scouting?

buckrubboy · 02-13-2008, 07:04 AM

I jut started bowhunting this year and i havent went scouting yet. What is the best wayto scout?

GregH · 02-13-2008, 07:08 AM

Right after the season ends. Now would be good too.

huntingson · 02-13-2008, 07:28 AM

I like the winter, especially after a good snow (my idea of a good snow is 3-5 inches). It is much easier to see terrain features such as saddles, etc when the leaves are off the trees and that can help you locate some decent funneling areas for the deer travel. Following tracks in the snow can also help you find their bedding areas, staging areas, major trail crossings, etc that may be worth another look once the fall rolls around and the bucks start to rub and scrape. Plus, you can keep your eyes open for any sheds

Scouting year round is a good practice IMO also because deer habits will change somewhat with the seasons.

125py · 02-13-2008, 08:37 AM

trail cameras....and OUT OF SEASON walking in the woods

kickin_buck · 02-13-2008, 08:40 AM

Get your boots on the ground. Now is a perfect time, the deer are still in similar pattern as they will be in deer season. Looking for bedding areas, primary food sources, then find their travel routes between the two. Do most of your scouting now, that way you don't put any un-needed pressure on them as season gets close.

MGH_PA · 02-13-2008, 08:51 AM

I agree with what has been said above. I never really took post season scouting seriously until this year, and it's already paying off. There's no subsitute for leg work. Get on the ground now (preferably after a snow fall), find major food sources, travel routes, mark bedding areas, etc. It's good to keep a journal of your findings along with markings on a topo/arial map. If you scout enough, you will start to see a "blueprint" of sorts detailing deer movement/patterns. Here is a link to my scouting thread I started this year, as it should give you an idea of the process I'm going through with post season scouting.

http://www.hunting.net/forum/tm.aspx...g&#2568151

virginiashadow · 02-13-2008, 09:10 AM

Get out in the woods and walk your entire hunting area over the course of the next couple of months. Even if you do not know for sure, start thinking about where you think they bed/fed...it will help you start noticing things because you have a base of knowledge. Get some good bowhunting books that deal with scouting...ie "Precision Bowhunting" by John Eberhart or someone else that goes into exactly what you should be looking for out in the woods. Best of luck to you.