Scouting For Fresh Land That’s a Deer Hunter’s Dream

Scouting For Fresh Land That Could Be a Deer Hunter's Dream
Image Credit: Outdoor Hacker

One of the most important parts of hunting is what happens long before opening day. I am talking about scouting. Some people begin scouting land for deer as many as three months prior to firearms season.

Establishing the travel patterns of deer can go a very long way when you are later hunting them. You will be able to find things like food and water sources. Then you know where the herd could be stopping. This is where you set up your tree stands and hunting blinds.

Below you will find some of the most reliable signs to look for when you are scouting deer on a new piece of land.

Trails

One of the first things to look for are deer trails. These are areas in the woods that are tamped down by hooves and can be easily found with the naked eye. Deer paths can even be seen from the wood line.

Deer trails are an impressive network that often intersects and spreads over many acres. What you are looking for are active trails. A good trail to start exploring is one that has many intersections. If many trails run into the path, it is likely commonly traveled.

Explore the deer trails in on this new piece of hunting land to see what you can learn about the animals in the area.

Deer Droppings

Deer Droppings
Image Credit: Outdoor Hacker

Droppings can be a little deceptive because deer droppings stay around a while. Finding sign like this can be a good sign but it also might be from a single deer that passed through weeks ago.

However, if you find yourself scouring deer paths with no sign of droppings then at least you know it’s not an active trail.

Deer Tracks

Deer tracks are similar phantoms. A trail can be riddled with tracks, but it is hard to tell how old they are. Look for crisp edges on the footprints. If they are starting to smooth out and erode, then you know they have been around a while.

Deer tracks near a water source are a little more reliable because they don’t last long in the sand. If they are there then the deer are walking through regularly.

Food Sources

Why are these deer paths here? That is the question you want to ask yourself. Why are the deer cruising through this piece of forest? Chances are they are headed for either food, water, or bedding.

If you identify food sources, then you have found a viable location to set up a blind and hunt on. Food sources vary based on the time of year and where you are hunting in the nation. Food sources are a great find.

Bedding

Bedding
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Deer make depressions in fields of tall grass to sleep in. They typically bed down in areas where they can be hidden from predators. If you follow deer paths long enough you will find bedding down areas.

These are areas where deer travel from in the morning and back to in the evening. Make sure you know how to get back to these areas or mark them on your GPS.

Scrapes

Deer scrapes are one of the best finds on a scouting trip. This is an area where a buck digs up the ground and uses its glands to leave behind its scent. It’s marking territory. Fresh scrapes mean that a buck is in the area.

To find scrapes look on the ground for an area where all the leaves have been moved away. It might look like something, or someone had dough a hole there and refilled it. There is a strong odor on these scrapes, too.

Using Trail Cams to Scout

Using Trail Cams to Scout
Image Credit: Outdoor Hacker

Not all scouting has to happen in the woods. Thanks to technology, you can do a bit of scouting using a trail camera. If you find trails and signs that you think could be productive then a trail cam can verify your findings.

Trail cameras are one of the only ways you can be 100% certain deer are actively moving through an area. They can also help with timing. It helps to know when that big buck is moving through the area. No need to sit on a spot at daybreak when you know the buck comes through in the evening.

Conclusion

Without scouting you are asking the hunting gods for some serious favor. I have set on well-scouted spots and come away empty-handed. Without scouting you are simply wandering in the dark and hoping to find your way.

Scouting is not about finding a certain amount of these signs. It’s a little bit of detective work and a little bit of the scientific method. At the end of the day, you are going to take all the evidence you gathered and make a hypothesis about where that buck is going to be when you are in the hunting blind.

Sometimes it works out perfectly and sometimes you go get an early lunch. However, learning the woods you hunt is always beneficial. Also, it’s just nice to get out and walk around in the wild.