Do bucks switch beds from year to year

[KRoss480]

Did some scouting this past weekend and ended up jumping a buck with a doe. The buck was not legal for the antler requirements in this area, but would you think this buck would use the same bedding next year in the same conditions/time of year? Totally assuming this buck will be legal to kill next year.

Guess my main questions is will a 2.5 year old buck bed in the same areas when he’s 3.5? Or will he seek out better areas the more mature he gets?

[Tennhunter3]

It depends on what bucks are in the area.

Their is primary buck bedding which holds the mature bucks. The younger ones sometimes bed satelite or in a different bedding area. I've seen 1-2 year olds bed with does it's not uncommon. During the rut this changes young bucks are forced to leave by the mature bucks and will bed satelite or in a random spot. They usually return after the rut. Young Bucks are the children of the hunting world some leave the nest some don't.

Many young bucks are ignorant and do not understand how to use the wind to their advantage. They bed on wrong facing slopes often. Some do leave and seek out a new home range at 2.5.

If he will be 3.5 he may be allowed into the primary bedding -may not be.

Primary bedding can be difficult to read because theirs usually several good buck bedding spots on most properties. Some are seasonal or used during a certain time period appear primary but in reality aren't. Clear as mud I know but only time in the field can tell you.

When a buck reaches 5 plus their core shrinks and they will bed in what they believe is the safest location. Though most areas do not hold many 5 plus year olds. They become very nocturnal as they age.

[KRoss480]

It depends on what bucks are in the area.

Their is primary buck bedding which holds the mature bucks. The younger ones sometimes bed satelite or in a different bedding area. I've seen 1-2 year olds bed with does it's not uncommon. During the rut this changes young bucks are forced to leave by the mature bucks and will bed satelite or in a random spot. They usually return after the rut. Young Bucks are the children of the hunting world some leave the nest some don't.

Many young bucks are ignorant and do not understand how to use the wind to their advantage. They bed on wrong facing slopes often. Some do leave and seek out a new home range at 2.5.

If he will be 3.5 he may be allowed into the primary bedding -may not be.

Primary bedding can be difficult to read because theirs usually several good buck bedding spots on most properties. Some are seasonal or used during a certain time period appear primary but in reality aren't. Clear as mud I know but only time in the field can tell you.

When a buck reaches 5 plus their core shrinks and they will bed in what they believe is the safest location. Though most areas do not hold many 5 plus year olds. They become very nocturnal as they age.

Thanks for the feedback. We are on the very tail end of our rut, so I’m assuming the doe he was with may have came in estrous late. It’s not a very big block of woods, and the only real sign I found was within 200 yards of where I jumped the deer.

My next question is if you jump a buck the year prior that is not legal to kill due to being under the antler requirements, would you set up on him the next year in hopes that he’s legal to kill? Or would you set up a camera and try to get a picture of him, to determine if he’s legal or not, before ever setting up on him?

[Tennhunter3]

It depends on what bucks are in the area.

Their is primary buck bedding which holds the mature bucks. The younger ones sometimes bed satelite or in a different bedding area. I've seen 1-2 year olds bed with does it's not uncommon. During the rut this changes young bucks are forced to leave by the mature bucks and will bed satelite or in a random spot. They usually return after the rut. Young Bucks are the children of the hunting world some leave the nest some don't.

Many young bucks are ignorant and do not understand how to use the wind to their advantage. They bed on wrong facing slopes often. Some do leave and seek out a new home range at 2.5.

If he will be 3.5 he may be allowed into the primary bedding -may not be.

Primary bedding can be difficult to read because theirs usually several good buck bedding spots on most properties. Some are seasonal or used during a certain time period appear primary but in reality aren't. Clear as mud I know but only time in the field can tell you.

When a buck reaches 5 plus their core shrinks and they will bed in what they believe is the safest location. Though most areas do not hold many 5 plus year olds. They become very nocturnal as they age.

Thanks for the feedback. We are on the very tail end of our rut, so I’m assuming the doe he was with may have came in estrous late. It’s not a very big block of woods, and the only real sign I found was within 200 yards of where I jumped the deer.

My next question is if you jump a buck the year prior that is not legal to kill due to being under the antler requirements, would you set up on him the next year in hopes that he’s legal to kill? Or would you set up a camera and try to get a picture of him, to determine if he’s legal or not, before ever setting up on him?

If you need the Intel setup a camera in june or early july at least 300 yards from bedding.

[PK_]

In low density areas, a young buck may settle into an area and he may very well stick to it throughout his life.

In high density areas, all the good bedding spots are spoken for, the most secure are taken by the most dominant and as a buck matures he will work his way up the pecking order into the better bedding...