[SSG Johnson]

If your a seasoned deer hunter and have spent alot of time in the woods then you realize the importance scouting play's into the actual hunt. I have learned over the years the best advice to give someone who is a new hunter is to slow down while you are in the woods. If you go out on a scouting trip don't spend so much time rushing through the woods and looking for the ovious sign. SLOW down Way down and really look over and around you as you move to and away from your stand. LOOK at the BIG picture when I say that I mean try and figuer out why the deer would be moving down that trail. Many times the answere is as simple as where the food and cover is and many times its different reasons that will make the deer move in a certain direction. Hunting pressure and the need for food and water are three of the biggest things that will make deer move other than the insticted to breed. Post season scouting is where you will make your money for the next season, deer are creatures of habit. If you try and scout an area just before the season or during the summer you might be saddly disapointed as you sit on the stand for hours on end wondering why the deer arnt showing them selfs. I have heard many hunters complain the deer arent moving and stating that "I watched them all summer and now they arent here" or the old stand by "The deer are moving at night". THE DEER HAVE CHANGED THIER PATTERN the deer are still around they just arent going to be where you see them in the spring and summer in the fall hunting season. If you scout post season and spend the time in the woods during and after the season you will soon notice what and where the deer are going and coming from.

 

[center12]

Good stuff there Chuck. Post season is great stuff, I'm usually gawking around at deer sign while I'm 'yote hunting after season is over.

I'd like to add topo features to that.......look for saddles, funnels and paths of least resistance. These are great help when it's time to pinpoint a stand.

Here's a biggie for me........faint trails that parallel those nice deeply grooved doe runs, look downwind of the doe trail 25-75 yards. Ol' BigBoy can scent check does while remaining off the beaten path. Most of these buck trails will weaver in and out of the nasty(but safe) stuff. Surprise him while he's making his rounds looking for hot ladies :wub:

 

[Southernraised84]

Great post SSG I have heard countless pepole talking about scouting during the summer.I used to do the same thing when i first started hunting.I might ride in the truck during the summer to see if i can see some deer but i rarely did any walking around in the woods in the summer.Two thumbs up on the post brother.

 

[bull_head]

I scout Deer year around ...

im constantly watching the fields ... and I walk in the woods regularly ...
when I walk in the woods i pace myself ... i dont cover more than a
half a mile ... but i sit and wait this half a mile might take me most of the
day to cover ... we do Deer drives but only on the 2nd or 3 day of the season when my Brother or my Dad still need a Deer ... myself I can hunt
both weeks of the PA Deer Season so I not rushed for a Deer ...

But here are some tips you can use if your area allows so check your Game Regulations before doing so .... and also get the landowners permission before doing anything .... too

1) If you hunt on old farmland ... or near a pasture thats isnt used but has a Barbed Wire fence ... before the season starts tie the top 2 strands of wire together ... on the Deer trails ... the Deer will soon notice where the fence is easier to cross and they will use this passage more often ... if you own the fence ... take the step even closer if the fence is no longer in use clip the 2 top wires making it even easier ... place your stand downwind in a location within shooting range of the fence but with enough cover that you remain conceled ...

2) Create a pool of water ... if you hunt in or around Creekbeds .... do so by daming up an area by placing rocks creating larger pools of water ... this tatic is ideal in very small creeks where the flow is very low ... it creates a pool that the Deer will find and use when thirsty ... used after the creek are just beginng in drying up it makes an excellant ambush area ...

3) Deer love cover ... even the thick stuff ... but if you clear an area for a path thoru a thicket they will travel throu the easier path rather than busting throu the briars , swamps , etc . These areas are Deer magnets ...the larger Deer will be found here .... to cut a path it dosent have to be wide , use a weedtrimmer , a sythe , or a brush hog if you have one.

4) if your area allows it plant a food trail ... not a large food plot ... just a simple trail ... use fast growing seeds or plants (wheat, rye, oats or fail work best ) .... plant this on a Deer trail that leads to a bedding area ... not all areas allow this so consult your game regulations first ...

5) if your area has switchgrass or other high grass ... mow a path to an area that the deer want to go to .... Deer willl make their own path normally but if they find this easier route then will soon use this .... you can customize this path too .... by placing it upwind of a bushy area or hedgerow ... this terrain feature will act as your blind or a place to where you can hang a treestand


these are just a few simple tips you can use in scouting Deer that will lead to your next successful season .... hopefully

3)

 

[derbycitycatman]

Great advice by all but ill throw this in. I like to scout during squirrel season.
Usually I wont even pull the trigger if im anywhere close to my stands.

And anytime you can find water, even if its an inch deep creek. HUNT IT
especially if theres not much water around.

 

[roofermike]

Thanks Chuck that was a great post. Great information. Thanks for sharing

 

[fishnfool68]

Thanks guys for the tips!I've yet to bag my first deer,these tips are just the kind of Info I guy like me needs.People I know say deer hunting is mostly luck.I think just like catfishing,deer hunting is little luck and a lot of preperation.

 

[SSG Johnson]

Hey fish if you arnt wearing rubber boots to hunt in that could be part of the problem I have found the rubber boots work great and don't leave scent trail.

 

[cuttingout69]

Good post Chuck. So many people run through the woods looking for the rubs and scapes and over look the little trails in the thick stuff. I spend more time looking than I do hunting. Good post to all of you.

 

[hookeye]

Good stuff Chuck,
I started scouting back in August this year. I have been patterning the habits of them rascals here on the farm. I have been keeping a journal as to feeding times, bedding periods, moon phase etc... I think that is a very useful tool. I have been off work due to a knee injury I sustained in June so I have had the time this year to be real serious about it.