creek bottom options

All I have a small creek bottom that runs up on edge of my property and I'm debating how to use the area. the side hill on each side are not very high or steep. Should I be using this area as travel for myself, bedding, or something completely different. I feel with human travel any deer on the hill edges would bust out if they are bedding there.
 
I have the same thing on my property edge but my bottom has some depth to it. I travel the fence row along that side to get to the back of our property because I have neighbors hunting that side near my fence. It is not easy walking with several finger ridges I have to go up and down and I sometimes spook deer but it is what I have to work with.
 
I would do some research and see if/how the deer are using the area now. In my area deer love to bed in an elevated position so they can see down wind of them. If your deer are doing the same thing, then using that area for access could alter how the deer use the area. You may need to implement some sort of screen or the like otherwise. Deer here do not like to bed for long periods of time in low areas....I'm not saying it's a rule, just a generalization here. Creek bottoms tend to be wet but can also have some great soil. So depending on what you have and how it all relates to other aspects of your property you may have some options. You may be best off to just leave well enough alone as well.... It's tough to say without knowing more.
 
All I have a small creek bottom that runs up on edge of my property and I'm debating how to use the area. the side hill on each side are not very high or steep. Should I be using this area as travel for myself, bedding, or something completely different. I feel with human travel any deer on the hill edges would bust out if they are bedding there.
If it is a fast moving creek running thru big timber, I don’t see much activity in those spots here. However if it is a slow or better yet seasonal creek with sections of alders and cedar and a fruit tree, heavy cover or a food plot on one or both ends, that is another story. It could magical. I’d keep it sanctuary and have cameras in there to know if it stays that way. Hunt it with an all day sit with the right wind about Nov. 8 and hold out for the big one. Change the camera cards for the first time that year while on that hunt and if needed plan a second hunt based on what the cameras showed you.

The right wind to me is one drifting perpendicular to the drainage and very, very light. A ground sit on the downwind side hill even if only a few feet higher than the bottom with a view of the bottom is a good option. Drop a tree now if you need to narrow up the low spot section. Checking that bottom now for last seasons rubs should tell you if is one of those magical spots. Let us know what you do with it.
 
As mentioned, while a creek bottom is often a deer travel corridor it's usually not a bedding area, and it's also not a good area for a human travel route due to deer bedded on the higher ground overlooking the bottom. I'd keep it thick by cutting to let sunlight in, lay down trees perpendicular to the creek to discourage random people traffic along the creek, but making sure that deer trails are open throughout the cuttings, and go with Chainsaw's plan to hunt those trails during the rut.
 
If it is a fast moving creek running thru big timber, I don’t see much activity in those spots here. However if it is a slow or better yet seasonal creek with sections of alders and cedar and a fruit tree, heavy cover or a food plot on one or both ends, that is another story. It could magical. I’d keep it sanctuary and have cameras in there to know if it stays that way. Hunt it with an all day sit with the right wind about Nov. 8 and hold out for the big one. Change the camera cards for the first time that year while on that hunt and if needed plan a second hunt based on what the cameras showed you.

The right wind to me is one drifting perpendicular to the drainage and very, very light. A ground sit on the downwind side hill even if only a few feet higher than the bottom with a view of the bottom is a good option. Drop a tree now if you need to narrow up the low spot section. Checking that bottom now for last seasons rubs should tell you if is one of those magical spots. Let us know what you do with it.

It is a very slow moving small creek (I can easily hop across it). I do like the idea of a plot on the ends and making it thicker. right now it is just big pines and some wet areas.
 
Back
Top