No access to private land? Crown land has plenty of opportunities for hunters willing to do the work

SCOUTING BENEFITS

Most hunters who are consistently successful on public land invest considerable time scouting. That can be throughout the summer months or in the days leading up to the season opener, depending on the time you have available. Trail cams can be valuable in helping identify game-rich areas, especially the current crop of cameras that send images directly to your smartphone when they’re triggered. Be thoughtful about where you hang your cameras, however, as there are unscrupulous types in the woods who will steal your cameras if they’re placed in obvious, easy-to-see locations.

As you’re scouting, look for signs of animal activity—tracks, droppings, beds, wallows, rubs and scrapes all provide clues as to where game animals are active. Also identify and mark suitable locations for ground blinds and treestands so you don’t waste time looking once the season is in full swing.

Just because an area was crawling with game one year, however, doesn’t necessarily mean the animals will be there the next. There are many users of public land, including other recreationalists and the various resource extraction industries, such as forestry, oil and gas, and mining. All can have a significant impact on where, when and how game animals distribute themselves across the landscape.

The same goes for tracts of grazed land, including grazing reserves and irrigation districts that rotate livestock use throughout the year, as well as year over year. The presence of wildlife in such locations will vary as a result, depending on the quality and quantity of available forage. All of this is another reason why it pays to do some pre-season scouting.