time am / pm
location
weather
cloud cover
temp.
wind direction
wind speed
barometric pres.
precipitation
moon phase
new moon
waxing crescent
first quarter
waxing gibbous
full
waning gibbous
last quarter
waning crescent
feed time
available food source
scouting area
woodlot
big woods
swamp
river bottom
ridge top
shelf
food plot
field edge
scouting method
long range
trail walking
stand
topographical map #
predictions
field notes
buck
doe
yearling
fawn
sign
tracks
beds
droppings
trails
rubs
scrapes
brows
deer location
deer activity
direction of travel
predictions
hunt strategies
tree stand
ground blind
still / stalk
ambush
conclusion
Another source of information concerning the moon placement and the affects of deer.
Perigee-
The point in the orbit of a satellite of the earth or of a vehicle orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the earth.
The point nearest a planet or a satellite (as the moon) reached by any object orbiting it.
Apogee-
The point in the orbit of a satellite of the earth or of a vehicle orbiting the earth that is at the greatest distance from the center of the earth.
The point farthest from a planet or a satellite (as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it.
For more information on this subject go to..
Some significant essentials to contemplate are- food, water, terrain, cover, hunting pressure, weather and seasons. Using some common sense while scouting and knowing some basic information about deer will increase your chances of finding the best sign.
When entering an area for scouting, avoid leaving any human scent.
Your first observation should be the lay of the land.. Footnote the types of trees and plants and if the area seems open to the elements or thickly wooded. If an area is exceedingly exposed, start by following tree or fence lines looking for trails where deer travel from cover into these areas. In heavily wooded areas, start by looking for hardwood trees that turn out acorns or other fruit barring winter feed. Most deer prefer to stay near the edges of wooded areas where they can easily move into more open feeding areas.
Food sources change with weather conditions and seasonal changes. Also food sources will change when an area is depleted by heavy feeding. Be accommodating and prepared to shift as food and water supplies change throughout the year.
A break line is a separation between old timber and new growth. Deer hold to these break lines and use them as new scraping and rubbing areas.
Deer will often wait motionless until threat passes. The use of binoculars is a must to look over areas as you scout. If you are in an open area, pay close attention to high grass, tree and fence lines. Look meticulously at these areas using binoculars before you approach to look for activity. In thick wooded areas, using binoculars will aid your eyes in scanning the woods and other cover.
Hunting pressure always changes the behavior of deer. Deer will shun from heavily hunted areas when they can. Scouting in the late winter will present an idea of where deer will go as pressure increases. Mature deer will make home ranges of areas that are less pressured. Areas that receive less pressure are usually harder to access.
