Scout now!

[Cut N Run]

Enough time has elapsed since the end of deer season that right now should be easiest time to find the deer's most regular travel routes in & around heavy cover with the leaf cover gone. It is a great time to find shed antlers and scout an area for turkeys too. If the weather permits, get out and see what you've been missing, or find that killer stand site that had been avoiding you when the leaves were out.
There is no better time to cut shooting lanes either. The trees and branches will be gone so long by the time archery season rolls around, the deer won't remember them being there in the first place.

A little work right now can equal success next fall.

Jim

[Woods Walker]

You are SOOO right about that Cut! This is my favorite time of year to scout.

I took my bow for a hike today in my neighbor's woods next to my place, and while I don't hunt there I still like to walk around in there. The trails are so easy to see right now that a blind man could find them. I also saw several scrapes from this past rut, and while stump shooting I found a shed too!

[freak nasty 145]

100% agree!!!

[luvhuntin]

I like to hang my stands in that new found hot spot right now also. sure beats doing it in July when the humidity and bugs are as thick as the undergrowth! of course that`s only on private land if you do that on public ground in Iowa you`ll have to go to the DNR auction in May to buy it back!