#2055943 - 09/02/10 09:30 PM
Pre-season scouting?
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east10buck
4 Point
Registered: 02/11/10
Posts: 279
Loc: Gatlinburg, TN
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Saw on the news the weather is going to be un-real the weekend with some cool temps, im sure the deer will be up on their feet. How many of you guys are gonna do some last minute scouting before season gets fired up?
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Good lord. Good Hunting. Good Times.
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#2055990 - 09/02/10 09:51 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: east10buck]
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Pursuit Hunter
8 Point
Registered: 10/01/08
Posts: 2084
Loc: Way out there
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Lookin' forward to the cool temps and will definitely be out there. This ain't even close to last minute though. Good scouting time hasn't even started yet. The week before the season opens is when it gets good.
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#2055999 - 09/02/10 09:59 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Pursuit Hunter]
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51 pointer
4 Point
Registered: 10/03/09
Posts: 436
Loc: Tennessee
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Lookin' forward to the cool temps and will definitely be out there. This ain't even close to last minute though. Good scouting time hasn't even started yet. The week before the season opens is when it gets good.
You got that right, i wont know where to hang a stand until a couple days before it opens, you wont know what white oaks they are hittin until right up to opening weekend unless you've hunted that land for years and years, I usually dont hunt the first week anyway unless the weather is good or I have a particular buck patterned, its usually too hot, I havent even started shooting my recurve yet but I may this weekend
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#2056064 - 09/02/10 11:22 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: 51 pointer]
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Good time Charlie
TnDeer Old Timer
12 Point
Registered: 10/08/99
Posts: 6568
Loc: Tazewell
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I work with some guys that have me almost talked into
hunting Kentucky with them.
They showed me some pics. and my goodness They have monsters in
them old reclaimed coal fields.That join the National Park (Cumberland Gap).
I think it may start this week end
_________________________
Live every day as if it were your last
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#2056248 - 09/03/10 07:17 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: MUP]
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bowriter
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Registered: 08/31/02
Posts: 40337
Loc: Lebanon,TN USA
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No way for me. Now is the prime time to stay out of the woods.
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Constipation has ruined many a good day. Not as many as stupidity, though.
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#2056250 - 09/03/10 07:20 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: bowriter]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
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Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59670
Loc: Nashville, TN
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No way for me. Now is the prime time to stay out of the woods.
Exactly.
I finished my scouting last March.
Fastest way to drive deer off their normal routines is to scout just before you hunt.
_________________________
"Know where you stand, and stand there" --Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan
"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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#2056268 - 09/03/10 07:35 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: BSK]
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WRbowhunter
8 Point
Registered: 02/22/10
Posts: 1469
Loc: collierville,tn
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I will be out bright and early. I need to find about 3 more areas and trees to hunt the first part of the year. I tend to bounce around a lot early season.
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#2056415 - 09/03/10 09:22 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: BSK]
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Pursuit Hunter
8 Point
Registered: 10/01/08
Posts: 2084
Loc: Way out there
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Fastest way to drive deer off their normal routines is to scout just before you hunt.
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#2056451 - 09/03/10 10:01 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Pursuit Hunter]
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Winchester
Non-Typical
Registered: 12/05/03
Posts: 25338
Loc: TN
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Fastest way to drive deer off their normal routines is to scout just before you hunt.
Absolutely not true. Every deer I've killed in the last ten years has been in a spot I scouted just hours or maybe a day before.
EXACTLY right, I scout to some degree all season long! To be consistently succesful with close range weapons like a bow, you have to constantly fine tune your sets. I too have killed many many deer after only finding the right place hours before hunting! Its all in how you do your scouting! 
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#2056491 - 09/03/10 10:33 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Winchester]
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JCDEERMAN
14 Point
Registered: 07/19/08
Posts: 7673
Loc: NASHVILLE, TN
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Typically, at this time of year, I just like to do a lot of glassing for acorns. I like to find as many trees as I can that have a potential to start dropping early. I take note of every single one of them. But towards the week of the opener, that's when I start looking at the ground underneath them. Scratching off this tree, and that tree off my list, but also keeping the others in mind to check periodically.
