When Do You Start Scouting For Deer ?
#3
RE: When Do You Start Scouting For Deer ?
I never really stop. I follow the trails from feeding to bedding looking for alot of scrapes and rubs. I think the best time is after the snow melts till late spring,you can see where the deer spent most of the time. Look for old rub lines and scrape lines. These would be good spots to setup durning the rut. Early season hunt the food sources,crops or oaks. Don't forget to look for the funnels and bottle necks. Trail cameras are very valuable also.
#4
RE: When Do You Start Scouting For Deer ?
Jr, I usally start about 1 month before season open's, but archery is
first, then muzzle loading and then rifle and shotgun.
The scouting reallybenefits the archer, because they are the first to
hunt the begining of the season.
I first look for tracks, trees with rubs, bedding areas and then feeding
areas. Try to use bino's if possible when you think you have spotted
tree rubs or bedding areas. Not good to be stumping all over the area
they are still using. Try to use unscented rubber boots when scouting or
hunting.
Archer's usally have a100% chancefor a real good buck.
Black Powder huntersabout 50%.
Rifle and shotgun's 25%.
This is on Wild Life Management Areas. On private property is a different ball
game.
first, then muzzle loading and then rifle and shotgun.
The scouting reallybenefits the archer, because they are the first to
hunt the begining of the season.
I first look for tracks, trees with rubs, bedding areas and then feeding
areas. Try to use bino's if possible when you think you have spotted
tree rubs or bedding areas. Not good to be stumping all over the area
they are still using. Try to use unscented rubber boots when scouting or
hunting.
Archer's usally have a100% chancefor a real good buck.
Black Powder huntersabout 50%.
Rifle and shotgun's 25%.
This is on Wild Life Management Areas. On private property is a different ball
game.
#5
RE: When Do You Start Scouting For Deer ?
The day after the season ends. I never really start or stop...I scout basically every time I am in the woods. I usually do some serious scouting in July to finalize my desisions as to where I will put my stands for the up-coming season.
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Garfield NJ USA
Posts: 3,067
RE: When Do You Start Scouting For Deer ?
All year long. If I see some sign while I'm in the woods I mark a waypoint with what I found and it all goes back to get entered on the map I keep for the areas I hunt. Been doing this for the last two years. Hopefully I be able to pattern them in the next couple years.
#8
RE: When Do You Start Scouting For Deer ?
I begin scouting for deer early august, i hunt in central Saskatchewan and usually my scouting starts when the mosquitoes aren't so bad and the deer ticks are long gone. I cruise the backroads and along hay fields to find travel routes, from there i usually dive right into the thickets and find where the trails merge or intersect. Usually i find buck travel routes very close to food sources, within 1/2 KM on the downwind side of primary game trails.
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: NW Ohio , 5 min from Ottawa National / Magee Marsh
Posts: 2,051
RE: When Do You Start Scouting For Deer ?
Year round .
I am going to set up the trail cams next week .
I will be doing a lot of scouting / black berry picking starting in a week or so.
Johnch
I am going to set up the trail cams next week .
I will be doing a lot of scouting / black berry picking starting in a week or so.
Johnch
#10
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cottage Grove Oregon
Posts: 918
RE: When Do You Start Scouting For Deer ?
I know my area by heart at least 100 acres or so. I travel it heavy in late winter and early spring. I leave it alone before the season to not disturb them. Have scored a nice buck opening day or so for 8 consecutive years. They often bead within 50 yards of my main stand. If I spook them they move on. Have wacked a few at first light just standing around within 50 yards of my stand including a 142 B&C two years ago. I am pretty sure if I was routing all around the woods scouting they would be hanging around deeper in the woods far from my stand where no one goes.