how to scout deer w/out scaring them off
10-16-2011, 02:46 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 45
how to scout deer w/out scaring them off
Aside from using deer cameras, are there any general procedures to follow while scouting deer locations so as to not alert them to human presence? (Other than Elmer Fudd's "be vewy vewy quiet")? There are a lot of places on my land where deer bed down, eat, etc but I don't want to tip them off that I've been there.
10-16-2011, 04:29 PM
#4
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 970
I think you are overreacting unless the area has a lot of pressure. Even then, it does not matter. Why is that? Because other people affect their movement which would cause them not to leave, but to become human wise and nocturnal.
Deer don't leave an area permanently unless they are forced to. They just leave, and then come back. Let's face it, if they did not return, hunting would be far more challenging.
I walk through bedding areas scouting every year. As do other members in my camp. We see, and more often than not, kill deer every year.
Stop worrying, go scouting, and be successful.
Deer don't leave an area permanently unless they are forced to. They just leave, and then come back. Let's face it, if they did not return, hunting would be far more challenging.
I walk through bedding areas scouting every year. As do other members in my camp. We see, and more often than not, kill deer every year.
Stop worrying, go scouting, and be successful.
10-16-2011, 11:46 PM
#5
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: kansas
Posts: 336
find where there feeding get you a spotting scope or a good pair of binos sit ur truck half mile or so away and see what comes out in the morning or evening to feed. or easier and cheaper in the long run just get a 60 dollar trail cam from wally world stick out for a week at a time and see what is there.
10-17-2011, 06:11 AM
#7
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,425
I do the best I can to make my boots and pants legs scent free and scout during the middle of the day...I also stay out of bedding areas...You can't find the best dropping oak trees without getting into the woods and scouting...
During the season scouting is some of the most enjoyable time you can have, like putting together a jig saw puzzle...
During the season scouting is some of the most enjoyable time you can have, like putting together a jig saw puzzle...
10-17-2011, 07:02 AM
#8
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY: NYC to Watertown
Posts: 897
I scout year round including scouting on no hunting sundays during the season.
During the season I just spend less time in each areach area.
If scouting pushes them out so. So would hunting itself,
Think hunting 1 day ruins your spot for the season?neither will scouting that spot
During the season I just spend less time in each areach area.
If scouting pushes them out so. So would hunting itself,
Think hunting 1 day ruins your spot for the season?neither will scouting that spot
10-17-2011, 08:02 AM
#9
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Southeast Missouri
Posts: 647
If you don't want to tip them off of your presence then get some cameras up. Let them do the work for you and you won't have to tromp through the woods leaving your scent. I used to do what you want to do but now I use camera with much more scouting success.