So how do you go about hunting/ scouting whitetails on a property that has steep hills deep hollows and thick brush? Oh and a big stream runs through it along with tons of logging roads. There is oaks through out the whole property along with hemlocks. Any ideas?
That sounds like where I hunt. My best luck, ( and I didn't kill a buck), came at creek crossings and oak flats. I saw 3 mature bucks this year without a shot opportunity. All of them were crossing the creek. I just never could make it all come together. I also had good luck, including the 2 does I killed, hunting an oak flat that had acorns all over the ground. Its a lot tougher hunting than the ranchland I was used to hunting.
"Mapping Trophy Bucks", and watch the Blood Brothers video (the 2nd one, title escapes me at the moment). Take a look at this book and vidoe, They helped me a bunch when it came to reading maps and translating it into seeing deer.
The video is hill country bucks and its a good one. Teaches you alot about deer behavior and where they bed.
Sounds EXACTLY where I hunt. Water will be good in the afternoon around 2-5pm pending on the time of the year. Find the thick brush, possibly by near the hemlocks. Or the logging roads that look overgrown. Deer will be bedding here. Find the nearest food source then sit in between. That's just one method...
I use to have some property like that it was hard to hunt because most of it was thick cedars and pines. I took a few bucks of that peice of property.I always just hunted from treestands and ground blinds in places that I could not find a tree to put a stand I would just pop up a ground blinds.
i would say creek crossings are a very good spot to start. Also try and locate bedding and feeding areas, set up right in the middle of those and you will greatly increase your chances.
Hunting the big woods by Greg Miller. A must read. I leave it in my tote a read over it every year. Over been hunting the big woods for 28 years. When I say big woods I mean nearest paved road is about 5 miles and the nearest AG land the same.
Sounds like there is alot of logging going on there. I would start with any clearcuts, they will be the "agriculture" and should for the most part be considered the feeding areas. Like stated earlier creek crossings will also be good places to hunt. Remember the the thermals also in hill country.
