Buck bedding vs doe bedding identification

[Reapersshadow]

How do you guys when scouting can tell doe vs buck bedding when you locate beds?

[Lockdown]

It can be tough to differentiate. The best way I know of is to hunt and/or observe it during season. Or use trail cams.

I know of quite a few doe bedding areas that get marked up by little bucks early (they often bed with does) and by all bucks during rut. So when you come across it in the spring it can look like buck bedding because of the buck sign.

If there are lots of beds but not a lot of buck sign, good chance it’s doe bedding IMHO.

[Reapersshadow]

Yea that what I noticed and how I been going about it

[swhughes81]

I will give you a good example. I found a tree this spring with a big bed up against it. It had a lot of old rubs around it and I knew on the next ridge over there was doe bedding. Anyway I hadn’t been back over there until the first of Dec. it had a ton of fresh rubs so I thought I was onto something. I put a camera on it before I left. Fast forward to last weekend and we had some snow. I get to this spot and immediately I see 4 doe beds, check my camera and there are several pictures of does including one bedded down at that tree. I had one picture of a small buck walking thru at 5:30 am. I still have a lot to learn when it comes to beast hunting but I now believe this is just doe bedding and a great spot for next November!

[brancher147]

Sometimes there is just bedding. Not necessarily buck or doe but used by both.
But a single big buck bed is unmistakable when it is marked up and in the perfect location. Rubs around it, cover to back, looking into more open woods or watching access, seemingly impossible to hunt...