Hunting a 100k Acre WMA, Newish hunter, What next?

[gagehuntspublic]

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This will be my 3rd year hunting and the last few years have been fruitless to say the least, In regards to kills not the enjoyment of the hunt. but the main questions i have is are there ways to scout spots that wont hold deer or some spots that would hold more deer then others, VIA ONX or other SAT maps if so what are some key things to look for on the maps to atleast try to narrow down some of the 100k acres... Someone educate me on the subject! i hunt alone and have noone to ask everything ive learned has been learned from youtube or podcasts or while hunting!

[seazofcheeze]

20200708_152543.jpg

This will be my 3rd year hunting and the last few years have been fruitless to say the least, In regards to kills not the enjoyment of the hunt. but the main questions i have is are there ways to scout spots that wont hold deer or some spots that would hold more deer then others, VIA ONX or other SAT maps if so what are some key things to look for on the maps to atleast try to narrow down some of the 100k acres... Someone educate me on the subject! i hunt alone and have noone to ask everything ive learned has been learned from youtube or podcasts or while hunting!

There are lots of great tips in the all time best tactical threads post.

Here is one about what to look for on an aerial/topo - http://www.thehuntingbeast.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3677-

I have been beast hunting for about 6 years now. I wrote an article that details pretty much everything I look for when cyber scouting. https://going4brokeoutdoors.com/tips-and-tactics-for-e-scouting-whitetail-deer/

I'd say those two links should answer 80%+ of your questions. Then it is a matter of getting out there and doing it. I would highly suggesting focusing on a smaller area within the 100k Marsh. Looking at the entire thing your first year or two will be overwhelming. Pick the best looking 5-10k acres and get to know that this year, and then focus on another 5-10k next year.

[gagehuntspublic]

Thanks alot man, I seen a monster buck while scouting on 7/5 found 8 bear beds, tons of hogs in that creek bottom am currently running 4 cameras on access trails to where I think he sleeps.. just trying to get a plan together the thermals on this mountain at 3k elevation are hard to work with.. it could change from minute to minute...

[justdirtyfun]

Maybe e scout for vegetation edge that bumps into more vegetation edge. Then try to add elevation edge, and add common wind direction.
Certain 100 acre patches will have some of those. I get on 2000 acres and may only need to see 3 or 4 100 acre patches.

[brancher147]

The wind can change in the mountains from minute to minute but the thermals should not. And you’ve got to learn to use that to your advantage. I hunt multiple 100k acre wmas and I look for remote, overlooked, hard to access, steep with cliffs and boulders preferred. Then I look for habitat diversity and edges, bedding points, cover, food. Then I look for terrain and habitat intersections or pinch points. This can all be done online then it’s boots on the ground to find specific bedding and kill trees.

Lots of good info on this forum if you search also.

[gagehuntspublic]

The wind can change in the mountains from minute to minute but the thermals should not. And you’ve got to learn to use that to your advantage. I hunt multiple 100k acre wmas and I look for remote, overlooked, hard to access, steep with cliffs and boulders preferred. Then I look for habitat diversity and edges, bedding points, cover, food. Then I look for terrain and habitat intersections or pinch points. This can all be done online then it’s boots on the ground to find specific bedding and kill trees.

Lots of good info on this forum if you search also.

I cant thank you all enough for the info, I truly appreciate it. Goodluck this year everyone.

[KLEMZ]

Some great advice already in this thread.
Seaz, your article should be a MUST READ for all newer beasts! Exceptional info!!

I have been beast hunting for about 6 years now. I wrote an article that details pretty much everything I look for when cyber scouting. https://going4brokeoutdoors.com/tips-an ... tail-deer/

[PK_]

The wind can change in the mountains from minute to minute but the thermals should not. And you’ve got to learn to use that to your advantage. I hunt multiple 100k acre wmas and I look for remote, overlooked, hard to access, steep with cliffs and boulders preferred. Then I look for habitat diversity and edges, bedding points, cover, food. Then I look for terrain and habitat intersections or pinch points. This can all be done online then it’s boots on the ground to find specific bedding and kill trees.

Lots of good info on this forum if you search also.

This is very similar to what I would suggest.

I primarily hunt giant tracts of land and I always begin with the highest and lowest elevations. I am focusing on the steepest sections of terrain and the thickest vegetation. After that I am looking for compounding features and diversity like justdirtyfun suggested. Also key in to novelty, meaning if there is tons of thick, but only one or two sections of steep, I am going to bank on those steep sections being an attraction...

If I can’t look at the map and narrow down a few of what I believe are the very best spots on the entire property, then that means the terrain on that piece is not conducive for cyber scouting and I will look elsewhere as I do not have time to put the boots to multiple 100k acre pieces of ground each season...

Also, like brancher mention swirling winds this is very important. Over the years I have seen that in most terrain the mature bucks are setting up shop where they have swirling wind, and you can see it on the map, easy one is a secondary point tucked between two other points, like a high crows foot, the wind is going to swirl there on 3 of the 4 major wind directions.

Good luck.

[seazofcheeze]

Some great advice already in this thread.
Seaz, your article should be a MUST READ for all newer beasts! Exceptional info!!

I have been beast hunting for about 6 years now. I wrote an article that details pretty much everything I look for when cyber scouting. https://going4brokeoutdoors.com/tips-an ... tail-deer/

Thanks KLEMZ. I tried to summarize everything I learned about cyber scouting over the past 8 to 10 years. Took a lot longer than I expected to write haha.

[PublicLand]

Spot the one you want now. Don't wait till season if possible, most neighbors will let you watch their posted land without a gun out of season.
Obsession has you in a stand not hunting. Buying the game warden supper just to tag along on a night vision herdcount or BS session. Observation stands

[Scott S]

Some great advice already in this thread.
Seaz, your article should be a MUST READ for all newer beasts! Exceptional info!!

I have been beast hunting for about 6 years now. I wrote an article that details pretty much everything I look for when cyber scouting. https://going4brokeoutdoors.com/tips-an ... tail-deer/

This. What a great read. I learned a lot from this. Thanks a ton, Seaz.

[oldrank]

I agree with Seaz, make it smaller. Break it into areas. Focus on learning those before moving on.