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Scouting a week before the opener?

DannyAttacksTheMountain

DannyAttacksTheMountain

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2018
Messages
714
I’ve got a spot that I call “Dino’s House” in mountain/hill country that I’ve scouted before and am still not sure where he beds(just a couple rough ideas). So my question is.....to scout it tomorrow which is a week before the season starts with high hopes that if I bump him he’ll later return for the opener or do I just leave it alone until the opener rather than stinking him out if there. I’ve also got a trail cam in there that’s been up since Feb so I’d like to pull it and set up a new one to leave until after the season.

Thanks all,
DATM


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I say pull a @John Eberhart and do a speed scouting trip with full scent control measures in place. That or do a low impact perimeter scout using what you know and what you assume by looking at aerial photos and see what the sign shows you. Then go in early for an evening hunt and verify your theory with actual sign and setup on it.
 
If you already have some idea of how the deer move in that area I wouldn’t show up in there without something to stick him with.Scout from the tree the morning and give it a look after you get down and go back in.Whether you have a bow or not he is just as educated if you bump him.Mature bedded deer are very fickle and you wont get away with much.
 
There’s not a chance in hell that you’re going to scout a bucks bedding area in this heat and not leave a load of scent, no matter what precautions.

Use your best guess/judgement on hunt #1 and go from there. If you happen to be right, first hunt is best, don’t disturb it any more than absolutely needed


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Scouting is one thing, but being able to actually set up can be a whole new set of complications.
Sometimes there may be only one tree in the right spot, and sometimes that tree may need substantial work to make it huntable.
The best tree in the best spot is useless if there are no shooting lanes or poor access routes.
If such a situation is the case, can you get it prepped without wrecking the spot?
 
My answer I would say it depends how much area you are talking and how those prospective beds are distributed in that area.

Personally thinking of my mountain areas and given how nomadic deer are here I would scout now, looking for hot sign specifically oaks the deer are keyed in on. But I'd stay back from where I think he's bedding specifically and try to stay at least 75 or 100 yards away from where I would anticipate setting up. I would try to narrow down location because the way you phrase the question and thinking mountains I assume we're talking a handful of beds spread out over a couple square miles. Going in blind is a big time hit or miss proposition in the big woods because of that factor, simply much more widely distributed over the landscape. You just can't call the SSOB play and cover the amount of ground needed to gather that intel most of the time.

But in a smaller woodlot situation where the deer are much more likely to be pinned in a smaller known bedding area, then I'd lean more towards staying out entirely and going in just looking for the right tree.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Scouting is one thing, but being able to actually set up can be a whole new set of complications.
Sometimes there may be only one tree in the right spot, and sometimes that tree may need substantial work to make it huntable.
The best tree in the best spot is useless if there are no shooting lanes or poor access routes.
If such a situation is the case, can you get it prepped without wrecking the spot?
Click to expand...

Prob not. This is one reason I was considering scouting it soon yet I’d rather run the risk of not finding the perfect tree (can always setup on the ground) than to screw the place up. Good point man


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The only conditions that might limit your scent impact would be to scout just prior to an imminent rain. During the season I try to time any serious scouting with an approaching front with substantial rain. I’ve often got drenched but I feel at least my scent trail gets washed away.
 
Sipsey said:
The only conditions that might limit your scent impact would be to scout just prior to an imminent rain. During the season I try to time any serious scouting with an approaching front with substantial rain. I’ve often got drenched but I feel at least my scent trail gets washed away.
Click to expand...

Amen to that. Also my fav time to scout, hunt, check TC’s ect


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IMO, the best conditions to scout and prep is during dry and windy conditions.
Our odor doesn't stick as much, it dissipates faster and wind noise covers some of our noise. Wind makes it more pleasant anyway...less sweating and less bugs.
A good comparison is to observe bird dogs or hounds. When are the worst days to try to work dogs?? Dry, windy days.
We used to own a beagle that was an escape artist. That boy got loose a lot and would run rabbits for hours. Many nights I could hear him in a pouring down rain storm running rabbit trails. Rain was not washing away rabbit trails so why do we think rain washes away human scent?


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I agree with the rain argument. It holds scent.
I disagree with scouting within a week. Unless way long distance...hundred of yards. But that would take discipline that i dont have. I would keep getting closer and i know it and would stay out. Scout scout scout hunt...and find hot sign...ie The Hunting Public and Dan Infalts Beaststyle.


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I personally would show some caution since it is a specific buck and early in the season. I agree with the outside perimeter, observation type of set that others here have mentioned. That way you can get into a position to figure out his bedding, movement, food sources and put all the pieces together. Grab the camera when you go into the area to hunt. Good luck and let us know how this works out
 
I just read my post from Wednesday and realized I can't even follow my own advise...I jumped one of my target bucks on public land Sunday. I got too close out looking for the access to his bed and how it relates to the food ....It was 78 degrees.... I know he was only moving because he saw me, not sure how long he was up before I saw him....
 
I scout the same day and kill them that day a lot. Just did it in KY and did it last year as well. The trick is knowing when you are pushing in too far and that’s hard to know when you are going in blind sometimes. I guess I am just an aggressive hunter by nature and I’m not overly concerned with bumping them. I have done it enough times and killed them a day or two later I don’t worry about it much. That being said I am hunting highly pressured areas and if I don’t make a move quickly they may not be alive long enough to worry about. Bump them once and you’re ok. Do it over and over without killing them and you’ll be looking
For other bucks to chase


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