Best time to scout

[maros91]

I have just picked up 2 pieces of property to hunt for the fall of '08. Actually it is just 1 since the 2 properties adjoin. My question is when the best time scout these properties? The properties are located NW of Silver Bay, Mn and I live in Milaca so they are not exactly down the road. I want to scout at least once before I hunt. I have heard that spring is the best, sometime in March when there is still snow on the ground and you can still see last falls rubs. I have seen the aeriel photos and they don't show to much. The land is basically heavy timber with steep hills according to the landowners. The properties are 100 acres a piece,so 200 total. Alot of land to cover. What do you guys think?

[LuciandTim]

Now!

[matthothand]

I'd get in there now as well...There's snow on the ground so you should be able to spot where the deer are traveling. You might be able to better establish where their major food source is during cold weather. I'd go as close to now as possible or wait til snow is almost gone in spring. Just have a good idea where you want to hunt before the season starts. Or atleast set up in a spot where you have good visibility and can adjust location based on the movment you can see from a distance. You're on the right track with the arial photos...try to find different sources for those online or through county offices, etc. The area I bowhunt has some really steep hills and I did a lot of my scouting from the computer by viewing topo maps at different angles. Steep hills will often form perfect funnels which make for great stand loctions during the rut...or anytime! Also use a trail cam if possible to find trails leading to bedding areas or food sources.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I would say that anytime is a good time to scout, so long as it isn't the day before season. My fave time of the year is March/Apr- as the snow melts. Shed hunting. Weather is cool so you dont get overheated as bad. Rubs and such show up well. Now is a good time because you can see some scrapes and such still I would bet.

[sticknstring]

Always fun studying a new piece of hunting ground. Is the property being hunted by anyone right now? If not - get up there right now... you'll find sign in the fresh snow and you can get an idea of how the deer move. Otherwise I like to wait until late March early April and cover the whole property looking for old rub lines & scrapes and maybe even a shed antler or two.

[bigbucks]

My first response is, whenever you can, kind of like when's the best time to hunt.

Secondly, I'd say now. If you're going to gun hunt there or late season archery, ML, etc. this is exactly what it will look like next fall at that time. It gives you a chance to see where you can see & where you can't. I'd say looking at sign now, other then well worn trails won't tell you a lot, as they're already starting to switch to winter patterns & there may not be that much fresh sign where there will be when you're hunting next fall. Some of that will depend on if there's still food there now & if there was much gun hunting pressure there this year.

Scouting comboed with shed hunting next early spring is good too, but I think this time is better. I would also not be afraid to scout again in August or even in season. You just need to try to make it as low impact as you can, but I've killed a lot of deer because of in season adjustments.

[maros91]

Thanks for the responses boys! There were people gun hunting this year and one muzzleloader and one archery. However all of these people are from the same party and will not be hunting there next year because they are buying their own piece of property closer to Lutsen. Since there are people still hunting there I think I will hold off until spring somewhere around late March/early April to see what I can find and maybe stumble upon a shed ot two.

Once again thanks for the responses!!!

[matthothand]

If possible talk to the people that hunted there this year. Pick their brains a little.