Book scouting tips for whitetail deer

As this fall progresses and transitions into winter, we are going to closely evaluate what it means to be a devoted whitetail hunter 365 days a year and what common thread binds us all together in our successes. Last spring, we interviewed dan infalt on the wired to hunt podcast about this very topic, and that episode has become one of. Something many hunters dont realize is that the late winter and early spring months offers some of the best deer scouting opportunities of the year. During the season, scouting onthego, then hunting over hot sign that day, is perhaps the best way of all to get a shot at a big deer. First, remember that when you are scouting, you are really just looking for signs that deer are moving through the area. Winter whitetail scouting rules whitetail habitat solutions. I got my first lesson in deer scouting from a gentleman named ray bimber while we were sitting in front of a potbellied wood stove in a hunting camp. Scouting for whitetail through the season 365 whitetail. Tips for hunting deer and elk oak creek whitetail ranch. Scouting for trophy whitetail deer scouting is mandatory for the serious whitetail hunter, who seeks to harvest mature bucks on a consistent basis. Many successful deer hunters spend more time scouting than hunting. In other words, information gathered regarding doe bedding areas, travel corridors, food sources, escape routes, rub lines, and so on, will likely hold true the following year. Knowledge is power, and in this case, it is your only opportunity at scoring a 9 th inning buck.

Understanding the annual whitetail habitat shift is critical in recognizing the patterns of deer movement throughout the entire year. The urban deer complex was found in 2014 after the publication of the first book by a. Learning why a buck chose to make a rub in a particular location, is far more important than the fact that he was once there. Begin utilizing your hunting and scouting time to its fullest potential by attending one of johns whitetail workshops or having john scout your property. Public land scouting tips small property enhancements midwest whitetail the public land crew heads out to a new property that they have never hunted. The whitetail addicts guide to postseason scouting hes the guy who arrives at the country general store every year, pulling his truck up to the curb as onlookers peer into the bed. Instead, hunt areas where young and old growth meet, and scout from your truck whenever possible. Hunting is a complicated sport because so many factors can. Digital scouting first the more time inside the less you will be cold when scouting in winter. Deer hunting for beginners if youre interested in beginning to hunt deer, start with this introduction to the basics, from tips on choosing a place to. Whitetail deer hunting tips often result in a hunter earning bragging rights if he shoots a larger buck. The best thing to do when starting to learn how to scout for deer is to take it slow.

Deer tracks and sightings driving along the sandy 2tracks offered opportunities to judge hot spots by the numbers of deer tracks crossing the winding doublerutted forest lanes. The whitetails winter woods are a virtual blueprint for the upcoming season and the daily movement patterns of the deer in the area, revealing security cover that is otherwise obscured by the massive brush and food it offers in the fall. Stalking whitetail deer is difficult, but occasionally, you can get in their way and have a buck walk step up to the plate. Steve phelps has mastered the art of scouting illinois. Feb 15, 2020 the whitetails winter woods are a virtual blueprint for the upcoming season and the daily movement patterns of the deer in the area, revealing security cover that is otherwise obscured by the massive brush and food it offers in the fall. Exploring expert tactics for scouting, stillhunting, standhunting, deer drives, tracking. Unless you hunt on a tremendously big property public or private, you should be able to cover enough ground to get a. At the end of the infield saturday workshop around 4 to 5 pm, for those that want to stick around there will be at least a 2 hour session on how to properly. Thats why countless hours are spent each year preparing for the hunt.

Be as unobtrusive as possible, yet you may find that deer have moved or are concentrating on a new food source. Recognize deer magnets on a map rivers a large river will channel deer trails along its edge as they follow the contour of the. If you want to capitalize on the long offseason, now is the perfect time to download onx, put your virtual boots on the ground, and start e scouting. The first step in scouting, especially if you will be hunting a new area, is to obtain an aerial photo map of the property. Its not a matter of wanting to gloat, but just a desire to succeed. Postseason scouting is extremely beneficial and well worth the time spent.

Scouting food sources may 5, 2017 josh fletcher continues this series with some great information on how to locate and use food sources. This is typically one inch larger than an adult doe. Leave the hard work behind, because here is a proven scouting tip to help you locate mature bucks in 2 days or less. Milliken is a land specialist with whitetail properties a realestate company. Trail cams, in season scouting efforts and inthefield hunting observations have revealed to me more than enough, to make educated sit decisions during the season. That means whitetail hunting tips for the northeast can be just as useful for the south. The record book deer are on the preserve, that is the only place we can manage the deer to the extent we do. On average, a mature buck will have hoof prints of 5112 inches in length or longer. Highly efficient buck scouting tips whitetail habitat solutions. A whitetail deer s hoof print can provide a wealth of information. Jul 20, 2017 successfully scouting for bucks on a new chunk of ground doesnt actually take as much time as you may think. Like clockwork each fall, he somehow pulls a big one out of. For us whitetail addicts, this melting of the snow means its time to get serious about spring scouting. Highly efficient buck scouting tips whitetail habitat.

