So, I won't mince words, I'm a newbie when it comes to scouting for deer. In the past, I think I've only lucked out because I just spent enough time with my butt in a stand. I want to get better at this whole scouting thing and would like to know, given the information below, where I go next: I spent the better half of a day scouting a local public area near my house. I found tracks, droppings, bedding areas, water locations and trails. If I was doing the same thing as I had done in seasons before, fall would come along and I would sit in a tree near one of those trails, somewhere between their bedding sites, the water and their food sites. I've had limited success with that however and want to know where I should go from here. Do I set up a stand or walk-in and glass in the morning and evening hoping to see some deer? Do I go back and keep checking to make sure the deer are still using the same sites? Do I just call it good, pick a tree, cut some shooting lanes and come back in the fall? If this were ducks or geese I'd be good to go, but with deer, I'm clueless. Thanks in advance. Oh and trail cameras aren't an option, I can't afford them right now and I'd hesitate to put them on public land anyways.
"In the past, I think I've only lucked out because I just spent enough time with my butt in a stand." That work ethic will serve you well. I used to do the same and I killed deer. Now, with my dwindling time in the woods I have to scout hard/hunt smart and make it count each time I hit the woods. I've had to change the way I scout and hunt to maximize my time afield. Some things I do differently now than I did in the past is hunt terrain. The terrain never changes and allows me to hunt it in a systematic fashion. I hunt certain terrain features given the wind/time of year/time of day. I also love to work those same terrain features with edgelines (where hardwoods and softwoods come together, a thicket flows into a swamp, etc.). I feel like my odds are upped when I can combine hunting a good terrain feature along with an edgeline. The things with trails is that they "dry up" based on hunting pressure, the wind, and time of year. They are not reliable and cannot be counted on to bring you success. BUT, your thoughts on cutting off the deer are solid. Cut them off as they move from bed to feed and feed to bed. Be smart about the way you enter and exit your stand site locations. The less scent and intrusion the better. So do not walk where you think the deer are bedded/are going to bed/or are going to walk. I know that sounds hard, but it is something you have to work on as you progess as a deer hunter. When you get to your hunting location, look around. Imagine all the terrain and the edgelines coming together at certain points. Then think of the wind. Think of where you can place your stand to maximize your shot distance to the places you think the deer will walk, yet will allow you to remain concealed given the wind. It is a mental imaging technique I use and I feel good about it. I too do not use trail cams and scout by walking. Do you have a map?
PM me your e mail address and I'll send you my hunting whitetails document which should be extremely helpfull. The document will explain how to hunt the various stages of the rut and apply hunting strategies that will maximize your chances. I will be proposing a man use various hunting strategies based upon; stage of the rut, hunting pressure, weather, food and water sources. It is a huge document that I was starting and is a rough draft for what was to become a book. PM me your e mail address and I'll gladly send it to you.
Your on the right track, dont let public land dissapoint you either. It is often overlooked and everyear big bucks are taken off of public hunting land. Good luck!
Here's the map: It's a little over a mile from the parking lot to the northern most edge. I'll respond with more later.
I have sent out my document to the five of you that asked for it today. Hopefully I got your e mail address correct. Last week I accidentily sent it to a Colonel in the Army, thank goodness he was a hunter.
Anxiously awaiting another post from you Shadow. I'm stoked to hear what you have to say about that map I posted No rush though, thanks for your time.
Just my thoughts on some areas you might want to check out. Not claiming to be anything other than a person that is interested in this stuff. Take my opinion lightly.
