Advanced Scouting Methods

[wallter]

Looking for input and idea's on scouting. I've located two very good possible stand locations. Both are on the south edge of hardwoods connecting to a large wetland no good pinch points as I want to stay on private land which is adjacent to public land. There is good rub activity and plenty of trails. Being that it's still frozen I followed many trails into the wetland and could not locate any beds (that were obvious). Will bucks bed where it is wet(literally)? My experience is that most deer will bed where there is tall grass between the wetland and hardwoods. Can I hunt right on the edge of the hardwoods guessing that I am probably not far from a bucks' bedroom?

[bigbucks]

My thoughts would be what do you have to go through to get there and how much sign do have to leave where the deer will eventually go? Will you be bumping other deer to get in or out of there consistently? If you can get in & out without disturbing much & can come up with a wind that won't blow your scent to them I'd say go for it.

[Stratosman]

Unless pressured (like during firearms season) I would highly doubt that deer will bed on wet ground, however, there might be some high spots within the wetland that might serve as ideal bedding spots for bucks. You said however that you did not spot any definate beds within the wetlands, what about the hardwoods? What is on the other side of the wetlands? a food source? You need to locate food source that the deer will be using during the hunting season. I assume this is big woods area with public land nearby. If you think that you are near a bucks bedroom I would stay away unless this is your only option, once you bump a mature deer, you probably won't see him again. If this is your only option, hunt only when the wind is favorable and always approach your stand with caution while trying to be as quiet as possible. It is common to set up two stands in the same location to play the wind.

[wallter]

I am unable to find a definitive food source. I'm guessing that other than food eaten in and around the woods, that these deer do make their way over to the corn fields at some point (although there is no real heavy trails to the corn). Keep in mind that this is a huge public area maybe 1500 acres and I am on private land (180 acres) that butts up to the public. Also, the corn or Agr.fields are a good distance from where I believe these deer are bedding down. The wetland is surrounded by hardwoods except for where a crick runs through. The other problem is that the land owner allows four wheelers to go all over his land, so I am trying to stay on the distant edges as they are untouched.

[bigbucks]

You're probably going to just need to start hunting it from a stand location where you can see a lot & not disturb much, to learn the travel routes. Then you can move in closer when you think you may have it figured out. Sometimes it takes a while to figure out how to hunt a new place most effectively.

I have one stand where there really isn't much for trails around it, it's just in a fenceline, but it's proven over the years to be a decent spot. I started hunting there more because it was a place I could hop out to quick when at my parent's place then because there was great sign there.

One more thing I thought of is don't be afraid to hunt along those 4 wheeler trails either if it's a time you're pretty sure there won't be any traffic on them. Deer have no qualms about using them. I shot a doe two years ago that was about 10' off of one & earlier that year had a decent 8 pointer walk across that same trail, he just happened to catch me drawing.

[BLACKJACK]

Wallter, I think Bigbucks has given you some good advice about hunting a stand with a view and then moving in closer, and also his advice on hunting the ATV trails, deer will follow the easiest path.

I think that you also need to find the trails that lead from that public hunting area onto your property, then come opening day of gun season, sit on that trail, get there early!, the activity on public area will drive deer to you.

Also, deer will travel a long way feed, 2-3 miles if its a good source like clover or standing corn, but it might be night time travel.

[wallter]

I did locate some trails leading from the public to the private which I'm guessing will be my ticket. Keep in mind that this is my bow only spot. I go to Brainerd for Rifle season. You are correct on ATV trail concept. However, these trails are in hardwoods. Meaning that the travel next to the trail isn't any more difficult than on the trail. If they are hitting the corn, I'm sure the deer I am after isn't getting there till very dark. So, figure out which trail is best???????