Why is that, Jeff? You might see a real nice buck and it'll increase your anticipation of next years hunt ..... also let you scout for HIM specificcally..... unless you have regrets of what you shot this season, why WOULDN'T you want to know what you had to look forward next season?
Your words, not mine.....as I have NO regrets for the deer I took this year (why should I?
). I tagged out on bucks on 11/30. SO.....at that time....there's 3 guys hunting the new land (gun hunting) and I have two choices:
1. Continue to hunt areas that I think are holding a good buck (remember.....I already know where one is)......and take a chance of either bumping him to them (through direct or indirect pressure).....AND maybe tip the off as to where he is.....
Or...
2. Just stay the heck out of there.......and drop back to areas they can't hunt.
The way I see it......(and plenty will probably disagree with me).....if I use the above doctrine....I have a BETTER chance of him being there next year. I'll start my serious scouting after the season closes....and then I'll KNOW he won't be shot (legally). I kinda don't see the point in scouting for an animal that may not be there next year....when I have plenty of time to scout both this year and next for an animal that will most likely be there when bow season opens.
I have a different approach to shed hunting, too. ALL that tells me is....a buck was in that spot.....once. It doesn't tell me if he lives there. It doesn't tell me he's still alive (come hunting season).
I kind of start over each year with a new slate of bucks. I have to assume NONE of them "made it through".