If you’ve ever wondered how some hunters always seem to find the perfect spot while you’re stuck staring at an empty field, you’re not alone. Picking the right hunting location isn’t luck; it’s all about strategy, research, and a little tech-savviness. In true techy fashion, here is a break down of how you can level up your hunting game by mastering the art of scouting and mapping.
1. Start with the Big Picture: Digital Scouting
The days of relying solely on word-of-mouth or aimless driving around are over. Apps like OnX Hunt, HuntStand, and BaseMap and GOHUNT are game-changers. These tools let you view property boundaries, terrain features, and even track animal movements (if you’re into marking rub lines like a total data nerd). Personal favorites are GOHUNT for Desktop Scouting and OnX Hunt for use in the field. Use Promo Code East2West at GOHUNT to get $50 of store credit in their gear shop and 10% off items, when you sign up for a membership.
Tips:
Check Boundaries: Always ensure you’re on public land or have permission to hunt private land. These apps make it easy to avoid accidental trespassing. These will be labeled by different colors when you select the correct layers on these applications.
Analyze Terrain: Look for pinch points, saddles, and water sources. Deer and elk love to funnel through these areas, making them prime spots for an ambush.
Save Waypoints: If you have the opportunity to get in the field before season, mark potential spots to check out and then visit them when you get out there. Otherwise, mark these areas when you are in the field as options to hunt during your current or future trips. Trust us; you’ll thank yourself later.
2. Understand the Local Ecosystem
Animals are creatures of habit, but their habits depend on their environment. Do some research on the local wildlife’s needs and behaviors. What do they eat? Where do they sleep? What’s the mating season? Knowing these details can help you predict their movements and narrow down your search.
Key Considerations:
Food Sources: Look for acorns, berry bushes, or agricultural fields. Different animals have different dietary needs, so understanding what’s available in your hunting area can give you an edge. Deer love mast crops like acorns, while elk may gravitate toward grassy meadows.
Water: Streams, ponds, and marshes are hotspots, especially during dry seasons. Animals need water daily, and these areas often double as prime travel routes. Scout around water sources for tracks, trails, and signs of activity.
Cover: Dense woods or tall grass provide animals with a sense of security. Animals often bed down in areas with thick cover to avoid predators. Look for signs of bedding like flattened grass, hair, or droppings to pinpoint these areas.
3. Boots on the Ground: Physical Scouting
There’s no substitute for getting out there and exploring your hunting area IRL. Digital scouting is great, but you’ll uncover so much more when you’re physically walking the land.
What to Look For:
Tracks: Fresh tracks are a dead giveaway that animals frequent the area. Learn to differentiate between old and new tracks. For deer, note the size and depth of hoof prints to estimate the animal’s size and weight.
Droppings: Yes, it’s gross, but it’s also valuable intel. Recent droppings mean animals are nearby. Pay attention to the shape and consistency, as these can provide clues about the animal’s diet and activity level.
Game Trails: These are the highways of the animal world. Follow them to bedding areas or food sources. Look for well-worn paths, broken twigs, and trampled grass as indicators of frequent use.
Rubs and Scrapes: These signs of activity tell you where bucks are marking territory or showing off during the rut. Fresh rubs with sap still visible or scrapes with loose dirt can signal recent activity.
4. Learn to Read Topography
Topographic maps might look like a squiggly mess at first, but they’re gold for hunters who know how to read them. Elevation changes and terrain features can tell you where animals are likely to travel.
Topo Map Hacks:
Saddles: These low points between hills are natural crossing points. Animals use them to move between feeding and bedding areas while staying hidden.
Ridges: Animals often travel along ridges to stay hidden. Look for flat ridges with good visibility, as these can be prime spots for setting up a stand or ambush.
Benches: Flat spots on a slope are great bedding areas. Check for signs of animals bedding down, like disturbed leaves or flattened grass.
Drainages: Follow these to find water and lush vegetation. Drainages often serve as travel corridors and feeding areas for a variety of game.
