*Official 2020 Scouting Thread

Discussion in 'Bowhunting Talk' started by virginiashadow, Jan 4, 2020.

  1. virginiashadow

    virginiashadow Legendary Woodsman

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    Thinking about this swamp. Temps finally are good to scout.

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  2. Holt

    Holt Grizzled Veteran

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    I like the looks of that spot. Lots of points going out into swamp.

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  3. justinwmoe88

    justinwmoe88 Weekend Warrior

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    Going out either today or tomorrow... need a babysitter first! Private land I started hunting last year. Still a bunch of snow on the ground since we got another 4 inches on Wednesday but I guess first time out this year for me if I can make it work!
     

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  4. justinwmoe88

    justinwmoe88 Weekend Warrior

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    Had two encounters and passed up both of those at 20 yards and and shot my number 3. They both survived as of Valentine’s Day and am hoping to find some sheds. Hoping for an amazing season this year!
     

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  5. Okiebob

    Okiebob Grizzled Veteran

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    I'm headed out to scout a new place that I recently gained permission to hunt. I call it scouting but really I'm just going to be looking for morel mushrooms and if I happen to find a good location to hang a stand it'll be a bonus. It only took me 9 years to meet my neighbor that borders my place to the west. He is a little spooky, vietnam vet and a tunnel rat at that, he is well known for not liking folks but a case of beer and a bag of pork rinds went a long way in introducing myself. I worked a trade out with him, an old Browning Hi Power 9mm Belgian made and assembled for hunting rights, bow only. He is happy and so am I. Nobody has hunted that place for well over thirty years, it is the sanctuary smack dab in the middle of the section, big old oaks with a good flowing spring/swamp.
     
  6. virginiashadow

    virginiashadow Legendary Woodsman

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    Heck yeah. Sounds like a great spot.
     
  7. virginiashadow

    virginiashadow Legendary Woodsman

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    Day 11.

    Not too bad. Jumped a bunch of does out of the back end of the swamp. Found some nice trails leading into the thicker cover. Found a year old shed...and caught a couple bass.

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  8. justinwmoe88

    justinwmoe88 Weekend Warrior

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    Headed out at noon. Me the lady and a kid finishing his junior year in high school that’s been hunting with us. Gonna be a senior this upcoming season I hope he finishes out with a huge buck. It was as much fun seeing him get a nice one last year as it was shooting the one I harvested. Hope to find some antlers today!
     
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  9. justinwmoe88

    justinwmoe88 Weekend Warrior

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    Found one shed and hung a new stand. I’ll call it a successful day! Even had three encounters with the deer it came off of last season!
     

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  10. virginiashadow

    virginiashadow Legendary Woodsman

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    Did you find the shed near where you had been seeing him last season? Bedding? Feed area?
     
  11. justinwmoe88

    justinwmoe88 Weekend Warrior

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    Right between bedding and feeding exactly where I seen him last year. There’s still a lot of snow so I’m gonna go back in a week or so could barely see the tips...
     
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  12. justinwmoe88

    justinwmoe88 Weekend Warrior

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    Hopefully gonna be a good season last year there weren’t many deer around there during spring. Must’ve seen 40 or so while we were there. Kinda exciting. The red dot was a corn field that hasn’t been harvested yet. Sorry for the farmer great for me...
     

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  13. virginiashadow

    virginiashadow Legendary Woodsman

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    Day 12 was a bust. A couple miles of walking big woods ridges led to nothing. Pretty much ground elimination. However I did get a good workout and walk some awesome terrain.

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  14. justinwmoe88

    justinwmoe88 Weekend Warrior

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    Going to check out some public land along the red river in northern North Dakota this weekend
     
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  15. virginiashadow

    virginiashadow Legendary Woodsman

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    Awesome. Please take some pics
     
  16. justinwmoe88

    justinwmoe88 Weekend Warrior

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    Will do. Hopefully some more snow melts and the river stays down it’s gonna be a good flood this year again from the looks of it
     
  17. virginiashadow

    virginiashadow Legendary Woodsman

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    Headed out in a bit to scout s brand new spot. Half mile in on a little river doesnt seem too far..but all the land around it is a muddy swampy mess. If I can find some higher ground leading up into the big woods Ill bet Ill find something worthwhile.
     
  18. Holt

    Holt Grizzled Veteran

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    Good luck out there buddy! I haven't been out since the 14th. Working every single day just trying to keep my business afloat. I need a scout day bad!

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  19. gunther89

    gunther89 Weekend Warrior

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    20200328_083224.jpg 20200328_083224.jpg 20200328_085105.jpg 20200328_092919.jpg 20200328_082852.jpg 20200328_083224.jpg Was able to get out and scout more on a piece a property my buddy and I visited in late February. It's a pine thicket surrounded by side hills that leads into deeper woods. The pine thicket is a staging area for deer before they hit the ag fields on private ground. Good size rubs all over on the corner of this thicket and upper half of the sidehill. Found over a dozen scrapes under pine trees and even found a shed. Definitely a spot I'm gonna keep an eye on coming this summer and fall. 20200328_085105.jpg 20200328_092919.jpg 20200328_085105.jpg
     
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  20. virginiashadow

    virginiashadow Legendary Woodsman

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    Day 13. Went to the orginal spot I wanted to scout and it has way too much access. So I went out on a lake to a spot I've been looking at recently. Think I picked up one legit spot.

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