Hunting an area I haven't had a chance to scout, need advice.
11-10-2017, 08:02 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1
Hunting an area I haven't had a chance to scout, need advice.
Hello all,
This is my first year hunting and I have put in a lot of work up at my cottage. I spent my summer/early fall scouting and preparing. I've poured over maps and identified key ambush sites. I've set up blinds and a stand. Everything is all set. The problem is, my cottage is a good three hours away and due to family and work I'll only get one good trip up there. It would be nice if I could do November during the rut but it looks like I'll have to be going there in December.
Anyways, I do want to get out in the field as much as possible this season just so I can get some experience in the bush. There is a tract of public land 30min away so that means I could go there right after work and get a couple hours in, or even go for a full day the odd time. One of those odd times is Monday, as I have the day off.
I'm seeking any advice anyone can give on hunting an unscouted location. It's not ideal I know, and I've been studying maps for days but I can't get my boots on the ground until I get there to hunt.
Here is some information that might help you provide advice.
1. I will be hunting with a bow.
2. I have some leaf netting if I wanted to set up a quick blind.
3. The location i'm going is quite swampy and surrounded by farmland. There are some changes in elevation but they are limited. There is also a creek that runs through the majority of the land.
4. I believe this spot can get quite busy as it's one of the only options in the area. There is just a week long shotgun/muzzleloader controlled hunt in the area which ends on Sunday and I will be hunting it Monday when it becomes bows only again.
5. I can hunt for the entirety of the day's legal hours.
Right now my plan is to get there early and follow the main trail as deep as I can get before cutting into the bush. I figure the deeper into the swampy parts I can get, the better especially if the deer are holed up after a week of guns. Does this make sense?
Also I was wondering about whether I should just find some sign and make a quick blind with my netting, or if I should still hunt all day and treat it as both a hunt and scouting for my next outing. If I did this I could make notes of trails and sign etc. What I was leaning towards was using the blind for the morning and evening and for the midday period still hunting.
Thanks for any help anyone can give, I really appreciate it!
This is my first year hunting and I have put in a lot of work up at my cottage. I spent my summer/early fall scouting and preparing. I've poured over maps and identified key ambush sites. I've set up blinds and a stand. Everything is all set. The problem is, my cottage is a good three hours away and due to family and work I'll only get one good trip up there. It would be nice if I could do November during the rut but it looks like I'll have to be going there in December.
Anyways, I do want to get out in the field as much as possible this season just so I can get some experience in the bush. There is a tract of public land 30min away so that means I could go there right after work and get a couple hours in, or even go for a full day the odd time. One of those odd times is Monday, as I have the day off.
I'm seeking any advice anyone can give on hunting an unscouted location. It's not ideal I know, and I've been studying maps for days but I can't get my boots on the ground until I get there to hunt.
Here is some information that might help you provide advice.
1. I will be hunting with a bow.
2. I have some leaf netting if I wanted to set up a quick blind.
3. The location i'm going is quite swampy and surrounded by farmland. There are some changes in elevation but they are limited. There is also a creek that runs through the majority of the land.
4. I believe this spot can get quite busy as it's one of the only options in the area. There is just a week long shotgun/muzzleloader controlled hunt in the area which ends on Sunday and I will be hunting it Monday when it becomes bows only again.
5. I can hunt for the entirety of the day's legal hours.
Right now my plan is to get there early and follow the main trail as deep as I can get before cutting into the bush. I figure the deeper into the swampy parts I can get, the better especially if the deer are holed up after a week of guns. Does this make sense?
Also I was wondering about whether I should just find some sign and make a quick blind with my netting, or if I should still hunt all day and treat it as both a hunt and scouting for my next outing. If I did this I could make notes of trails and sign etc. What I was leaning towards was using the blind for the morning and evening and for the midday period still hunting.
Thanks for any help anyone can give, I really appreciate it!
11-10-2017, 11:24 AM
#2
Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Trumbull County, Ohio
Posts: 9,520
Here's what I do on a new piece. Check out the maps and find an "easy" entrance point that looks like it may be a good spot. You're looking for a spot you can get to without tearing apart the whole woods by trying to find a spot in the dark. Start your day there. Set up before daylight, and sit there for a while.
Eventually still hunt your way in deeper, looking for sign, scouting for next time, and primarily watching for deer.
If you find a good spot, go ahead and set up. After a week of hard pressure the deer will be deep and thick. And likely won't move much at first. Although, with the woods being empty, they'll start moving. Find a heavy travel route and set up.
-Jake
Eventually still hunt your way in deeper, looking for sign, scouting for next time, and primarily watching for deer.
If you find a good spot, go ahead and set up. After a week of hard pressure the deer will be deep and thick. And likely won't move much at first. Although, with the woods being empty, they'll start moving. Find a heavy travel route and set up.
-Jake
11-10-2017, 07:47 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NE Kansas
Posts: 1,101
Bocajna gives you good advice.
I'd get in there, and try to locate some place you can tell deer are moving through and set-up downwind. a well-used trail or junction, a food source, a funnel, etc. Be aware especially of trails leading from that food source and that swampy ground.
That sounds like the kind of situation where a deer will feed in the crops and move to a dry patch in the swamp to bed.
I'd get in there, and try to locate some place you can tell deer are moving through and set-up downwind. a well-used trail or junction, a food source, a funnel, etc. Be aware especially of trails leading from that food source and that swampy ground.
That sounds like the kind of situation where a deer will feed in the crops and move to a dry patch in the swamp to bed.
