When is the best time to scout for deer? Ask that question in a group of hunters, and you are liable to get many different answers. Some prefer scouting in the Spring while they’re chasing gobblers. Others prefer scouting in the Summer while they are hanging stands. Still, others prefer doing it in the Fall before the season starts or even while hunting. It may surprise you, but we believe one of the best times to be scouting is post-season, immediately after your deer season is over.

The main advantage that scouting after hunting season is over provides is that you won’t have to worry about spooking the deer and messing up your hunting. This gives you the freedom to be able to get a true picture of what the deer’s core area looks like. Deer will have plenty of time to get back to their normal routine before the season starts in the fall.

Another benefit to beginning your scouting trips now, during post-season, is that all of the leaves are now off of the trees. This provides more visibility to spot the trails that the deer are using during the Fall and Winter. Being able to see the woods without leaves on the trees gives you a clearer picture of the routes deer are taking and where you should be setting up your stands.

The last factor to keep in mind is that the deer are still in their late season pattern. This means that scouting now will paint a more realistic picture of where the deer will be during your hunting season. Typically, where you see deer in the summer is not where they will be once it gets later in the season. Because of that, if you want to be successful as the season winds down, you will need to scout in the winter during post-season.

If you are looking to gain the biggest edge over your quarry this Fall, your season needs to start now. Begin your scouting immediately post-season and you will be surprised by the results.