I keep my winter scounting to a minimum. If during the season I had a suspected bucks bedding area, I will go deep into his bedroom during February and March just to look for sheds, trails, rubs, etc. The woods look completely different in MS between December and February. I like to hang my permanant stands during June or July, get the trimming out of the way. But, with that said, you should do what ever floats your boat. If you want to hang stands 10 months in advance, go right ahead, it couldn' t hurt. Good Luck.