. More U shaped than smiley face. But your boots on the ground trump what COULD BE from a map.


I found two beds in this area, one from an older deer which has either passed away or moved on and a younger 2.5YO that is utilizing a new bed and the older bucks bed. Unfortunately another hunter left a permanent stand 200 yards away from the big buck which IMO ruined this spot.
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