What’s The Best Way To Hunt Bedding Areas?

Question:
There is a spot that I hunt where I know a big buck is bedding during much of the season. It is a brushy draw out in CRP. The area is nearly impossible to approach, but I’ve kicked him out of there a couple of times when scouting, and some pheasant hunters have seen him. I think he is strictly nocturnal because I’ve never seen him while hunting stands in the surrounding wooded areas. Would it be a good idea to hunt the bedding area? If so, how should I go about it?
      

Answer:
Whenever you hunt a bedding area it is an all-or-nothing hunt. You may get the buck but probably you will not, and your chances of spooking him out are pretty high. Still, considering that you have tried to take him in the surrounding areas without any luck, standing the bedding area would appear to be an appropriate choice. Hopefully you know enough about the spot that you don’t need to scout it again. Slip in very early, at least two hours before sunrise and put up your stand and hunt it immediately. Granted, it is tough to put a stand up quietly and effectively in the dark, but it can be done. The element of surprise is your greatest weapon, so you can get away with somewhat sloppy stand site preparation. You may put the stand up one night and come back to hunt it well before first light several mornings later, but in doing so you run the risk that your lingering scent will have spooked the buck away, at least temporarily.