Question on interpreting sign.

[Big_Jman]

This past weekend I did some scouting on my favorite public land. I came across an area that looks very interesting, but I am not sure what I found. Basically it was an 1 acre area within a 20 acre area that was clear cut 10 years ago. Now the entire old clear cut is all 3-5 inch dia. popple trees. Adjacent to the old clear cut on the west, north, and east side is a brand new 100 acre clear cut (thanks Cass County for taking all of my hardwood). Within the 1 acre area, I am confused about, was a lot of fresh [PoorWordUsage] piles and a few rubs. My question is could this area be a bedding area (deer [PoorWordUsage] after a nap) or is this a runway where deer are [PoorWordUsage] right after feeding in the new clear cut?

Any help is appreciated!

[Big_Jman]

[PoorWordUsage] = little piles of brown nuggets

[bobbymalone]

i find it interesting that even the p double o p word is censored here. I like to use the word carp, since you can't say crappie without the pie on the end. Like a big steaming pile of deer carp.

sounds like you found their bathroom.

[Bear55]

It is likely a bedding area, a lot of times in regrowth areas like this the bedding and feeding is all kind of mixed together.

[Big_Jman]

That answer kind of suprised me. Not that do not believe you Bear55, I am used to thinking a bedding area would include a lot of cover. Something like the grassy slews or medows. something that would hide the deer. Those places are where I mostly see beds.

The area I am hoping to get help on is really open compared to the surrounding clearcuts with only the 3"-8" popples and fallen timber as cover.

Could this be a buck bedding area? An area seperate from the does that allows a deer to see a long ways?

Are the bedding areas different from the warm bug filled summer than the cool fall?

[Archerysniper]

I agree with Bear and it is most likley the beding area. Most times the biggest bucks bed in the spots that are over looked by other hunters. Now set up to over look it and the trails on the down wind side which normally during gun season we have north west winds so the south east corner is where I would hang my stand.

[Bear55]

That answer kind of suprised me. Not that do not believe you Bear55, I am used to thinking a bedding area would include a lot of cover. Something like the grassy slews or medows. something that would hide the deer. Those places are where I mostly see beds.

Could this be a buck bedding area?

I think that is what you have. Sometimes they bed on the edge of an opening like that with the wind to their back, they can see anything in front of them and smell anything behind them.

Now that you have been through there and scented it up the buck will probably move on, let it sit for a while and only go back when you are ready to hunt it. Sometimes these ares will get used year after year, once you find a spot like this tattoo it on your brain and hunt it every year.

[Big_Jman]

Thanks for the information! At the very least, these posts raised my confidence in the area. It will a lot easier to sit still opening morning!

[leech~~]

It is a bedding area for now! During the summer early fall before all the hunters hit the woods and there is no one bugging them. They hang out in these areas because the browse of new and low shoots are so easy to get at. Once all the hunter activity picks up, good luck seeing them there other then maybe opening morning!

[Bear55]

It is a bedding area for now! During the summer early fall before all the hunters hit the woods and there is no one bugging them. They hang out in these areas because the browse of new and low shoots are so easy to get at. Once all the hunter activity picks up, good luck seeing them there other then maybe opening morning!

This can be very true. Bucks seem to use the same locations year after year, I consistantly find sign in and around the same buck areas when I scout in the spring. The hard part is catching them using that area, a little pressure and they bolt for safer cover. You of course have a chance because of the rut and if the area doesn't get messed with too much between now and then.

That is the hard part to know, I hunt with a group of guys that go check their stands and trim shoot lanes a week or two before season. Talk about letting every buck in the area know YOU ARE COMING FOR THEM!!!

[CANOPY SAM]

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