RE: Time spent scouting
I easily spend more time scouting and preparing than I do on the stand. From glassing for deer to hanging stands I spend alot more time preparing.
I spend alot of time glassing, watching the deer come into the feilds almost every evening from late August until early October. I try to figure their patterns where they enter how they leave so I can have the best stand location. Hopefully all the time spent scouting will payoff during the hunt. Alot of guys shoot year round to prepare for the season, I feel you should also spend alot scouting so you can use those shooting skills.