Newly Found Beast Bed example with aerial
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 2:30 am
Found a Beast in his bed while scouting over the weekend. Went back yesterday and he wasn't home so I used the opportunity to sit in the bed, look for potential stand locations, etc. I also found a shed in the immediate area which I will post as soon as I take a picture away from the location so it can't be tracked. I hope I am not revealing too much but I feel obligated to share as so many have freely helped me and the rest on the forum learn.
The image encompasses +/-15 acres. Dark blue is a creek with flow direction. If you start at the far right the flow begins and is continuous ending on the very top right of center with the small section. Some of the image is cut off to protect the location so you'll have to visually connect the waterway. Light blue is mostly non-flowing water but it is deep. All water (dark or light blue) is deep enough that a deer would not cross unless in an emergency, IMO. Red is the compass rose. White is our prevailing winds. X marks his bed.
The bed is on an island of sorts although the water surrounding is only 30 ft wide in most places and surrounded by a mix of hardwoods, lots of thick multiflora rose and dogwoods, and very swampy ground. Access from one direction is nearly impossible as it is so thick with briers, multiflora and other swamp vegetation you would alert a deer of your presence from far away. Access otherwise is a mile+ hike which may turn out to be triple that until you wander around impenetrable areas, deep water spots, etc. The bed itself is on one of about three slightly raised (maybe a yard higher) locations that are only about 5x5 yards each on the 'island' and is only perhaps 5 feet from the waters edge. The water protects him from any traditional predators. The prevailing wind alerts him to hunters coming from the NW, W and SW. He can watch everything else in front of him.
Access to the 'island' is from the SE location where dark and light blue meet. Most of the 'island' has 3"-2' feet of water currently and will probably be a bit less in summer but probably about the same during hunting season. Muck sounds, marsh grass & cattails rubbing and poor footing would alert him to anyone entering the 'island'. There are a few trees on the island but all of them are spindly, dead/dying or would simply hang me out to dry because he could see me. Perhaps a stand to the N would work across the water. Maybe the only flaw in this setup for the deer and therefore my opportunity is there is really only one reasonable entry/exit on the 'island' so IF he gets up before shooting hours are over and IF he doesn't swim the deep water to exit at night (my gut tells me he won't) maybe I will have a chance. Otherwise I might have to wait for a windy day, stalk and try to kill him in his bed.
There is hunting pressure all around this area within 150-200 yards but I'd venture to say there is a reason he is there...a pocket of protection in the middle of highly pressured PA public land. Hope this is helpful.
Btw, there is next to no deer sign in the vicinity of the 'island' (rubs, scrapes, etc.). On the island itself just a few trails that are far from beaten down and all lead to the bed. The bed is well worn and full of hair which I would expect especially during this time of year. He beds with his back to the water.
The image encompasses +/-15 acres. Dark blue is a creek with flow direction. If you start at the far right the flow begins and is continuous ending on the very top right of center with the small section. Some of the image is cut off to protect the location so you'll have to visually connect the waterway. Light blue is mostly non-flowing water but it is deep. All water (dark or light blue) is deep enough that a deer would not cross unless in an emergency, IMO. Red is the compass rose. White is our prevailing winds. X marks his bed.
The bed is on an island of sorts although the water surrounding is only 30 ft wide in most places and surrounded by a mix of hardwoods, lots of thick multiflora rose and dogwoods, and very swampy ground. Access from one direction is nearly impossible as it is so thick with briers, multiflora and other swamp vegetation you would alert a deer of your presence from far away. Access otherwise is a mile+ hike which may turn out to be triple that until you wander around impenetrable areas, deep water spots, etc. The bed itself is on one of about three slightly raised (maybe a yard higher) locations that are only about 5x5 yards each on the 'island' and is only perhaps 5 feet from the waters edge. The water protects him from any traditional predators. The prevailing wind alerts him to hunters coming from the NW, W and SW. He can watch everything else in front of him.
Access to the 'island' is from the SE location where dark and light blue meet. Most of the 'island' has 3"-2' feet of water currently and will probably be a bit less in summer but probably about the same during hunting season. Muck sounds, marsh grass & cattails rubbing and poor footing would alert him to anyone entering the 'island'. There are a few trees on the island but all of them are spindly, dead/dying or would simply hang me out to dry because he could see me. Perhaps a stand to the N would work across the water. Maybe the only flaw in this setup for the deer and therefore my opportunity is there is really only one reasonable entry/exit on the 'island' so IF he gets up before shooting hours are over and IF he doesn't swim the deep water to exit at night (my gut tells me he won't) maybe I will have a chance. Otherwise I might have to wait for a windy day, stalk and try to kill him in his bed.
There is hunting pressure all around this area within 150-200 yards but I'd venture to say there is a reason he is there...a pocket of protection in the middle of highly pressured PA public land. Hope this is helpful.
Btw, there is next to no deer sign in the vicinity of the 'island' (rubs, scrapes, etc.). On the island itself just a few trails that are far from beaten down and all lead to the bed. The bed is well worn and full of hair which I would expect especially during this time of year. He beds with his back to the water.