Learning Your Land

[WonderMonkey]

I use my GPS to walk the perimeter of the property, marking every twist and tune in the property line (if irregular) and marking the corner posts. Then using the computer, i add in the property lines to the TOPO map, then download it back to the GPS. Now, the property lines will show clearly on the GPS maps,
I will always know how far and in any direction to the line, where my stands are, blinds, trails, scrapes, rub lines,food and water, and other hunter's planned positions.

Very nice, I do similar. Part of my fun is doing all that and studying it. Very useful as well, but it also plays to my nature.

[Cut N Run]

I hate to admit this publicly, but I can not operate the GPS I bought for my wife. It is terribly confusing and aggravating to deal with. I'm not very tech savvy and that thing makes me want to take a sledge hammer to it. The manual and video for it totally suck and were not written for someone with zero experience operating such a device. So, I have an expensive paperweight. It is a Garmin Rino 130 with the radio built in.

I still learn the land I hunt the same way I've always done, I follow creeks, ridges, and deer trails and mark interesting places on a topographic map. I take the time to check out all terrain breaks and edges the deer like to travel. Over time I don't even use the map unless I'm showing a friend the area where we'll be hunting. I also use satellite images off the computer, which help a lot when used with a compass. It is just my nature to find good stand sites over great areas to hunt from.

I also use this program for a combination wind, weather, and topo map site. http://www.scoutlookweather.com/

Jim

[jonny5buck]

I agree with similar replies that actual boots on the ground time is the most crucial factor. Most properties i hunt are under 100acres with exception of a few parks. On these smaller properties i know the boundaries and have walked every inch. Like Jslot- i invest a lot of time ''scouting'' after season ends , this to me is the easiest and most overlooked aspect of planning for stand set-ups .I know several guys who don't do it and once season ends they pull their stands and forget about hunting altogether.

Scouting in march [in illinois] is one of my favorite pastimes..it has helped me eliminate a lot of guessing when the trees and undergrowth are still green as to where to set-up...trails are visable and so are rubs ..i also use spring scouting to follow Mature Buck tracks as far as i can ...stopping along the way to figure out why this deer walked where he did and notice how he is using the terrain and crossing the land ...even if that deer used the property at night he walked it for one reason or another and this peaks my interest.

One of the biggest advantages to me...for walking the land is your gaining actual confirmation of deer sign and this gives me an edge [i feel anyway] over other hunters that don't bother with a 2 hour scouting trip..On private and public ground [boot on the ground time] also lets me see where adjacent property owners are setting up...this my ace in the hole....that pressure from other hunters gives me insight into what areas to avoid and why deer movement may be altered...you Can't get that info from google ..

[WonderMonkey]

Additionally I place houses, barns, and other structures that humans would go. I shoot so that someone wouldn't NEED that data but it's good to know what's over that hill, through that stand of trees, etc. Just info for "whatever".