Scouting techniques...
 

Just wondering if you guys can share some of your secrets and approaches to scouting new hunting areas.

RE: Scouting techniques...
 

This time of year, bucks are very visible in the evening. I like to glass from as far away as my spotting scope will allow as to not tip off the bucks, OR other hunters who might see me watching a particular field from the roadside. Kind of selfish, but I don't want to give anyone any of my hard work.

RE: Scouting techniques...
 

I like to do as much as I can but in the same sense it has to be low impact.

RE: Scouting techniques...
 

I already know the properties I hunt quite well. I also glass the properties like crazy from a good distance, I was doing quite a bit of that this weekend. Sometimes you will get lucky in early season and catch one that is still using summertime bachelor group patterns, and at least you know what kind of inventory the land has that year.

RE: Scouting techniques...
 

My favorite method is to first scout it via aerial pics and topo mapps , that way I can quickly eliminate properties that show little promise . Once I find some that look good from above I work on getting access if needed and then begin looking it over on foot .

RE: Scouting techniques...
 

If you must walk in your hunting area, do so very slowly and quietly as you can.
Use the old stalk and stop aproach and the heel to toe walk, take your time and look at everything.
If you happen to bump a deer just and wait a while then start walking.
I like to do my scouting after a good rain when everything is wet.

RE: Scouting techniques...
 

Talk to home owners, greens keepers and drive iratic (spot light) in new neighborhoods at night.

RE: Scouting techniques...
 

as far as new props go, put on your hiking boots. Cover the ground. Preferable to do this after the previous season or in spring before heavy greenup. If you are stuck now, still give it a shot on the walk thru, try to be scent free and gather as much info as you can in a limited amount of time.

RE: Scouting techniques...
 

Kevin summed up one of the approaches I like, I have maps of places I haven't been to yet, not enough tags in Ohio yet. :DThe other is not mine but something Mike Easton wrote. When he would hunt a new public ground he would find out what road around the thing had the most car/deer problems. If there was any info, he would start there. There's more to it but that was one my brother andI thought was a great bit of advise.

I'm one of afew people who are called when a deer is road killed. Twice so far I've been called to the same place and I know where they are coming from. Someday maybe. I'm keeping my ears open for a chance, there are some obstacles. In other words the idea is a sound one.

RE: Scouting techniques...
 

try looking out your back door at 11:30 in the morning. that's what i did!