Where to start

[Nsghunter]

I am hunting in Pennsylvania some this season. I will be hunting on public land around my families house in Pottstown. I will most likely be hunting in French Creek State Park or stage game land 43.

A friend loaned me his copy of " Mapping Trophy bucks" and I have read part of it so far but I still do not identify an area better than the rest to hunt. I have looked over topo maps and aerial maps to identify saddles, benches and so forth but nothing jumps out at me yet. I have found one swampy area that has peaked my interest nut that's it.

So how do you determine a location or locations when you go to a new area for the first time? What are a few of the techniques you follow.

 

[BlackBelt]

You may have to just spend a morning quietly scouting on foot for deer sign. I always check the edges of areas, like the edges of that swamp, or the edges of a woodlot for tracks, poop, rubs and trails.
If you can find out where they are bedding down and where they are eating you are going to be set.

 

[Nsghunter]

http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/p ... 004691.pdf

Here is a link to a map the Park service provides.

 

[thickethunter2]

First thing when I am looking at a new place is to find the three things deer want
1. Food
2. Water
3. Cover
I would suggest to start doing this from home with aerial photos from the web or apps (google earth)
I then focus starting my scouting on which of these three are in the least abundance. (If you are hunting in ag country while crops are still up trying to narrow a deer down to one stalk of corn is impossible, trying to hunt over a water hole in a swamp is probably not the best bet)

Once I have decided where to scout I then scout areas close to that area that deer generally like to use. Transitions from one type of timber to another, transitions in ages of timber, edges of swamps, saddles, flat points, south facing slopes in the mornings, grown up fence rows, etc.

Once you have found that, focus your scouting on small areas. Find where deer are moving from bedding to staging areas to food and back. Find creek crossings, fences crossings. Anything that will narrow deer together. Focus on the trails and pinch points you can access without spooking the deer going in or out. Mark trees and keep notes of what wind to hunt them on and which way to access them.

This is what I do for deer in general. Bucks only I look for a little different sign and travel pattern. In a new area with lots of pressure, I will also try to decide where the deer will go to escape the added pressure and focus on escape routes. This can mean going deep into an area and hunting with less disturbance. Or climbing a tree close to the parking area and shoot deer people push out when they go in.

 

[mike243]

Drive all of the area you can while looking for paths leading across the road,get out and see if you can determine which way they are moving,deer cross roads regular,they leave paths,hit the woods where the trails are the heaviest and see where they are headed good luck

 

[ZachMarkus]

Post a pic of a topo and aerial map of the property


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[Nsghunter]

I shared a link to the map of the area. My phone is on the fritz. I'll try to upload a photo.

The area is French Creek state Park in Pennsylvania. It's easy to find on Google, if you get a hankering before I can post any photos.

 

[Mike Belt]

I wouldn't think that Pa. would be any different than any other state as far as initial scouting goes. I think the first thing I'd do is find out if any agricultural fields might be in relation to your hunting area. If so, they probably supply most of the food source through the growing season. That's where I'd start my scouting foray. I'd look for trails entering or leaving and start backtracking them to see where they're headed from there or where they're coming from to get there. Along the way I'd take note of the surrounding terrain and how the deer might be using it. At the same time jump ahead and think about deer season going on and how the movement there might change once pressure is applied. I'd keep my eye open for thick areas or edges between different features. I'd also take note of any mast producing trees and whether they may produce or not. If there was no agriculture I'd probably hit some of the drainages backtracking any crossings I found, again to see where the deer are coming or going. Take note of any funnels or saddles the deer may use in their travels. Also look for old sign. It's there for a reason.

I know there are many successful hunters that never set foot on the property they're hunting before actually hunting it that went solely on topo maps, etc. of the prospective area. They can be of great benefit. It is my opinion though that nothing beats boot leather on the ground.

 

[MickThompson]

The topo provided is on 50' contours. A 20' map will give a lot more detail.

Are the trails closed during deer hunts? That might or might not, affect where I hunted.


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[Nsghunter]

The topo provided is on 50' contours. A 20' map will give a lot more detail.

Are the trails closed during deer hunts? That might or might not, affect where I hunted.


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I called the park. The trails areally open all year. Would you stay away from the trails or use them?

I didn't notice the contour was measured differently on different maps.

 

[Ladys man]

I would check out the power lines

 

[VolunteerzGuy]

Have to use maps/photos in the event you don't have time to scout. Look for saddles they are some of the easiest places to locate on Topo maps. Even if there isn't an abundance of food or cover saddles will still give you a great shot at seeing and getting close to deer as they offer natural travel paths.


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