Late Winter Scouting Can Be The Best For Fall Bucks

I know most of you have probably already forgotten about Deer hunting and are turning your thoughts to fishing or Spring Turkey hunting. Hey, that's okay. But if you want a crack at next years Big Buck, get out and do some post season scouting.

In my opinion, post season scouting is some of the best scouting you can do. In the post season, you can find out if your Buck is still alive and more important, where he's hanging out. Many places either have snow on the ground or will have snow. This can be the best time to follow a Buck and see where he's holing up. In most cases, he'll still be in his hiding/evading mode due to Small Game hunters in his area.

The places he likes to hide, his travel routes and his escape routes will be much easier to find this time of year than when your scouting in the Pre-season. It's also a great time to snoop around your public hunting land and see where he likes to hide or where other hunters are setting up.

I've found more Big Buck escape routes and Sanctuary's by scouting when there was snow on the ground than any other time of the year. Snow almost makes it too easy...almost! And you don't have to worry about things like Mosquitoes, Snakes and Chiggers like you do when you're scouting for deer in the Summertime.

While snow on the ground is my favorite time to scout for Bucks, I've also found good areas for the upcoming Deer season when I was scouting and hunting for Turkeys. Many of the movement habits of Deer are the same ones Turkeys use in their day to day life.

Bottlenecks, feeding areas and loafing areas that Turkeys use can be the same areas Deer use. I've also located new Deer hunting areas when out Turkey hunting. It's amazing to me how much Deer sign you can find in the Spring. The Deer will normally be in their Fall and Winter patterns before greenup and it's just an excellent time to find new areas and to tweak your existing hunting areas and treestand sites.

Post season is also an excellent time to find sheds. With the exception of actually sighting a Big Buck after Deer Season has ended, nothing says that the Big Boy is still alive like finding fresh sheds. You'll typically find sheds in bedding areas and travel corridors.

So take a few days off from fishing or just get out in the snowy woods for a romp of your deer hunting area. I'm betting you'll be surprised at what you find.

Comments

12 Responses to “Late Winter Scouting Can Be The Best For Fall Bucks”

Arthur on March 4th, 2009 2:59 pm

I agree!

My turkey scouting is in essence turkey/deer scouting. This time of the year is one of the best times to get out there, and see where those big boys are hiding.

I just wish I could find one; just one.
Buckhunter on March 6th, 2009 8:38 am

I agree totally! I was out 2 weeks ago and saw 4 bucks still with their antlers and none of them were yearlings! They were all hanging together and not spooky at all. There was at least one 3.5 year old in the group.

Any time in the woods is better than not being in the woods!
Ryan on March 28th, 2009 7:06 am

I totally agree. Get out this time of year gives me a huge advantage in the fall. Not many people take advatage of this. But it gives you a pretty good idea of what is out there after the winter.
Deer Hunting Directory on April 17th, 2009 12:28 am

The sheds, the scouting, the solitude, the adventure. Do we do this only to find the big bucks or because it is truly a part of our personal fabric? Great post, you really got me thinking.
Jared
Wilderness Recipes on July 3rd, 2009 1:55 pm

I agree. Many successful hunts are the result of doing your homework and scouting out the area, trails, beds and rubs.
texas hunter on August 4th, 2009 1:35 pm

After the rut is over and the bucks get back to their normal routine, I like to setup a tree stand on the creek bottoms. The areas I look for are ones where the deer are crossing, or where a lot of oaks are at.

Last year, while I was setting up my climbing stand next to a creek to do an evening hunt. This doe walked within about 20 feet of my location. I heard something, looked up and there she was. I was making enough noise putting that tree stand together she should have heard me 100 feet away. Anyway, we made eye contact for just a second, and she bolted away.

So this year, I’am gonna set the stand up a few days before I hunt that spot. And ease in there one morning.
Scouting Cam Reviews on September 30th, 2009 8:15 am

It’s a good idea to use a scouting camera for the field were you’ll hunt, gives you a better idea of what comes and goes during the times of the day. Just saw some pics using the Trail Cam by Wildview and they came out really good. My neighbor uses one at his cabin.
rob on November 28th, 2009 4:09 pm

ops told your neigbour
Plains Hunter on January 8th, 2010 7:57 pm

Good advice. And I definitely agree with Buckhunter and Deer Hunting Directory, any time in the field/woods is time best spent because it is in our blood.

Good luck guys in 2010!
hatch270 on February 11th, 2010 9:38 am

I agree. I get out in the field year round. KNowing what deer, elk, antelope, or any game does in the off season is a big advantage. It gives us chance to know where those elusive hiding places, and escapes are when the pressure is on during the season. Great advice.
Bo Austin on March 15th, 2010 6:31 am

its also good to get out and see what wolves are doing to our deer and mainly elk populations. theres nothing like draws of blood stained snow and half eaten remains to keep you after the b@sterd$
Mollly Jewett on May 26th, 2010 9:34 am

You’re right! Anytime in the woods is enjoyable. Another time to look for deer sheds is while hunting spring mushrooms–Morels of May.

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