OS Team Scouting: Session 1

[bowhunter1023]

After reading through OLDHAT's thread about "Backyard Bucks" and seeing the responses Jack got in his thread about his hunting grounds, I came up with an idea I hope will work. The concept is pretty simple. Once a week, I'll post up an aerial and topo of a roughly 200-300 acre tract of land from somewhere in the state. We'll assume the borders of the picture, are the borders to the "OS.com Bowhunting Lease". Then we can scout based on those maps and post up our ideas for stand locations or areas of interest...

I know we have some outstanding deer hunters around here. We can all learn from one another and Lord knows I can use all the help I can get! If we can have a weekly exchange of information like we got in the aforementioned threads, we all stand to be better hunters as a result. One of my favorite quotes is: "Even if you show me what not to do, you still taught me something." If you try something someone suggests and it doesn't work for you, you can learn from that experience if you take the time to figure out why it didn't work...

So here goes. I hope this works. Gonna start in my home county of course! :D

http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t359/jroush1023/OSWeek1Aerial.jpg

http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t359/jroush1023/OSWeek1Topo.jpg

[Gern186]

I wouldn't have a clue how to hunt that spot, there are more trees in that picture than the whole county I live in:whistle:

Actually, it looks like the thin strip of woods between the 2 open fields would be a good starting point, like an observation stand. From there you would be downwind of a draw coming up from the west and you could possibly watch both fields at the same time and pattern a buck. From that point, you could fine tune your setup. The south corner of the south triangle field looks good as well.

[geezer II]

Well could you at least mark the corn piles and feeders ta helps us a l'll - thans :whistle: :mischeif:

[parrish]

I agree Gern....if I didn't know any better I would think that is an Amazon rain forrest......Now show me a few fence rows and about 5 small woods with corn fields all around.....

[gavennn]

I would start by getting on the ground and scouting that saddle that goes almost all the way across the map right in the middle.

It feeds off what looks to be a ridge on the east side of the map down into a creek bottom and then across the creek is a field and another small saddle to the western side of the field. I would guess without getting eyes on the ground they use that saddle to filter into the fields there and use the creeks bottom off those saddles to move north and south and into the other areas or the property.

Depending on sign I would decide if i wanted to set up on the east side or west side of creek and how thick that creek bottom is.

[bowhunter1023]

I agree Gern....if I didn't know any better I would think that is an Amazon rain forrest......Now show me a few fence rows and about 5 small woods with corn fields all around.....

My, how that brings up one of my favorite topics!!! :mischeif: Big Woods vs. Farm Country. :D

This property is very similiar to my uncles farm and is about 10 minutes down the road. Its not as visually appealing as those "picture perfect" farm land hot spots, but there are several big bucks in this area. They are just tough to find and hunt because of the vastness of what you are dealing with. But there are at least 4 stand sites here that I think would prove themselves pretty effective come fall...

[jackalope]

Great Idea.. However I was looking at the topo and comparing it to the vegetation think your topo shows a greater land mass than your aerial

[jackalope]

Based on this. Here are a few areas I would look at. I'm a sucker for bowls though at the top of hollows and between 2 ridges. So you can see those spots.. The other spots are "paths of least resistance" leading to and from those fields. You will notice on the topo there are only 3 of them for the entire ridge. 3 small choke points coming to the fields or more importantly going back to water. I also like the point of the ridge down at the bend of the river.. A classic rutting spot. There will probably be that yellowish grass weeds down in there with a mix of locust trees and small saplings.. I find these areas get rubbed up heavily as a “rut” staging / dogging area.
http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww127/jackalope_1/OSWeek1Topospots.jpg



From The aerial photo You can’t see the terrain. So I’ll hunt the edges of cover in Choke points of transition. For a buck that wants to get from one side of the ridge to the other while staying under cover.. There are only 2 places to do it... The stand on the tip is to catch one going around ofr to catch them going to or comming from that bend in the river

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww127/jackalope_1/OSWeek1Aerialspots.jpg

[Gern186]

quote from Gern186 "Actually, it looks like the thin strip of woods between the 2 open fields would be a good starting point, like an observation stand. From there you would be downwind of a draw coming up from the west and you could possibly watch both fields at the same time and pattern a buck. From that point, you could fine tune your setup. The south corner of the south triangle field looks good as well. "

It looks like I might know a little something about huntin those hills, right Jack??

