Mule deer bedding

[Az Rancher]

My grandson killed a buck this year. 4x5. He didn’t bed until 12:30 pm and of all things bedded in a camp sight 30 feet from a 2track rd. He laid down in a bed of rocks 15 feet away from the juniper that was shading him. S emend weird to me !!!!!

 

[CoastalOR]

Does wind play a role in things? Their first line of defense is smell so is a draw with a steady breeze going to be preferred for them? Would a breeze coming from behind them also be favorable to hopefully smell what they can't see?

 

[Grassymike]

Wind absolutely plays a role. Mature bucks always bed with the wind blowing up their backside so they can smell what they can't see.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

Wind absolutely plays a role. Mature bucks always bed with the wind blowing up their backside so they can smell what they can't see.

For whitetails yes, mule deer not so much imo. I feel they use sight based bedding much more. The terrian matters, but I feel like they use rising thermals much more then wind to back bedding.

 

[Grassymike]

Have you hunted in Southern Alberta ? To me rising thermals are part of wind, however they will always bed in a position where scent will warn them on the side their eyes are not covering. Then there are just those massive ears to beat...