Wait to scout?

[jtanner1163]

How late in the year do you scout in the south? I have always waited till the end of September to go look because of the heat. Opinions

 

[Dmathews87]

How late in the year do you scout in the south? I have always waited till the end of September to go look because of the heat. Opinions

I went Saturday....generally speaking i dont do much in summer. scout hard right after season for fresh intel and then here and there during summer mostly checking new spots id be interested in...after that, same as you, late sept to check feed trees.

 

[jtanner1163]

I went Saturday....generally speaking i dont do much in summer. scout hard right after season for fresh intel and then here and there during summer mostly checking new spots id be interested in...after that, same as you, late sept to check feed trees.

I have always wondered if the fresh scent in the woods was a problem.

 

[jtanner1163]

I am just getting back into hunting this year.

 

[Dmathews87]

I have always wondered if the fresh scent in the woods was a problem.

when im out in late sept i do like to treat it more like a hunting\scout trip and limit my intrusion as much as possible.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

I go out and scout for a few feed trees the last week in September. All I need is a few good spots to get me started off and then I can find more after a morning hunt and keep the ball rolling. Right before season I really limit going out because I think you can educate them fast.

Now days I like to do all my big scouting immediately after the season is over. That is the best intel about what the deer were doing during the time you can hunt them.

If I were to get a brand-new area a month before season I might go out and do a couple of quick scouts to familiarize myself with the land, but I think doing so before I can hunt it hurts more than it helps. I'd probably wait for a rainy day to go.

 

[jtanner1163]

I go out and scout for a few feed trees the last week in September. All I need is a few good spots to get me started off and then I can find more after a morning hunt and keep the ball rolling. Right before season I really limit going out because I think you can educate them fast.

Now days I like to do all my big scouting immediately after the season is over. That is the best intel about what the deer were doing during the time you can hunt them.

If I were to get a brand-new area a month before season I might go out and do a couple of quick scouts to familiarize myself with the land, but I think doing so before I can hunt it hurts more than it helps. I'd probably wait for a rainy day to go.

This is primarily public land so there is people roaming all over it.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

This is primarily public land so there is people roaming all over it.

How big a chunk of public?

 

[Dmathews87]

This is primarily public land so there is people roaming all over it.

this is true and unfortunately beyond your control....all you can do is what you know you need to do and account for the fact that others are not. I guarantee you theres little pockets where the crowds arent going as much, find them on the map and go confirm...prime example...where i hunt on public, super popular with hikers and horse back riders...they also do dog training out there, so yeah goes without saying theres people out there roaming all over ...but...those people dont tend to go in the corners of this property where access is a little harder because theres no trails or where its super thick.

 

[Dmathews87]

heres a better example of summer scouting for you from my perspective that i just remembered...LDWF released their 2024-2025 deer forecast which just means 'we studied the deer herds from last year and heres what we think for this year...' and they listed like the top 5 WMAs per parish based on harvest reports, one of which is fairly close to me and ive never been on it....so plan currently in the dead of summer...go out there and get a feel for it..access points, is it mostly pine like everything else around here, can i find some decent oaks to come back and check, where are the people hanging out,etc...im going to get in and get out and its going to be hot and im going to sweat. If i like what i see, ill revisit in that late sept time frame to pick 2-3 spots and roll with the dice from there.

 

[BTaylor]

I like scouting any time I can get in the woods no matter the time of year. I virtually never go to places I have been previously unless it is to spot check for feed and that will usually be about this time of year, late august into early sept. The rest of the time I am trying to learn more areas and how they might influence areas I have already been if they are close to stuff I have previously scouted. Imo, it is impossible to spend too much time in the woods, just try to make it productive time. Besides that, it's my favorite place to be.

 

[poly]

I hunt mostly private land in Mississippi. Generally, I'll scout in late July/early August to verify that old trails are still fresh trails. Food plots are generally the same year-to-year, but I will check for deer sign and bedding in certain areas. Another big thing is making sure access to where I want to hunt hasn't been washed out over the previous 6-7 months.

With public hunting, I haven't found on-the-ground scouting to be very useful in Mississippi. There are so many people scouting in September, that the deer experience too much pressure and move away from where I've tried to scout in the past. Now, I'll typically virtually scout with HuntStand, and I'll call the WMA manager to get a feel from him as to where he thinks I should hunt. I HIGHLY recommend that to anyone that hunts public. The WMA managers are on the land year-round, and can provide incredible insight to where they think you should hunt.

Side note there, it helps to bring them some deer jerky or deer sausage when you meet them. Developing the relationship between you and the WMA manager is only a good thing.

 

[kyler1945]

based on my experience and observations huntjng public land in Louisiana, unless you’re single and childless, and have no other hobbies, and are borderline obsessive about record keeping and mapping, and spend all of your available “hunting” time scouting and then analyzing your findings, and…

Almost No one is this way. Read WHW’s work.

Save your time and money and attention.

Start walking with a weapon when the nighttime temps stay in the 50’s. Don’t get in a tree until you’ve got eyes on deer in the flesh.

 

[Dmathews87]

based on my experience and observations huntjng public land in Louisiana, unless you’re single and childless, and have no other hobbies, and are borderline obsessive about record keeping and mapping, and spend all of your available “hunting” time scouting and then analyzing your findings, and…

Almost No one is this way. Read WHW’s work.

Save your time and money and attention.

Start walking with a weapon when the nighttime temps stay in the 50’s. Don’t get in a tree until you’ve got eyes on deer in the flesh.

if i walked until i saw deer, i would end up walking until i crossed into Mississippi lol...

 

[PeterHawk22]

I like scouting any time I can get in the woods no matter the time of year. I virtually never go to places I have been previously unless it is to spot check for feed and that will usually be about this time of year, late august into early sept. The rest of the time I am trying to learn more areas and how they might influence areas I have already been if they are close to stuff I have previously scouted. Imo, it is impossible to spend too much time in the woods, just try to make it productive time. Besides that, it's my favorite place to be.

Absolutely. I don't pay attention to reasons NOT to be in the woods. I go any chance I get. Any day is a good opportunity to learn something new.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

 

[mschultz373]

heres a better example of summer scouting for you from my perspective that i just remembered...LDWF released their 2024-2025 deer forecast which just means 'we studied the deer herds from last year and heres what we think for this year...' and they listed like the top 5 WMAs per parish based on harvest reports, one of which is fairly close to me and ive never been on it....so plan currently in the dead of summer...

There goes the neighborhood….