So conflicted!

[deerminator]

I've been seeing more action in terms of does on field edges near our property lately than in one of my favorite spots, a natural funnel that is a dip in terrain between a huge bedding slough and a much smaller one. Historically I've always seen deer travel the area, bucks included during the rut. But the does have been coming right out of the big slough and into the soybeans as of late. In the summer they'd hit both bedding areas consistently. I'm thinkin of hitting the field edges a bit more this week and then pulling back deeper into the woods near but not on top of the bedding areas. Probably in the saddle whenever possible. Thoughts on this approach?

[vister]

later in the year, starting a few weeks ago, deer start traveling less to feed, as they need to start conserving their energy as the days get colder. with that said, they also prefer to keep the same bedding areas year round, unless they winter in the thick stuff elsewhere. so if one of them bedding areas is close to a good food source, thats where they'll be. when they start to sense pressure, they'll usually head to a bedding area deeper in cover, and feed and move a lot less, typically at night.

if you want to hunt near the bedding area, i'd suggest placing stands on both ends of the bedding area. this way, regardless of wind, at least one stand will be better than the other.

[deerminator]

Thanks Vister. That's kind of how I'm set up right now. I've got a blind and a stand on one end behind it and then a stand on the opposite end of the primary bedding area. And again, I'm not on top of it by any means.

[propster]

Generally speaking fields are great for seeing, not necessarily so good for killing. Comin up quick here I'd plant myself in that funnel for as long as you can sit. Bucks will be cruisin and lookin