My first deer season is over. All the literature I am reading says to start scouting. I want to scout a new area that is public land bow only. What type of sign am I looking for? I have heard maybe old rubs and scrapes, large droppings etc.. on trails and then branch out from there looking for funnel points to and from bedding areas and food sources. Now guessing that all the bucks have not been run out or killed, what is the best way to determine if they are still in the area? Later into this year after I pick out a spot should I sit a few mornings/afternoons, assuming that I cannot glass from a distance? It is public land and trail cams are out of the questions. Any input?

Follow this link.

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2564112

I've been working on a new place. First I found it and then gathered as much info as I could from the state (still not done). Next see what I can find out others on the net have said. Now it's time for a trip eta about an hour before sundown. Drive around it looking for deer concentrations. Mark gps loctions and get maps.

That's a start. From here you need to read and understand the maps. Get the boundries clear, you might even find a person who is adjacent to it that's tired of the deer. IMO it takes a minimum of 4 years to figure things out.

I even had the good fortune today in talking with someone who's hunted it before. Keep your eye's and ears open.