[jbrown]

Great idea, Jesse. But why didn't I get any credit for the influence?? :D:mischeif:

Here's my starting points...

My ideal spot would be one of the red dots around that river/creek bend. I would bet 1000 bucks that there's a hot crossing down there at one point or another. I would probably set more than one stand down there... one east and one more west. That way you could hunt according to wind direction. From my experience, those creek crossings are great areas to hunt during the rut.

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll146/farcass31/OSWeek1Topo.jpg

Now the aerial I don't think shows the end of that ridge to the south at the creek crossing, but it shows why the blue and green spots make sense. The green dot is a somewhat of a hub. 3 things going on there... head of a drainage, narrow funnel of tree cover between the fields, and an inside corner of that north field. These are all good things when alone, and this has all 3 at one spot! I like the blue spot too because of a couple things. It's east of that north field, along the side of the ridge, and there's an inside corner there made by the NE field. I wouldn't be suprised if there's a buck highway along the side of that ridge right through there... quick route, plenty of cover, and an easy path to scent-check that north field (assuming prevailing west winds).

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll146/farcass31/OSWeek1Aerial.jpg

Those are where I would start first... of course it would have to fine-tuned by scouting on the ground. The spots that the other guys have mentioned are good as well. That whole area just looks good for big deer.

[redcloud102]

These spots look good to me to try out.

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/22/l_f01f62a511ca40e4a12302a112751699.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhoto&albumID=2757276&imageID=55206983)

[Gordo]

Not trying to hijack the thread but what map program are you guys using. I'm looking for a new source for maps. Thanks

[deerhunter_matt]

Google maps or google earth works great. As fas as hunting that land, I would cut down all the trees around my cabin, and leave just a little spot where the deer could live. That way, I would know that they can only be at one place where I couldn't see em, and I could hang a stand in the middle and have no more than 60 yard bow shots in any direction...

That's what I would do at least....

[wildohio22]

when i look at the aerial i wanna check these spots out
http://www.ohiosportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/OSWeek1Aerial.jpg
then when i see the topo i wanna check out the ones in the aerial and on the topo... a couple are close to the same spot on both maps sooo....

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/OSWeek1Topo.jpg

[deerhunt45]

Another good informative thread! Lots of good exchange, I'm thinking you all do know a little something about deer hunting ;) :D

I looked at the map pics but didn't bother to mark them up. A lot of you have already marked some areas I would look at.

My first question is always where do you have permission to access the property/area from. Now, assuming predominantly w/sw/nw winds, I would try to approach the property from the east if I could, to get along that creek somewhere and either wade or canoe or both towards the south end of the property. Where it bends back to the north, find a good crossing and a funnel up one of those fingers off the creek. From there you are not too far from the field edges on top. Hunt between the hay or ag fields and the water. Heck, thinking outside the box, put up a canoe blind on the creek near a crossing and hunt from the water :idea:...or is that huntin over bait :confused: :mischeif: :p ;)

[Buckmaster]

My first question is always where do you have permission to access the property/area from. Now, assuming predominantly w/sw/nw winds, I would try to approach the property from the east if I could

My opinion is the same as 45's. I would first need to know what is N, S, E, & W. I would assume the map is in standard form? Next I would need to know prevailing wind direction? Next, what would be entry location or access to property location? Where's the nearest home? From there I would figure out my game plan. The fellas highlighted some good positions so far however the above would need to be answered first for proper confirmation.

