Spring Scouting

[ernie]

Is anyone out scouting right now? Thinking about going to my honeyhole in Pike Co soon. Just wondering what the undergrowth looks like in the woods. Hoping to get a stand or two hung and some minerals out, hopefully find some old buck sign from the fall,

but am afraid I'm running out of time before it's completely green.

Like to get that stuff done prior to full foilage so that I know what it's gonna look like in the fall.

Anybody getting out right now?

[Seeker Bp]

Pretty much out all summer, even if its walking the dog we are scouting. The leaves are still on when early bow comes in, so its always a good thing to check your stand trees while the leaves are on, that way I know what I need to trim out. Doing the Gobbler scouting right now, plus mushroom hunting, and we shed hunt all year long. Dont really spend much time in our private ground, but wander many miles on our public ground. Good luck this up coming season... Seeker BP

[ernie]

Thanks for the reply. I'm also in the woods in the summer after the leaves are on... but I like to have an idea of where I'm looking to hunt by late spring before everything greens up. I don't bow hunt much early...so I'm in the tree for the most part after most of the leaves are off.

In the summer the are I hunt is notorious for ticks... and real hot!!! Makes for tough scouting conditions in the heat of the summer, that's for sure.

[Big_Holla]

Everything I am hearing is it's greening up fast down there. Should still be able to spot those old scrapes and rubs easily.

[mrbb]

well I scout all yr

but I would honestly advise against hanging stands now, thats a lot of stress on the straps as trees grow
I can see putting up a stand to get a feel for what it will be like , but I would NOT suggest leaving stands up from now till hunting season,
well, maybe ladderstands, and even on them I leave the straps a little loose and re snug come hunting time! and replace straps every so often!

most MFG"S say you shouldn't leave a hang on stand, on a tree for more than a week or two(I know most don't follow that rule) ,
but the UV from the sun is hard on the straps and then the tree's constantly growing , even if so small, can be bad on them straps, and safety

just don't want to see anyone get hurt thats all

have fun
green up here in PA is coming on fats this yr too!@

[ernie]

Thats some great advice about hanging stands. I use the Millenium lock on... so I basically hang a set, fasten the chain/rig to the tree, and pack the stand out of the woods with me. Another negative about hanging stands this time of year is that you've got an increased chance of getting them stolen between now and September..