if I were to scout now would the birds still be in the same general area in spring? if not, when is a good time to scout?

I would wait three weeks or so before the season starts and then get out there and start scouting as much as you can.

Do you know the lay of the land like the back of your hand if not scout now. If you do scout now. Always monitor where the favorite food sources are for the time of year. it will save you time later when the birds have moved you will have been right there with them. You don't have to tromp all over your woods to do the most effective scouting. Most of the times the best scouting is observation from afar.

When your out there looking for sheds you could keep an eye out for the birds .
Look around big trees for feathers and droppnings , pine trees are good this time of year.
Look for water source's and oak groves not to mention meadows , fields and clear - cut areas.
As the season gets closer , try to get out before first light and listen for the fly downs .
Try to fallow them and find out where they go without spooking them.
I wouldn't do any calling at all but just before your hunt use a crow call at dusk to locate there roosting area.