Keying in on what?

[woody-san]

I'm noticing that during a scout, when I find higher concentrations of deer scat, a bed usually isn't too far away. It's getting to the point where deer crap is the top sign I'm looking for to let me know that I'm in an area where deer spend a lot of their time. Obviously, there's probably a lot on a food source, but I'm referring to areas in the woods that look like bedding on a topo/aerial.

Anyone else feel this way? Would you go as far as saying that if you aren't finding crap, you're probably not in the right place?

[dan]

A lot of the best beds are not getting used right now... That being the case, you would have to look hard to find scat. It might be a helping clue in some cases, but I would not recommend relying on it.

[Stanley]

I'm noticing that during a scout, when I find higher concentrations of deer scat, a bed usually isn't too far away. It's getting to the point where deer crap is the top sign I'm looking for to let me know that I'm in an area where deer spend a lot of their time. Obviously, there's probably a lot on a food source, but I'm referring to areas in the woods that look like bedding on a topo/aerial.

Anyone else feel this way? Would you go as far as saying that if you aren't finding crap, you're probably not in the right place?

When the deer yard up it is tough to locate beds that will be used next fall. If you are finding lots of scat I would look real hard in that area for antler drops.

[magicman54494]

Crap is one piece of the puzzle for me. I pay more attention to it when I'm in-season scouting. I use it to find doe groups which is very important for rut hunting. Crap is a good scouting tool because it's easy to determine how old it is. I hunt big woods areas and the deer tend to wander more so crap is a great tool.
Scouting out of season crap is pretty much ignored because deer tend to relocate to winter over.

[bblefty]

Its definitely played a key part in being where the does are for me as well this past season. Once I start seeing those ACORN hulls in crap, I can focus on the acorn flats.

[woody-san]

Thanks for the responses, I'll keep them in mind when scouting this spring!

[kenn1320]

Its definitely played a key part in being where the does are for me as well this past season. Once I start seeing those ACORN hulls in crap, I can focus on the acorn flats.

Are you able to see this, or do you have to pick it up and mash it? Ive never seen this, but admittedly oaks are abundant where I typ hunt.