These Bucks did not survive.

[Bonecrusher101]

It's that time to get out and do post season scouting. It's proven to be much more important to me that summer scouting.

I don't get much time to scout. Two weeks ago, My wife chewed me out when I asked and scoffed "hunting season is over!" I told her, hunting season turns into scouting season and scouting season turns back into another hunting Season. She finally hit me with the famous whatever and I knew I could go soon.

We have had torrential rain, but I had an opportunity this afternoon and gladly took it.

I went to a section I have scouted 3-4 years ago but never spent much time hunting. It had good sign, but I've always felt like it received a good amount of hunting pressure. I hoped to cut some fresh tracks or bump a decent buck that survived the season. I had a destination beyond my previous area that I had never been to before that I wanted to explore. I was walking fast but decided to check a few old waypoints I had marked in the past.

I found a deadhead in the first spot I presumed was bedding area I had marked 2-3 years ago. After that I found deer trails, I kept following deer trails and followed elevation and thickets. Within an hour and a half of leaving my truck I had picked up 3 deadheads. I think the wide 4 was killed this last season but the other two very chewed skulls were killed several seasons ago.



Anyway, I could look all day and not find one deadhead or shed antler. Crazy to find 3 deadheads within 1 and 1/2 hours in one afternoon. Seems like it has a good number of deer using the area during the season.

I've got mixed emotions about it. Is this good or bad in your opinion?

[Evanszach7]

Mixed for sure. I typically find 1-2 per season. I get excited if it’s a mature buck in a bedding area. I’ve found fresh beds near dead heads. Typically low pressure areas.

[Bonecrusher101]

Mixed for sure. I typically find 1-2 per season. I get excited if it’s a mature buck in a bedding area. I’ve found fresh beds near dead heads. Typically low pressure areas.

This was on public in thickets where I followed deer trails. Most of it was along the same elevation, and that really opened my eyes too. Makes me think the hunters aren't going into the thorns and aren't going where I will go. I'm going to throw a hunt at it next season anyway.

[ghoasthunter]

Mixed for sure. I typically find 1-2 per season. I get excited if it’s a mature buck in a bedding area. I’ve found fresh beds near dead heads. Typically low pressure areas.

This was on public in thickets where I followed deer trails. Most of it was along the same elevation, and that really opened my eyes too. Makes me think the hunters aren't going into the thorns and aren't going where I will go. I'm going to throw a hunt at it next season anyway.

finding old sheds and dead heads is great if you ask me deer are dying there because its secure and if its old nobody ever walks threw it either that is a win right there

[Bonecrusher101]

Mixed for sure. I typically find 1-2 per season. I get excited if it’s a mature buck in a bedding area. I’ve found fresh beds near dead heads. Typically low pressure areas.

This was on public in thickets where I followed deer trails. Most of it was along the same elevation, and that really opened my eyes too. Makes me think the hunters aren't going into the thorns and aren't going where I will go. I'm going to throw a hunt at it next season anyway.

finding old sheds and dead heads is great if you ask me deer are dying there because its secure and if its old nobody ever walks threw it either that is a win right there

Yeah I agree, If there are other hunters around they aren't doing what I'm doing. I agree I think deer are still going to be around and use the area next fall.

[JWandling]

I found 15 dead on the same hillside in a water hole a few years ago. 7 bucks and 8 does. EHD I’d say.

[JWandling]

heres a few I carried out with me that day.

[Wlog]

If you’re finding dead heads there they feel secure there. Good find.

[hunter_mike]

That's quite the finds. I would say it's good in that your scouting is spot on, but yes kinda a bummer to find em like that.

[ghoasthunter]

Mixed for sure. I typically find 1-2 per season. I get excited if it’s a mature buck in a bedding area. I’ve found fresh beds near dead heads. Typically low pressure areas.

This was on public in thickets where I followed deer trails. Most of it was along the same elevation, and that really opened my eyes too. Makes me think the hunters aren't going into the thorns and aren't going where I will go. I'm going to throw a hunt at it next season anyway.

finding old sheds and dead heads is great if you ask me deer are dying there because its secure and if its old nobody ever walks threw it either that is a win right there

Yeah I agree, If there are other hunters around they aren't doing what I'm doing. I agree I think deer are still going to be around and use the area next fall.

thing too if a deer is wounded it can go miles the deer could have gone a long way too find that security the fact thats where they went means alot