[CritterGitter]

My opinion is the same as 45's. I would first need to know what is N, S, E, & W. I would assume the map is in standard form? Next I would need to know prevailing wind direction? Next, what would be entry location or access to property location? Where's the nearest home? From there I would figure out my game plan. The fellas highlighted some good positions so far however the above would need to be answered first for proper confirmation.

Now, that I am at home and can actually see the pictures. I am with 45 on this one. I would definately want to access the property via canoe in the creek if holds enough water. I would prefer to bow hunt the ridge tops and then maybe gun hunt the big valley that the topo shows but the ariel seems to have cut off. That is depending on prevailing wind direction. Also, an on-foot scout would be necessary to deem the food sources and the thick and nasty areas that would be critical to know. That ridge that borders the creek has a steep slope. Them deer aint crossin there. The big bend in the river and the south point of that ridge is just an obvious spot.

[Cap't Ernie]

Neat thread idea...wish I had thought of it myself. :rolleyes:

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13053
http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24590

[bowhunter1023]

Neat thread idea...wish I had thought of it myself. :rolleyes:

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13053
http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24590

Would you like a cookie?

[Gern186]

Neat thread idea...wish I had thought of it myself. :rolleyes:

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13053
http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24590


Hardly the same topic there, Captain.

This is in the bowhunting section, and real bowhunters don't drive deer.

[jbrown]

...and real bowhunters don't drive deer.

Well said, Gern.

[deerhunter_matt]

Neat thread idea...wish I had thought of it myself. :rolleyes:

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13053
http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24590

Your threads seem quite a bit different. I don't think anyone was looking fo drive suggestions here. They want stand locations...:irked: Jerk....:nono::biggrin:

[Cap't Ernie]

I love cookies.

Why isn't this in the general hunting forum? Don't gun hunters use stands too?

[deerhunt45]

Ernie, I'll consider your posts tit for tat...but if you have nothing else to offer, leave it alone!

[bowhunter1023]

I didn't post this for gun hunters. I posted this for bow hunters. Learning to scout for bow sets via aerial and topographical maps is a whole different ball game than setting up a drive using the same. I participate in both activities each fall and they don't belong in the same breath with one another in terms of difficulty...

One of the things I should have mentioned, is that it would help if you explain why you chose your spots. I want this to be as instructional as it can be and that will do nothing but help. I should have included some access points, so I will do that next time. Prevailing winds are basically the same state wide if I'm not mistaken. It seems like you can count on a W-SW wind most of the time, so you can consider that the prevailing wind for all these threads. Lots of good information already, so I figure I should add my two cents...

I elected just to choose 5 solid set-ups to keep it simple. Stand 1 is one that I chose because it is a classic funnel thanks to the terrain and the habitat. This stand will sit atop a drainage in a thin strip of woods between two fields. The surrounding area is "flat" and you should be able to keep good tabs on what is going on around you for 100 yards each direction. I'll probably hang this to hunt on a W-SW-S wind. Stand 2 is one that I selected as a decoying set-up. You have a nice flat bottom running alongside the creek and it narrows down at that corner, so my guess is there will be a crossing right there. I second the others decision to use a canoe to get to this spot. I would hunt this stand on a NW-W-SW-S wind. Stand 3 is in a spot that I liked from the very start. I would try to get this stand out near the point of the ridge where I could watch both drainages below. However, there is a good chance that the deer will bed near the point of the ridge and if that is the case, I would push this stand towards the field to the N and probably to the western edge of the ridge so I could have something to hunt on an easterly wind. Stand 4 this is the one spot that really gets me excited. This is classic funnel with the thin strip of woods running in a saddle on the top of the ridge. I would probably push this stand to the edge of the southern field and hunt it on a N wind. Stand 5 is on a shelf next to a drainage I expect deer will use to funnel from the bottom to the ridge. Somewhere along that draingage, I would want to find where they are coming up from the bottom. I'd hang this with a N or S wind in mind depending on what I found at the sight...



