Keep in mind this is public land, bow only (thank god) somewhat pressured, usually see the good bucks in the rut but rarely in October. I've been doing a little post-season scouting and found a 17 acre thicket that is in the middle of big, maturetimber. Now I walked completely around it and through it and there had to be 20-25 rubs, some very good sized ones. And trails through this thicket. It is an old grown up clear cut are. Most places you cant see more than 5-10 yards. Now there are some good trees on the outside of this thicket and there is evidence of others hunting here.

But there is 1 tree in the middle of this thicket that is suitable for a hang on. The rest are all 2-4 thick trees. I'm thinking about going in there this spring and setting this tree up for a quick setup with a hang-on and I should have a 10-25 yards shot in a couple directions. Since there are several trails coming out of this thicket, I would be unsure of where they would come out, but next to this tree is where several come together IN the bedding area.

I normally wouldn't want to be in the bedding area, but I think if it was set up, I could sneak in well before daylight and quietly get in the tree, if I got a east wind I would be downwind of these trails going through here. I'm thinking I might stand a good chance of scoring on a good buck early on. I think they would feel secure only in the thicket and move during the daylight only in the thicket.

Would you do this and risk bumping a good buck from his bed?

There are actually a few other thickets like this but mostly smaller and not nearly are big, and not nearly the sign and promise of this one. I might set up a few this way.

What do you think?

I believe it will work well but will require a gut-wrenching early arrival (1+ hrs before first light).

I would not hunt it until Nov or even later if you have other rut stand options.

I agree with this. I would wait until the rut kicks in and would arrive well before daylight and stay all day if possible. If you try to hunt it too early, you may ruin it as a doe bedding area, which would limit the amount of buck activity. Let the does bed there all through Oct. then hit it hard in Nov. I would definately not try hunting it in the afternoon due to the probability of jumping everything in there as you walk in. If you can stay all day in Nov. you should see alot of activity as the bucks keep cruising for does.

Not a problem, 1 hour give or take is about usual for me.

Well, it seems that November the bucks are usually around the doe bedding areas, now I have no doubt that does would bed here, but I feel that this is mainly a buck area. That is why I thought of it being a good early season spot. Also because others obviously hunt the edge of it too, most starting Oct 1.

Would you still wait till November to hunt it under these conditions? Or should I focus on it early on also?

You might take a few stints early and see how many other hunters are around. Since it's public groung who knows. If it seems there is no one else hunting the area you might want to back out and keep the area as scent free as possible. Hopefully youhave planned to where rubber boots and go as scent free as possible. Due to the type ofarea you'vedescribed, I'll bet there are does bedding there also. Keep them there as long as you can. If you can keep does using the area until the rut begins, you could be in for a heck of a season.

Doing all you can to eliminate your scent will never hurt, dont go in there any more than you have to till the rut. When i find "that" tree its what I do. i would also recommend not using trail markers on public land, unless you want other dudes in your thicket and stand. Cracks me up when guys use trail markers to a stand on public ground... especially when its 40 yds from the truck.

Yeah, I always wear rubber boots, half flooded bottom land. And I always use my GPS, but I did find other trail markers going to this area. Looks like they are hunting the edges of it, though. Its pretty thick in there, Im gonna make me a discreet path to me tree that I can walk to silently.

Thanks for the replies.

I would do everything possible to hunt the edges of the bedding area. If they bust you, the spot is probably ruined. Hunt the edges and set up approachesthat allow you toget in and out undetected. You could get in there and set up a stand site for that do or die hunt. Do this as soon as possible and cut a lot of shooting lanes. The deer will get used to the lanes before season.

Actually, I had in mind originally to use a blind, but I posted a few days ago about it and most said I would spook deer if I set it up that morning and used it. I can't leave it sit if I'm not there, I've had to much stolen already.

The only problem I see with actually hunting the edges is that there is about 3 trails where it looks like they are leaving the bedding area, none close together except in the middle where they all join under that tree I speak of.

And its not a good tree, its spindly and crocked as heck, but I can get a lone wolf in it about 20-22 feet and level it I think.

P.S., thats some good bucks there magicman, I really like the monster eight, what a monster!

Try a trail cam. If thats not an option try working up the ground on those trails and check them for large tracks. Do scent control! good luck