I have seen a lot of guys post on here about Post-Season Scouting. I am going to be hunting new land next year so I would like to do a lot of scouting and plan on getting out when the season ends. However I am trying to wrap my head around Post-Season Scouting. My biggest question is wont the travel patterns be different now compared to what they will be doing next fall? Any info/advice on Post-Season Scouting would be greatly appreciated!
Here's a Blog I wrote last year about Post-Season scouting. While I do think it's valuable, I don't think it's as important as a lot of people make it out to be. IMO if you're going to scout, now is the best time to do it before the deer really move their patterns for the onset of winter. Although you have to keep in mind that just b/c they did something this year doesn't mean they'll do it next year. Post season scouting will get you close, but IMO in order to be successful year in and year out you need to pay attention to hot sign during the season and adjust accordingly. http://www.bowhunting.com/blog/post/Confessions-of-a-Lazy-Hunter-Part-13b-Post-Season-Scouting.aspx
I don't know how important it is but I like to do it because it is just more time in the woods. What I like to find are trails. It takes some time and use for deer to make trails so I figure they use the most of the year. I have found they use different trails as the woods open up when the leaves fall but some trails are used regardless of time of year. I do mark (gps waypoints) everything I see, rubs, scrapes, poop, trails, etc. and then put it on a map when I get home. I will also do this while hunting. After a while, the patterns show up really well on the map and, if nothing else, helps me understand how the deer like to move across different types of terrain.
Justin, you hit the nail on the head here. I think it also really depends on the region you hunt as well. For instance, here in PA, the "yarding up" of deer during the winter usually doesn't take place until mid to late January if temps and weather stay normal. Also, if the deer have ag fields, etc.,.. What are the farmers doing to them? Way too many variables to label it a one size fits all. What I really like about late season hunting (after Christmas here in PA), is that I'm usually hunting in the snow. The snow can reveal a lot of information. Finding bedding areas, out of the way trails you never knew existed, food sources that may be available next fall, etc., are easier to find now. To the OP. Look at it this way. Scouting of any kind can only help you in the future. Scouting during the winter months is low impact and you don't runt he risk of bumping deer out, screwing up a potential setup. As Justin said, in-season scouting is by far the most effective. Things change a lot during the course of a season and being able to identify a hot setup and move in quickly is best.
I hunt heavily pressured public land and so scouting is essential.My two favorite stand sites I found by scouting after the season ended. Where I hunt there are no crop fields or food plots.The major food source is acorns, and oaks are everywhere here.So I key in on bedding areas and pinch points.Trails are important to know and where they lead.My favorite time to scout is after a snow storm.So much info can be gathered from tracks in the snow.
