RE: Off Season Scouting
 

I have read Pressured.......and am now reading Precision. The DVD is actually a 3 piece set I think. I wanted to be sure it wasn't just the book repeated in the first one before ordering it. I like them. Very grounded in the "real" world IMO.


I will if I see him before he sees me ;) No changes here.........I do think that scouting is an area I need to improve on though.......that, and not letting the deer know they are being hunted. I always see more deer in early season.........which makes me think I need to be more stealthy in my entrance and exit strategies.

RE: Off Season Scouting
 

You read my mind (see earlier reply)


From the books I read I'm sure you know I am familiar with this method. How far apart do you look for the bedding area once you found the primary scrapes?? I had what I considered a primary scrape area this year but hunting it turned out to be a dud............I think I blew the call on the bedding area.


Agreed..........I saw a couple bucks work field edge scrapes 2 years ago in daylight hours and was surprised.........usually they are worth bubkis.

RE: Off Season Scouting
 

I do not think there is a "standard distance" In 1 spot I am right in the bedding area, because I can get in and out. My other spot I am 25 yds from each, but this is the best spot. Here it is, bedding area is to the right. The PSA(Primary Scrape Area) is down the gull about 25 yds.



This one is now sandwich between two bedding areas now. We planted a huge CRP Field which is behind me.

RE: Off Season Scouting
 

This year sneaking in and out of my stand and the wind were the biggest issues for me.
I finally have a stand where if a wind is a certain way I wont have to worry about swirling winds.
Every other stand no matter what on this 35 acres swirls.
Also between now and march I will check things out again put new stands up and after that stay out until
august and try to do some trimming.

RE: Off Season Scouting
 

Ok I am posting aerial of my spot. The stands are in red and yellow is my way in. The one in the southwest corner drives me nut because of the winds and because they bed in the woods and in the southwest corner.
The stand to the east is where I got my biggest buck so far this past fall and yellow is my way in. Now I take that way with the corn standing. On Jan 5th the corn was down and on my way in I got bust for out in the X area that looks like a swamp. I think its the weird green color is what the buck took to me from when I first saw him. White line is property line and the reason I chose this stand closer to the farm is it seems the deer like to come by that stand and bed on the other property in the southeast corner. I have new ideas for next season and if you have any feel free to add. Thanks

RE: Off Season Scouting
 

Peak why not enter the furthers S stand from the line I drew? Only hunt it on a NE or Ewind. Sneak behind the deer, I would get in there early, at least two hours before sun rise.

RE: Off Season Scouting
 

rest of property

RE: Off Season Scouting
 

I like the spot with the X top left of the last picture, Oh man I like it!!

RE: Off Season Scouting
 

It looks like the stand is good for a SW wind and maybe a NE. Germ's way looks good for the NE wind.

RE: Off Season Scouting
 

Thats not a bad idea but I know no matter what I will bump deer
and trying to get there in the dark is a challange.
Where you start to go in from the highway you marked to the south
they bed big time. Heck they bed all over that property.
Its one of those damned if I do damned if i dont. But the 2 hours ahead
might just work. I only wear my boots when hunting so hopefully that wont be a issue. You know my uncle likes to take the catapiller out and play I might just ask him to make me a trail to it?