Some fairely informative books on scouting are published by Krause Publications. My favorites are written by Greg Miller, particularily Rub Line Secrets. I got mine at Borders.

Scouting is like any other pursuit...the more often you do it, the better you will get. I would strongly echo Sikas comments about limiting scouting to Sundays. If no trucks are around, a midday strole through an area can reveal alot! Just try not to screw someone else's day blundering around aimlessly. Don't discount desktop scouting either...check out Terra Server and read over some aerial photos...you can learn alot just reading the maps! Good Luck! Can't hardly go wrong just being out there for the next few weeks!!