Scouting season

[grizzmoose]

Hello all,

I drew an LE deer tag this year. I drew the same tag a few years ago and had an awesome time. While hunting the first time, I felt like I learned the area fairly well and definitely learned what kind of animals are available. This will be one of the last opportunities Ill have in a while for a good hunt.

The reason I bring this up? Id like to make the best of this trip by scouting more than I did last time. When is a good time to start scouting? By what month are antlers full grown, or when can you tell when a buck will be good quality. Also, can some of you give me some good scouting techniques? I would really appreciate any info.

Thanks!!

Travis

 

[idhunters]

It would depend on the unit, i.e. are the deer there year round? Is it a summer unit or winter range? Other than learning the country (very important) scouting when the deer are not there won't do much good.

I wouldn't wait until the horns are done growing (Sept.) to start scouting. That would be too late.

Last year I started scouting in late July and it was obvious which bucks were going to be "shooters" by that time. Also, by the time the general hunt opened in October, the bucks were still in the same general area. Of course, the unit I was hunting is not really "migratory", the deer tend to stay in the same areas most of the year.

So, understand how the deer use your unit and by July you will have enough horn growth to know a good buck. Get some good optics and don't spook the deer while scouting.

And finally, here is a mistake I made last year...I scouted and found 4 or 5 decent bucks. I could find them nearly every time I went scouting. I always went to the same area to observe these deer, and when opening day came I thought I would be smart and approach the deer from a different direction....didn't see a buck. The next day I couldn't hunt but my partner (who couldn't hunt the opener)went in the same way we had been scouting all year and saw 2 of the big bucks, harvesting a 27" 4x6. Scout your route, make a plan based on the scouting and stay with it.

Lance

 

[cabinfever]

My first scouting trips usually start in June. Keep in mind the area I scout is around 8500 in elevation at the highest peak. You'll want to wait till about the 1st of july to acess the high country. Although their antlers are not done growing, you can still get a good idea which bucks are going to be shooters. I really like to start this time of year because the bucks aren't spooked and you can began to observe there habits. I suggest you buy the best glass you can afford and perch yourself high on a ridge where you can glass a lot of country. Another advantage of scouting this time of year, is the deer stick out like a sore thumb and are easy to spot. Scouting will increase your chances of taking a big buck 3 fold.

Mike