Techniques and best locations for winter deer scouting. When you go into an area and tread all over it just before the hunting season, you have effectively spread human scent all over the woods, including the travel areas being used by the deer. Milliken is a land specialist with whitetail properties a realestate company that deals some of the best deer hunting land in the country and its his job to assess properties and predict how trophy bucks will utilize them. It seems that most hunting shows, websites, books, and online forums are filled with mature buck sanctimony and obsession on scoring. This would be very good book for a new hunter looking for some tips and advice. Every bowhunter has his or her strategy for scouting and depending on the type of terrain and whether the location is eastern, southern, midwestern or western, there are a multitude of methods that will work effectively.

Mar 08, 2016 techniques and best locations for winter deer scouting. Successfully scouting for bucks on a new chunk of ground doesnt actually take as much time as you may think. The book was first published in 1975 and is a must have in any hunters library. In addition, while spring scouting for whitetail deer, hunters will be doing so under game conditions. A whitetail deers hoof print can provide a wealth of information. Guides guide to preseason whitetailed deer scouting scout smart this year to harvest a big buck, and be prepared to put boots on the ground photo by ron sinfelt a trio of whitetail guides and outfitters divulge some of their secrets to successful preseason deer scouting. Dead buck scouting tips whitetail habitat solutions. Deer hunting for beginners modern homesteading mother.

Scouting is the most important step in killing a deer. Jun 05, 20 spring deer scouting is a tactic seldom used by many veteran hunters. American whitetail is the most interesting and complete deer hunting book i have read. Here are six key tips to summer scouting for whitetailed deer. How to escout for public land whitetails meateater hunting. Aug 10, 2016 chapters in his super book big buck secrets include comprehensive instruction on everything from scouting new hunting areas including public land, to calling strategies, hunting during the rut, understanding mature buck behavior, aggressive and creative techniques, and more all aimed to help you bag the biggest buck of your life. Guides guide to preseason whitetailed deer scouting. Scouting whitetails and whitetail mature bucks all year long, can be accomplished. Unless you hunt on a tremendously big property public or private, you should be able to cover enough ground to get a good idea of how the deer move and where they go. I cannot think of a single aspect of the sport that has been overlooked. Larry benoit himself was one of the most highly regarded hunters, and all of the knowledge that he had on hunting deer from his own experiences were written down into the pages of this book. To learn more about stepping into the thoughts of a mature buck, try reading, predicting mature buck tendencies. Once again, scouting will reveal areas where deer are crossing into or using public lands via neighboring private holdings.

Here is a sevenstep plan to kill a giant whitetail next season. Duckbuckgoose phj prostaff cincinnati, oh so the hunting season is over, now what. Its difficult to walk into an area, pick a random tree, and experience consistent success without it. In fact, for me, more time is usually spent on scouting and preparing for the hunt than the hunt itself. Sometimes these clandestine crossings occur in the most remote areas where boundaries meet saddles, funnels, rivers, streams or other wetland habitat, effectively diverting deer into areas where hunting is allowed.

Public land scouting tips midwest whitetail deer hunting. During your winter whitetail scouting trips, make sure that you are constantly trying to think like a wise old monarch. The 9 th inning has arrived and while to many hunters that sounds like we are the bearer of bad news, it, in fact, is quite the opposite. They call blacktails the gray ghosts, because they turn nocturnal on you, says portocarrero, who helps clients bag several big bucks each fall. Mar 10, 2015 for us whitetail addicts, this melting of the snow means its time to get serious about spring scouting. Now in its third printing, hunting big whitetails is a book for serious hunters. My first public land deer came 3 decades ago, and i havent stopped.

He dedicates so much time to the virtual mapping program partly because its his job, but also because he knows its the first critical step in finding and patterning mature bucks. Sep 17, 2014 the mention of scouting for whitetail is likely to conjure up a multitude of ideas and interpretations. Tips on hunting whitetail deer from an expert prehensive. How to scout for trophy whitetail deer and tips for scouting thereof. My first public land deer came 3 decades ago, and i havent stopped hunting public land since. Schmidt deals with deer hunting a little more generally than the trophy hunting books. When you go into an area and tread all over it just before the hunting season, you have effectively spread human scent all over the. Chapters in his super book big buck secrets include comprehensive instruction on everything from scouting new hunting areas including public land, to calling strategies, hunting during the rut, understanding mature buck behavior, aggressive and creative techniques, and more all aimed to help you bag the biggest buck of your life.

First, and most obviously, great tips and ideas for tagging big bucks. Spring deer scouting is a tactic seldom used by many veteran hunters. Recognize deer magnets on a map rivers a large river will channel deer trails along its edge as they follow the contour of the drainage. Scouting, planning, having a great kit, and even controlling your scent are all. On the contrary, if you hunt spring gobblers, you already have a good reason to head for the woods. Like clockwork each fall, he somehow pulls a big one out of the swamp and arrives to show off his trophy. Examine the map and locate possible bedding areas, trails and feeding areas. Whitetail deer hunting tips in wisconsin 9 matching. Not because it isnt feasible, and definitely not because its ineffective. And for the whitetail elite, scouting is a yearround proposition.

