How do you scout for a late/2nd season hunt
- Thread starter nv-hunter
- Start date
My friend from out of state had a deer tag that ran from October 20th till November 5th last year. He had 5 days to hunt and chose November 1-5. Kind of the same scenario your talking about, pre rut, couple weeks of pressure leading up to you hunting.
I scouted out glassing points at different elevations at mile plus distances from the road, and it worked out really well for him the second day.
I scouted out glassing points at different elevations at mile plus distances from the road, and it worked out really well for him the second day.
Honestly I used digital scouting and old fashion paper maps to first identify potential spots, then went and checked them out. All but one was worth our while.
Even if you got a half a day to drive around, figure the roads out, where you can and can't get to, just a general idea of how it looks, it's total worth your while.
I've left work, drove in the dark, slept in my truck, just to look around a new area for half a day, and head home.
JimP
Administrator
In a couple of areas that I have hunted the rut is almost over the first week of November but in other areas it has a couple of weeks before it starts.
So a lot will depend on the area and the movement of the deer. If it is dependent on snow I would plan on hunting high and then move downward if needed
So a lot will depend on the area and the movement of the deer. If it is dependent on snow I would plan on hunting high and then move downward if needed
Joseph
Active Member
Depending on the rut timing in your unit the beginning of November could be not just pre rut, you might be hitting it perfect. Might depend on elevation, snow weather, etc, but at that time of year if you find the does you are very likely to see some bucks. When I see an area with lots of does that time of year I stick around for a while, something is bound to turn up. If the snow is deep up high the does most likely won't be there. Hope for some cold weather, that seems to keep everything up and moving.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
The area I like to hunt late is a migratory unit. If the weather is warm, it will be tough. If we get a lot of snow, tons of deer.
If you can get there even a day early, a 4-hour hike the week you're hunting can turn up more than all the pre-season scouting most others do. The weather moves elk and deer more than any other factor, and fresh sign found in June means nothing compared to fresh sign found the day before your hunt. Honestly, when I scout pre-season it's mostly for fun and exercise, plus finding access, camp sites, and areas of interest. You didn't say what species you're after, but elk can walk 30+ miles a day. You aren't losing THAT much not being able to get out there two months ahead of time...
Hilltop
Veteran member
Let your glass do the walking. Spend most of your time identifying good glassing points and then plan to spend hours at each. Even if it takes 3-4 days of glassing to find a buck worth pursuing, it is better than blindly looking imo. Many hunters really struggle with that but the technique has been proven time and again. Also, if you put a group of does to bed, make sure you are on them at first light. That time of year the bucks will be really cruising at night looking for their next lady.