Scouting a New Area

[Idratherbehunting]

I'm interested in knowing how you all go about scouting a new area, both e-scouting and boots on the ground. What types of things do you look for? I grew up hunting in Idaho on the same unit my great grandfather first started hunting, but I am now starting to hunt in Utah, and I'm trying to learn how to effectively scout/learn a new area. Obviously a huge part of that is boots on the ground, but if I can focus that effort through e-scouting, I would love to be more efficient.

 

[Idratherbehunting]

If there are already threads about this, please let me know. I'll be using the search function as well to try to find any posts on this as well.

 

[Poke 'Em]

It's going to sound simple, but I look for deer. Sure, I'll do some e-scouting, where I'll look for a variety of things, cover, water, proximity to feed (crops), but ultimately it comes down to going out there and sitting around. I'll usually give a new spot one or two visits where I can glass a huge area early in the morning or late in the evening, and determine if the quality of buck that I want is there.

Last year, for example, I scouted a half-dozen or more spots in July, found the deer I wanted to kill, then spent August patterning him.

 

[Idratherbehunting]

That's a beautiful buck. Congratulations and thanks for the advice.

 

[treedagain]

Most of my hunts are in different areas every year. I start with a few PM'S to get enough info to narrow down the unit then i will go spend a few days in the summer learning the roads/access/glassing points. At least 1 trip somerimes more. I dont care if i see animals i just want to learn the area. I will then show up early 3-5 days on elk or deer 1-2 for antelope. After that i hunt the best buck/bull. l i did spend 25 days scouting for my desert ram. Then 9 days to tag out.