Location for my BEES!

[atvaddict]

I'm new here, looking at getting some bees.  I have a picture of my property, and I'm not sure where the best place to put some hives would be.  there's 63 acres, and a big front field, and two clearings in the woods.  there's a road in the woods that can be driven by truck/atv.  The front field is just brush, but I'd like to clear it out and plant clover or something that looks nicer.  Anyway, North is directly up in this photo.  Any advice would be much appreciated.  Thanks!

http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=beelocationsg6.jpg

[pdmattox]

First I would select a spot that I would have easy access to. Then I would look for the place where they are going to have early moning sun and afternoon shade.  They will fly generally in a 3 mile raidus to forage.

[rdy-b]

E mail it to one of the Moderators they will post it -where ever you chose i suggest that it is accessible by road and not impassible in the winter -you will want to get your truck right up on them -it makes the job go easy if you can work from your truck -and not have to shuttle things back and forth  ;) RDY-B

[atvaddict]

yeah I emailed them the photo link so hopefully it will get put on here.  I could put them along my driveway treeline for shade in the afternoon, but I don't think that will work out.  I can get back to the bee's all winter even if I put them in the woods, so I think that's a good posibility.  There's a creek that runs through my property, but will the bee's fly through the forest to go to the creek? 

[pdmattox]

There's a creek that runs through my property, but will the bee's fly through the forest to go to the creek? 

They will fly to the creek to get the water if that is where they want to get it from. Mine goto the water trough or kids pool most of the time.

[JP]

Some do the sun in the morning shade in the evening thing with the location of their hives. There are some like Michael Bush that are strong proponents of placing hives in full sun. http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm. Bees will fly through the woods to your creek if that is their primary water source.

Have a good one, JP

[buzzbee]

In regards t o placement,i think I would use the woods as an advantage to block the cold west Northwest winds and keep the entrances facing south to southeast so the light shines on the entrance most of the day.
I think the bees will cover approximately 8000 ? surrounding acres if needed.And remember the bees don't have to fly through the forest. They can fly over(As in beeline from hive to source of water,pollen nectar).
If you live in such a rural area be sure to keep the hives elevated a little or use top entrances to discourage skunks and raccoons from scartching at the hives to eat the bees that come out.
Have a great start to a great hobby.  You will enjoy it!!            Ken

[atvaddict]

Thanks everyone.  I already decided I want to try top entrances because there's a lot of skunk around here for sure.  Hopefully the bears dont find it. :shock:  There's ponds all around me, within 1/4 mile, but what I meant was will the bee's fly through the woods and get water from the creek, or if they fly over the trees, maybe they wouldn't notice it was there with all the leaves?  Eh I bet their smart enough someone will find it. 

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#locating