Blacktail Scouting Tips

[hikeNhunt]

I'm already trying to plan for next year and I'm looking at a few new areas. I was wondering if you guys had any scouting tips that you think are important. I'll be hiking through different areas throughout the year and mapping out specific spots for my hunts. What else do you think could be helpful besides glassing, looking for the actual deer , looking for signs, looking for feeding and bedding areas, topographic mapping, and asking locals in the area? I don't use trail cams of any kind, but I know a lot of people would suggest them.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Purchase as many trail cameras one can afford!

[jackmaster]

be there alot in the early summer morning when the deer are more viseable, the bucks are atleast cause their antlers are so tender so they tend to be in the open more, and it will show you the quality of animals that are in the area..

[Huntboy]

There are alot of good books available on this subject.

[billythekidrock]

Start scouting in December or January when the leaves are down.
Learn big buck sign like alternate/seldom used trails as well as nearby trails with heavy use and look for large rubs with multiple years use.

[hikeNhunt]

Thanks for the help so far guys.  Can anyone suggest some good books on Blacktail scouting/hunting? I've heard Blacktail Trophy Tactics was pretty good.

[bobcat]

Trophy Blacktails: The Science of the Hunt, by Scott Haugen.

[jackmaster]

blactails by boyd iverson, gotta be the best deer book i have ever read