All year long as well. I scout from distance in July and August to minimize my effect on game. During this time I watch deer quality/numbers, food and water sources to determine my intialplans. Once I start hunting in Sept I continue to scout for changing patterns, etc throughout the season. My scouting for the following year starts where my season ended for the previous year. This timeI find particularily useful for gathering info on the deer, patterns and terrain by scouting in depth. I continue in depth scoutingthrough the winter months which is also the time I shed hunt, not really looking for trails but rather studying the land itself. Spring is spent checking what is going to be the food source hot spots for the upcoming year and if required more in depth scouting.

Because I hunt a number of areas and species not all get a ton of attention throughout the year but I try to make visits during these changing periods so I can gather info for the upcoming season. If not I will spent a few days prior to the hunt doing some serious scouting. The areas close to home see my tracks an aweful lot though