Post season scouting. Is it worth it?

[Mr.Magoo]

I've never done much post-season scouting.  I've read opinions that say it's very important and others that say it's not worth much.

Some say it's not worth much down South because the weather and foliage is so different in early vs. post season that the animals (mostly deer) are moving in very different patterns at those times.

So.  Is post season scouting indispensable or a waste of time?  If you're a 'scouter' what are you looking for?  Thx.

[Rollie]

I would have to say "for me" easily over 90% of my stand sights are completed by spring turkey season, but found during post season scouting using the previous years rub lines and rut sign. The other 10% or so hunted are usually based on available food sources at the present time. This seems to work for me.

[Terry Green]

Ask Gene and Barry Wensel.....they are scouting for next year now.

[DEATHMASTER]

If you want to be ready for one the next year it should be a year round hunt.
YES, post season is one of the best. You do not have to worry about sent or scaring deer and can go right in the bedrooms to look around.

Tim

[GREASEMAN]

Absolutely! Most of my Fall success is atributed to my Winter Scouting,as well as,my shed Hunting.

[Chris Shelton]

wow I cant say I have ever even heard of it, but I suppose I do it without knowing it, while squirrel hunting?  This month of Feb we are still out and about, and if you can find deer now, you will do good in the fall!

[ron w]

It can be very helpful, in areas with rough winters where deer yard up sometimes miles from their home turf not so much. Any time afield is good to help your woodsmanship skills and you may find a shed. Old runways show up well late in the year and that can help plans for next year if you mark them and look for stand sites or even make ground blinds now. Never hurts to go out and stump shoot and just say your scout'n...lol

[Doug in MN]

Just got back in from a scouting/rabbit hunting/shed hunting/stump shooting trip. I find it very useful to be able to see which deer use which trails.

The area I was out on is only about 280 acres I seem to learn something everytime I go out there.

[30coupe]

The area I hunt isn't all that big, so I have a pretty good idea where the deer are in the fall. Since it's along the river, high water can change things a bit in the spring, so scouting right now is not very productive. I do a lot of it during spring turkey season though.

[wildgame]

scouting is year round for me like now you can look for sheds and this will along with trail cam pics tell tou a  deers home range for the most part! im all the time watching trails and fields for new deer and the up comers ! for me this is the other part of the season!!  

[Bill Carlsen]

Yep!!!!

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

Bare in mind, you are not scouting where the deer are now, you are looking for places where they were last year, knowing they will be back next fall.
There will be minor changes because of other influences such as favored food sources, but where they were last fall they will be this coming fall.

[joevan125]

Yea our season ended jan. 1 and i went down last weekend and found a bunch of huge rubs in a place i didnt have a stand, guess what i have a lock-on in there now.

A month after the season to me is the best time to scout for next year. Its lets you know what bucks made it through the season is the best reason to do it.

[MJB]

YES

[Roy Steele]

I do all of my prerut and rut scouting post season for next year and have done this for over 30 years and it work just fine for my way of hunting.Low impack hunting no scent left.WALK IN AND OUT TO YOUR STAND SITE ONLY WITH THE WIND,WINDS IN YOUR FAVOR WHILE THE.NO OTHER WALKING AROUND.NO SCENT.

[George D. Stout]

The deer around these parts don't spend winters where the spend early season, but you can scout anytime of the year.  Our deer tend to spend their winter's on the south-facing portions of the mountains here, and in the thick areas that provide browse and subsequent warmth.

In September they tend to seek out the windward slopes, and creek bottoms.  I like to take a few trips through my hunting area during spring and late summer, but try not to stink it up too much.
I don't hang stands so don't worry about sudden changes in habits...I can adapt to that.

We don't have big midwestern whitetails here, but our bucks are getting bigger.  You won't catch them (Pa. bucks) crossing fields in broad daylight unless they are pushed, so the best stands are fairly deep in the woods.

[Biggie Hoffman]

Unlike the old guy from Manns Choice, down here this is the time of year to get into the thickets and see what was happening during the rut.  It's the only time you can see more than 5 feet in front of you and the snakes are slowed down enough that you can dodge a bite. Our southern deer don't change much from spring to fall or even winter as our winters are pretty mild.

I learned quite a bit this weekend in the SNOW. That's right, we got 5" Friday night. Really helps see concentrations.

[BTW]

There is no better time to locate deer trails, scrapes, rubs, possible stand locations, etc. than in early spring before greenup.

[leatherneck]

We never quit scouting. This is the time of year that we really get into scouting. All those places you never wanted to walk during the season is now prime territory. We'll be cutting out future tree stands this time of year. I've been known to even hang a stand or two right now.    Scrapes, rubs,etc. from this year are still there. Unless your under alot of snow.
But yes, get out now and scout.

Mike

C'mon Biggie, it doesn't snow in GEEEorgia.

[sendero25]

I don't scout until a month or so after general gun season.
The lease I hunt on allows dog hunting during gun season, I let everything "settle down" after the gun and dog hunters leave before I do any serious scouting.
Just my opinion, but I liken my woods to a big mixing bowl. During gun and dog season, it is really mixed and stirred up, I let everything slow and settle down and the game get back to a routine before I try to make sense of deer or hog movement or patterns. Just what my "mixed up mind" visualizes in the woods.
I may not be right but that is what I visualize happening the the woods when we hunters aren't around.
John