What makes you never go back....

[briar]

Unlike most hunters I am blessed to live in an area where hunting opportunites and land access are very available to anyone with half a sense of responsibility and respect. This is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because you have a huge opportunity ot hunt, but a curse because so do many other people. Virtually no land I have seen is a "sanctuary" or not hunted by someone for something throughout the year.

So here is my question. If I start scouting in the snow for next year what is a list of things that I can virtually cross a spot off my list to go back to right off the bat? Just trying to eliminate as much wasted time as possible. Thanks

[Edcyclopedia]

Open spaces - as that is typical sign left from NON-daylight hours.

[cbigbear]

Lack of deer sign. If the sign is there I'll take a shot at dealing with people.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[PLB]

Hardwoods, especially those with an easy road to get to them. There is usually a noticeable man path off the road. Most of the hunters like the easy walk into the park like hardwood areas. You will find old stands and ribbons, tacks etc. The big bucks are in the thick, nasty and overlooked areas. A lot of times very few trees in these areas. If you have to work to get to one of these areas, you're in the game.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[headgear]

If a property lacks good bedding or a large enough safe zone (places most hunters won't go) I don't usually bother going back.

[Stanley]

Open spaces with no trees and grass no taller than an inch.

[MOBIGBUCKS]

Open spaces with no trees and grass no taller than an inch.

Golf course?

[MOBIGBUCKS]

Any sign of people makes me go the other way. Not off the property but away from the main concentration of people.

[Bucky]

Things TO look for.... hills, the bigger the better, marsh grass or cattails, CRP, or areas crossing water to access. This will eliminate weekend warriors or hunters not willing to put in the effort.

I would not shy away from open areas... I often see the biggest bucks in expansive marshes or CRP with no cover other than the grass.... no trees to hunt from either

[Stanley]

Open spaces with no trees and grass no taller than an inch.

Golf course?

First cut second cut

[PK_]

Lack of buck sign.

Lack of bedding.

Terrain that bucks are not easy to pattern.

Easy access.

[ Post made via iPad ]

[darenative]

A lack of good secure bedding areas is my cue to keep looking for other properties.

[JoeRE]

Any sign of people makes me go the other way. Not off the property but away from the main concentration of people.

X2 I don't care if there are tons of deer where a bunch of other hunters are, I like solitude. Most of the time deer do the same so it works out....

[Crazinamatese]

Seeing a bunch of vehicles parked along an area, and not knowing exactly where they may be set up will discourage me. Thats when to think outside the box. There maybe a bunch of hunters in there, but are they hunting beast style? From my experience studying hunter behavior in my area, usually they are not. I do try to avoid areas that get hammered by small game hunters. Finding sign is fun, because I seem to find good sign in [glow=red]overlooked areas[/glow].