An often over looked, but important technique is to observe and scout for whitetail in the pre-season. Why is this so important? Because by learning the bucks rub-route trails you will learn not only where, but also when the bucks use the trails. Thus improving your success rate and decreasing the amount of time wasted during the regular season. Let’s take a look at how to effectively scout for whitetail in the preseason.
You should begin scouting in late summer by finding and observing likely food sources. Finding the rub route and knowing when the buck uses it helps you choose the right time and place to hunt. Find areas with berries, grasses, grains, and sedges. Try driving around country roads or known hunting areas with a set of binoculars near crops and meadows during the morning and evening to find which fields the bucks use.
Whether you catch a buck at the food source in the morning or the evening, stay long enough to see which way they leave. Buck’s don’t travel too far from their bedding area during this time of year so they are likely to go back there. It’s this route that they take to and from their bedding area that you will want to set up and hunt during open season. Be sure to observe these area’s all the way up till your state’s hunting season begins so you have the most accurate and up to date idea of the buck’s rub route’s. Check with your state’s DNR or outdoor recreation agency for exact dates.
Keep in mind that it can be difficult to track the bucks route back to their bedding area in the morning because they like to travel in the early morning darkness. This makes them more prone to stray from their usual route because they feel safe enough to travel out in the open.
If you find it difficult to track the buck back to his bedding area or you don’t have time to watch the trail you can use a Trail Timer or Camera. This is an easy way to let you know when the buck comes through the area and gives you a good idea of the direction the buck is moving.
By spending extra time observing and scouting the whitetail’s travel and rub routes before the hunting season, you will stay a step ahead of others all the while increasing you’re your chances of successfully bagging your buck and saving yourself a lot of time in the process.
by Rick Ross
Edited by Admin.
Rick Ross is an avid outdoor enthusiast, writer and contributor to DNR-Pro.org’s Hunting, Camping & Fishing Forum
Original article source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Ross
