The best scouting you can do is from experience in hunting that location, but if you get a new spot now is the time. I don't like going to my locations anytime after September 10th or so. Then next year go to that spot in March and April when you can really see the past years sign and you don't have to worry about spooking deer at that time of year. As far as the deer changing their patterns yes they change often. Right know they are on their summer feeding patterns and by ctober 10th or so they will begin to change to prepare for the rut. Good luck...