Yes. They will not be on the regular patterns but you can find the core if you don't already know where it is with out fear of pushing them out. If you bump something that is fine as they have plenty of time to recover. Another benefit is that you can wrap that in with shed hunting too. Killing two birds with one stone. In the snow you figure out travel patterns too pretty easily. I scout year round and when ever possible. Never know when you will come across something interesting.
I think its a great time to scout when theres no snow. You can see everything that was going on during the fall (scrapes,rubs,trails). When the snow gets too deep you cant see these things. Don't get fooled into thinking that the deer will be where they are now during the fall, the winter habits of the deer in my area are way different than they are during the fall. They seem to move off the hilltops and congregate down near the lakes in the winter. It must be just a little bit warmer down by the water or something? This is also a great time of year to trim shooting lanes. The deer will have plenty of time to get used to it before next fall. Its also a good time to move or set new treestands as long as its above freezing. When its colder it seems like the ratched straps and padlocks don't want to work that well!
Yes!! Bust in there like ya own the place!! Scout all the places you didn't dare go before and during the season for fear of pushing them out. This is a great chance to see whats back there. Of course, their feeding and travel patterns will be completely different now than during next hunting season, but it's a great time to learn a few things about your deer... and keep an eye open for antler sheds!
