Scouting help

[Outlander500]

In the attached picture is the new property I got permission to hunt. The orange dot is where there is known deer traffic but seeing how I wont be able to scout much before season I'm looking for some help on locating other possible locations either for a stand or blind. The southern half of this land was logged about 3 years ago, and the northern was logged about 5 or 6 years ago. The fields are overgrown and there are no crops or food plots planted. I hunted this land twice in May for turkey but didn't get much deer scouting done. Im not good at reading maps to find funnels or anything like that. Keep in mind this land is in Western New York if that makes a difference. Property boundaries are the white roads, I can hunt everything inside the road loop.

[Maine Hntr]

Outlander, I'm not the best at this either but i look at the SW corner of the "L" shaped field and think that looks like a pretty good spot, you could get deer moving to and from the field but are most likely to see deer in the area poking around at some of the newer growth trees that have been coming back in for only 3 years now... any idea where they may be bedding? How about water? Is there a small pond in the SW corner close to where the corner of the streets are? Good Luck!

[PriceRacing35]

Scouting help

I think that ridge( guessing) to the north west corner looks great. I've killed most of my biggest bucks on and below ridge line. Where their are oaks. An easy travel route to get around any possible predators.

[Ethan Givan]

These blue dots are a few spots that I would go look at if I was gonna hunt this property

[Jeramie]

I looked at it pretty hard.... Keep in mind that a funnel is a great way to hunt bucks even during the rut. There are three major funnels on this property. The one to the north looks pretty wide so im betting it sees the most action. Keep in mind that bucks dont typically cruze the top of a ridgeline. They will stay on the side of the hill and use a saddle. They will also stay close to the edge of a field to watch does. By that note does will be looking for food away from houses if possible. I see three major fields they will head to and eat. Go to the does and youll find both. The yellow is where I would scout to find places to set my stand. Blue is the travel routes or a variation I would expect to find. I think your mark is likely their bedding area. Depending on deer population you will likely have a great place to hunt. Just keep in mind the deer have real options, especially if the trees are Oak. You may sit in one spot and not see a thing because they chose another of their routes on that particular day. However, the next day they may fall back into that worn path and youre in the money....I would look for heavy game trails near a field edge were I have marked. If you find several trails that converge setup in that area (again, near an open field).

[dbHunterNY]

yellow dots Jeramie posted look good. just to the right of the dot to the far left you could do stuff to make the deer funnel to either side. look for saddles or a step that runs along those ridges and you'll probably find trails and have a good idea of where the deer will be running along them. i would add a stand directly south of your red dot, 35 yards or so off the southwest corner of the field. it'd be consider an inside corner if a buck were to work the down wind edge of the fields to scent check for a hot doe.

[redkneck]

Good posts above, and agreed, we all like the corners, and funnel points going across openings. I would just say this right now: Find food and hunt it.

[Outlander500]

Food is oak trees scattered throughout, most big trees were harvested on the north and south side. The west side is steep and covered in pines that are low to the ground and offer great cover. There is an apple orchard to the right side of the "L" shaped field and also across Barber Rd to the East. There is also a small pond in the SW corner and several springs on the West side of Barber Rd near the 90 degree right turn. Thanks for your scouting input and I hope some day to not have to ask about this HAHA. Will let everyone know how well it goes.

[Jeramie]

Keep in mind water is a decent area to hunt but not necessary unless youre in a drout. Deer will drink out of tiny puddlles in the timber and also get water from food sources. Hunting water holes isnt that effective in most cases.

Find the does and youll do good. Again, my guess is the field to the north. The houses are far enough away they arent being pressured. They will also have fresh grass. Logging doesnt bother them as much as you would think. I bet you could drive to the north of the field late in the evening with binos and see does standing out there. If that is the case start hunting that large funnel at the edge of the field or at their main trail and youre gold...

Let us know how it works out and what you end up doing..