comeback_kid wrote:PK_ wrote:So, there is somewhat of a blueprint or some principles that guys follow to find and pick apart new areas cyber scouting. But there are a matrix of factors that go into it.
This is pretty much how I have done the majority of my hunting over the last decade or more. Lots and lots of cyber scouting and hunting new areas. It is the most fun to me.
With few exceptions, you have to do it a lot to get good at it.
The biggest tip I can give you if you are trying to find mature bucks purely cyber scouting is to look at areas with terrain that you understand already and makes sense to you.
If you are staring at a map wondering where a big buck would be living, you either don’t understand how bucks use that terrainor the terrain is not conducive to cyber scouting. It is really that simple.
In your experience what types of terrain are not conducive to cyber scouting?
Blended edges, rolling hills, monoculture, checkerboard ag/woods. Giant areas of planted pines or crp that lack wet edges, low spots, ridges, fingers, points or openings that can be seen by aerial/topo. Flooded timber swamps, expansive palmetto flats etc...
those kinds of areas in my experience require lots of boot time, you almost have to grid search that stuff for buck sign and find where they live, and it is not as consistent usually. They will move with food sources or water levels. They will pick up and move if you put any pressure on them because their core area is not always tied directly to a dominant feature. You really have to put in a lot of time observing as well as some of the best bedding areas I have found in terrain like that has no sign to speak of in or around it. It was found by literally watching bucks go in and out of it over the years and jumping them up occasionally while walking by...