Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

1075.0. "Doe bedding area" by WRK4ME::LUND ("Oh sure now it's working !") Wed Nov 06 1991 10:35

	Question, I came across the following this past saturday and was 
wondering what if anything should I have done.


	Out still hunting saturday in a swamp area and as I would move from tree
to tree I would look very carefully at everything around me. I saw something that
at first I looked like a strange log, but when I looked closer it was a doe in
one of her bedding areas. 

	I was only 50 yards away with the wind in my favor. Now being on the 
ground with a bow was a real problem, to far to take a shot, and not sure if
I could or should try to get closer. Well I figure I would try it anyways but
move very very slow towards her, besides she was paying attention to the gun
fire off in the distance. Well I got myself together and started to make my 
move when not knowing there were three other does laying five yards down the
hill from her. These three were not in my sight because I had to go over a 
small hill first. Well the three I did not see got up and slowly walked away
from there and still did not alert the doe on the top of the hill they were
bedding on.

	I moved about a  3 yards closer, and she still was following the gun 
fire on the other side of the swamp, when I guess her six sense kicked in and
looked in my direction. I froze in place and waited to see if she would  go
back looking away from me, but she start to bob her head and decided something
was not right here and got up and like the rest slow walked away. None of these
deer were alerted or run from the area.

	My question is should I have tried what I did, or remember the area
and get in and setup my tree stand hoping they would come back to that area.



						Alan

P.S. It was a rush have four in front of you and not sure what to do	

    Al,
    
     From the way you described it, it sounds like none of the deer were
    overly alarmed.  I'd try and find a trail or choke point leading into
    this area and set up.  There's probably a good chance that the deer 
    bed there often.  
    
    Jeff

What time do they typically leave their beds?

	I came across these four does at 11:30, my guess is they would have stay
there all day if I didn't come along

    Two weeks ago I pushed two does, they ran a few yards, didn't see
    me, so they browsed away up a hill and bedded just on the ridge. 
    I thought they had crossed the ridge, so I started to follow them. 
    Got near the top, and one of them was looking right at me. After 
    a few seconds she took off down into a small swamp with the other 
    one following. This was at 11 AM. Went back later that afternoon,
    sat on the edge of the ridge where they had gone, and they came right
    back out of the swamp. They were a bit nervous, and the bigger doe
    picked me up, but they had not gone too far, nor deserted the area.
    
    If they were not severely spooked, they'll be back. Get there first ;-)

    DURING THE FIRST PART OF OCTOBER I BOWHUNTED A RIDGE THAT BUTTED UP TO
    A CEDAR THICKET.  THE FIRST MORNING I HUNTED THERE I HAD 9 DOES COME IN
    AND BED DOWN WITHIN 15 YARDS OF ME.  I WAS WAITING FOR A BUCK SO I
    DIDN'T SHOOT.  AFTER ABOUT 2 HOURS THEY GOT UP AND LEFT, SO I GOT DOWN.
    I HUNTED THERE AGAIN THE NEXT MORNING....SAME THING.  THEY CAME IN AND
    BEDDED DOWN ALL AROUND ME.
    
    I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE OTHER GUYS, IF THEY WERE NOT "SCARED OUT
    OF THEIR MINDS" THEY WILL BE BACK.  WHO KNOWS, MAYBE A BUCK WILL BE BACK
    LOOKING FOR THEM.
    
    GOOD LUCK
    WESS