Though, it is very hard on our place, like BSK mentioned about his, because we have white oaks and red oaks literally EVERYWHERE.
Under these trees, I mainly try to find the poop and the dirt...the more dirt showing, the more activity its receiving. Things can change fast and you have to adjust
_________________________
Be nervous, but fear no one
In God we trust
God bless the USA!
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#2056510 - 09/03/10 10:45 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Winchester]
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MUP
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Registered: 08/01/07
Posts: 36583
Loc: Just North of Chatt-town
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Its all in how you do your scouting!
I fully agree with this statement. Careful, maticulous caution paid to what you touch, and how you enter and exit certain locations, can tremendously up the odds of deer not becoming alarmed or bumped imo.
_________________________
MUP
Amateurs: Built the Ark
Professionals: Built the Titanic
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#2056532 - 09/03/10 11:08 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Pursuit Hunter]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
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Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59670
Loc: Nashville, TN
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Fastest way to drive deer off their normal routines is to scout just before you hunt.
Absolutely not true. Every deer I've killed in the last ten years has been in a spot I scouted just hours or maybe a day before.
And how many did you drive away from their travels or into nocturnal movement by that scouting? You can't assess what you can't see.
Kind of like those who say, "I smoke on stand and never care at all about scent, and I still kill deer." The problem with that perspective is how many MORE deer they would see and kill if they didn't smoke and were careful about scent. Just because you can be successful doing something a certain way doesn't mean that's the BEST way of doing it. Doing it differently might make you more successful.
_________________________
"Know where you stand, and stand there" --Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan
"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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#2056548 - 09/03/10 11:28 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: BSK]
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bowriter
Non-Typical
Registered: 08/31/02
Posts: 40337
Loc: Lebanon,TN USA
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I have killed many deer and some nice bucks within 90 minutes of finding a place and hanging a stand. That is totally different from walking around in the woods three weeks before hunting a place. If I find a place that I want to hunt when the season is open, I will often hang a stand and climb right in it. Other wise, I give it a few weeks and stay out of that area. When scouting, the last thing I want to see is deer. If I think it is a day deer will be moving, you can bet I'll be somewhere else.
_________________________
Constipation has ruined many a good day. Not as many as stupidity, though.
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#2056549 - 09/03/10 11:31 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: BSK]
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mrk80
6 Point
Registered: 05/30/10
Posts: 734
Loc: williamson county TN
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X3... Last thing I would do is get my scent in the woods or get busted by deer now...After they loose that velvet it don't take nothing for a mature buck to now whats up after a summer of seeing no one...I will check my cameras for the last time during the next rain and than I won't go back till season....
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#2056571 - 09/03/10 12:01 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: BSK]
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Winchester
Non-Typical
Registered: 12/05/03
Posts: 25338
Loc: TN
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Fastest way to drive deer off their normal routines is to scout just before you hunt.
Absolutely not true. Every deer I've killed in the last ten years has been in a spot I scouted just hours or maybe a day before. And how many did you drive away from their travels or into nocturnal movement by that scouting? You can't assess what you can't see. Kind of like those who say, "I smoke on stand and never care at all about scent, and I still kill deer." The problem with that perspective is how many MORE deer they would see and kill if they didn't smoke and were careful about scent. Just because you can be successful doing something a certain way doesn't mean that's the BEST way of doing it. Doing it differently might make you more successful.
Exactly right, no way of knowing what you dont see. What I do see is what i base my scouting on, and if im not seeing them in bow range where I need them to be, then I need to be scouting for the right place. Never be afraid to be versatile when your not succeeding! I could ask the same question as well, how many deer would you be seeing if you had done some scouting recently, and know exactly what the deer are doing today.
