2015 Scouting Adventures

It's that time of year again. That time when hunting is just around the corner and it's time to put in the sweat equity. I went scouting yesterday. Even though I know the area, I needed to ensure that the deer were still there, and I also needed to start to make a game plan. My original plan, involved hiking up to the top (see the picture above) and setting up a trail camera to see what's moving. I got up there, and found a lot of sign that deer were moving around, but I couldn't find a good place to put my trial camera. So that spot is definitely on the list as a potential hunting spot, but I moved down a little lower.

Lower, I found a nice little meadow and actually spooked a buck out of his sleeping spot. I set my camera in that meadow. There were a couple of other places that hit my "might-be-a-place-to-hunt" radar, so I'll keep them in the back of my mind. I'll return in a few weeks to check on the camera, and possibly move it to another place. 

I drew out of the archery hunt this year, so things a little different. Generally I black powder hunt, which means I need to get within 100-120 yards away. With the bow, I really want to be about 40 yards or less, especially since I'm new at archery hunting. The last thing I want to do is injure the animal and not kill it right away. I've already told myself that I won't take a shot unless it's within a comfortable range and the deer is positioned right.