How close do you dare get to a bucks bedding area before you think you're invading his space and risking alerting him to your presence? I've found myself over the past few years creeping closer and closer to where I know they bed in hopes of catching them strolling during legal shooting hours. I like setting up in staging areas fairly close to where they bed. I'm always conscious of the wind and entry/exit routes. But, I often wonder how close is too close?

While the leaves are still up you have some cover.In a couple of weeks you'll play hell getting close.

You will know when you see the back of a rack and a big brown butt-hole. If is is windy and the right direction you can get very close.

I stay away and hope for an ambush if he is a mature deer.

Get about 100 yards away. early season and the rut they will be out and about during shooting hours.

If youknow for a fact where they are bedding then only hunt it with the right wind and you got to have a way to get into your stand without the deer hearing you.For a morning hunt sometimes you can get in there before the deer do, but you will have to get in your stand at least an hour before daylight to ambush one slipping back to bed.If you can't do that ypu may want to slip in at daybreak and slipp in very quietly.

If you know exactly where he beds i read a humorous tactic that you can use. It probably works too. Go into his bedding area,scent free during the night,he probably won't be there. Set up an alarm clock for, let's say 1hr after sunrise and set up near his entry/exit path, he should come out at the appointed time!

motown said it right

NY,
the bucks will let you know when your too close [8D]

Sometimes I adjust my gait so I sound like a deer and apply some deer scent to my clothes. Then I just stroll right in and take an easy shot!


I've got a bridge to sell also.