RE: Post Season Scouting?
When I snoop around after hunting is over I try to break it up into two different time frames. Immediately following the season I try to focus on tracks..........where I see the most traffic helps me understand what the majority of deer are doing in response to pressure. This helps me figure out travel routes better when the heat gets turned up.
Then when the weather FIRST breaks I recheck for the heaviest used trails and see how they have changed.......this tells me where they are BANKING on food being present........I figure that as soon as the snow clears they have one thing on their mind and that is regaining their strength........so they go where KNOW food will be. If that is dry for some reason then they begin to wander somewhat.
These 2 things tell me where they feel safe enough to hide during pressure and what their first choice of a reliable food source is. Of course the food options change during the coming seasons but they never forget that favorite place.