A proven 12step guide to scouting less and hunting more schmidt, dan on. Along the way, they give public land scouting tips on what to look for when going into a new area. Postseason scouting for whitetails 11 reasons to start. Food is everywhere, the hunting pressure is off, and the stress of growing antlers is winding down. Sep 01, 2017 many successful deer hunters spend more time scouting than hunting. Deer scouting is a skill that is learned after many seasons in the field hunting, and guiding hunts for trophy bucks. It starts each year with pre season scouting and really never ends.

For the past several weeks our blog topics have been diving into preparation for the late. Ive read more deer hunting books than i can remember, but a. In order to maximize the value in scouting for deer in the post season, here are five post season scouting tips to get a head start on next years deer season. Revealing buck of a lifetime strategies since 2005. Some of the greatest minds in whitetail hunting today understand the importance of taking your preseason work to the extreme, and their results. Late winter deer scouting tips to improve the odds next year. Location, location, location in order to get a deer, you have to hunt where the deer are. Preseason scouting should uncover big tracks, old buck rub lines and deer scrapes, bedding thickets, and travel routes between bedding areas and feeding areas. Late winter deer scouting tips to improve the odds next. Winter scouting is also much less disturbing to the local deer herd unless the winter is so severe the deer are yarded. Bigwoods deer dont miss the opportunity to dine on acorns and clearcut browse. Tips on scouting for deer in the post season muddy outdoors.

Scouting early on can also give a hunter a pretty solid idea as to what the deer will be doing from mid october through the late season. That doesnt mean your downtime between deer and turkey season should be wasted though. Deer hunting secrets exposed take the best buck of your life whitetail deer. Hunting is a complicated sport because so many factors can affect the likelihood of bagging a big whitetail buck that would make any hunter proud hunting lands around the country have varying terrains, but whitetail deer habits are quite similar no matter where you live. Here are 10 shed hunting tips from one of the worlds foremost experts on shed. This can guide you through travel corridors you had overlooked because you were scouting. Scouting illinois deer scouting pre season scouting. Now 2018, northwoods collective brings the urban deer complex back to life. Aug 22, 2015 when you are new to deer hunting, its very easy to get overwhelmed with everything there is to learn. Aug 22, 2017 once again, scouting will reveal areas where deer are crossing into or using public lands via neighboring private holdings. Postseason scouting for whitetails 11 reasons to start scouting for next season now. Every hunter secretly wishes he or she could display a trophy buck at some time during their hunting career. Find out where there has been hunter success or where the biggest number of deer are tagged.

Last spring, we interviewed dan infalt on the wired to hunt podcast about this very topic, and that episode has become one of our most listened to and applauded episodes of all time. Use a county plat book, and begin by marking an x at your camp. Jimmy holt, host of the tennessee outdoorsmen for the entrylevel deer hunter all the way to the expert, american whitetail is loaded with information. Veteran hunting guide kirk portocarrero pretty well sums up the difficultly of hunting trophy blacktails. Scouting whitetail deer isnt hard, but it does take time. Post season scouting tips for deer hunting duration. It grew to be the number one selling book on deer hunting on amazon for two years straight when it then sold out. There are a lot of good tips in this book and especially for the. Aug 30, 2012 i got my first lesson in deer scouting from a gentleman named ray bimber while we were sitting in front of a potbellied wood stove in a hunting camp. Jan 19, 2017 in order to maximize the value in scouting for deer in the post season, here are five post season scouting tips to get a head start on next years deer season. Jeremy moore talks about the importance of your deer dogs physical conditioning. Ground blind hunting tips for the late season muddy outdoors. The mention of scouting for whitetail is likely to conjure up a multitude of ideas and interpretations. This investigative process provides the hunter with the clues whitetails leave behind.

Learn how to track bigwoods whitetails with tips from a stillhunter. The track of a mature buck is usually much larger than that of a doe. This time of year, chasing big whitetails couldnt possibly feel further away. Mar 16, 2011 whitetail scouting tips as this fall progresses and transitions into winter, we are going to closely evaluate what it means to be a devoted whitetail hunter 365 days a year and what common thread binds us all together in our successes. If you dont know how to find the best location, start with a guided deer hunt. Theres a lot more to hunting deer and elk than just point and shoot tactics. In whitetail access, chris eberhart takes a different approach to a whitetail hunting book. Combine roadscouting efforts with summer fishing trips, when lush foliage helps contrast wellworn deer trails that zigzag from fresh understory to river bottoms and swamp edges. Just like deer hunting, scouting is essential to shed hunting. Aug 02, 2017 be as unobtrusive as possible, yet you may find that deer have moved or are concentrating on a new food source.