Although most springtime scouting excursions focus on shed hunting, you can gain all kinds of info about game in general. Getting up early in the morning reveals pheasant cackles, turkey gobbles, grouse drumings as well as the number of deer in the area.

Depending on how early in the year it is will divulge the accuracy of the trip. For example, if you’re scouting a wetland or area that has a lot of water around in early April and you see lots of blue wing teal ducks, it may be that they’re just migrating through the area.

The first step is to get some topographic maps, a note book and plot map of the area your scouting. You’ll need equipment similar to that for hunting. Items like camo clothing, rain gear, GPS, compass, binoculars and a survival kit. You’re going to be in the outdoors so treat it as you would the same as hunting.

Sit and hide somewhere and make marks and notes on your maps and in your notebook. Things like numbers of deer in a field; pheasant cackles locations as well as grouse drumming locations and numbers of different birds in the area. Locations of the turkey gobbles are also useful info along with the number of toms making those gobbles.

Than after things settle down start walking the game trails and edges. Make marks on your map of old rubs and scrapes that will soon be gone. Go slow and use your binoculars. Scan the area looking for sheds. There typically easy to find just after the snow melts.

Obviously the size and number of sheds you find will be a key factor of bucks in the area. Come fall when you look back on your notes you should have a good idea what’s going on in your hunting area.

Bringing a camera and video recorder along can make a rewarding trip if you capture some wildlife going about their business. You never know what you’ll see.

It’s a good idea to talk to the farmers around your area also. In the early part of spring the farmers won’t be as busy. Other than milking and spreading manure they’re basically waiting to get out and plow. Offer some help, you might get a new spot to hunt.

With this info you can be a step ahead of everyone else come fall.

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