Badfish

Whens the best time to be in the woods looking for sheds? I live in Oklahoma, Im sure its different depending on where you live. I plan on scouting a couple new areas for next years seasons, any advice on areas to select or scouting in the off season?

Wingbone

Around here,the shed hunters are out as soon as the snow melts, that would be mid to late march. I've found most of mine while scouting for turkey hunting in the spring. Sheds will tell you something about the bucks that made it through the winter. But where they spend thewinter may not be where they spend thefall. Check food sources late next summer and early fall. Deer movement changes as thefood sources change.

skeeter 7MM

Shed hunting depends on the area i have found sheds here as early as Jan. but more commonly late feb/march. Shed hunting isn't really good scouting intel here, as the deer yard up in winter location then move off to their own corners once the weather turns warm.

As far as off season scouting, I find the best time to indepth scout is directly followingthe hunting season as everything is fresh and in the fall patterns. I also do a fair bit in spring as well just looking for areas that look likely to me as many don't hold the numbers they will see come fall. In summer I start watching from a distance looking for deer numbers, bucks, quality of antlers, etc. I will continuelong range scouting via spotting scopeuntil I hunt, not wanting to disturb the animals in their settings. Once hunting season starts I need to be in the woods so I continue indepth scouting if required at this point.