Off-season Trophy Search for Western Whitetails
by Darren Choate
When scouting for Western Whitetail, use the available tools to find a trophy buck or two to chase this season–and next.
The Time Is Now, and Later
There is no better time than right NOW to begin your search for a trophy Western Whitetail. Why now? The spring and summer months are perfect for investigating your favorite whitetail hot spots, and for finding new ones. Although, even if you find a buck worth harvesting—depending on where you live—that does not guarantee you will draw a tag; nor does it guarantee success on your next hunt. The most important factor regarding when to look is that the search never ends. Make your search an ongoing passion to find the best buck(s) possible, and ultimately success will follow.
The Starting Point
Data Collection
Here are a few tools to aid in the data collection process.
- Shed-antlers: There is no better excuse to scout an area than a shed-antler trip. First, it’s good exercise. Second, you will more than likely see some new country, and you may even find an antler of a trophy buck that you can add to your “hit list.”
- Trail-cameras: Placing a camera or two can aid in the scouting process in two ways: 1) identify shooter bucks, and 2) monitor buck activity throughout the summer and into the season. Their best feature: they will scout for you 24/7, while you’re back at work.
- High-powered Optics: Glassing distant whitetail hangouts is a great scouting tool. First-hand sightings of deer—hopefully, a trophy buck(s)—are the most definitive observation a hunter can make. Based on your optical observations, you will be able to identify potential spots for a shed-antler trip, to hang a trail-camera or to hunt this fall.
To make your dreams come true this fall, put some time into a scouting routine this off-season, collect the data necessary to find a trophy buck (or two) to chase this fall, next fall, and so on.