First and foremost, once again I apologize for the lack of posting lately. I’ve been very busy this summer! As many of you know, I’m also a general contractor and summer is busy season for me. Add the fact that I am equally busy working land analysis for individual hunting grounds, and you’ll see that Marc is a busy boy! Because of the lousy economy, I also don’t have many sponsors for this website yet (although I do have the traffic) which prevents me from paying someone to maintain it for me.
As of now, everything comes out of my pocket with the exception of some of the door prizes. Having said that, it can be a little slow here. Rest assured, I’m alive and working hard to bring you free material that hopefully will aid you in your quest this year for harvesting some quality deer.
Finding the bedding areas for your early season strategies can sometimes throw your line of thinking off a bit! I’m finding that many people just assume these bedding areas are in the timber and hidden deep in some unknown areas. Not so! I want you to look at these pictures and observe the openness of these exposed bedding areas. Although these are all does in these photos, I can assure you you’ll find equal amount of big bucks in the same habitat and configurations. Bedding areas that are close to food and water don’t have to be in the timber! If you’re using the 200 yard rule, don’t exclude open fields! Look closely at these pictures because in some of them, all you can see are the eyes.
For those of you who aren’t aware, you can click on each photo several times to enlarge the image! You may have to in order to see the deer.
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Roostem Game Calls
Marc I’ve got some nice bucks in an area. I’m trying to figure out the bedding but there isn’t a steady water source close to where I think they’re hanging. The pond close to them is 300 yards across an open field but the food souce I see them at is 200 yards the other way. Do you think I’m missing a water source or are they just drinking at night??? NOw that I’m thinking about that what if I bring a photo by while your at Buckstop at the end of the month? If not cause I’m sure you’ll be busy enough.
No problem, bring the pictures! Make sure you bring a satellite image of your property and the surrounding properties!
Marc, his comment makes me think. This year isnt a normal summer with tons and tons of rain in my arena. I know the st louis area isnt the same but we get a 2 inch rain per week. Does that throw the water source out of your 200 yard rule since every ditch has some water holes in it daily?
It could Clint, but I think they still like to stick close to a reliable source. Remember, the 200 yard rule is for starting purposes only! Once in the area, it’s up to you to micro-scout the premises. The 200 yard rule creates a starting point for you to enter!