Stone Branch, build it, they will come.

That's a good question, and it looks like George's drone observations further reinforce what most research has always shown; that the average whitetail's preferred bedding and usage area (in areas of rolling terrain) is on the "military crest" of a hill (see below).

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I've looked for scientific research about preferred bedding in areas with topography, but never could find it. I see it all the time on YT or magazine articles, forums, etc. I definitely see the military crests being used as bedding, but I also see bucks using the very bottom of my ravines as bedding. These beds can be 50 yards from each other, and used within the same month. I come from flat land bedding, and there it was all about cover. In Kentucky, I thought I could count on military crests, leeward sides, etc. I'm starting to think it's about cover no matter the topography.
 
I've looked for scientific research about preferred bedding in areas with topography, but never could find it. I see it all the time on YT or magazine articles, forums, etc. I definitely see the military crests being used as bedding, but I also see bucks using the very bottom of my ravines as bedding. These beds can be 50 yards from each other, and used within the same month. I come from flat land bedding, and there it was all about cover. In Kentucky, I thought I could count on military crests, leeward sides, etc. I'm starting to think it's about cover no matter the topography.
You are correct, thick bedding cover rules when it comes to where deer will be found. And along with the "thick bedding cover" principle, the area being totally undisturbed by dogs and humans also determines a lot for where deer will be found, as in, if there's a very thick area and a local dog works though it regularly there won't be any deer bedding there.
Having said this longwinded spiel, what I've found is that the "military crest" deer bedding location only becomes obvious (extremely obvious) when all else is equal.
 
I've looked for scientific research about preferred bedding in areas with topography, but never could find it. I see it all the time on YT or magazine articles, forums, etc. I definitely see the military crests being used as bedding, but I also see bucks using the very bottom of my ravines as bedding. These beds can be 50 yards from each other, and used within the same month. I come from flat land bedding, and there it was all about cover. In Kentucky, I thought I could count on military crests, leeward sides, etc. I'm starting to think it's about cover no matter the topography.

I have long term bedding just off the very bottoms of the tops of my back ditches, also very thick in those spots.

G
 
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