Tips for Scouting Deer

Scouting for deer is an important, but often overlooked key to successful deer hunting and here are some easy to use tips for scouting deer that a hunter can use to quickly gather information. Scouting for deer for hunting season is important on new land but is valuable for land that has been hunted previously as well. Being on the hunting land outside of hunting season allows a hunter to be more relaxed and pay more attention to the lay of the land and other physical features instead of focusing on spotting deer. Here are some of the key things to look for when scouting land for deer hunting.

Tips for Scouting Deer - Deer Paths and Escape Routes

When hunting on new land, finding the deer paths is a top priority. Look for paths entering fields and follow them. Learning where the paths are and where they lead will help a hunter to determine likely places to find deer when hunting season comes around.

Tips for Scouting Deer - Rubs and Scrapes

Rubs and scrapes should always be noted by hunters scouting for deer. A rub is a marking on a tree where a deer rubs its antlers. A scrape is a marking on the ground where a deer paws up the ground. Rubs and scrapes will often be found year after ear in about the same location. Fresh rubs and scrapes are a good sign that a buck is or was nearby.

Tips for Scouting Deer - Stand Locations

Hunters scouting for deer need to also scout for good stand locations. Tree stand hunters will need to mark and prepare trees while those hunting from the ground will need to choose good vantage points. Finding these locations before season can make hunting much easier.

Tips for Scouting Deer - Preferred Food Sources

Any time that a hunter is in the woods preferred food sources should be noted. Depending on location and the season that is hunted preferred foods could be apples, persimmons, or simply areas where acorns and other nuts are easy to browse. Learn the preferences of the deer in your area.

Tips for Scouting Deer - Water

In many areas water is very abundant and not much of a factor for hunting. But in some areas water is scare making it an important key to finding deer. Even areas where water is abundant will experience drought and hunters who know where to find natural springs should use this information to their advantage. A deer that lives its whole life in the woods will know where these springs are and will seek them out for water.

Hunters need to gather information on deer throughout the year and use the information to develop strategies for deer hunting.