After our deer season closes January 1. I really like to spend a good deal of time combing the woods. The sign is everywhere, and I don't have to worry about spooking a buck I may have my eye on. In fact I hope to spook him and lay my eyes on him. Then I know for certain he made it through the hunting season unscathed. But this time of year, with all of the leaves gone, the woods are open and its much easier to spot, trails, old scrapes and of course rubs.
For me, the best sign I can find is rubs. Lots and lots of rubs tells me there are bucks. And big rubs mean big bucks. When i find a line of rubs, then I know I am going to be hanging a stand in this area for next season. Looking for well worn trails, for late winter food sources and for rubs will increase your odds next season.
Waiting until "green up" you will miss a lot of the sign that you can only see when the woods are more barren. I also like to trim shooting lanes this time of year. With the openness of the forest, I can see just where I need to open this and that. I know I will have to come in and do some trimming later, but all of my heavy trimming is done in the winter. Chainsaws, and bush ax are employed and real pruning occurs to provide new lanes and open older ones.
Don't let this time of year get away from you. Trophy hunting is a year around activity and right now is one of the best times to be in the woods scouting and preparing for next season.
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