In 2010 or so, we posted regarding simple scouting/hunting techniques. Based on many questions about where to start in given zones. There is no simple answer. Like anything else it takes time, and knowledge to succeed at deer hunting. There are no “golden rules” because each area is different, and so too are many of the populations of deer. There are, however, some things that will encourage your success.
A primary being; there are deer where I hunt. If there aren’t deer, you are not going to kill one. In writing that, we are not suggesting if you don’t see them they aren’t there. If I can’t see them, how do I know if they are in my hunting spot? Are there game trails? Is there scat (deer shit)? Are there signs of browsing (fragile shoots of particular plants that have been nibbled away)? Deer beds in the area? If not…they probably are not there. If these signs exist, then it is a matter of determining how fresh these signs are, and putting some time into locating the deer that leave them.
To most, fresh deer scat is easy to identify compared to old deer scat. Fresh deer scat is dark shiny and soft. If it’s all white, dry, and hard that is old sign. Three types of deer scat; buck scat looks like football shaped individual scat that resembles a handful of “Milk Duds” compressed together, doe scat is individual football shaped scat in a pile that continues for a few inches, and fawn scat which is a tinier version of doe scat.
Game trails can be tricky, because they could signal the possibility of many different animals and not deer specifically, however, a game trail with fresh deer scat is a great indicator that you are headed in the right direction. Add to that signs of browsing and deer beds, and you are cooking with gas!
If I see a doe, I am going to glass (use my binoculars) around the doe, and continue to glass other areas as well. If I am seeing many does, and not many bucks, I am going to look a bit higher, and focus my energy on areas that promote bucks; brush lines, high hard to reach locations, locations with multiple areas a deer can use to escape (escape routes), tree lines and shade from trees, and paths of least resistance (a route to and from bedding, water, and feeding areas that requires less energy to move about). Areas that allow the buck to see and sense danger from many directions are good to identify. These spots take advantage of wind direction and the ability to see danger.
If I am seeing deer while scouting, I watch where they go, how they react to other deer, what they are eating, what they do when alarmed. If I see one buck, there is a high probability that there are more in the vicinity, this is true while hunting as well. Scouting should be done in somewhat of close proximity to hunting. If it is prior to season, I will focus my scouting to a distance far enough from the area I will be concentrating on so as not to disturb the animals. If you are incorporating trail cams into your scouting process keep these things in mind, is there a pattern to when the deer are moving, which direction(s) are they going to or coming from, am I seeing bucks (if your camera has been there for a 2-3 months and you’re not seeing bucks, move it).
As you begin to see deer in your area, and really studying their habits you will build confidence. You will know when they are likely to be moving and when they will not. You will know where they will be coming from and going to, and why. In certain areas, the deer will exhibit consistent patterns and behavior. The deer will be letting you know if they are hungry, thirsty, spooked or just shifting from a warm bed in the sun to a cooler location. If you take the time, and study the deer you are scouting, you will exponentially increase your chances of hunting success!
A primary being; there are deer where I hunt. If there aren’t deer, you are not going to kill one. In writing that, we are not suggesting if you don’t see them they aren’t there. If I can’t see them, how do I know if they are in my hunting spot? Are there game trails? Is there scat (deer shit)? Are there signs of browsing (fragile shoots of particular plants that have been nibbled away)? Deer beds in the area? If not…they probably are not there. If these signs exist, then it is a matter of determining how fresh these signs are, and putting some time into locating the deer that leave them.
To most, fresh deer scat is easy to identify compared to old deer scat. Fresh deer scat is dark shiny and soft. If it’s all white, dry, and hard that is old sign. Three types of deer scat; buck scat looks like football shaped individual scat that resembles a handful of “Milk Duds” compressed together, doe scat is individual football shaped scat in a pile that continues for a few inches, and fawn scat which is a tinier version of doe scat.
Game trails can be tricky, because they could signal the possibility of many different animals and not deer specifically, however, a game trail with fresh deer scat is a great indicator that you are headed in the right direction. Add to that signs of browsing and deer beds, and you are cooking with gas!
If I see a doe, I am going to glass (use my binoculars) around the doe, and continue to glass other areas as well. If I am seeing many does, and not many bucks, I am going to look a bit higher, and focus my energy on areas that promote bucks; brush lines, high hard to reach locations, locations with multiple areas a deer can use to escape (escape routes), tree lines and shade from trees, and paths of least resistance (a route to and from bedding, water, and feeding areas that requires less energy to move about). Areas that allow the buck to see and sense danger from many directions are good to identify. These spots take advantage of wind direction and the ability to see danger.
If I am seeing deer while scouting, I watch where they go, how they react to other deer, what they are eating, what they do when alarmed. If I see one buck, there is a high probability that there are more in the vicinity, this is true while hunting as well. Scouting should be done in somewhat of close proximity to hunting. If it is prior to season, I will focus my scouting to a distance far enough from the area I will be concentrating on so as not to disturb the animals. If you are incorporating trail cams into your scouting process keep these things in mind, is there a pattern to when the deer are moving, which direction(s) are they going to or coming from, am I seeing bucks (if your camera has been there for a 2-3 months and you’re not seeing bucks, move it).
As you begin to see deer in your area, and really studying their habits you will build confidence. You will know when they are likely to be moving and when they will not. You will know where they will be coming from and going to, and why. In certain areas, the deer will exhibit consistent patterns and behavior. The deer will be letting you know if they are hungry, thirsty, spooked or just shifting from a warm bed in the sun to a cooler location. If you take the time, and study the deer you are scouting, you will exponentially increase your chances of hunting success!