South facing slopes
Contributors to this thread:Wisconsin
From: northbound
08-Feb-19
Noticed it mentioned on the shed thread about bucks bedding on south facing slopes when cold. I used to assume this was fact however Dan Infalt had mentioned something a while back about the bucks where there on cold days because we generally have a north dominant wind on 'cold' days, not trying to warm themselves in sun as I always thought. This late season I've been really praying attention to this theory and sure enough, some of the south slopes I always thought held deer on cold days didn't have deer. Wind was south or east when I observed the vacancy. Yet on overcast days the deer where there even without the warm sun during a north wind. Maybe something some find helpful, will be adjusting my future hunts off of this Aha moment
From: Pete-pec
08-Feb-19
I always figured deer had the wind at their back to sent check what may approach behind them, and eyes forward, and normally looking downhill. With our prevailing west wind, it seems they like east facing slopes. I would have thought with a north wind, they would be on the downside of a south facing slope.
From: Nocturnal
08-Feb-19
I will not necessarily disagree with that. I think a hunter should always keep in mind that deer will in fact bed for warmth during the colder days. I have seen it when pressure is down or non existent and private farms shed hunting. I have watched them follow the sun as it was lifting in the morning hours. Meaning get up from bed, move over a little and bed back down. In the afternoon getting up to food when the sun disappeared.
Deer definitely bed with the wind in their favor most of the time. But what I have noticed on heavy pressured PL.. The thicker areas will over rule the wind factor even so in the ridges.. I think that is something most hunters on public do not realize.
From: casekiska
08-Feb-19
As mentioned above, of course wind is critically important, but on south slopes we need to consider vegetation cover also. Too little (like an all grass slope) or too much (like heavy cedar growth) can keep deer away on a cold sunny day. In my opinion a slope with a moderate density of mature trees and a relatively thick understory is the best situation. It gives the deer cover yet still allows the sun to penetrate through. On a cold and sunny winter's day a south slope, the right wind, and the right vegetation cover can combine to create a deer magnet!
From: South Farm
08-Feb-19
Being as the sun has only shined two days all winter I think the south slope theory isn't as slam dunk as one would think.
From: St. Croix
09-Feb-19
Post hunting season I have noticed a majority of deer bed opposite slope from wind direction and in the sun if possible. They will deffinitely follow the sun and browse around the slope if it's colder than an sob like the past week. We have gone from 90% holding 10 days ago to maybe 25% holding antlers now
From: Bootspit
09-Feb-19
It's fucking cold
From: CaptMike
09-Feb-19
Boot, is that really necessary?
From: HunterR
09-Feb-19
Please don't swear. It's group hug time not profanity time. Thank you.
From: South Farm
11-Feb-19
And that ladies and gentlemen is how we go from south slopes to slippery slopes in a few keystrokes! Not good..