On the new 40 I bought, last year I noticed deer moving from a bedding area to my kill plot- I went back there this morning for the first time. Does this look like Wool Grass? or what is it? Not great pics because whatever it is it’s prone to lodging and matting. Based on those characteristics not a great winter bedding grass but the thermal properties and moist soil wouldn’t warrant it anyway. Any thoughts on what it is and is it desirable?

Looks like Phragmites, a nasty invasive. It will take over and as far as I know is good for absolutely nothing.

If it's invasive phragmites you are screwed. I doubt that's what it is, but it might be. Nothing surprises me anymore.

looks like a species of carex are the stems 3 sided ?
phragmites has only a single seed head not branched
this time of the year the European type the seed heads are an aubrawn brown = peanut colour were as NA type is straw colour

I don’t think it is Phragmites. Do you have a lot of swamp or standing water where it is?

I don't think it is wool grass. Don't know wha it is. Sedges have different types of stem which make them easier to ID. If it is lower areas more prone to be wet there may be several grasses, native and invasive it could be.
I would cut a fiew heads and stems and take them to your local agronomy department for an ID. Then you can decide if it is a keeper or you want to eliminate it and plant more desirable species.

Bryce

Bring a picture, not the actual plant. If it's invasive, you don't want to risk spreading it. I would use the Seek app by iNaturalist and see if you can ID it on your own in the field.

I’d say this is a place for your local extension office, they might send out an agronomist , this is my go to book but this grass may not be listed.

One can put the cut samples in plastic bags so there won't be any seeding taking place.

Bryce

If you have a smart phone it might have an identifier in the camera (mine is old and does not)

Otherwise download the "Picture This" app (free version)
Then simply open the app and take a picture and it will tell you what it is

I spoke to the NRCS office and sent pic- most likely a member of the “ Rush” family- non invasive but I plan to follow-up with a site visit and determine next steps. Thrives in sunny wetland meadow settings- that’s how I would describe the location.

I just watched a video where a guy chipped and tracked bucks and all their bedding sites and he claims the idea that a buck beds in the same place all the time and that you just have to get between that spot and the feeding area is a false narrative. He showed the bucks he tracked traveling far and bedding in many different areas over the course of the trial. The same area maybe for a few days and then onto the next. It was interesting.

Carex is the rush family
seed size and shape is the clue. but very hard even for a hand lens

Hopefully you can figure out definetively what it is. It's tough when ya don't know. Good luck.