103. MUST SEE video on Post Season scouting and why to wait until the snow is gone to do it.
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- During pre-season and in the early part of the season, all deer are primarily in bedding to preferred feeding area routines in the evenings and vice versa in the mornings.
When I began bow hunting in the mid 1960's, there was zero information that advocated anything other than scouting during pre-season and that was fine for my deer hunting goals at the time.
As my hunting skills progressed, so did my goals and by the mid 1970’s I was targeting 2 ½ year old and older bucks. I had no option but to take on some in-season scouting and location preparation practices because as the season progressed into the rut phases, buck activity changed from what it was during early season and I had to react to it.
The problem with in-season scouting was that my scouting and location preparation intrusions would oftentimes alter the daytime activity at the locations I set-up at.
By the early 1980’s, I had figured out how critically important the rut phases were for taking mature bucks and that my in-season scouting intrusions of, searching for fresh rut sign, finding it, preparing locations, and altering the daytime activity in the process, was hampering my rut phase opportunities and progression as a hunter.
To put myself on rut phase activity without altering it with my current scouting program intrusions, I had to do something outside the ordinary pre and in-season scouting box. After taking my second good buck during the rut phases in November of 1983, I decided to change things up and scout a large area of public land after the season ended.
So, in early January 1984, with no snow on the ground, I took off on what was my first ever, planned scouting trip after season. That trip was an awakening as I covered so much ground that day without being concerned about spooking deer and I have been doing it ever since and in my hunting articles and books, termed it “post season scouting”.
Statistically in every state, 55 to 65% of the Pope & Young record book bucks were taken during the 4-week, pre, peak, and post-rut periods. I annually researched those statistics from 1998 through 2012 for the 3 instructional bow hunting books my son Chris and I wrote.
With those known statistics it only makes sense to concentrate most of your hunting time and efforts on the rut phases and scout and prepare locations during post season while sign such as scrapes, licking branches, rubs and runways to name a few, from the previous season are still identifiable.
I consider scouting during post season to be of utmost importance when pursuing mature bucks in heavily hunted areas, where everything matters.
Proper scouting and location preparation is what lays down a solid foundation for success.
The more thorough and effectively you scout and prepare locations, the better your chances are at receiving opportunities, and capitalizing on them, it’s that simple. 
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John could ramble about nothing for hours and I’d sit and listen (and trust) everything he says. Don’t sleep on this man fellas he will help you be more successful .
Thanks and I do tend to talk a lot because I don't want to miss anything, or leave out any details.
Not me. Barking dog made me hit pause button so I could comment, not subscribe and look for interesting content
@@doncook3584 Chill dork.
John, would love to hear your thoughts on hunting urban areas.
I've never been able to get permission in urban areas but I know guys that hunted suburban areas and they took great bucks every year until the properties they hunted got developed and they had to hunt against others on public. It was an awakening for them and they struggled big time. In suburbia there are lots of mature bucks and they are somewhat comfortable around humans because they are everywhere and there is always noises from kids and people doing things in their yards. Most suburban areas also don't allow gun hunting which aids in having more mature bucks. If you can get it, definitely do because getting urban permission is very difficult as many don't want to piss off their anti-hunter neighbors or have big trucks with hunting signage in their driveways.
Hey I've bought both backpacks from scentlok and they aren't very good at all , i bought a couple stuff sacks and was considering having them made into back packs but recently heard you mention maybe they will be working with you on designing one , what do you think? Should I wait before having one custom made ?
I don't think they will be making one like mine any time soon if at all. For sure not in 2023 or 2024. I'm not a huge fan of their packs either.
Bob Fratzke, and the Wensel brothers gave all the same advice in the 80’s, yes I’m that old.😂
Good advice. I have been putting these methods to practice for years as I have evolved as a hunter. I have over 30 bucks that will go over 125” in 27 seasons plus lots that are in the 115”+ range. I live in Pennsylvania. One thing I am breaking into is the scentlok game. If it helps on not getting winded even 50% of the times I do…. Look out! Thanks for the common sense knowledge John
So are you saying late season sign may not reveal rut sign intensity ?
Your not clear about it
nice video John. Living in the deep south, I scout Jan-Mar but I don't prep trees until Jun/Jul. I've been burned to many times with our long growth season when I prep trees in winter/early spring. All my shooting lanes are grown in by hunting season if I prep too early. In late Jun/Jul very little additional growth will happen. With 100+ temps and wind, no one is out scouting then and scent dissipates very quickly. Since I dont hunt until Oct, four months is more than enough to get them back to normal movement. Just what I do down this way.
nice video. But I have to say the security cover shown up north is what I would call open woods down south.
Neither of those areas had heavy security cover and the foliage was also down. But I would never argue that up here we have the dense security cover as you do down south. I just drove down to Florida a couple weeks ago and even this time of year, certain areas looked almost impenetrable. You guys have some seriously nasty stuff. We do have some autumn olive areas and boggs that you can't walk through, but those are rare and deer don't even go in some of it.
