Wish I had a regular place but yes, I have to scout new areas, too.
Google Earth is good as a starting point but getting onXaps for the state is even more helpful.
On GE, use the tilt feature to get a better visual sense of the topography (zoom in to a specific area, then hold down the Shift key and scroll your mouse button forward a little). You can still pan in the shifted mode. GE is also good for seeing the vegetation and identifying glassing points.
If you are an experienced hunter, you know what you're looking for on onXmaps and GE.
Then, call around. The more you can learn about the area from the local F&G biologist, wildlife officers, forest rangers, BLM, taxidermists and PMs from people who have hunted the area, the better.
Mike Eastman's book on elk has an excellent chapter on How to Sniff Out an Area, which includes a list of questions of who and what to ask. David Long's book is another good resource.
You're not so much looking for specific areas, just a sense of how it lays out and where the heaviest hunting pressure is. Ask them things that you might be willing to volunteer about an area you know well. Anything more specific they volunteer is gravy, though some advice may conflict and some may be flat out wrong.
Taxidermists are most likely to give you help on where the best hunting is, especially talking in person, wardens are best for where the heaviest pressure is.
Next, if you can, schedule a scouting trip, even if it's only for a long weekend and you have to fly. Put an alert on Hipmunk that tells you when fares drop. When you are there. see if you can talk to the people in person that are mentioned above.
First, drive the area and then walk as much of it as you have time for, especially getting up on glassing points. It's great if you can get some time on the mountain during the "magic hours."
