E Scouting Preferences

[EastTNHunter]

Tomorrow I'm going to scout a large piece of property that I have no real experience with. I'm used to hunting smaller parcels of property in the East TN ridges along the river. These properties often have very defined ridges and draws and edges, but are small so you can't move around too much. Other larger properties are easier due to more defined topography and Ag fields.

This property that I'm going to has far less defined geographical features, and much more ground to cover. Seems like a good problem to have a large property to scout, but it is a bit overwhelming to narrow it down to just a few spots from OnX (paralysis analysis). I think that I have a general plan, looking for draws, cover, edges, and mostly white oak acorns.

What are your main features that you look for if you get drawn for a large WMA or hunt another type of large yet heavily pressured public property that has little by way of major geographical features?

 

[huvrman]

First choice - funnels.
Second choice - edges between thickets and hardwoods, pines/cedar stands and hardwoods, dense hardwoods and open hardwoods, fields and hardwoods.
Third choice. Outside corners of ag fields surrounded by woods/thickets.
Fourth choice - saddles across ridges.

 

[catman529]

Edge habitat, thickets and funnels. Go for the vegetation diversity rather than terrain. Of course when you scout on foot you may find sloughs or ditches that aren't as apparent on the topo map.


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[double browtine]

I like to hunt saddles on the long ridges. Also, when I have hunted large blocks of woods, the highest elevations usually have lots of rubs during the rut!

 

[EastTNHunter]

Out here scouting now. Edges are "squishy" due to major undergrowth still, and so many oaks are dropping that I can't even think about keying in on one tree or set of trees. Some relief to the landscape, but not enough to seem to funnel the deer. There's sign everywhere, but only a few spots seem to be "hot spots"

 

[Winchester]

If its heavily pressured like you say I would strictly be doing my scouting based on the other hunters! Access, ease of entry, overlooked places, etc.