Scouting heavy brier

[MZ7Extreme]

I was scouting an area yesterday that has more briar then I have ever seen. How do you guys scout areas like this as I couldn't get in too far and I want to get further into this mess.

 

I figure there has to be good bucks living in this stuff...

Edited November 21, 2015 by MZ7Extreme

[MZW]

Dont go in to far.best way to ruin the spot.find the entrances and exits and set up on them only on the correct wind.if you go in deep and make your scent and presence known 9 times out of 10 if there are good bucks they'll evacuate the area.tread lightly.

[BowhunterNJ]

Yep hunt the outskirts like mzw said. Scouting wise I always have a pair of hand shears/clippers to get through briars that I need to.

[MZ7Extreme]

Ok great thanks!

 

I guess putting up trail cams by theses trsils leading out of there.

[Silver Belly62]

Ok great thanks!

 

I guess putting up trail cams by theses trsils leading out of there.

Even be careful with certain trail cams. If you can set them up off the trail a good bit and get them elevated, you will get a good overall picture

[MZ7Extreme]

How high? and would 20 foot from the trail be a good bet?

[Silver Belly62]

How high? and would 20 foot from the trail be a good bet?

I've done 10-15 yds and anywhere from 8-12 ft high but all depends on the cover where your at. I have several brackets that you can put the camera on at a slight angle

[Matty]

I'm gonna go against the grain here a bit and say that if this is heavily pressured public land, you may have to get into the thicket, depending on how big it is. This would be my exact plan of attack:

 

- Sounds like the type of area I would heavily map scout before ever setting foot in it. - I would find the newest aerial satellite photos of the area that I can and look for interior edges inside the thicket. I would also cross-reference this with a topo map to look for any terrain features that may funnel deer.

 

- Since it's mid season, I would go straight for the jugular and pick the best spot I can from the map scouting. Then I would grab a stand when the wind is right (if there are any trees that can support a stand even at very low heights)....and I would slowly and quietly make my way in around like 9 or 10 or even 11 am (depending on how far in). I use small pruners to get through real thick stuff more silently, but always trim as little as possible.

 

- I would setup and hunt right then until dark or until a big buck dies by my arrow. (I may not end up where originally intended either, because of hot sign, or because it's way different than what the map made it seem)

 

- If I see nothing I would give it a rest and try one more hunt a couple weeks from then. Or maybe try the following morning if you can get out and back in silently (and if the wind is right).

 

- If nothing again, I would winter/spring scout it after the season closes and see if it's worth trying a new game plan there next season. I would go back to the maps again first and see if I missed something.

 

If it's a really big area, I will try other spots this season.

 

I do agree with everything that everyone said, and that is the safest way to hunt an area like that.... Plus deer are definitely a creature of edge, so that is where they want to be...edges.... BUT....if it's heavily pressured, the deer are probably well aware of pressure on the outer edge of the thicket. That's why I look for interior edges. Yeah it's a lot more risky with spooking deer, but if it doesn't work this season, it may pan out next year instead. Thing is you can't turn it into an every weekend spot. Even if it's awesome....you will ruin a spot like that in one or two sits. Deer will not typically tolerate constant human intrusion into their safe areas. One and done mostly...

 

That's just my 2 cents...that style of hunting is definitely not for everyone.

Edited November 22, 2015 by Matty