http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t359/jroush1023/OSWeek1Aerial-Spots.jpg

http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t359/jroush1023/OSWeek1Topo-Spots.jpg

[TIP]

Great thread keeps a guy thinking.
When I first looked at the topo your stand 4 was the first thing that jumped out and said great spot.
As for stand 3 I agree it's a bedding area. I would move the stand up more and to the left.
Stand 1 is a classic spot. Those thin strips of timber on the left and right of stand 1 looks good for decoying also.
Stand 5 is a tuff call. I would walk half-way toward stand 4 and down just a little bit.

[OLDHAT]

Stand 1:

Great spot, it appears that "everything comes together here" and is a classic "bowl" that a lot us us like to hunt...not only does it have a saddle on each side like your typical bowl, but has the added in "bonus" saddle to the North "eastish" The best place in any "bowl" is right around where the drainage lines start, you should try and position yourself within 25 yards within where the drain lines actually start.

Stand 4 is a typical "cruising stand", good place to get bucks "taking the easiest path possible" and "shortest path" to go across an area.

Here is something to add:

One really has to think about the "circling effect". Those bucks for the most part will "Circle" this area, so plan accordingly and start trying to think about your circle. Try to pinpoint your best bedding areas. The local bucks will work around your stand locations in a circle pattern that circle needs to be thought of in a 1 day period. i.e start with an idea that your bucks are bedding a "point x"...they get up from there, they search out does, mark their area by working a "circle" around the area. Well, I think during pre-rut this will be fairly consistent on say a 100-200 acre area, your maps/hunting area is "perfect" for this scenario. That deer has multiple fields under his "lcoal area" that he may check daily on his circle.

The evening circle:

He's bedded, he is close ot the "thick stuff", he gets out of bed, browses on green stuff and potentially some acorns. He is only on his feeet the last hour before dark. He "eases" his way to an oak flat where you've been seeing most of the does hanging tight to (they are there damn nearly daily). He may make it to them before darkness he may not, but he is going to "swing dick" to those does and check them out/rub/scrape to establish a dominance in an area. Now after he checks out these does in the oaks, picture in your mind where the next set or group of does are at (again thinking of a circle pattern), continue this on a circle pattern until you get him back to his "prime" bedding area (where you started). Most places like this will have 3 or more consistent bedding areas, doesn't take much, 30 yards of thick stuff to bed. Now try and understand these bedding areas.

For the most part, I have figured out one area and it seems to be a few hundred yards from the does in the oaks going any direction from what i consider one of 3 bedding areas that I hunt, I get my deer coming in to bed/browse on the "front end" of this bedding area, so I see a lot of my action between 9:00 -10:30, gives me plenty of time to get in, get set-up and let everything settle down.

Think of your circle just like you would think of running the bar scene looking for gals, you start at "bar x", you are looking for a lady, none are there that will have you so you then leave and go to the next bar, you will start with your "favorite" bar and will probably end back here later that night on your circle pattern and will probably stay there, then start again the next night.

Keep this "circle" idea in mind, identify how big your circle pattern is and understand it. Then hunt accordingly. If you hunt one spot in the morning and see no deer, then work around your circle for the evening hunt, don't "jump to the other side" of your circle. Go to the next bedding area on your circle. THis will increase your odds, if you seen no deer come into bed on your "circle pattern" in the morning then you know they have not bedded here, so move to the "front edge" of another bedding area, you've potentially reduced your "circle" down by 25% by working in a circle pattern.

Having 2 guys on a circle pattern helps, you can get rid of a lot of ground quickly wiht 2 guys working a circle. Once one of you see a deer by hunting close to the bedding areas, then in the evening you can surround the area with 2 guys and increase your odds of that deer coming out one way or the other and one guy gets to see him/gets a shot.

Understand your "circle" that the bucks in your area are following.