Bachelor group located, what to do next??

[Kpem]

The other night I hunted a ridge that's showed a good amount of sign on it with little success, however in the dark on the way out kicked up about a dozen different deer. (Too dark to tell what they were) Decided to head back yesterday morning before light, set up on an opposing ridge to glass, sat a long while to finally catch a nice bachelor group of bucks. About 6-8 different shooters ranging from 2x2 to a whopper 5x4. Watched them cross, grazing at random, the very same ridge I was on a few nights before, about 80-120 yards away through glass. Only to watch them disappear over the other side into a thick saddle/valley. Being so dry, following was not an option to get a better view of bedding area. Figured to give them the day and come back that night and sit the ridge. Played the wind almost perfect and got sat down about 4 o'clock, sat till 7 watching the same ridge and glassing the saddle... Nothing. Got up and slowly maneuvered the back side of the ridge to get a better look, not a peep.

I know bachelor groups tend to bed close to their food source, which I'm guessing is near that ridge, or at least the ridge is part of their path. But seen nothing coming or going that night?


My thoughts are that they move during late night hours in dark back to the ridge to feed and bed down there or nearby, then come morning graze more and head to that valley/saddle thick to get out of the heat for the day. Any thoughts?
I'm thinking My next move is to get on that ridge within range of that travel path long before first light Friday morning and sitting and waiting, hoping they'll come strolling through again. Any ideas? General concensus on of those bucks are staying in the area?

Thanks in advance.

[Kpem]

Oh. And the only significant water source I can locate is a little slew finger that comes off a nearby lake. It's about a mile or so from the ridge in the same direction we watched them disappear to into the valley/saddle. Additional thought is that's were they were headed yesterday morning, then to bed.

[Kpem]

Anyone?

[Dan-o]

If they're not pushed, they should stay.

I'd sit on them.

[Kpem]

I plan on sitting on them. What I'm trying to decide is where the set point should be I guess. Trying to guess their pattern.

[fishnfur]

 

Sounds like a good problem to have; the kind that make success that much more sweet. 

Since you're coming up with limited help here, I'd hit google and look for magazine articles discussing your exact situation - something along the lines of "hunting bachelor groups".  You're bound to come up with some ideas.

Good luck!

[jackelope]

 What is the terrain like? Is there cover for you to sit in? Wind, thermals, etc. keep all that in mind. Thermals will go downhill in the morning I think, and uphill in the evening.

[Kpem]

Somewhat open, not a lot of thick treed areas but a good amount of ground growth/bushes ect. If I'm not standing then glassing is rough, unless I'm on an opposing hillside like the other morning. I could potentially take cover into some thick yes. I always try to play the wind. As for thermals I have no idea.

[fishnfur]

https://www.bowhunting.com/blog/2014/08/05/hunting-bachelor-groups-of-bucks/

[Kpem]

Thanks for the advice and link. Good read. Think I'm gonna capitalize on that ridge line being so open and a known travel path. But also thinking making a big loop and hiking that extra mile, literally, to sit the path from the saddle to where it narrows down to go to the water, sitting and glassing while playing the wind and see if an opportunity might be more plausible there. Hard telling.

One thing is for sure this rain will be unbelievably helpful for getting in and out undetected. That dry ground covered in twigs and pine needles is not forgiving at all.

[Bigbuckoholic]

Thermals are uphill in the morning and downhill in the evening. But that is huge. I'm currently battling the same problem with a bachelor group. Was on them twice within 50 but no shots. Patience and your time will come 

[coachcw]

pattern and play the wind . if you can get a breezy day id put a stock on them .

[Kpem]

So the thermal being that uphill in the AM to get warmer after a night of bedding and downhill in PM to get cool or because they're already in the cool from the day?

I'm definitely not going to rush it and blow myself out. What are thoughts on dropping some corn on the ridgeline heading toward that draw? Would it raise a flag for them or could it potentially set me up for a good shot?

[JLS]

So the thermal being that uphill in the AM to get warmer after a night of bedding and downhill in PM to get cool or because they're already in the cool from the day?

I'm definitely not going to rush it and blow myself out. What are thoughts on dropping some corn on the ridgeline heading toward that draw? Would it raise a flag for them or could it potentially set me up for a good shot?

No, this is incorrect on the thermals.  In the early morning, thermals will typically be going downhill because as air cools it sinks.  Mid-morning, depending on slope aspect and cloud cover, the air will begin to warm and the thermals will shift to an uphill pattern and stay that way through the late afternoon.   As soon as shadows begin forming, the thermals will shift back to a downhill pattern.

My guess is those bucks are going up and through that saddle for a reason and are using thermals to their advantage while doing so.

[Kpem]

So you're thinking as that sunrises and the temp of air start rising as well they're headed up till mid morning when it starts getting hot and then they're regulating again by getting down to the cool air?

I have no knowledge on thermals at all but have heard to "hunt thermals" from multiple people