Early Season

[Guest sharpshooter0406]

any one want to share some early season tips on hunting or scouting

[Tominator]

Pattern them now and set up on their travel routes to food sources for the evening, deep inside the woods near bedding areas for the morning.

[Born4it]

Yep. I would say to pattern them a few times from now to the start of season if you can, because their patterns change occasionally. If you're on a field, and you're not seeing them before it gets dark, figure out where they're coming from and set up deeper in the woods. Always remember, you can never do too much scouting, as long as you're not unneccesarily disturbing the animals. Always have a purpose.

A rule of thumb in early season, though, is they'll move from bed to feed and vice versa...that's the easiest pattern to follow. If it's really hot, find their water sources and utilize them. Also, beans are better in early season, corn is better in mid to late season around here (Illinois). Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Take care,

Ryan

[Predator]

Out East here I like to drive around to find soy bean fields that border public land, then watch what comes out before dark. Then pattern the trails from the woods well away from roads. Usually farmers rotate every other year corn vs soy bean so you have to check each season.

I also like to find out what new ground the state has purchased by calling or visiting the nearest fish and game office. Sometimes you can beat the crowds for a season.

[Guest bebout]

If you have a water source on the property you hunt and if so set up on it. Deer must have water to survive also.

[elkoholic]

As already stated, food and water sources are key along with pinpointing their primary bedding areas. Here in my immediate area water sources are few and far apart later in the summer and early fall and the deer will go to water first thing after rising from their beds in the late afternoon/early evening hours and in the morning will visit the water again before going to the bedding area. Sometimes they will actually bed next to the water on a hot day. Heavily used deer trails often equate to doe and smaller buck, while the older mature buck often travel a less distinct trail, often paralleling the other trail. As crops and natural food sources mature as the year progresses the deer will change their feeding areas to the more palatable food source. It does no good to sit over a bean field that was full of deer last week when the deer have moved to hardwood ridges because the acorns are dropping. You have to stay up to date. Try to do most of your scouting from a distance, put those binoculars to use, and when the time is right, move in and take advantage of the element of surprise. Last, make sure you plan out your travel route to your stand, keeping both sight and scent in mind. Hunt, and scout, the wind.

[Guest splitg2]

One thing that i learned is that during the early season sit in a different tree every night because you are almost always going to leave scent by every tree and if you stay in the same tree they will easly pattern you