davidmil...I won't argue with you that the patterns of deer in the spring compared to the fall are drastically as different as night and day. However, I disagree that it is a waste of time and that information useful for the upcoming season is not available. I'm certainly not going to set up a stand at any point based on the deer activity I see now. But as you surely know, in October and even into late November where I'm at, the woods are still thick and full and every trail is not readily evident. Even trails made in the fall start to jump out at you when you walk through the woods. It's like taking the mud out of the water to see the bottom. Bedding areas are never as clear as they are in the winter and early spring and IMO bedding areas in my spot don't change that much although feeding locations change often. I like to "scout" mostly to find sheds and to get an idea of the herd's inventory and see what the upcoming deer crop looks like. It's also one heckuva good excuse to spend some time in the woods.