Prescouting Study
- Thread starter Swede
- Start date
I spent no time in past decades. I do look now for benches with a water source. It\'s pretty hard for me to find anything new now. I pretty much know where I can and can\'t hunt my unit now. Where I can\'t hunt is usually where other hunters know the area too. Not that they\'re bad areas.
I might just have a \"problem\" with maps and Google Earth ...
The DSM-V doesn\'t recognize this (yet) as an official psychological disorder, so I\'m not in therapy yet, or on medication.
Seriously, if I had to start all over as an 18 year-old, cartography would be on my list of careers to explore a bit.
Does that answer the question?
Actually, this year, other than working out, my preparation has fallen behind-schedule quite a ways. Wife and I are planning a week-long pack trip in later July, and I have nothing prepared for it yet, let alone for my hunt. And here I sit, answering forum questions, instead of getting my butt in gear and getting some yard work done that has to be done prior to any of that!
The DSM-V doesn\'t recognize this (yet) as an official psychological disorder, so I\'m not in therapy yet, or on medication.
Seriously, if I had to start all over as an 18 year-old, cartography would be on my list of careers to explore a bit.
Does that answer the question?
Actually, this year, other than working out, my preparation has fallen behind-schedule quite a ways. Wife and I are planning a week-long pack trip in later July, and I have nothing prepared for it yet, let alone for my hunt. And here I sit, answering forum questions, instead of getting my butt in gear and getting some yard work done that has to be done prior to any of that!
cohunter14
Administrator
- Jul 10, 2017
- 5,332
I spend a ton of time on there, probably way more than necessary. But anytime I get the itch, it is always fun to pull up Google Earth or a topo and start looking around. It is amazing that the more times you look at an area, the more things will pop out. It is very easy to glance over an area quickly and potentially miss a honey hole. Just like scouting, the more time spent, the better. I don\'t think you can over-do it.
elkmtngear
New member
- Aug 9, 2017
- 1,152
Benches, high water sources, North and/ or East facing timbered ridges. Anything that could potentially hold / hide elk (public land bordering private ranches for example).
I\'m looking at road access as well, to determine areas where elk might go if pressured. Until you get boots on the ground, you really have no idea about some of the attributes an area may or may not have. But, at least it\'s a start.
I\'m looking at road access as well, to determine areas where elk might go if pressured. Until you get boots on the ground, you really have no idea about some of the attributes an area may or may not have. But, at least it\'s a start.
I believe I have already put in 25-30 hours, cataloging tree stand locations, in an area I am interested in. Sometimes I have gotten eye fatigue from staring. Water holes with good game trails are a priority. I have found over 6o spots in the new area and now I need to narrow it way down. I hope to select 20-30 to investigate on the ground next month. I won\'t have time to see all 60+ locations. I will look for places in or adjacent to good bedding areas and well away from roads. I don\'t want to go too far from where I can drive, as I will butcher and pack out alone.
I cant even venture a guess about how much time I do for prescouting study. But its alot.
Even after hunting my areas for many years, I was in a new spot yesterday morning, and its a dandy.
Just overlooked it I guess.
One thing I have been doing tho, is taking screen shots of aerial views on my iPhone, Then I just carry that along with me and refer to it as needed.
When Im scouting a new area, I dont look for elk.
I mostly look at the terrain and wind. Access points, roads, campsites [mine and others]
Then if I see rubs, trails, tracks, and such, all the better.
Even after hunting my areas for many years, I was in a new spot yesterday morning, and its a dandy.
Just overlooked it I guess.
One thing I have been doing tho, is taking screen shots of aerial views on my iPhone, Then I just carry that along with me and refer to it as needed.
When Im scouting a new area, I dont look for elk.
I mostly look at the terrain and wind. Access points, roads, campsites [mine and others]
Then if I see rubs, trails, tracks, and such, all the better.
Olympushunt
New member
- Jun 30, 2014
- 234
I just have my dad do all the homework and send me the GPS coords to the places I need to go. That seems to be an effecitve scouting tool. 
cohunter14
Administrator
- Jul 10, 2017
- 5,332
Welcome Olympushunt! Sounds like a pretty good plan that you have there I wish I could depend on the same thing, lol!