I will agree more with gun hunting/stands where all you have to be is close on your stand selection. The leaves are off, you can see a long way, and you can basically kill anything you see with a gun.
Bow hunting is where meticulous and current knowledge of exactly where and what the deer are doing is so critical. You have to know within 30 yards of exactly where a deer will be to be succesful.
Believe me when I tell you i dont alert any more deer than I have to, when deciding to hunt an area, but to be succesful with a bow, you better stay on top of whats going on or you will be 20 yards off the mark and just get to watch him walk out of your life! 
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#2056576 - 09/03/10 12:04 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: mrk80]
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Pursuit Hunter
8 Point
Registered: 10/01/08
Posts: 2084
Loc: Way out there
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To each his own, but I prefer the odds of being out there figuring out where they really are versus hunting a spot that looked good for some reason three months ago and hoping something shows up. It's worked out pretty well over the years. Besides, figuring out the puzzle of where they are is the fun part for me.
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#2056581 - 09/03/10 12:09 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Winchester]
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Pursuit Hunter
8 Point
Registered: 10/01/08
Posts: 2084
Loc: Way out there
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Fastest way to drive deer off their normal routines is to scout just before you hunt.
Absolutely not true. Every deer I've killed in the last ten years has been in a spot I scouted just hours or maybe a day before. And how many did you drive away from their travels or into nocturnal movement by that scouting? You can't assess what you can't see. Kind of like those who say, "I smoke on stand and never care at all about scent, and I still kill deer." The problem with that perspective is how many MORE deer they would see and kill if they didn't smoke and were careful about scent. Just because you can be successful doing something a certain way doesn't mean that's the BEST way of doing it. Doing it differently might make you more successful. Exactly right, no way of knowing what you dont see. What I do see is what i base my scouting on, and if im not seeing them in bow range where I need them to be, then I need to be scouting for the right place. Never be afraid to be versatile when your not succeeding! I could ask the same question as well, how many deer would you be seeing if you had done some scouting recently, and know exactly what the deer are doing today. I will agree more with gun hunting/stands where all you have to be is close on your stand selection. The leaves are off, you can see a long way, and you can basically kill anything you see with a gun. Bow hunting is where meticulous and current knowledge of exactly where and what the deer are doing is so critical. You have to know within 30 yards of exactly where a deer will be to be succesful. Believe me when I tell you i dont alert any more deer than I have to, when deciding to hunt an area, but to be succesful with a bow, you better stay on top of whats going on or you will be 20 yards off the mark and just get to watch him walk out of your life!
A man after my own heart. Well said.
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#2056613 - 09/03/10 12:46 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: MUP]
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Andy S.
TnDeer Old Timer
12 Point
Registered: 07/26/99
Posts: 7290
Loc: Atoka, TN
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If you have enough land mass you can actually do both. I have several good areas that I know produce year in and year out so no need to ground truth those just yet, however, I will be out exploring new unfamiliar ground this weekend in hopes of learning something new about the land and/or possibly finding a new area to hunt.
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Andy S.
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#2056616 - 09/03/10 12:56 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: MUP]
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bobthebowhunter
10 Point
Registered: 11/20/07
Posts: 2997
Loc: Knoxvegas
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I think it also depends on what you are scouting for. Obviously deer, but what I mean is: are you scouting food sources, travel corridors, bedding, rub lines ect? Seems to me that when scouting for acorns and what trees are being hit, you have to stay up to date. However, I agree that scouting close to the season is not the best idea, but that's just my opinion. So I choose not to scout that way. There are so many white,red,chesnut oaks ect. where i hunt that i don't think my odds would be very good at saying, "ok they're hitting this tree." On my property I really think they just pick them up as they move through the woods. So I would rather have their travel patterns down. I prefer to hunt terrain funnles. Easily seen on topo's and areal photos without disturbing the locals. If there happens to be oaks growing there then it's that much better.
