Help me decode some scouting finds...please

Mississippi, the brown lines indicate the lay of the land. Where you see the brown lines pretty much all touching togther this indicates a step slope, when they are further apart this indicates somewhat flat ground just keep an on the the elevation #. Obtain a topo map of an area you are familiar with and go check it out on foot it will all come together for you.

Brett, how do you post topos up like that? It always tells me that the file is to large?

 

Well this is why I asked that question...
You've found two major trails correct? One crossing the creek on the east side of your map and the other entering the southwest corner of your triangle. Well the topo map shows a fairly steep creek bank at the crossing.
My experience (not sayin this is a rule, just my experience) is that older bucks (4-5 yr olds) seem to prefer paths of least resistance. This rules out the creek crossing as his route.
Also, the trail entering the SW corner of your triangle correlates with the markings in sort of an arc shape. The creek crossing trail, from what I can see, has no direct correlation to the markings. This supports my theory that your buck is bedding on the north side of the creek. I believe he is bedding to the SW of the SW corner of your triangle.

No guarantee, just what I would guess based on past experiences

 

Right where I put those brown x's there is a ton of thick blowdowns across that cut. The yellow line is actually about a 15-20 foot wide section of the blowdowns that is easily passed. When I was down to the southwest next to that point with all that buck sign, I felt like I was close to finding a bed. Within 50 yards or so of that point I found a massive scrape with a licking branch.

Thanks Josh. I am going to scout the area again and take some pictures on Sunday/Monday.

 

Brett,
I'd have to check near the northernmost side only because if it is a no hunting zone then an old buck is gonna know this sanctuary. Another thing about that and I'm completely guessing here is this if a buck were to work his way from the creek bottom/s in the S or SE part of the map to the north/northeast through that area that contains all the deer sign he would likely be travelling into the wind(predominant wind direction in our area late fall to winter N or NNE). He could work his way through that entire area early morning towards the northern side which is also the no hunting area with the wind in his favor.

Unfortunately if that is correct it would be hard to set up there to intercept him headed toward anything thick or the no hunting zone because of the N wind. But if you ever got lucky with a strong ENE wind or something like that then it could work assuming you can get to it without much intrusion.

Or possibly catch him coming back out later in the day, get in there late morning and sit quiet all day(i'd try this first) then maybe some other stuff depending on the time of the year like getting in there late morning again and sitting yourself betwwen him and a decoy down in the bottom area, call to him a lttle or tickle some horns together, who knows just rambling now.

Just a guess, all the bases I hunt it seems the deer know the safe/no hunting zones better than us.

 

I will scout that ridge by the lake as well this week. I am trying to concentrate on certain areas this year, focusing on areas I can hunt the entire season. Last year many of the areas I wanted to hunt were closed down at the worst times. I am picking areas that receive a little more hunting pressure, but will allow me to hunt them season long without hardly any interruptions. My hunting season this year is going to be challenging due to probably work commitments. I want to scout as much as possible the next couple of months in some key areas.

Thanks NEW for your thoughts. I will keep everyone's thoughts in my mind as I scout. I really appreciate everyones help. This type of stuff helps us all learn.

Two of the bigger bucks I have encountered in this area were on the south side of the creek at the pre-rut time frame. They were both up around the northeastern most portion.

 

I almost walked that exact route inside the green triangle. I will add the other spots at that elevation throughout that area this week. Thanks. If I find a buck bed I am driking a beer in celebration! hahaha. I am going to bring my netbook out in the woods with me with the saved topos from this thread to use in conjunction with my GPS. Nerd central over and out!

 

How did you guys get that larger topo in there? it always tells me the file is to big? ...sorry

 

figured, that doesnt work at work for some unexplained reason

 

Thanks again my nerdy topo/map guys. I will fill you in after I scout this weekend. One thing I found out while scouting a few days ago was really cool. Last year I slipped in and hunted the southern part of the creek while trying to wait for the thermals to drop so the bucks would come down off those hills and potentially come over and seek out some does. Well I stood on the northern part of a point on the northern side of the creek and just looked out over where I slipped in 100 yards away last year. My goodness. Any buck worth his salt would have picked me off with ease. I thought I was concealed last year but I must have stuck out like a sore thumb. That discovery kind of opened up my mind a couple of days ago. It solidified my thoughts that a solid entry is one of the main keys to having consistent success with older deer.

 

Brett:

Get Josh to send you his map, showing the concentric hub. The top of that knob looks like a killer example.

If I were hunting that spot, I'd be thinking more about when to hunt it. The "where" would depend on the when.

It looks like a great spot. Good luck.

*Disclaimer - Hunting with what we hunt with......I don't mind admitting that big woods intimidate me. That would make me think even harder about when I was gonna go in there.

YMMV

 

Jeff, I have that hub map from Josh. My scouting has changed this year to take those hubs into account. I have to maximize my time in the woods and those hubs seem to be a great place to jump around and hunt based on the wind. I set-up my climber with the thought that I need a 10 yard shot or less so my set-ups need to be near perfect. That hub in this thread is one of about 2-3 strong hubs that I will hang my hat on this year. I am focusing on core areas and if I fail, then oh well.

 

I walked all the points today. I walked through blowdown, thickets, and zigzagged all over the place today in attempts to find some buck beds. Four hours later I found ONE bed. Yep, scouted for four hours and found just one bed. Man I am terrible at finding beds and sheds. The bed was situated in a sweet little spot to take advantage of the north winds. The bed was nice and warm below a small green tree with bed facing the south. I know there are more buck beds out there but I just can't find them right now. I will be back at it on Friday on the other side of the creek.

 

That's better than finding a big group of beds. At least you can be pertty sure it's a buck bed.

 

This is where I am going to hit paydirt on Friday...the southern part of the creek. Thick and ugly.

 

Beautiful land....

In the previous map, is the blue dot the bed you found?

 

Trey, yes that blue dot was the lone bed I found.