Is there even such a thing as the end of scouting? I like immediately after the season best. this late in the year the deer are yarded up around my parts. The reason Ilike immediately after the season best is the deer are still in their fall travel patterns and you don't need to worry about spooking and chasing deer off. I do however carry a note book and make notes while shed hunting. I've found more then one bed room and verious travel lanes durring shed hunts.