Scouting, should I plan to do more of it?

Flatlandr · Aug 5, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Aug-05-14 AT 12:08PM (MST)[p]My dad and I drew CO 2nd rifle 61 Muley tags this year. Since we lived 1500 miles away, boots on the ground scouting like everyone is doing now is unfortunately not an option for us. Our current plan is to arrive on the plateau on Thursday before the Saturday opener. That is two days to find and setup camp and get in some scouting before the opener. I am prepared to spend all 9 days hunting for a good buck if need be. I am just wondering if I should be planning for more scouting time? I may be able add a couple more days to my trip but after a certain point it gets difficult leaving the family behind for so long of a time.

Should I allocate more scouting time?

edit to clarify that I have never been in 61.

mntman · Aug 5, 2014

YES, YES, YES!!! 2 days you have never been in is not enough. I'd rather have 10 days scouting and 2 days hunting than 2 days scouting and 10 days hunting. The first 5 days you are going to be clueless trying to figure out what is going on, unless you get lucky.
It will take a day just to learn the roads/access points, that leaves you 1/2 day to hike (that is one area, maybe two areas to check out).
Hope you come out earlier to scout, good luck.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?

heartshot · Aug 5, 2014

I would slip another day in upfront if you can. If you get there Thursday you will only have one morning for scouting. I would want at least two mornings if it is a new area for you.

nripepi · Aug 5, 2014

I think it depends if you have a set-time of days off work/family. I would prefer to hunt the very last day of the season than to scout one extra day. If you can still hunt all 9 days and squeeze another day then go for it!

tailchasers · Aug 5, 2014

Just as the others have stated but also to get your body acclimated to the mountains. Give yourself plenty of time.

"Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway."

Flatlandr · Aug 6, 2014

Thanks for the thoughts Fellas! Glad I asked. We have discussed it and will now plan to head up on the plateau on Tuesday AM so we should be able to get 3 full days or scouting in. Just a tick over two months to go, getting excited!!

oilcan · Aug 6, 2014

I agree especially on the 2nd season Hunt scouting is critical i would take a couple days off the Hunt if needed to add a few days scouting.IMO if it was a 3rd season tag you could probably get away with fewer days scouting as the rut would be kicking in and the Deer would be more active and easier to locate.

fallguy · Aug 7, 2014

>I agree especially on the 2nd
>season Hunt scouting is critical
>i would take a couple
>days off the Hunt if
>needed to add a few
>days scouting.IMO if it was
>a 3rd season tag you
>could probably get away with
>fewer days scouting as the
>rut would be kicking in
>and the Deer would be
>more active and easier to
>locate.

+1

mickeymouseoutfitters · Aug 7, 2014

Every year I always wish I could do more scouting. Just to cover the areas that I have been in, let alone the areas that I never have been in and want to. To me, scouting is priceless.

________________________________________
I'm not one for telling my grandson how big of turd I had to pinch off from having to eat so much meat. I want to give him the trophies that hang from my wall and tell him the unforgettable experience that came with each and every one.

Zeke · Aug 7, 2014

Just remember that everything takes longer than you think it will. Your 2 days scouting will evaporate quickly.
I'd rather hunt the whole season and add 2 MORE days to the frontend of the season. Now you're getting somewhere!
Good luck,
Zeke

Flatlandr · Aug 7, 2014

We are prepared to go the entire season if need be. We most likely will never draw this tag again so we are going to do everything we can to make it a success in the kill dept!

BrowningRage · Aug 7, 2014

Any day you're in the field and can actually shoot at what you see is going to be better than a day scouting...

If you can hunt all 9 days AND have an extra day for scouting, that is best. But I would never trade the last day of a hunt for an extra day to scout before the hunt starts...

Good Luck

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24