Well as far as when to start scouting, no time like the present, try to learn as much as you can aobu the deer in the area and the area the deer are in, the swamps would be a good place to look, the big bucks will look for a secluded place to hide, especially when people are in the woods, look wherever you dont think other people will go, like back in the swamps, try to find dry ground or islands within the swamps, and last but no least, if you want to kill a good buck, dont shoot the small bucks, set yourself a minimum standard and stick to it. Good luck!