Wind and Bedding
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Wind and Bedding
I'm not sure if this has been asked before but it's something I've been wondering about. How will changing winds affect deer bedding? What I mean by this is I've noticed that on alot of days the wind will start out in one direction and switch to another direction in the afternoon. Do deer bed in regards to where the wind is in the morning? Or will they bed in regards to where the wind will blow in the evening? Will they change their bedding location half way through the day?
DROPTYNE
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- Black Squirrel
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Re: Wind and Bedding
In the Hill country DVD, they state that Bucks will switch sides of a ridge when the wind changes. So, I would say yes in some (most) case they will. If where they are bedding has other advantages, such as sight or noise, they may not.
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Re: Wind and Bedding
They can't predict actual wind changes so they bed based on the wind when they bed... They do bed based on what the thermal winds will do as the sun heats the valleys...
As Squirrel said, they will get up and move short distances within there "safe zone" but they won't move long distances most of the time.
If you know of a wind based bed that does not have secondary beds for other winds nearby, these can be spots to wait for that changing wind and then set up. My highest scoring buck was shot on Thanksgiving day when the wind changed midday leaving the buck vulnerable. I left my family at the dinner table knowing where he was bedded and crawled right up to his bed and shot him at close range...
Here is a link to the article about that hunt:
viewtopic.php?f=159&t=1349
As Squirrel said, they will get up and move short distances within there "safe zone" but they won't move long distances most of the time.
If you know of a wind based bed that does not have secondary beds for other winds nearby, these can be spots to wait for that changing wind and then set up. My highest scoring buck was shot on Thanksgiving day when the wind changed midday leaving the buck vulnerable. I left my family at the dinner table knowing where he was bedded and crawled right up to his bed and shot him at close range...
Here is a link to the article about that hunt:
viewtopic.php?f=159&t=1349
- Singing Bridge
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Re: Wind and Bedding
Great article Dan!
If the wind changes and a buck feels vulnerable, he likely will shift his bed if a better one is nearby. This includes super dense cover areas such as a cedar swamp. He might not go very far, but he'll get up and move to a bed that protects him better- bank on it.
If the wind changes and a buck feels vulnerable, he likely will shift his bed if a better one is nearby. This includes super dense cover areas such as a cedar swamp. He might not go very far, but he'll get up and move to a bed that protects him better- bank on it.
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Re: Wind and Bedding
Bridge... Very true that they will move if they can... But not far. Thats not always an option though, like the buck in the article. Thats why its important to know those bedding areas inside out from your spring scouting...
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Re: Wind and Bedding
Well stated, Dan- scouting is the ticket. I really admire how you took it to the buck in the article- dedication / perseverance / patience etc. The best part- instead of giving up with difficult circumstances you DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT when the conditions best favored your actions.
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