5. Check the Weather and Wind
Even the best hunting spot will be useless if the wind’s working against you. Scent control is everything, and wind direction determines whether the animals catch your scent before you even see them.
Pro Tips:
Use a Wind Checker: A little puff of powder can show you exactly where your scent is going. Carry one with you and check the wind frequently throughout the day.
Plan Entry and Exit Routes: Avoid walking through areas where your scent will drift into the prime hunting zone. Take the long way around if needed to ensure you stay undetected.
Watch the Weather: Temperature drops and incoming storms can get animals on their feet and moving. Use weather apps to track changes and plan your hunt around peak activity times.
6. Hunt the Right Time
Timing is everything. Scouting a spot is one thing, but knowing when to be there is what separates the casuals from the pros.
Best Times:
Early Morning and Late Afternoon: Most animals are active during these hours. Get to your spot before sunrise or well before sunset to maximize your chances.
The Rut: This is the holy grail of hunting seasons. Bucks are distracted and on the move, making them more vulnerable. Know the timing of the rut in your area and plan accordingly.
Cold Fronts: Wildlife activity often spikes just before and after a front moves through. Keep an eye on weather patterns and be ready to hunt when conditions shift.
7. Leverage Trail Cameras
Trail cameras are like having a 24/7 spy in the woods. Use them to confirm activity in the areas you’ve scouted and track animal patterns over time.
Setup Tips:
Angle and Height: Mount your camera at a height of about 3-4 feet, angled slightly downward. This ensures you capture clear images of passing animals.
Placement: Set them up along trails, near food sources, or overlooking water. Experiment with different locations to find the most active areas.
Check Responsibly: Limit how often you visit to avoid spooking animals. Consider using a cellular trail camera to monitor activity remotely.
8. Stay Flexible
Even with all the preparation in the world, animals can be unpredictable. Be ready to adapt if your chosen spot doesn’t pan out. Sometimes, moving just a few hundred yards can make all the difference.
Tips for Flexibility:
Scout Multiple Locations: Always have a backup spot or two in mind. Conditions change, and animals may shift their patterns unexpectedly.
Stay Observant: Pay attention to new signs of activity, like fresh tracks or rubs, even if they’re not in your original plan.
Adapt Your Strategy: If you’re not seeing animals, change your approach. This might mean adjusting your stand location, moving to a different area, or altering your hunting times.
9. Network and Learn
Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Local hunters, forums, and even social media groups can provide valuable insights about hunting spots and conditions. Just don’t expect anyone to hand over their honey hole.
Networking Tips:
Join Local Clubs: Hunting clubs are great for meeting experienced hunters and gaining access to private land.
Engage Online: Participate in forums or social media groups focused on your target species or hunting area. Share your own tips to build credibility.
Ask Landowners: If you’re looking to hunt private land, building relationships with landowners can open up opportunities. Be respectful and offer to share your harvest as a gesture of goodwill.
10. Practice Makes Perfect
Scouting isn’t a one-and-done thing. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at identifying prime hunting locations. Each season brings new challenges and opportunities, so keep learning and refining your approach.
Long-Term Benefits:
Refine Your Eye: Over time, you’ll develop a knack for recognizing subtle signs of animal activity. What once looked like an ordinary patch of woods will start to reveal trails, bedding areas, and feeding zones you might have missed before.
Build a Knowledge Base: Every season teaches you something new. Whether it’s understanding how animals respond to changing weather or learning to spot terrain features that attract game, your cumulative knowledge will
Final Thoughts
Choosing the perfect hunting spot isn’t rocket science, but it does take effort, patience, and a bit of know-how. By combining modern tools with old-school scouting techniques, you’ll be well on your way to finding your next favorite hunting location. So grab your gear, fire up your favorite mapping app, and start planning your next adventure. If you are looking to have a very detailed hunt plan put together specifically for you and your unit/area, please book a time on our website and let's get working on your next adventure!
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