deer scouting tips
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: grottoes,va.
Posts: 764
i start scouting this time of year with my zoom lens on my digital camera ,i took pics of 7 bucks a few days ago on a farm i hunt. i like to stay far enough away not to spook them, my camera has a 609mm lens. i use a window mount ans shoot from my truck. this was taken from 350yds,not a bad 8pt.
#3
Which season are you scouting for? Bow? Rifle? Muzzle? For the rifle season here in Northern Minnesota, I have found that the best time to scout is the first two week's after the season. We usually get fresh snow, and it give's you a chance to see how they were acting during the season, when they were under pressure. I have also found that it pay's to stay out of any area that you intend to hunt for at least 2 weeks before the season.
#4
Which season are you scouting for? Bow? Rifle? Muzzle? For the rifle season here in Northern Minnesota, I have found that the best time to scout is the first two week's after the season. I have also found that it pay's to stay out of any area that you intend to hunt for at least 2 weeks before the season.
My question is why to both statements.
Personally, I start about now, when the head gear is about at it's peak, by getting up, around areas with several fields, hedgerows. I get there before daylight, with good optics and sit for a couple hours after. Then again, a couple of hours before dark. I do this for several days in a spot, then move to another, even if I see a mature buck. Spot lighting between 1:00am and 4:00 am also.
I particularly keep my ears open around the hunting community, listening/fishing as to mature buck where abouts. I have permission to hunt a ton of land in the Southern Tier of NY.
#6
My son and I started scoutting yesterday, we put out all our trail cameras. I put cameras on differnt feeders and water holes for a week. After that I will move them to tails and crop fields. We watched a nice 8 pointer before last light last night.
I like the aid of the cameras on feeders to see what is in the area or which buck is using which trail. We then use spotting scopes to watch from afar. When we pattern a buck stands our put in around mid morning and such. I have a couple stands in already and will be putting the rest up later in the month. Good Hunting.
I like the aid of the cameras on feeders to see what is in the area or which buck is using which trail. We then use spotting scopes to watch from afar. When we pattern a buck stands our put in around mid morning and such. I have a couple stands in already and will be putting the rest up later in the month. Good Hunting.
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Adirondacks
Posts: 1,305
To start off cover as much ground as you can quickly just to see if it's even worth bothering with.Don't worry about spooking game at this point.Once you've narrowed down a few good looking areas if possible scout from a distance with binocs/spotting scope..If the covers to heavy for that use a tree stand or blind.
#9
My question is why to both statements.
Personally, I start about now, when the head gear is about at it's peak, by getting up, around areas with several fields, hedgerows. I get there before daylight, with good optics and sit for a couple hours after. Then again, a couple of hours before dark. I do this for several days in a spot, then move to another, even if I see a mature buck. Spot lighting between 1:00am and 4:00 am also.
I particularly keep my ears open around the hunting community, listening/fishing as to mature buck where abouts. I have permission to hunt a ton of land in the Southern Tier of NY.
Personally, I start about now, when the head gear is about at it's peak, by getting up, around areas with several fields, hedgerows. I get there before daylight, with good optics and sit for a couple hours after. Then again, a couple of hours before dark. I do this for several days in a spot, then move to another, even if I see a mature buck. Spot lighting between 1:00am and 4:00 am also.
I particularly keep my ears open around the hunting community, listening/fishing as to mature buck where abouts. I have permission to hunt a ton of land in the Southern Tier of NY.
Last edited by Lunkerdog; 07-12-2009 at 02:34 PM.
#10
Mossbergman, first of all you need to evaluate the type of hunting you will be doing, Bow or Gun? Secondly you have to get a good Topo map of the property that you will be hunting. Public or private land will also be a factor as well. Here are some of the things that i look for when starting my pre-season scouting for the upcoming Bow season here in Ohio. Early season I always search out the food sources and watering holes. Try to identify the bedding areas and routes that they may be taking to and from these bedding spots. Which routes are they taking to their favorite food sources, then try to set up inbetween the bedding areas and food sources with an easy route for yourself to get in and get out without pushing the deer out of thier spots and without being detected. It may not always be an easy task coming and going without being busted a time or two but anything that you can do will help. This is the time that you want to get your trail camera put up and do some glassing from a far. early season will be your only hope of patterning a big buck if you see one while glassing or via your trail cam. Cause once the rut kicks in... well all bets off, you have a better shot at winning the lottery than patterning a buck. All hell will break loose and just when you think you know most of the bucks in the area, BAM! 2 or 3 more bucks will come traveling thru that you may never have seen before. Hope this helps