It all depends on the hunter and each idividuals style of hunting and situation. I can't walk into my woods the week before opener even if I wanted to. I'm 4 hrs away. So i have adapted to the type of scouting/hunting that works for me. I think in Persuit Hunter and Winchester's situation they are doing the right thing. They do "up to date" food source analysis which allows them to find the most recently used food source. They do run a risk of bumping deer, but they choose to do it that way because they enjoy it. Others like myself scout the area as a whole. How are the deer traveling over my property? Where is the food source and how are they getting to/from it. It has taken me years of "test hunting" different funnels and travel corridors, but it has seemed to pay off. My philosophy on my small slice of the pie is: If the deer are moving on my property, they will move through the funnels, it's just a matter of when. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. lol
Edited by bobthebowhunter (09/03/10 12:59 PM)
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ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!
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#2056648 - 09/03/10 01:23 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: east10buck]
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preds1
10 Point
Registered: 10/16/09
Posts: 4549
Loc: Sumner County
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I leave it alone this time of year. Especially this close to bow opener. If it's a new track of land you're not familiar with.......maybe.
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#2056658 - 09/03/10 01:32 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: preds1]
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muddyboots
12 Point
Registered: 11/06/02
Posts: 5968
Loc: savannah, tn., usa
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What works best for me is scouting the day before i can hunt two or three days in a row. I dont care where they were two weeks ago.
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X Force is Bad!
Let em go and let em grow!
There is a difference in a turkey killer and a turkey hunter!
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#2056664 - 09/03/10 01:39 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: muddyboots]
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DUCK37101
"Link" Police
16 Point
Registered: 08/29/05
Posts: 18867
Loc: McEwen, TN.
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I probably will scout a little before season starts. I'd like to put sights on a good buck so I know he is in any given area. If I don't see one then I will look for some good food sources and sonme areas where they have been feeding.
Many experts say that there are certain times of the year when you have the best chance of seeing good bucks and the first week or two of Bow season is one of those times.
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You Can't Take It With You.....So Don't Go.
IN GOD WE TRUST!
"The Constitution does not just protect those whose views we share; it also protects those with whose views we disagree."
- Ted Kennedy
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#2056669 - 09/03/10 01:42 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: preds1]
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Carlos Viagra
16 Point
Registered: 11/20/04
Posts: 12934
Loc: Cumberland Plateau
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What about public land? I hunt primarily public land and right before and especially once season opens the deer always get rattled really bad.
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#2056764 - 09/03/10 02:43 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Carlos Viagra]
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DUCK37101
"Link" Police
16 Point
Registered: 08/29/05
Posts: 18867
Loc: McEwen, TN.
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Get some good Topos or do some serious walking. Go deep and thick, hunt real slow with little to no movement when sitting still.
_________________________
You Can't Take It With You.....So Don't Go.
IN GOD WE TRUST!
"The Constitution does not just protect those whose views we share; it also protects those with whose views we disagree."
- Ted Kennedy
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#2056796 - 09/03/10 03:44 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Pursuit Hunter]
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bobthebowhunter
10 Point
Registered: 11/20/07
Posts: 2997
Loc: Knoxvegas
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You know what I really think? I think you should do exactly as you please.  Me too.
Yea that's kinda what I was getting at.
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"I have two guns....one for each of ya."
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!
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#2056803 - 09/03/10 03:50 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Winchester]
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Bone Collector
12 Point
Registered: 09/09/09
Posts: 6187
Loc: Murfreesboro, TN
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I am going to one spot that i could not make it to, but I have never hunted there and don't know that I will. As for my main areas I am done. I try to stay away as much as possible when season nears and just pray others do the same.
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Don't let the screen name fool you spikes are made of bone too Semper Fidelis! The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. - Thomas Jefferson
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#2056958 - 09/03/10 07:21 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: east10buck]
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Dawson
4 Point
Registered: 06/07/10
Posts: 461
Loc: Williamson County
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I pulled the cameras two weeks ago and plan to stay out until season. Only exception was planting an acre of clover. I have watched them hard all summer and have a good idea of bedding and feeding areas. Have some big mature bucks on camera during the day and have watched them with a spotting scope to get patterns. Don't want to risk it with the "old boys".
