Scouting question.....

[TradPaul]

So here's the deal. I have been scouting my hunting area everyday checking the trails, marking the activity in several area's crossing the streams, and on several occassions have jumped deer in the area. But lately i havent seen any deer or tracks in any of the known area's , did i scare them away? and if i did make it to "hot" when will they come back? i know no one can really know that last question, but do any of you have experience with this?

  Question two, i have noticed that it seems a certain size of deer will cross a stream in one area, while the smaller ones will cross at another area. Now the area's i speak of both have very little water and are not hard to cross in either case, so what may be causing that, or is it just coincidence? thanks for helping a first year hunter, hopefully my game came will come soon and i can better see whats crackin out there. Thanks again.


P.

[Killdeer]

Either they are being spooked, or the food source has changed.

Is one stream crossing more secluded than the other?

The deer will return to an area once it calms down, but now they know your favorite trails...  :p  

Be prepared for a big change in their patterns at the end of summer.

You don't have to stay completely out of the area, but if you can find a way to scope it out from a distance, maybe using binoculars or your new game camera, it will be less disturbing to the deer. Every day is pretty often. Maybe check your camera once a week.
Killdeer

[Billy]

I have seen the 'little ones' crossing more narrow and or shallower places...shorter legs?
Hope the cam allows all of us a
look-see...  

[Pat B]

Coming up soon as the testosterone begins to flow the velvet falls off and the prerut begins. Deer habits and activities change at this time. The bachelor buck groups will split up. In many cases the bucks will parallel the other deer trails instead of using them.  And like Killie said food sources begin to change also. You might give the area a rest and a day or 2 before you hunt scope it out for new sign. Pat

[TradPaul]

Awesome advice guys and killie, i have noticed that there are quite a few trails that are higher up off the floor of the forest and more onto an over looking ridge-hill type area, i wonder if this is what your refering to Pat? it will be good to get the Cam and i think i'll be leaving the area alone until the hunt begins except to check the pic's. Thanks again everyone, and if you have any more advice for this newb, please feel free.


P.

[JDice]

Is there other human activity in the area?

[madness522]

"I have been scouting my hunting area everyday "
Don't do this and expect the deer to not change their patterns.  They don't like you nor do they like ANY human wondering thru their yard.  I don't care how carefully you try to mask, remove or cover your scent the deer will still be able to smell you after you have gone.  And even though you have long gone the deer won't know that you are sitting in your PJs watching TV and not hiding behind every tree.  Scouting is a really tool that a hunter uses to learn deer patterns but everyday is just way too often.

[frassettor]

I usually set my stand up 2-3 months early, then return a few weeks before the season to trim.. Thats all I like to do.. It keeps human actavity to a minimum that way. I feel some of the best scouting is after the season closes..There is usually snow on the ground, and you can really see the trails. We hunt in alot of marshy areas and its VERY diffacult to see trails this time of year.

[TradPaul]

Thanks again guys, all good stuff. Now lets see if i cant get some pic's...    


P.

[Pat B]

Paul, the trails above the others could well be the bucks trails but without being in a stand and actually watching them its hard to say. Sometimes you will hardly notice a bucks trail and usually a bit later in the season is when you will know better.
   On my property here near Brevard we walk trails through out every day. You would think they would be used to our scent and our non-aggressive behavior but when the season opens, its a totally different story. Somehow they know!!!       Pat

[44charlie]

scout on a rainy day or when it is forecasted.