After a long search for land to bow-hunt, I was given access to hunt some private land. Because of the late timing last year, I was not able to properly scout the entire property. I put up a stand in a no-brainer spot with limited scouting time. I did see a few bucks, and did get a shot on a decent buck. This year I will be scouting more heavily before season and take a fresh look at the property. To that end, here are some aerial and topo photos of the property. I outlined the property boundries in red. The fields that are green in the aerials were corn last year, probably will be soybeans or corn this year. I have a few spots picked out for certain reasons, but wanted to get some more feedback from the forum based soley on maps.

Which spot(s) would you hunt and why?

Jimmy, I like the spots listed below in the red....looks like those spots will force the deer movement from an area(land to the south)that seems to have a lot more cover than the majority of the land you are hunting.

I like Brett's suggestions and I would add something around my white X. If the terrain relief is steep enough in the gully, it may funnel movement around it's steep areas.

I'm going halfway between Brett's two spots, it gives you the optimal opportunities of both. Stay on the north side of the creek, and snug that stand up against that steeper incline, overlooking the creek, or set it close enough to the creek you can shoot to the flat on the opposite side.

No offense KWilson, but I don't think that little stand is going to be overly productive, unless he's seeing something heading into that spot in the morning to bed. Don't get me wrong, because IF that is the situation, I know that's about like the little patch that Brad Jerman shot his famed "Jerman Buck," but otherwise, I'd leave that isolated island of timber as it is.

Another reason to check it out. Others probably think the same.