2020 Scouting Reports

[greenhorndave]

Looks awesome MB amd Nsmith

[Marshbuster89]

Checked a spot I’m very familiar with last night and boy did I feel like a fool after I checked it.

Since we had so much rain last fall and 90% of my normal target beds were at least 12” underwater, I pretty much gave up on this entire property for 2019. The water level is about 6” higher than it was all fall so I figured I better check some areas just to see if anything got used last year. Well, wouldn’t you know it... this is a primary bedding area with 4 different bedding spots (each of these “spots” has anywhere from 3-7 beds in them on a normal year.) scattered over 125-150 yds. Spot 1, 2, and 4 were still totally submerged about 18” or more (keep in mind the water surrounding them is usually mid-thigh deep to begin with). Spot #3... D’oh!! I’ve never noticed how this particular hump is that much higher than all the rest, and wouldn’t you know it, it was used last year...and it looks like it was used a lot. Lesson learned. The flooding actually pinned him down to one individual spot (there were 3 other beds within 5 yds that were also used this fall, but are currently underwater about 3”) and would’ve made this buck even more easy to kill. He didn’t really necessarily totally shred anything like he needed to prove a point, but most of the rubs were belly button-nipple height at the middle and I’m 6’-1” so I’m disappointed I didn’t even hunt it last year, but I’m excited to see who comes out of there this fall

Oh well, that’s why we scout

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[greenhorndave]

Nice find man. I spent a bunch of time above the knee in water over the weekend and never found that hump. (i mean in general... not that particular hump) Found slightly higher ground that was dry, but not isolated like that. Still seemed like the better bedding was underwater. Spots like that are rarer than hens teeth,

[Marshbuster89]

Nice find man. I spent a bunch of time above the knee in water over the weekend and never found that hump. (i mean in general... not that particular hump) Found slightly higher ground that was dry, but not isolated like that. Still seemed like the better bedding was underwater. Spots like that are rarer than hens teeth,

For sure. I just can’t believe I’ve never noticed it before in the last 10-12 years of checking that spot in spring. At least now I know if the water levels are 4 feet higher than normal, this particular hump will be available for the boss of the area.

[nsmith253]

So, question for you SE WI guys as I'm pretty new to the year-round scouting game. Does your spring scouting slow down or change once the turkey hunters hit the woods? Or do you find there aren't too many conflicts based on the kind of terrain we're looking at for big buck bedding in the marshes?

[Marshbuster89]

So, question for you SE WI guys as I'm pretty new to the year-round scouting game. Does your spring scouting slow down or change once the turkey hunters hit the woods? Or do you find there aren't too many conflicts based on the kind of terrain we're looking at for big buck bedding in the marshes?

Personally I am done with on-foot scouting by time turkey starts. With that being said, I will check stuff that crosses my mind or that I see while turkey hunting. Some times I turkey hunt an area solely as an excuse to check a property out for deer hunting purposes tho.

[Dewey]

So, question for you SE WI guys as I'm pretty new to the year-round scouting game. Does your spring scouting slow down or change once the turkey hunters hit the woods? Or do you find there aren't too many conflicts based on the kind of terrain we're looking at for big buck bedding in the marshes?

I’m pretty much done by the time turkey hunting starts. I stay out of the woods to avoid screwing up others who may be actively hunting. I will still hit some wet marsh stuff where nobody will obviously be hunting turkeys but only if there are no other vehicles around. This year with all my extra time off work I will likely be on the water with my boat instead.

I used to turkey hunt but never got much turkey hunting done because it just turned into deer scouting instead. I have a hard time focussing on anything else when in the woods.

[vtbuck]

I wish I could scout.
Hopefully I get a little in before season.

[tuff4x4]

stopped after work to scout some public. not much time so had 2 spots picked out ahead of time from maps. Found 4 tree stands and 2 empty bottles of Tinks….
Then stumbled on to a small overlooked spot that made everything all better...Think I will be dating the "fat chick" next season. Got to go back to find the right tree and correct height, forgot my orange vest to put in the bed. Looks like bed is set up to watch a small puddle during a south west wind. Been warm this winter so looks like he is still getting his water from this location.

[greenhorndave]

I wish I could scout.
Hopefully I get a little in before season.

Hang tough. You'll get some good opportunities when your body is ready.

[Bethedeer1]

Scouting has never been better. Ive been out scouting sense dec 31 season close. I have never put boots on the ground like I am now and have learned a boat load of information. Ridiculous deer sign and some bedding and core areas big deer I believe will use in daylight fingers crossed. the sign is there and the people are not. I found some nice sheds nothing to crazy 130s but for MA that's not bad at all.
I cant wait for when its time to get up in the tree again, I think I'm on a big deer. I have never been in this 240 acre piece but it has some of the best sign ive ever seen. From swamp to river and its big elevation changes will make it hard but a good time no matter what... Good luck...Bethedeer1

[greenhorndave]

Hit a new place. Some serious social distancing where I went. Nobody wants a piece of the marsh after ice melt.

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Got into to the tail end of the island. Didn't have enough time to get to the tip. Maybe tomorrow.

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Saw this lovely lady on the way home.

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[austin1990]

Went and listened for a Turkey this morning and ended up doing some scouting and found this buck bed. First time I ever found a bed with hair in it! This bed was on a little finger about a 1/3 down from the ridge top. It was about 150 yards from a big community scrape and he also had a scrape on the bench parallel to this bed about 50 yards away. Now I just need to come up with an attack plan

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[Swedishbowhunter]

Burned some boot leather yesterday, I was struggling as it was more rolling hills than classic hill country with steep ridges. I found some huntable beds, one shed but nothing that made me want to hunt there. I think it was to much of a monoculture of forest, not diverse at all. It does appear that parts of it are marked to be logged soon. I am always amazed at how big of slobs some "hunters" can be. FYI This is my 1st attempt at posting pics on this site

[greenhorndave]

Yeah, the garbage people leave is just...

Makes me a little each time.