Great information as usual John, Thanks. Sitting in front of that bright window makes you look like you're in the witness protection program though.
Love your channel fella alot of great knowledge for archery hunting you got me into buying baffin titian boots and they are fucking badass lol and also riverwest jacket and vest never been this warm during the big cold fronts
Your a great hunter. You should challenge yourself and hunt without scent control this coming year. Put your woodsmanship to the test.
I did that for 35 seasons, if I wanted to test myself I would go back to a longbow and fingers.
@John Eberhart John I wish you would, go back to slicing and dicing big bucks with your traditional gear , the every day practice and discipline, and dedication think might build up your spirit , more than ever. That's why I'm traditional for life, each harvest is more exciting than the next. Plus I would be all giddy watching you stump shooting right now on your footage and you all excited with every dot you shot with perfect form. I know you probably think of it all the time, you don't need a heavy bow to get it done, 40 pounds is plenty, with a heavy FOC arrow and a two blade broadhead single beveled, it gets the job done. Anyways it just me trying too get people back or into there ain't nothing more exciting than the traditional bow and harvest and that extra challenge is what it's all about, but obviously if you choose compound, your still a great hunter, I'm just saying traditional too me is everything, I had the bug my hole life. Great video, and your a great hunter, I learned a ton from you for many years, thanks for laying it down for us .
@@outdoorsman9384 Thanks but there is no way I could shoot a longbow anymore, I'm only capable of shooting a 40 pound compound. I shot a 60 inch Bear Hunter for 10 years before switching to one of the earlier compounds in 1975 and I did enjoy it and did have to shoot more to stay in form. I never shoot anymore until mid August and then I shoot every day throughout the entire season (when I'm home).
@John Eberhart I know John, I watched it with my Dad when he could no longer pull bow back and a couple good friends, sad too see when thay loved the sport so much. That's why I'm glad they did make the compound, so the love of bow hunting can be enjoyed that much longer , if so. Obviously your doing everything too stay strong and healthy, wich we already know it's the reason your still doing everything in the woods, which also motivates me also too continue training too stay strong and healthy, your a great example of what it takes . Have a great day John. Thanks
Hey John, do you think the fact that most gun seasons occur during rut phases drive those numbers higher? It would be interesting to isolate the archery numbers. Greta video though, thanks for your insight.
Those statistical numbers are from Pope & Young Club which is strictly archery. So even though many gun seasons overlap the rut phases with archery season, it's still 55 to 65%
I got all 3 your books they are great larn a lot from them
Working on another right now and it will be my last.
I am already trying to scout hilly terrain in Louisiana, as we don't get snow, but am having a really hard time finding bedding areas.
Seth, a lot of times in hilly terrain standout bedding areas don't exist as so much of the landscape is the same. In those cases mature bucks will generally bed near the crests of the hills where they can see down one side and have the wind at their backs so they can smell anything coming up the other side. Oftentimes because the saddles (low ground) between the hills hold more moisture, the vegetation in them is higher and more dense and also by bedding in the low saddles they can take advantage of the swirling winds that change directions every 5 minutes (that's a slight exaggeration of course) to wind danger. Not being able to hunt low ground between ridges and sides of ridges due to swirling winds was one of the main reasons I tries ScentLok in the 90's, I had quit hunting those areas due to getting winded all the time because of swirling winds, now I never worry about it and hunt wherever and whenever without concern of wind.
@@johneberhart4062 thank you for the tip. I definitely tried looking on the sides and upper shelves of the ridges and near security cover. I'm sure I just need to do more scouting. I've read your scent control regimen and definitely took advantage of the post-season sell that scent-lock offered. Praying I'll have the time to follow it strictly and get in the scouting to get some good game plans.
Thank you for the great content. I live close to a 4,100 acre swamp (mostly flooded timber) in Wisconsin. Scouting it in March or April after the snow melts would be brutal - basically swimming through cold water. Is there any other way to scout the truly mucky terrain, where I might not drown?
Nope, that's what boots are for. We always have winter snow melt offs as well and the swamps get some pretty deep water. In swamps your basically going to look for security cover, runways and mast trees, all of which you can see when there is water in the swamps. It's a good idea to let the water in the swamps dry up a bit as long as you scout prior to green up.
@@johneberhart4062 I was afraid of that. I guess if I want to kill a Boone and Crockett whitetail, I am going to have to take the necessary risks. Out east there is a swamp called the Great Dismal Swamp - its a good name for all swamps. Thank you for the speedy and frank reply.
It depends on the winter, this spring will be crap because it's been so warm, but you typically get a week or two where the snow is melting/has melted and there is still ice over the water and frost in the ground and just water puddled on top of that. It keeps you from seeing some things as clearly but that's when I target swamp scouting.
I was in the swamps in early February this year because we had had such warm weather we had two weekends with no snow and frozen ground. I was scooting right over cattails that I would normally be waist deep in.
@@danhoff4401 Last year I did a scouting trip in late August - it was miserable. Hot, buggy, and I didn't bring enough water. I know this swamp has some big bucks in it - their sign is all over the edges of swamp near the crop fields but it is gonna suck dragging one out.
