Effective spring scouting

[magicman54494]

We all scout. What do you look for? How do you scout? Scouting is only useful if you know what to look for and how to use that info. Tell us your technique. Let's limit this topic to spring scouting.

[dan]

Mainly looking for bedding areas... But I generally take a look around for rut cruising areas too. But even that,I base somewhat on where the bedding areas are.

[Zap]

The first thing I am after when I go into the woods and fields is to enjoy my time there.

That being said, I would say bedding/staging and spots to set up close.
Looking to cut a big track, rubs not in a line, shredded brush, big clumped droppings, big scrapes, and sheds.
If I find any of those I try to find the bed.

I have gotten hooked on finding sheds, but like I said I am out to enjoy myself.

I am also noting places to hunt does, and spots to rut hunt.

Definately looking for any treestands that are still up, or places where they were, same for spots where ground blinds have been.

But most of all I am looking to enjoy my time out there.
Thats not really hard since I feel totally at peace with all things when I am in the woods and fields.
No matter what kind of BS is in my life I feel at peace from the time I walk away from my truck until I get back.
Sometimes I wish I could stay there, like Jerimiah Johnson.
Just with out the Crow's (indians) after my but.

marty

[Swampthing]

I,m looking for old and hopefully new buck sign that might lead me to bedding areas. I hunt some pressured areas so them sheds really give you the confidence to pursue what you think might be out there.Thinking he,s alive ain,nt nothin' to knowing he,s still alive.

[Pike]

I am looking fo rubs, especially rubs that have been rubbed a couple years in a row. I also look for scrapes from the previous fall and will check the area's for new rubs & scrapes next fall. I also walk every inch of every bedding area that I can. And of course shed hunting is my favorite method to scout because even though he might be in a completely different area come next fall and might get smashed by a car between the time he dropped and the start of next bow season, atleast I know exactly where he was when he dropped and that he made it thru the hunting season, and with rubs and scrapes I dont know if he survived the orange army. And Like Zap, here in PA. scouting for hunter sign is as important as scouting for buck sign.
As far a later in the spring scouting, my trail cams will be out around the start of turkey season to see if the bucks I located are still alive, still in the area, using the same bedding area's and travel routes etc. Because if they are, I can be pretty sure they will still be around come fall. Pike

[AC Rider]

Buck beds with CLOSE stand trees and a route to it. Also, rut funnels hopefully near doe bedding areas.

[gjs4]

Beds and staging areas are the focal point of my scouting....would also say more places to hang observation and/or general hunting stands. I also scout to see what the local competition is doing.

I try to walk in and out on paths never traveled- and also may venture into the off limits are IF I have a reason to further investigate

[venisonassassin]

I like to start with some good maps and arial photos. They definitely narrow things down by picking out likely areas to start. I swear I have a map fetish, sometimes I can stare at them for hours . Once in the field its onto finding beds rubs tracks droppings and other likely deer sign.