Helpfull scouting tips

[MAGICMAN]

Im sure im not the only one out there that has issues with consistantly getting on deer on new or public property so i thought i would pick some of yalls brains and see if there are any tips or tricks that have consistantly worked over the years. Maybe there was a book you read or a moment it all clicked and came together. Anyways I would sure appreciate any advice tradgangers might be able to give for us lets just say scouting challenged hunters LOL!

[Rob W.]

When I started I would walk all over creation looking for sign and think I had things figured out. When season came i would actually figure things out by watching and have to move stands and such. Now I do more sitting and watching before season. I still give new areas a good walk but a vantage point and some binos works great.

[hitman]

Check your winter trails. Deer will use the cover they usually stay in. Trails will lead to food sources.

[sweeney3]

Scout now.  Post season is a fine time to see where they are and might be.  It won't hurt too much if you jump them now, too.  Of course, in some places with fine hunting, you may not be ABLE to scout untill the actual season opens.  I'm thinking of the Walk-In Hunting Area program in Kansas.  Great program with some fine folks opening up their land, but it usually isn't open much if any before the season.  

That aside, scout during spring and summer if you can.  Espically late summer, as that will likely be their early bow season movement pattern.  Things start getting crazy when thousands of people start stomping in the woods.

[wollelybugger]

I scout during spring Turkey, you have to cover a lot of ground and a good way to check out a new area.

[twitchstick]

I hunt public land alot and the one thing I scout as much as the game I'm hunting is to scout other hunters. If you spend enough time you will see them lurking. I use this to my advantage to know where they are comimg and going from. You can position yourself to where they can push for you or to know if there is just too much pressure there. Good luck with the new property.