Yes, I know I'm not really supposed to for obvious reasons but I haveno choice if I want to hunt this piece of land. It's 40 acres of private land where I'm the only guy who has permission besides the owner of coursewho only gun hunts for the short gun season. Anyway, this 40 acres is all bedding. I've been there once to scout and twice to hunt. All were in the morning and everytime I've been there, I've kicked up deer. This last time was especially bad because I swear a whole friggin herd of at least 10-15 deer split in all directions.

This is what I've done to help with the situation: I put up reflective tacks about every 15 feet so I have a direct route to my treethrough the quietest terrain. I also cleared this route of alot of fallen branches so I don't break them as I enter. On top of this, I plan on taking the 3 step pause 3 step pause approach next time I hunt so hopefully they'll think I'm one of them.

My questions for you guys are:

1) What else would you do besides what I plan to implement?

2) Even if I could fool every deer in that bedroom into thinking I was one of them just moving about, will they even get up to move around and present me with shot opportunities once the sun comes up?

If it helps any, although this is private land, the adjoining properties are hunted prettyregularly by the other land owners so these deer are no tame pets by any means.

THANKS

Someone? Anyone?

If you keep bumping these deer, they will eventually move, at least a little. Maybe hunt the evening instead of mornings, and or, find a different way in. Ideally, you should stay out of bedding areas and hunt the edges. Bucks should be checking these areas for hot doe's about now.

I like to hunt the downwind side of the bedding area...for example if you have a North wind, hunt the southern end of the bedding area edge....bucks like to scent check the perimeter of the bedding areas for hot does....works for me anyways.

If its a doe bedding area then oh well if you bump a few. The bucks cruising the area dont know they've been bumped, not right away anyhow. They will still come thru to scent check.

It really to me depends on your wind direction. For example if your bedding area is south of your standand you have a north wind in the mornings, you should be covered. If i was you i'd be out there a good hour before light.

There's no other way into this spot. If I come in any other way, I'd be tresspassing. The spot is land locked and besides it's only 40 acres so it wouldn't matter which way I came in, I'd still be kicking up deer in this 4x10 acre bed. I suppose what I really want to ask nowis whether or not these deer will be getting up to move aroundat timesor will they bed down the whole day? How do bedded deer generally behave during daylight hours is another way to put my question.

early_in

Excuse my ignence butconsidering this is bedding, wouldn't the deer be there hiding out all day until it starts getting near dusk then move about? If so, I'm still in the same predicament 'cause I'd still kick them up coming in at 3pm. I guess hence the reason you shouldn't hunt bedding areas huh?

To the guy who asked if this was a buck or doe bedding area, I'm not absolutely sure. I heard the deer take off in all directions and some of the commotion did sound a bit like antlers hitting branches. Also, later on during the late morning, I rattled/grunted and a small six pointer came storming in huffing and puffing. I later discovered after getting down that there are4-5 rubs within 10 yards of my tree. How does this change the situation if anything?

I think if the bedding area is 40 acres, then you should be able to get in somehow. I would go in a full 1.5 hours before dark and get set up and remain silent. It is good news that you had a 6 point come to your calling. Set up early, stay quiet, see what happens next.