Scouting For Deer – Summertime Tips
I have to admit, as I get older, it's gets harder and harder to think about scouting for deer when it's 100 degrees outside. I'm usually thinking of my next fishing trip or how high my electric bill will be! I'll bet that many of you are the same way, whether you're old or young!
Advantages To Scouting for Deer in the Summer
There is pretty much two worlds of thought about scouting for deer in the Summer. Some believe that it does no good, believing any bucks you might see will be long gone come October or November.
Others believe scouting for deer in the Summer is helpful because it will show you what quality of bucks you'll have come fall.
In my opinion, both trains of thought are right and wrong. Allow me to voice my opinion.
In years past when I scouted heavily for Deer in the Summer, I knew that most of the Bucks I saw would be gone by early Fall.
Bucks just will not hang out in bachelor groups all year long. Especially the younger ones. They seem to wear out their welcome among the other Deer pretty quick!
So they disband and go their separate ways. Many will not see each other again unless it's in one hunters freezer.
I've found this to be especially true if there are a lot of Does around. It seems the Does know that these little Bucks will be pestering them relentlessly in a few months and they try and run them off.
In areas with few does, I've found that the little Bucks will hang around longer, sometimes right up to the gun Deer season.
Big Bucks are a whole 'nother story.
Simply put, they're unpredictable year round. If you see a large buck in your back yard all Summer long, chances are he'll be gone in Sept. or October.
Other times, I've watched big Bucks in fields and pipeline and power line right-of-ways and those bucks were still hanging around the general area come the rut.
Many hunters who hang out scouting cameras wonder where the big Bucks they see in the Summer have gone when it comes hunting season.
Truth is, they're out partying with the girls! Or trying to find girls to party with.
It seems that the more remote the areas I scout and find big Bucks, the more likely it is they'll be hanging around when Gun season rolls around. But when you're talking big Bucks, nothing is written in stone.
They may get hit by a car or die of natural causes. They may get whipped by a stronger buck and be forced to leave their core area. They may wake up one morning and feel pressured to leave by who knows what and they beeline out of the country. Big Deer have a mind of their own.
I'm always amazed at how cautious the big Bucks are even in the dead of Summer. They're generally the last ones to exit cover and the first ones back in. It's like they never relax entirely. The bigger they are, the more cautious they are. They didn't get those big ole racks by being smart only during hunting season!
Where to Start Looking For Summertime Bucks
You have to remember one thing when looking for Summertime Bucks. They're carrying around antlers on their heads that are covered with velvet that has millions of nerve endings and blood vessels in them. They know they have to protect their velvet from bugs and things that might scuff up their head gear.
They prefer to stay in semi-open terrain where there are breezes to keep the bugs and branches to a minimum.
I find many bucks in the same general area as Does during the Summer. Fields are a great place to glass in the mornings and evenings.
My favorite places to search for Summer Bucks are pipeline and power line right of ways. This is true especially if I'm scouting a new area or want to see what quality of Bucks the current area holds.
In some states, you can actually spotlight Deer at night. Just be sure to check your local regulations before doing this!
Summertime scouting for deer also gives you the chance to pattern the Does. Chances are they'll stick around the entire year. It helps to try and learn their patterns as well.
Of course, as the food sources change, so will the patterns. In agriculture areas, those patterns don't seem to change as much as they do in Deep Woods. Keep that in mind when you're scouting your hunting area.
Don't overlook watering holes. Although Whitetail Deer don't water like Cattle, in arid regions, especially as the Summer temps rise, they'll visit watering holes a lot more often than people think.
I've actually watched Does playing in an old Slough one year while Squirrel hunting. So expect the unexpected.
Is Summer Time Scouting Worthless For Hunting Season?
I've heard some people say that you're wasting your time scouting in the Summer. This isn't exactly true. If you only hunt the Gun Season or Late Season, then there might be some truth to this.
In States that have early hunting Seasons, Summer scouting can allow you to pattern and kill a Buck before some Hunters even start thinking about putting stands out.
The bachelor groups will still be around in August and even early September in most places. This gives early Season Hunters a chance to pattern and take the Buck of their choice before he goes bonkers and heads out to parts unknown.
The more you get out and learn what the Deer are doing in your hunting area do under certain times and conditions, the more you're likely be in the right place at the right time. Don't ignore scouting for Deer in the Summer, it can be a great time to get out before the Season and see what your hunting area has to offer.
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Great tips! It’s only 100 there? Been 110 plus for about 17 straight days here – yuck!
Scouting?
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, so that they may play constructive roles in society.
Good info – I’ve always wondered about summer scouting as it seems so far away from hunting season. Seeing as most of my hunting is done, though, in September, I’d imagine that there could be some definite advantages to getting out even this early.
All great tips that I will use. I knew some and learned about a few others. I just wish I could get a buck on trailcam. Hopefully that happens soon.
good tips i always do summer scouting not much to scout though since i only hunt 2 acres of property just like watchin the deer i guess.
Good tips. My deer season comes in early september this year so hopefully I will get the big one with the bow.
I find myself coming back here a lot to read. I’ve learned many new things here. Thanks a lot!
I agree with you on the summer batchlor groups and how they split as their antler harden. But it sure is fun to run trail cameras on them.
On the other hand late season has been good to my boys and I for havesting some of the bucks we see in the summer months.
Then the fun starts all over again the next season.
Hunt the Does. Learn their area late summer and early fall, the bucks will follow. Look for scrapes near the feeding areas. ridges, swamp edges and logging road edges are good spots to check. I usually get 3- 5 bucks a year. Don’t shoot the spikes, forks, or cow horns. Probably should, but I’d rather make it worth while.
I have to agree with you, summer scouting has really paid off for me. The Missouri bow season starts sept.13, and those brusiers are still hitting the field. The summer pattern lasts till the 1st or second week in oct. which by the 15-20 of sept. i have already tagged a monster from the summer pattern. great article, be safe and do your scouting it will pay off!! God Bless
I would also encourage scouting right after the snow melts in the spring.
Your hunting area at this time is almost identical to how it was left in the fall after the rut. Vegetation both on the ground and on the trees is either missing or very short making searching for rubs much easier. The earth is moist exposing tracks and scrapes. Most of this sign disappears once the ground dries. The ground becomes light colored and easily disturbed.
Offshoot trails have not been covered up by new grass or fallen leaves. Big whitetail bucks rarely follow the “beaten path” come hunting season and knowing the location of offshoot trails is critical to stand placement.
Not only is spring scouting great exercise but you will be totally focused on studying the area and looking for all available sign. Thoughts of scaring deer or disturbing the area are not as large of concern.
Happy Hunting!
I had a 180 inch 16pt coming into my food plot all summer & I got tones of pic’s of him. 2 weeks ago he just left. I noticed it was right as buck’s started rubbing so I’m guessing he just changed his summer pattern for the begining of fall. It’s kinda hard because the time I put in for this deer. I figured the first day of season I’d wack him, but it dont look that way. Hopefully during the rut he’s still around.