We haven't had much of a winter in Southern Michigan and definitely not had deep snow and the recent snow / ice storm hasn't been on the ground for several days yet, then alone 2" of ice on it. I'm 160lb and could walk on top of it.
I'd bet there were track all over prior. Thry just don't have reason to be there trying to dig through ice to eat when thry have better sources nearby. IMO the best time to scout is with snow on the ground. Sure stuff changes but that ever changing all the time especially when pressured.
You are 100% wrong. That snow was on the ground at least 4 days and for anyone to think scouting after most deer activity has been altered by deep snow, well I guess that's what you should do, scout in deep snow for next winters after season activity.
@@johneberhart4062 well thats your opinion and stubbornness. I don't scout in deep snow as they do yard up etc, but you literally said snow on the ground for several days numerous times and deep snow which is hardly the truth. Deer movements are altered all the time. You pretty much are trying to prove your point that its 100% worthless but in your mind you know the deer have no reason to be in that field because the farmer picks it so well (no food) and they aren't eating the corn stubble or digging through snow that has 2" of ice on it. Also stayed they don't have the browse to feed on.
I get your point but 100% worthless couldn't be further from the truth. Don't lead viewers to buy into the BS of deep snow when its barely ankle deep and saying several days. They simply aren't there because better habitat with the pines and food to the south.
@@huntinsutton That's correct, they are not there now because it offers nothing, but it did last fall when there were lots of deer coming into the same field. If someone was scouting that property for the first time in the snow, they would see zero tracks just like there were also no tracks in the woods where there were lots of deer in the fall. By your own admission, if you scouted there and saw no tracks, would that mean that you would never hunt there. That's exactly the reason not to scout in the snow, food sources, behaviors and bedding areas have changed and most sign left in the winter snows, is meaningless for next falls movements. Another huge fallacy is looking for buck beds in the snow in the winter months and expecting the bucks to be in the same place next fall.
@@bobo44donemilking51 just stating lots of bad information in the video and nothing is 100% in hunting. Kinda like he states "gun tag" or areas don't get any pressure from spring turkey season. He must forget small game, bear, youth/disabled hunts, early doe, & trail camera users. It all has effects on the deer. He just a its my way or the highway kinda guy. If he don't do it it ain't right! If you don't hunt from a saddle your doing it wrong! You have to do it his way!
@@huntinsutton nobody forces you to watch him.theres no reason to argue over personal preferences.and "deep snow"is different for most areas.here in Tennessee 3 inches is deep snow
Good video chief.
Thanks Ron
Why are you sitting in the dark?
The only times I sit in the dark is well before daybreak because I want to be there before the deer transition into the area, or shortly after dark while waiting for the deer to exit the bedding area before I do so that I don't spook them with my exit. If I got down just before dark I would possibly be spooking a mature buck that is waiting until dark to exit the secure bedding area.
John, I think Tod is referring to the fact that you’re recording your video in front of a window, during the day, which has created a bright background. With no front or fill lighting directed towards you or to filling the room, it silhouettes or darkens the object directly in front of it. Great effect if you had the sun setting directly behind you and a buck directly in front looking into the sun. Same effect as deer staring into headlights, but more intense. Remember, John is old school, no RUclips production team. Honestly, I thought the same thing, reminded me of my Dad when he would just start talking about stuff. Just let the wisdom spill out and try not o interrupt but ask questions to keep them talking. One day they might not be around to share their wisdom. It’s all about the content and he is more than willing to share, FREE.
@@TimothySClippinger Oh, in that case, Tod, you're absolutely correct. My goal is always the info and my camera work is poor at best.
I mean if they were there for corn and there is none that's a no Brainer
Some of you are missing the point. In the fall there were many deer going into the corn and you could visually see the scrapes on the ground and the runways through the brush and how well they were used. In the snow there was no sign so if someone were scouting that area for the first time, they would have no clue of what was there in the fall because there looks to be zero activity. Once the snow is gone all the sign is there just as it was before it snowed.
@John Eberhart thanks for the reply I've never hunted ag and my comment was a little ignorant lol...I hunt ne lp and parks round here..this video popped up after my only scouting trip when there was fresh snow and o saw 0 tracks I'm interested to go back late summer because it seemed like a decent location. Anyways one question: the weather has been strange down here I feel like it went from froze. To a muddy mess and morels popping in a matter of a week. When is too late for the ideal targeted "spring scouting" . Ive heard green up so if my lawn is green and trees are budding am I too late?
@@bart8796 Early green up is still fine, but a month into green up will overgrow and obscure a lot of sign.
@@johneberhart4062 thank you John happy easter!
Thanks John, I'm about to go through the 2 books of yours again that i own. (Precision Bowhunting & Bowhunting Whitetails the Eberhart Way) Since starting to use your total system I'm finding it pretty easy to get on public land deer, but getting them into bow range is still a problem sometimes. Next year I'm gonna do several hunts with a crossbow from the ground in addition to my saddle hunts using the compound.