Excellent advice from saska.

For me it all boils down to locating food/water source and safety (bedding and transition areas). Once I have found these I then scout for antler potential. If the area is promising I then determine where I can set up in transition to and fro bed to the sources. I rarily hunt a field edge, as it limits the hunting time on mature animals. Instead I prefer getting back as close to the bedding area as possible in transition to sources. In some areas like my ML zone spots I don't usually have the ability to get far back in the thick stuff, so I setup in a staging area where the deer feel safe before heading out to the primary sources. Like mentioned funnels, bottlenecks, points, etc are primary place for which I look to set up in. Areas that channel deer from different directions to a common area. Once i find such areas I determine where the best spot to ambush the game and how wind direction relates to it and the games travel patterns. In some areas their may be several different choices that meet the above criteria, where a given buck or bucks may choose to travel on any given day. How i determine which one I'll sit is based on sign in the area and wind direction mostly. All things being equal I will pick the source which I feel is most desirable. I don't worry about does (for rut), b/c if i did my homework right they'll be their just like the bucks. Furthermore the rut is a rathersmall window in a given hunting season so I'd rather not put all my cookies in the rutjar. However during the rut I'll spend the day vs peak hours as it is the time of year where the bucks are most active. It is also the time where I push deeper or closer to the bedding areas.

Scouting can be done all year and is never time wasted IMO. I personally like the few weeks following the season closing and then late summer through the fall. No better time to scout then while your hunting really. For me shed hunting hasn't been the best way to find a potential area for a particular buck, largely due to yard up and wintering grounds. Where they are in the dead of winter isn't always where he'll be come next fall..though it may! I agree it's a good time to search out area and find the spots that will improve your odds come next fall.

As far as techniques I use whatever I need to for the situation, if something isn't working I try something new be it territory or technique. I have had good results rattling, still hunting but laying in wait is still my most used for whitetails. I don't stand hunt, I feel to tied down and honestly don't have the ability to sit for hours blowing in the wind 20+ feet in the air.Spot n stalkinghas worked well for me when hunting mulie's where i was able to watch or see them bedding. I tend to hunt less open country with whitetails but if your area is more open spot n stalking is a good technique to use.

Don't get burnt out, run down or discouraged about the antlers that is one only a part of the experience and certainly doesn't have to be the focal. I burnt myself out on whitetails years back & lost my mojo completely. It's not a crime to fill the freezer and regroup!!! Then a good dose of luck never hurts either.

Best of luck


PS I forgot to mention when chosing an area to huntI never assume I need to see first. I can't tell you how many timesI found what looked likegood area only to find it was a dud. Just to say be prepared to make some trips and put in some time. BTW it makesa great family outing/excuse to spend time with the people/things you love.