Why Scouting is so Key

[silverdalesauer]

I think it's kind of funny how many posts are on this site nowadays with hunters asking people to share their "hot spots" or asking for reports on certain areas.

For those of us who actually take time off of work to scout out spots, get permission to hunt from land owners, walk in the off season to observe the game and their habitat... it just cracks me up that people put posts on there expecting that someone is going to give up the information that they've invested so much time, energy, and money in.

Hunting is hard work and I've done my homework. If I get a deer this season, I'll feel satisfied that my scouting was worth it. If I don't, then I still have the joy and satisfaction that I worked hard at it without asking people to give up their "hot spots."

If you don't have a "spot" yet, don't get discouraged - get out there next spring, summer and scout out something that you can call "your hot spot." It's worth it. If you won't do that, then just don't get upset when no one replies to your posts - "where's a hot spot to hunt?" 

[mainer78]

I disagree.  I myself have just moved here.  And dont know the area.  This forum is a great place to get an idea.  I would never expect anyone to give me their honey hole. But whats so bad about pointing someone into a good area?  Now if you are just too lazy to get up a few times a year and scout thats another thing.  But helping out another hunter fill his freezer is not a bad thing!!!

[h20hunter]

I for one have gotten some good advice about starting points. I've taken it, then gotten out and hiked my butt off exploring. The results have been shot opps and chances at game. No honey holes provided to me, just general info. I've been trying to do the same thing...general info then the person needs to go explore.

[Armadillo]

Its all part of the game

Given the choice, would you want more competition in your area?

I usually give up areas that I know are good but I dont hunt, doesnt bother me any but I would never tell about an area I am going to hunt.

[pianoman9701]

"Scouting" is a broad term. Sometimes, scouting is done at a local bar talking to guys who live in the area you're going to hunt. Sometimes, it's asking questions in a hunting forum. Most often, it's boots on the ground in the area you want to hunt. Whatever turns up the most information for you works. All power to the person who gets info from another which leads to a kill.There's no harm in asking for honey holes. Sometimes you get some info, sometimes you don't. If you don't want to give someone information, Silverdale, then don't. Getting your nuts twisted over it is probably not worthwhile.

[Camp David]

"Twisted Nuts" 

[sirmissalot]

It cracks me up as well but scouting where I hunt on the wet side doesn't do a whole lot.

I once scouted an anrea in the coweeman for elk 2 different weekends, found a great gate to bike in and found a lot of elk. Opening day there were 17 rigs at the gate. 17! Needless to say I had to find a new area.

Also scouting blacktails is tough, they turn nocturnal and completely change habits come hunting season. All summer long you can go into clearcuts and see deer all over, after about the 1st week of september it becomes tougher and tougher to find them especially bucks.

[deerslyr]

It doesnt really bother me when people ask for info I rarely give out info but then again I rarely ask. When I was 14 my buddy had just turned 16 and had gotten his license. As soon as that happened we literally drove and scouted all the areas that were with in an hour and a half of our houses. Never had any one give us advice just got out there and got after it cus its what we LOVED to do, even if it wasnt hunting season. During the summer we had a routine, do yard work for my parents to make some cash one day, take the cash and spend it on gas the next day, repeat. through this you find honey holes. We had so many dam areas that we considered "honey holes" we would lose track. We always had a back up plan if one area didnt turn out. If we wouldnt have been young and trigger happy, im sure we could of got some real nice bucks, but we always shot the first buck we saw  You really just gotta get out there and get after it

[silverdalesauer]

I don't really have a problem with people asking about it. It's just that it seems like there's a ton of people asking the question "where's your hot spot out there?"  I'm not twisted about it one bit - especially my nuts  ! 

Just saying that it's kinda awkward to see all those posts from people asking for the "hot spot"

Didn't mean to get people worked up... I should have just left it alone.  My bad.

[Arteman]

I have yet to hear anybody on here ask for a "Hot Spot" in fact most posts where guys ask about info in an area they haven't hunted before start out with "not asking for your hot spot"  I have my own hot spot that I'm scouting from velvet on, right after I'm done with shed antler hunting, and thank god I have a wife that tolerates me being gone in the woods as much as i am, in fact a few friends and family benefit from my hard work and will again this year.  This year I changed it up a bit and went on a last minute high buck hunt and a few guys off here helped me with questions I had, I think that is what makes this sight strong.  I've also tried to help out as much as possible about questions of areas that i know well with other members, you dont have to give up your gps location and can still help a fellow out.