Hunters who find routine and regular success each deer season achieve that not with luck, but with effort. Year-round sweat and strategic planning leads to filled tags. So, as one deer season ends, the next one begins. Here is the off-season scouting mega plan. Think of it as the base, or foundation, for next deer season.
WINTER: IN-THE-FIELD SCOUTING
Late winter is the best time to conduct post-season scouting efforts. It should begin with digital scouting. Before heading afield, look over aerial and topo maps to learn or relearn the property. Identify key areas of interest. If needed, make notes. And once afield, have a useful hunting app, or physical maps, to keep track of all scouting finds.
The first step is locating daytime security cover. Oftentimes, these areas come in the form of benches, CRP, cutover timber, leeward ridges, marsh islands, oxbows, ridge points, secluded cover, solar bedding (south-facing slopes), swamp interiors, thermal bedding (coniferous trees, such as cedars, pines and spruces) and more. With that being said, it’s likely going to be the thickest, nastiest cover on the property.
Next, drill down on buck