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#2057121 - 09/03/10 09:38 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: bowriter]
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Twitch
8 Point
Registered: 11/27/08
Posts: 2232
Loc: Knox
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No way for me. Now is the prime time to stay out of the woods.
I'm staying out and not going back without my bow.
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AIM SMALL (( + )) MISS SMALL
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#2057123 - 09/03/10 09:39 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Carlos Viagra]
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Football Hunter
18 Point
Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 24708
Loc: Wilson Co/Perry Co
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What about public land? I hunt primarily public land and right before and especially once season opens the deer always get rattled really bad.
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The best day to plant a tree,IS TODAY!
You wont know,if you dont go!
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#2057136 - 09/03/10 10:06 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Pursuit Hunter]
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pastorbmp
10 Point
Registered: 01/16/06
Posts: 4259
Loc: Wartburg,TN
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Lookin' forward to the cool temps and will definitely be out there. This ain't even close to last minute though. Good scouting time hasn't even started yet. The week before the season opens is when it gets good.
Bingo! Best time to scout for opening day is the last week before opening day. I will be looking for "dominate oaks" that week, Lord willing.
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#2057142 - 09/03/10 10:13 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Carlos Viagra]
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Bone Collector
12 Point
Registered: 09/09/09
Posts: 6187
Loc: Murfreesboro, TN
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What about public land? I hunt primarily public land and right before and especially once season opens the deer always get rattled really bad.
That is because people scout public land a week before season starts and once small game starts there are hunter's out there shooting and carrying on.
_________________________
Don't let the screen name fool you spikes are made of bone too Semper Fidelis! The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. - Thomas Jefferson
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#2057145 - 09/03/10 10:16 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: pastorbmp]
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RKenney
10 Point
Registered: 03/15/08
Posts: 3634
Loc: Maury Co.
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I remember years ago, that we would just go trudging thru the
woods looking for rubs, scrapes, tracks, and droppings...one
week before opening day. Not anymore.
Certain areas have a long history of producing good bucks, so
they are left alone until opening day, and even then, they are
approached with extreme caution.
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#2057217 - 09/04/10 12:06 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Winchester]
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buckhorn40
Non-Typical
Registered: 07/03/06
Posts: 27456
Loc: Crossville
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I'll be out there!!
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#2057251 - 09/04/10 12:45 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Carlos Viagra]
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bearclaw
4 Point
Registered: 01/26/08
Posts: 347
Loc: Mid TN
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Try to stay out as much as you can
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#2057263 - 09/04/10 05:22 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Winchester]
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Setterman
8 Point
Registered: 12/31/09
Posts: 1783
Loc: Knoxville, TN
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I did all any scouting I needed to do in Feb and March of last year. I won't step into the woods until opening day. IMO more people screw up their seasons by wandering around prior to the season opening up. You should already know all the possible food sources and travel routes on the property you hunt.
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#2057266 - 09/04/10 05:24 AM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: east10buck]
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TN RDG RNR
12 Point
Registered: 06/28/07
Posts: 6104
Loc: Rhea County
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Guess Im done ground pounding. Mostly all I do at this point is glass fields and look at topo's. I am going to scout the area my son got drawn on for a juvy hunt in Oct and find a couple of places to set up.
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WARNING: The above post may contain sarcasm and/or sophisticated satire. I will not be held liable for any psychological damage sustained.
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#2057627 - 09/04/10 04:07 PM
Re: Pre-season scouting?
[Re: Setterman]
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Andy S.
TnDeer Old Timer
12 Point
Registered: 07/26/99
Posts: 7290
Loc: Atoka, TN
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You should already know all the possible food sources and travel routes on the property you hunt.
Depends on the size of the property and how many years one has hunted it.
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Andy S.
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