How to approach a clear cut

[JerryKern]

What would your go to way coming up on a new clear cut and how would approach it? Where would start locating food, where to sit, what to look for etc. I’m trying to get an idea of what steps I need to take in order to locate deer. Also something times I would see deer. Ages of clear cuts and what they look like and what stuff would you see to give an indication on where you thing a buck would be. Thanks guys!

[Bearhunter308]

When I was a brand new hunter I’d think glancing over a clear cut with the naked eye was enough to spot deer, if they were there. I learned that they blend in really well with their surroundings, and you can be looking at them at a distance with your naked eye and not see them. Binoculars and patience are your friend.
Now I bow hunt for deer and primarily walk woodland trails and only a few clear cuts, as I lack the patience to sit and glass for very long.

[boneaddict]

Mostly travel along the perimeter with cover.  Then somehow they transport to the middle.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I prefer the largest tire I can fit to get your field of view as high as possible.  Stay away from extended cabs stick with four full doors. A solid exhaust system also helps as it keeps them curious and can get them stood up and easier to spot.  There will be spilling from the open containers, so make sure your rig is setup for that! Weapons should be within arms reach but ammo should be who_
- knows- where so it's impossible to match a cartridge with a rifle. This system ensures every clearcut regardless of age or location has deer in it. 

If being serious, I see the most game in 3 to 15 year old cuts depending on topography, elevation, and what is replanted. I prefer a good vantage away from human traffic if i can, so  topography changes in the cut itself is nice. Watch the wind and hunt to your glassing location(s) and obviously if hunting into the cut itself. Deer will often stay bedded and cover can conceal an entire deer standing depending on where they are standing.  Time and Binoculars are your  best friends,  and your ears are your second best you may often hear deer before spotting them. 

[JimmyHoffa]

You forgot the loud music.

I see blacktails come into the clear-cuts about 1-2 minutes earlier or leave 1-2 minutes later each day.  They seem to use the same entry/exit each time.  Sure seems like they use relatively easy trails (but not the road ) to get in there.

[JDArms1240]

If you’re not talking about scouting advice and strictly talking about approach.  One of the things I do as I’m approaching on a logging load, through timber or on a game trail is:  approach till you can see a little bit of the cut and then stand there and glass for a while, then take another step or three and stand there and glass for a while, then take another step or three and stand THERE and glass for a while, on and on like that till you’ve gone as close to or as far into the cut you want to be.

[Bullkllr]

If you’re not talking about scouting advice and strictly talking about approach.  One of the things I do as I’m approaching on a logging load, through timber or on a game trail is:  approach till you can see a little bit of the cut and then stand there and glass for a while, then take another step or three and stand there and glass for a while, then take another step or three and stand THERE and glass for a while, on and on like that till you’ve gone as close to or as far into the cut you want to be.

It took me a while to figure that out. Spooked so many animals in the process. Easy to get lazy when walking/biking in a road closure also.

[pianoman9701]

If you’re not talking about scouting advice and strictly talking about approach.  One of the things I do as I’m approaching on a logging load, through timber or on a game trail is:  approach till you can see a little bit of the cut and then stand there and glass for a while, then take another step or three and stand there and glass for a while, then take another step or three and stand THERE and glass for a while, on and on like that till you’ve gone as close to or as far into the cut you want to be.

Wind and patience. As you use this approach to a cut, remember to keep looking close, below and to the sides. I spooked a huge buck by creeping up on a cut that was sort of a bowl. I glassed and glassed until I was sure he wasn't there. I stood up and he bolted from right below me, maybe 5 yards away.

[CarbonHunter]

I prefer the largest tire I can fit to get your field of view as high as possible.  Stay away from extended cabs stick with four full doors. A solid exhaust system also helps as it keeps them curious and can get them stood up and easier to spot.  There will be spilling from the open containers, so make sure your rig is setup for that! Weapons should be within arms reach but ammo should be who_
- knows- where so it's impossible to match a cartridge with a rifle. This system ensures every clearcut regardless of age or location has deer in it. 

If being serious, I see the most game in 3 to 15 year old cuts depending on topography, elevation, and what is replanted. I prefer a good vantage away from human traffic if i can, so  topography changes in the cut itself is nice. Watch the wind and hunt to your glassing location(s) and obviously if hunting into the cut itself. Deer will often stay bedded and cover can conceal an entire deer standing depending on where they are standing.  Time and Binoculars are your  best friends,  and your ears are your second best you may often hear deer before spotting them.

You forgot to remind people of the importance of rolling the window down before you lean your head out. We have all seen the guy “sleeping” by the clear cut when in reality you should have checked him for bumps on the forehead.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

If you’re not talking about scouting advice and strictly talking about approach.  One of the things I do as I’m approaching on a logging load, through timber or on a game trail is:  approach till you can see a little bit of the cut and then stand there and glass for a while, then take another step or three and stand there and glass for a while, then take another step or three and stand THERE and glass for a while, on and on like that till you’ve gone as close to or as far into the cut you want to be.

Wind and patience. As you use this approach to a cut, remember to keep looking close, below and to the sides. I spooked a huge buck by creeping up on a cut that was sort of a bowl. I glassed and glassed until I was sure he wasn't there. I stood up and he bolted from right below me, maybe 5 yards away.

I did a similar up the Wynoochee some years back. Walked in behind a gate  up a pretty steep hill. First vantage point I stopped and glassed for about 15 minutes. I finally turned to go farther in and didn't take two steps when a nice buck exploded up out of the ferns from almost right beside me.  Turned out he was bedded on one side of a fir, and I was glassing from the other side. He had nerves of steel til I turned my back on him. Before I could react he was down in the thick stuff and I never saw him again.