Stone Branch, build it, they will come.

[BenAllgood]

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).

View attachment 29117

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.

 

[Mennoniteman]

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.

 

[George]

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

 

[Mennoniteman]

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

G

George, you haven't posted anything in 10 days. We've had this cold snap, and your hollers are probably 10 below and not getting any sun, so maybe you are hibernating and waiting for the spring thaw?

 

[George]

George, you haven't posted anything in 10 days. We've had this cold snap, and your hollers are probably 10 below and not getting any sun, so maybe you are hibernating and waiting for the spring thaw?

Hey Mennoniteman, thanks for checking on me. I had a week of work in my shop that coincided with the cold.
The cold isn't a deal breaker for me, I did a lot of hiking, looking, thinking, and planning. I did fetch some logs.







I'm ready to wreak havoc. Due to my season constraints on dropping trees, I'm looking to drop about 30 tulip poplars for my timber frame ideas.

G

 

[Mennoniteman]

Hey Mennoniteman, thanks for checking on me. I had a week of work in my shop that coincided with the cold.
The cold isn't a deal breaker for me, I did a lot of hiking, looking, thinking, and planning. I did fetch some logs.

View attachment 29132

View attachment 29133

View attachment 29134

I'm ready to wreak havoc. Due to my season constraints on dropping trees, I'm looking to drop about 30 tulip poplars for my timber frame ideas.

G

Tulip poplars don't seem like a good choice for timber frames? Around here we get powderpost beetles into them and they are dust in 10 years...

 

[George]

Tulip poplars don't seem like a good choice for timber frames? Around here we get powderpost beetles into them and they are dust in 10 years...

I did see evidence of powder post beetle destruction in the tulip wood in the cabin.













G

 

[Mennoniteman]

I did see evidence of powder post beetle destruction in the tulip wood in the cabin.

View attachment 29137

View attachment 29138

View attachment 29139

View attachment 29140

View attachment 29141

View attachment 29142

G

Spray some peremethrin, I'm not a fan of chemicals, but peremethrin is harmless to mammals, it gets into the thorax of insects and irritates it, making them suffocate, but humans don't have a thorax. Peremethrin lasts for a long time out of the weather, keeps the little buggers from getting started.

 

[George]

Spray some peremethrin, I'm not a fan of chemicals, but peremethrin is harmless to mammals, it gets into the thorax of insects and irritates it, making them suffocate, but humans don't have a thorax. Peremethrin lasts for a long time out of the weather, keeps the little buggers from getting started.

I have been spraying my oak floorboards with permethrin as I stack them with good result. If I don't it takes about 2 minutes for the beetles to start drilling.

G

 

[George]

This tulip was leaning uphill and I had a good landing spot for it. I got my saw out before it sat back on my back cut taking aim for my pear trees below. 2 straps and a chain and I talked it back over center.





What remains are some nice little oaks and red maples killed last year.



I showed mercy on a couple of big tulips.



In and out before the snow melt.



G