T-Minus Hunt Planning Part 3
By Jordan Breshears
This is the third and final round for this series. If you missed parts I and/or II, click HERE to get caught up. If you have followed along, by now you have effectively upped your game with several core concepts and key fundamentals for e-scouting. You know what and where you are hunting, you are familiar with your scouting tools and now you have built an intimate understanding of how to access your core areas as well as access to a plan B and plan C location for backup. What is next? More fine tuning…
We have all read or heard someone talk about locating bedding areas, feeding areas and water on hunting trips. Well, that is just what you are going to do. However, you are going to learn to do it without setting foot in your unit. This will be accomplished with the use of your satellite imagery and 3D rendering on programs like TagHub 2.0 or onX. For starters, you need to find dark, north-facing timber, thick brush, steep banks, large rock outcroppings, etc. These are your bedding areas, well in theory, but nothing will bed there unless you have food and water nearby.
Next you want to find water and south-facing slopes with large meadows/parks or other feeding areas such as drainage bottoms or crops, etc. Finding water that is actually there when you show up is where it gets difficult. Topo maps show water everywhere and make a person think every drainage will be a source. Perhaps this is true in your area, but in most cases that is not the case and you will have to spend a bit more time digging deeper with satellite images to actually verify water or strong signs of water. For example: extra green grass, willows, deciduous trees, etc. Often, this is the part you won’t get right until you get boots on the ground knowledge of the area.
Taking the extra time finding these elements is very helpful! Get these areas located, find multiple places that seem to fit the criteria for bedding, feeding and water. Now combine them…Animals will not move more than necessary, so if they can find it all in one condensed space they are likely to be in that area until pressure moves them out. If you look at what appear to be natural travel corridors, you should be able to connect the dots between your key points of interest and identify likely areas for game to be. Take this and duplicate the process thoroughly in and throughout your primary and backup spots. Place pins and make sure you have everything synced to your handheld device as well.
One tip here is to practice this locally and go test yourself. If you can find these elements on satellite in your own backyard and subsequently verify them in person, you will build your confidence substantially. Even if the terrain is vastly different from the area you will hunt, the concept is very similar.
Alright, now you want to combine e-scouting 101, 201 and 301 into a “first contact” attack plan. This is critical to your hunt success. Most of us are so excited to get into the woods we often overlook the obvious when arriving in a new hunt area. Planning this is a bit easier if you can show up just before the opener. But either way, you need to strongly consider at least one day to drive around, spot and understand the lay of the land.
Validate as much of your e-scouting as possible during this time. Eliminate spots with too many hunters, or elements that are undesirable features such as open roads that were unseen. Or an ATV/motorcycle trail that is highly active, current logging or forestry activity, excess livestock, etc. With this data and hopefully some animal sightings via spotting you can take your plan and fine tune the attack. Personally, I like to dedicate my first evening and the next morning to this if possible and sometimes even more. By the second evening I am either spotting as much country as possible or trying to get a short evening scout/hunt in to help validate my findings from the previous day and or that morning. If the scout/hunt doesn’t go as hoped, then I typically don’t abandon the location, I’ll slightly adjust the sights and try again in the morning. (You might be surprised what a difference an evening vs. morning can have, for no particular reason.) If the next morning is still lacking, it’s time to move! Rinse and repeat until you start seeing, hearing or bumping game.
Homework: 1. Finalize your e-scouting by locating water, bedding and feeding areas. 2. devise a calculated plan for first contact. 3. If possible, test your skills locally to help you fine tune and adjust as needed.
There are thousands of ways to sharpen these methods and personalize them to your needs. Get the basics down, practice and become proficient through testing and readjusting your methods. It will come together over time.
Looking for your next out-of-state hunting adventure? Look no further than TagHub 2.0! With its new and improved filters, finding your next hunting spot has never been easier. Follow Scott Reekers’ advice and take advantage of this powerful tool. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!