I wish I could depend on the same thing, lol!How does one recognize a wallow/water hole in the summer months? Most of the areas I found scouting a new area last year simply had saturated earth......basically elevation \'x\', water would seep out of the mountainside. This is where wallows turned up daily. I fully expected it after scouting and it held true. Is this what you are referring to?
Not seeing elk in the area you plan on hunting for 10 days seems like a gamble. I am assuming you have an idea that elk will be at this elevation at this time of the month (xx/xx)....ect. This goes with knowing the elk population of the given area. Seems like you must have better knowledge of the surrounding areas before relying on this as a newbie. I am not sure I could just know the lay of the land, being a new hunter and having 10 days; What should I expect to see/find setting foot in a new area without all of the other prior knowledge?
Not seeing elk in the area you plan on hunting for 10 days seems like a gamble. I am assuming you have an idea that elk will be at this elevation at this time of the month (xx/xx)....ect. This goes with knowing the elk population of the given area. Seems like you must have better knowledge of the surrounding areas before relying on this as a newbie. I am not sure I could just know the lay of the land, being a new hunter and having 10 days; What should I expect to see/find setting foot in a new area without all of the other prior knowledge?
elkmtngear
New member
- Aug 9, 2017
- 1,152
\"BTL\" said:
Oftentimes, you\'ll have aggressive slopes up high on East and/ or North facing ridges that will abruptly \"bench out\"...and water will express on those benches (especially when following a ravine down). Sometimes it can be isolated, and sometimes more wallows/ waterholes can be found further down. It\'s that kind of terrain that holds my interest on Google Earth...especially the higher wallows, because those are the ones that will get hit mid-day on a timbered slope with the bedding areas being just above.
Many times, those high springs will be marked on topo maps. If not, you have to go with topography sometimes and hope it pans out.
Yeah there\'s always a risk when hitting a new area. If you don\'t have any \"inside information\" from anyone, and the terrain looks good by maps/GE, etc...I\'d be looking for any evidence that elk had been in the area (old rubs, old scat mainly). If I\'m seeing zero evidence, I\'d strongly consider relocating.
The last new area I scouted, I had inside info from another hunter who had been there before, and it so happened that I found fresh elk tracks very quickly. Of course, that could be a dynamic situation that could change by the end of summer.
I will bail on some of my known areas if I am not seeing fresh tracks or sign after a good long day, and relocate to another honey hole. That\'s just me. I think it\'s always good to have several backup plans, and to stay mobile with the ability to relocate if necessary (at least, at first) .
Olympus: Did you get enough spots to check, or could you use some more?
BTL: I start looking for water holes and springs on Acme Mapper and Google Earth. I look for drier areas where water in limited. After that I look the area over on Google Earth. My ground research will follow. Many springs and water holes get weeded out, but sometimes I find one not identified on the map.
When looking at GE, I check for game trails and bedding cover near by. I also like to find a few good trees to hand a stand in. I want to avoid the kind of saplings cnelk sets in. I want my stand up high enough to let the elk pass under, rather than having to walk around it.
BTL: I start looking for water holes and springs on Acme Mapper and Google Earth. I look for drier areas where water in limited. After that I look the area over on Google Earth. My ground research will follow. Many springs and water holes get weeded out, but sometimes I find one not identified on the map.
When looking at GE, I check for game trails and bedding cover near by. I also like to find a few good trees to hand a stand in. I want to avoid the kind of saplings cnelk sets in. I want my stand up high enough to let the elk pass under, rather than having to walk around it.
Olympushunt
New member
- Jun 30, 2014
- 234
\"Swede\" said:
Olympushunt
New member
- Jun 30, 2014
- 234
Thanks cnelk! Sounds good to me. Especially if they come with whoppers like the one you are posing with. Dang....nice bull!
JohnFitzgerald
New member
- Mar 31, 2014
- 1,108
Has your dad explained why we call him Hootie? :wave:\"Olympushunt\" said:
Olympushunt
New member
- Jun 30, 2014
- 234
Ummm...no JF, I haven\'t heard this one yet. Do tell. This should be good. LOL
I can always use a good laugh.
I can always use a good laugh.
