Late Season Scouting

This is the time to be in the woods. With the close of deer season over most of the country now is the time to put the boot leather to work and walk your woods. Rubs are readily visible, trails are easily spotted and bedding areas can be walked in without much fear of educating the big boy.

Walk the creeks, looking for crossings, rub lines, old scrapes. Search out current stand locations and see if there need to be any modifications. Limb up shooting lanes now, so when summer comes it will only require moderate trimming. Deer hunting is a year around sport and we must be ready. Scouting is the key to successful hunting, and never becoming complacent about your property. Always looking for fresh sign, and new spots that you have overlooked in the past. Regardless of how many years your old favorite stand has hung in the same tree, re-evaluate its set up and be willing to move it if necessary. Add more stands, clear out approach lanes and identify key areas.

Late winter is my favorite time to be in the woods, so too it should be yours. Do some small game hunting and scouting. Get out there.