Unread postby blackwolf » Sun Apr 01, 2012 2:50 am
Klemz, interesting about Dr. Nordberg saying mature bucks back in their home bedding area during lock down. In my observations in that Nov 12-16th, some of the biggest bucks I have seen were with a doe or cruising between doe bedding areas. If they were with a doe it was usually in or close to very thick bedding cover. Always wondered if it was the does bedding area or bucks, or both. One particular area was remote tamarack, cedar thicket in bend of creek, about 6-7 acres with opener ridge areas around it with marsh grass area following creek bottom with thickets along it. About Nov 13, I saw a doe "sticking" close to a scrape "run" thru this thicket as I was cruising midday for a hot spot. I put up a stand and was back in it the next AM. About 8-8:30 2 smaller bucks cam cruising thru the thicket but not on or near the beaten scrape trail (the only visual trail in the thicket). At 9am, all kinds of grunting started about 40 yards thru the thicket just down the scrape trail from me. Shortly a doe busted out and ran right under my tree and across the scrape trail. A 140 class 10 pt followed and stopped 6 yards from base of my tree. My shot was in vain as he bolted toward doe just as I released. Before I could knock another arrow. a 200 class nontypical giant walked the scrape trail infront of me toward the doe. Never knew he was there! Stayed in tree all day. At 11am, the huge buck walked toward my stand from creek bottom but stopped 10 yards short of shooting area,turned and went back towards creek. Just before dark, doe came busting towards me with Mr.Big on her tail. Again, no shot offered despite 20 yard distance. Spot turned "cold" after that. Observations later showed entire 6 acre area loaded with 1-2" rubs. So, it obviously was at least one bucks core area. But did he bed there or did the doe bed there, and he just cruised it,bedding ridge sides near the thicket? This was about 7 years ago,and spot has never even had a rub in it since, but the wolves have made it a great killing grounds with dens about 1/4 mile away.