Is the sign you find, while out searching for sheds right now? Obviously, the rubs and scrapes were made by bucks during the rut, and those are valuable. But in regards to WHERE we find the sheds, and the trails that are getting heavy traffic? There have been lots of times i find HOT trails in the summer, only to have NO activity on them during the fall. Does this hold true for winter/spring as well? When do bucks move into their summer ranges from there Fall haunts?
Well this year, with the amount of snowfall we've had. The patterns are predictable and well worn. Find some heavy cover or a sunny ridge and you'll find the traffic. These pattrens will change (already starting too) once warmer weather hits.
Allot of my deer leave the area I hunt In and yard In other places. I don't put much stock In the trails they leave during the winter, none actually. If I would find nice sized beds and a few sheds I would then put much more stalk Into what I find In the winter months around here but sadly I usually never find either or. In the spring months I do like finding scrapes, rubs, large beds that I didn't see last fall and bank them In my head for the following hunting season. As for when do the mature bucks usually return to their core area's, I'd bet their back already. At least I think they are here anyway.
My deer also yard elsewhere. Right now where I am the snow has just left and I look for the trails. For me I discover some of my best deer trails this time of the year. The summer trails don't mean squat. I have killed some of my finest deer on trails that I discovered in the spring.
For the area where I am hunting, the deer are changing patterns just like the seasons do. I do mark down what bedding areas that sheds are found in but not the trails. There are trails you see during turkey season that dont turn out come October.
Im with all of you guys. I know for a FACT that most of the bucks dont bed on my properties, but the does do. Weve been finding the sheds on properties we cant hunt.
Look for last falls activity...it's there. I like your thinking though, it's never too early to start!
