RE: A deeper look into scouting whitetails.....
 

Not sure how this would apply to some of you especially not shed but for those of you who hunt farmland: I find out well in advance from the farmers on the land i hunt what is going to be planted in what areas. For example an area that may have been hot this fall was mostly due to the field of peas that was planted there. Next year the farmer may plant wheat there, still like wheat but not to the same extent. For me knowing what is in the ground or going in the ground in the spring really dictates where i begin my search. Also different types of crops peak at different times. Deer hit peas hard here in the early season aug-sept or so. In the later of the year they turn to alfalfa heavily as well as second growth from harvested crops that are coming up again. I hunt mainly our land so i am aware of what is goin to be planted although i cannot talk my dad into planting any peas:D. The neighbor who owns most of the land around us that i hunt is very predictable in his crop rotation so i can pretty much peg what is goin in by looking at what was planted the previous 2 years or so. I am one happy camper because a chunk of land that borders my big boys bedroom is due for peas this year. He won't have to go far for grub be he will be holding there presuming he makes this harsh winter. As soon as i can figure out he is still alive and the peas are in, stands are goin up.

RE: A deeper look into scouting whitetails.....
 

First off, good post Hiawatha, I've been hunting farmland most of my life. Knowing what the crops are going to be has always been a big part of my hunting strategy. I have a stand in a fence row between two crop fields that rotate between corn and beans, sometimes alfalfa. The fence runs N & S. My hunting is always better when the corn is on the E side for some reason.

On another note, here's a pic of what I think is a shed buck from my Cuddeback. What do you guys think? BTW, due to snow or something, a 6" diameter tree bowed completely over and poked a branch in front of my camera. The deer, mostly does & fawns, started using it for a licking branch. Sounds cool but a lot of the pics are showing only the bottom of their chin and jaw, so I broke it off and tossed it. I wanted to get better shots of their heads.;) Strangely, the tree is bowed like the McDonalds arches, from NE to SW. What would cause it to do this??

RE: A deeper look into scouting whitetails.....
 

Close ups. For some reason the pics show up beter in person![&:]

RE: A deeper look into scouting whitetails.....
 

Here's what was going on with the branch hanging there. That's why I removed it.

RE: A deeper look into scouting whitetails.....
 

Great pics greg, Man i have some great video footage here i took over Christmas of shedded bucks pokin around my yard. I am not sure if i can hook it up to my computer of not. I will head to staples asap in the morning and pick up the cables, not sure where to plugem in though, or what outlets my computer requires to plug em in. If all else fails i will maybe do it at the University but u guys gotta see this.

RE: A deeper look into scouting whitetails.....
 

Guys this post has been most informing to me as a bowhunting begginer. I would love to see some more stand setups and info as to why they are where they are. I am still trying to get the hang of (excuse the pun) where to hang stands and why. I realize travel corridors and wind direction play a big part, as well as cover/background in some situations. My biggest issue is not being able to pinpoint where a certain deer is bedding/when and why. I know I can find doe bedding areas all day long, but I want to find the buck bedding areasand do it as low keyed as possible.(off season right now), but at times during the season or pre season I would like to get as close as possible without overdoing it. I strongly believe bedding areas are the way to go where I hunt, other than during the rut and when acorns are on the ground. Any input would be appreciated.

LT

RE: A deeper look into scouting whitetails.....
 

!

RE: A deeper look into scouting whitetails.....
 

As promised, we have put together all three volumes of the Bowhunting Pressured Whitetails DVDs as a set and are offering them at a reduced price. They are in stock and orders received by 5PM Pacific will ship that day!

-- FLIX

RE: A deeper look into scouting whitetails.....
 

I agree - that guy's an idiot! Thats one quick way to ruin a good spot in minutes. I would have hadda beat him, personally! Ha!


I think I'll print out your post and show it to the bonehead who was cutting shooting lanes DURING the first week of gun season with a chainsaw 20 yards from my ladder stand. I questioned him on it and he said the deer were used to chainsaws. What a bonehead. Needless to say he ruined that stand site for me. I pulled it and brought it home. I won't let him know at all where my stands are located next year. Thank God he doesn't hunt in archery season.
[/quote]

RE: A deeper look into scouting whitetails.....
 

i have to agree the least amount of time in or around the area the better unless of course your hunting at that time i ussally scout after season goes out in the snow to see the trails better , and to see where the deer are in late season then again during turkey season i look around just a little but the better you know the land you hunt and the deer you hunt the less scouting it takes every yr but each buck is different good luck to all of you