Can Deer Safely Bed In Areas With Low Cover?

Managing Low-Cover Bedding Areas

Deer often prefer areas with low cover for bedding because they offer protection from the elements and allow for quick escape routes. However, these areas can be vulnerable to human disturbance, such as hunting or livestock grazing. To create a safe and beneficial low-cover bedding area, consider implementing a “hinge cutting” technique. This involves cutting a swath of vegetation about 10-15 feet wide and 20-30 feet long, leaving a narrow hinge of uncut vegetation in the center. The hinge allows deer to easily move through the area without being detected.

Creating Alternative Bedding Options

If a deer is not familiar with a low-cover area or is under heavy human pressure, it may prefer to bed in more secluded areas. To create alternative bedding options, consider implementing a Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) program. This involves selectively removing trees to create small clearings or thinning areas that provide deer with a safe and secluded place to bed. When creating these areas, aim to leave 20-30% of the canopy intact to provide deer with a sense of security and protection.

Habitat Management for Deer Sanctuaries

Deer sanctuaries are areas that provide deer with a safe and secure place to bed and live. To create a deer sanctuary, focus on implementing a combination of low-cover and high-cover habitat management techniques. This may involve creating a mix of fields and woodlands, with low-cover areas providing deer with escape routes and high-cover areas offering protection and seclusion. By creating a diverse and complex habitat, you can provide deer with a safe and beneficial place to live and thrive.