HOW TO CREATE BUCK BEDDING AREAS
One of the most common questions we receive when talking to clients is “how can we create buck bedding areas?” The answer to this is not some magic hinge cut or shrub. Its not a log placed on the ground in a perfect location for them to rest up against. The answer is more involved and complex. It isn’t related to specific habitat characteristics, it is more closely associated to location relative to food and doe bedding.
It doesn’t matter which part of the state you are in or even the country for that matter, buck bedding correlates to doe bedding which correlates to food. Doe will bed as close as possible to their evening food source. If the nearest adequate bedding area is 50 yards or 500 yards away it doesn’t matter, doe want to be as close as possible to the food. Mature bucks on the other hand do not like the stress that is associated with this bedding location.They want a secluded location that they can call their own. Often found furthest from the food where there isn’t much deer activity and zero human presence. The area of the state you are in can affect the size and density of habitat that a buck will call home. In western New York where you will find big agriculture fields and lower amounts of cover we will find deer bedding closer together in thick cover. Bucks tend to be closer to doe bedding in these areas of the state. However, the same rules apply, the older more mature bucks will want to find their own secluded area. This location is closer to doe bedding due to the lack of cover in this region. When we look further north toward the Adirondacks that same mature buck is use to having a lot of space. The size and location of the bedding area will tend to be further from doe bedding and will also be more open. Providing enough cover for security but also enough space to see. A deer that lives in western New York might be ok only seeing 10 yards, where as a deer in the north half of the state would avoid that area and find a location where they can see 50+ yards.
During our on site consultation we take all factors in to account when designing buck bedding areas. We set up food source locations that will leave enough room on the rest of the property to structure our bedding. This consists of doe bedding close to the food and buck bedding in secluded areas. When adding this structure and defined movement we can assemble our stand locations and create spook free access. With the correct design and hunting tactics you too can find success on your property. Big bucks on small parcels is possible. Give us a call today for a free consolation to see how we can help you. Your success is our success.