Effective ABC's of Scouting a New Area

[buglebrush]

Drive all the roads, and mark which roads are gated, open, brushed in, walkable, etc...  Topo maps show roads that don't even exist anymore, and don't show new roads and timber sales.  After I am done with my computer homework I start driving.  I mark waypoints at gates, trail heads, Elk trails, etc...   Gives you a great feel for where the pressured areas are if you know every conceivable access point, and can pay huge dividends in getting an animal out.  Last year we were hunting a new area, and my buddy stuck a nice bull.  We loaded our 2200's with meat and headed towards where the Map showed a road.  Well, that road was so brushed in it was impossible to walk.  We thrashed through the brush in the dark for hours, and when we came back for the second load in the morning here there was a different road not even on the map that ran within a mile of the bull    Would've saved us about 6 extremely painful hours the previous night.  Plus it is a sad deal when you kill yourself hiking into an area only to discover there are people there because there is better access from the next drainage.   

[huntinluva]

This will be the first year me and my buddy venture out of state to ID.  I have found the same tools as other mentioned to be very useful in figuring out a good starting point (Google Earth, Caltopo etc).  Also the information gained from talking/emailing the local/regional biologists proved to narrow down the search in a fairly large unit that I have never laid eyes on.  I did not gain any "go here and you will get into elk" advice but it definitely helped.  Not being able to get out of town for an extended scouting trip prior to the season makes me nervous to put all my eggs in one basket though. I feel with the research that has been done, compare and contrast data mining (harvest stats, access etc), information given from Biologists and talking with a work buddy who has hunted muleys there we have as good of shot as any to hopefully be successful.

Now if anyone has any info on Unit 29 and wants to say "go here and you will get into elk" feel free. 

....or if this is the worst unit to choose to hunt elk in, that would be nice too, although I am pot committed and sticking to my guns.

[DeerMan]

One thing I've found helpful in trying to learn a new area is to connect with the warden or biologists who manage the area you are going to be hunting in. They for the most part are big in to the outdoors themselves and are spending the majority of their days in the region or woods. This gives them a unique perspective and knowledge as to what animals reside in the area and where. For the most part they are typically very open to pointing you in the right direction and offering tips if you ask.

[D-Rock425]

A-sk on Hunting-Washington.com

B-e respectful.

C-post...

There you have the ABC's of scouting new areas.  LOL!   

when A and B fail C will always get it done!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

A-sk on Hunting-Washington.com

B-e respectful.

C-post...

There you have the ABC's of scouting new areas.  LOL!   

This should really end this thread. No more to know than this.

[Styles]

Some have been mentioned already....if you don't have a computer, it might be time to get one.  Google Earth, Google Maps in terrain mode, MyTopo.com are great ways to do work from home or the office.  Once you get to make a road trip track down some local biologist, or some of the locals out and about.  And remember, always be friendly and be willing to lift a hand if someone looks like the might need some help! A smile, handshake, and quick chat go a long ways!! Good luck to everyone out in the field and be safe!!

[Ghost Hunter]

I can buy a lot of fuel for what it wouild take to update this old computer.