Why Fall Scouting is Better Than Summer Scouting

Many hunters believe that summer scouting is the best way to find where the deer will be during hunting season. While summer scouting certainly has its advantages, fall scouting can be even better in many ways. Here are a few reasons why in-field fall scouting can give you an edge come hunting season.

The Leaves Are Down

One of the best things about fall scouting is that the leaves are down. This gives you a much better view of your surroundings and makes it easier to spot deer beds, rubs, and trails.

In the summer, all that foliage can make it difficult to really get a good look at an area and see what's going on. When the leaves are down, you can get a much better idea of deer movement patterns and start to formulate a plan for where you want to set up your stand.

There's No Heat Stress

Another advantage of fall scouting is that there's less heat stress (at least where we tend to hunt). When it's not so hot out, you can spend more time in the woods without having to worry about sweating through your shorts. Plus, ticks seem to drop off the further into fall you get. You'll be able to cover more ground and get a better feel for the lay of the land without sweating your buns off.

Real-time Information

The biggest reason to scout during the fall is because it provides real-time information that you can use to immediately kill a buck. Often summer patterns are much different than fall patterns. Many times, locations in which you see a ton of action in the summer will dry up when hunting season rolls around. We’ve found it best to stay flexible and hunt where you see the freshest sign during the fall.

Get Out There!

No matter what time of year it is, getting out into into the woods is always a good idea. But if you're looking for an edge come hunting season, fall scouting might just be the way to go.

With cooler temperatures and fewer leaves on the trees, you'll have a better chance of seeing deer beds, rubs, and trails.

Plus, you’ll get the most relevant information about where the deer are while you’re hunting.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start scouting!

Want to learn more about scouting?
Check out our recent conversation with Tactacam on setting up trail cams and scouting for deer here