Deer & Turkey Hunting Tips

Deer Hunting Tips: After the deer hunting season has passed and before the spring growth has arrived, the hunter should get out for some post season scouting. This is an excellent time of the year to learn about deer activity. Here are some suggestions to get the scouting started.

Go Wide And Deep

For the most part, hunters usually have a pretty good idea of the deer activity that occurred right around their stands. Now is the chance to expand the area. Go deeper into the hunting property to discover signs previously unknown.

Cover every foot of the property and document any tracks, trails, rubs, scrapes, beds, etc. that indicate deer movement. Don’t worry about spooking the deer, they will have forgotten by next fall.

Get Away Areas

Many times deer will change their roaming habits as the hunting season progresses. They will find secluded areas not used by hunters. These get away areas will provide some form of security.

Post season scouting can unveil these secret hiding spots. By finding and keeping records, the hunter can be better prepared for the following hunting season.

Deer Trails

The off season can be valuable when scouting for deer trails. But its not just finding them that is key. It is following them that will provide helpful information for the future.

See where they come from and where they lead to. Back track in each direction. They will lead to bedding, watering, breeding, and feeding areas. Often this will provide the hunter with knowledge that was previously unknown.

Deer Rubs

Although an occasional rub here and there may be helpful, it is the rub lines that will be more valuable. Again, follow them to see where they go. Remember that rub lines often appear in the same general areas from one year to the next.

Deer Bedding Areas

This is the perfect time to walk right down through the middle of the deer bedding areas. And the hunter should do just that. This will provide information on where the beds are as well as how the area is being used.

Look for and follow any trails near these areas. Also pay attention to any buck signs that indicate a buck is or has been using the bedding area.

When searching for bedding areas, look for tall grass, thickets, tall vines, swamps, or any other location that may provide adequate cover. This does not always result in the thickest type of terrain. It may just be an isolated area.

Learn The Terrain

It is also helpful to learn as much about the terrain as possible. Pay attention to any areas that hold water. Look for tracks that may indicate a primary watering hole.

Also look for any current or early food source areas. This may be oak trees, fields used for crops, fruit orchids, etc. In most cases there won’t be anything planted in the fields at this time but there may be next hunting season.

Scouting can also make the hunter aware of funnels, edges, or corners that are used by the deer. Anywhere that the terrain changes abruptly from one type of terrain to another should be noted. This could be something like a pine thicket joining an oak grove for example.

Post season scouting does not have to be done all in one day. So spend a few weekends before the thick spring time and get to know your hunting area better. Make sure to keep good records including field notes, photos, and maps.

Other Helpful Deer Hunting Tips.

Deer hunting tips:  Deer scouting is the act of searching for and locating signs of deer activity. This may be food sources, water sources, travel trail routes, bedding areas, tracks, droppings, rubs, scrapes, and so forth. The best way to scout for deer is to spend as much time in the woods as possible throughout the entire year. This article provides some tactics for scouting deer.

Know The Terrain

An important factor for hunters is to know the terrain to be hunted. Hunting in unscouted and unfamiliar places rarely will result in success. The hunter should walk the land to be hunted prior to the season. The only exception to this would be if hunting with a guide or partner who was familiar with the land.

Maps

The use of maps is an important tool for scouting. The hunter can keep notes and draw up the maps while in the woods. Or by obtaining a topographical map of the land. Either way, maps should play a part as they will provide valuable information to the hunter. The more detailed the map the better. An aerial photo map of the land can also be of use.

Field Notes

Hunters should keep a pen and note pad for taking field notes with them at all times. This will help keep track of found scouting information. Write down all information and details found. This could be any sign of deer activity, possible stand locations, hunter entrance and exit locations, and so forth. Keeping records throughout the year is important for success.

Deer Signs

The goal of scouting is to locate the most concentrated amounts of deer signs in order to have a starting point for hunting. The hunter needs to know how each sign plays a role in understanding deer activities. This knowledge will provide the hunter with helpful information to produce better results in the field.

Bedding Areas

The bedding areas used by deer are a primary sign to locate. This is a starting and ending point for all deer activity. Deer will have several bedding areas located on their home range. This may small tracts of tall grassy areas, a patch of young pine trees, thickets, over grown cut overs, and so forth. In finding these areas the hunter should look for numerous trails and tracks leading to them. Avoid walking directly into bedding areas.

Food Sources

Another primary sign to look for while scouting is deer food sources. This will change throughout the year. Deer eat a variety of plants, nuts, fruits, and field crops. Depending on the time of year, the hunter needs to locate as many food sources as possible. The tract of land to be hunted will dictate what types of food is available. Keeping track of this information will allow the hunter to set-up in good locations during the season.

Deer Trails

Ideally the hunter is scouting for deer trails that lead to or come from bedding and food source areas. These trails will provide the best oppotunity for seeing deer. The closer a hunter can get to these primary areas without being detected the better. Spending time in the woods will allow the hunter to find out when deer are using which trails at any given time. The use of trail cameras has also become a valuable scouting tool that provides dates, times, and photos of deer movement.

Rubs And Scrapes

As the season progresses other deer signs such as rubs and scrapes will begin to appear. Finding these areas will give the hunter more information that can be used for stand or blind placement. They also provide knowledge that one of the primary times of the year for mature bucks is arriving. Keeping track of these signs will enable the hunter to be prepared for the rutting season.

These deer hunting tips for scouting deer are provided as helpful information that can be used in the field. Remember that scouting begins well before the season and it should continue throughout. So good luck and be safe.

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