First Scouting Trip

[sandmannd]

I generally hunt with others who have stands up on their land so no scouting is done. This year, I'm pretty much on my own. Lizzy and I went out the other day to see what we could find. I've seen a couple of small scrapes in my life so kinda knew what to look for but we found some, what I think, great signs of deer.

One of the many trails through the woods.


The first scrape we came across what the biggest and freshest I've ever seen.


We made our way through the woods to find this clearing. It's loaded with tall grass all of which has been laid down and bedded in.


There was a small scrape on this tree along with a nice rub


Tracks were very plentiful in the area I'm setting up in.


Question to all those who have hunted for a longer than this newbie is am I on to something or on something?

[wildlifeminnesota]

All good sign,,, But do not set up right on them, set up off them will better your chance, One more thing if you set up off a rub/ scrape/ stay in the stand longer in the morning, big Buck check out rub/ scrape/ mid morning around 10/ 11 then will lay in tell close to dark. Good luck!!

I have not scouted this year, But I know the land I hunt, I all so 8 deer stand's That I have not seen for a year, But I am the only one that hunt it, I thou this year I would not spoke them up,

[beeker]

you mentioned in another post about carlos avery. I hunted that area for a while some years back.

1. easy to access areas will be crowded. if your deeper it will work to your advantage as people will push the deer towards you as they give up or try to find their own areas.
2. deer were very nocternal once hunting season started.. so get in early early and stay until the last minute.
3. once you think you have enough blaze orange on.. put on some more and make it obvious.
4. there are little islands through out those bogs/swamps.. once the deer get there they hunker down until spooked.

let me know how this weekend goes for ya.. I know a few other spots that don't get much action 2nd 3rd weekend up past sandstone I may be able to help you with.

[deadeye]

Cool stuff.  It's always nice to see deer sign.  The deer sign you saw indicated deer had been in the area.  Now, the big thing is, will they be there when you are there!