Foundations For Waterfowl Hunting Success

Location

Understanding The Scouting Cycle And What To Look For

We've identified four critical times to scout. Each scouting cycle has a purpose and within each scouting cycle there are different factors you will identify that will help you choose the best spot whenever you take the field.

The Scouting Cycle - 4 Critical Times To Scout

Off-Season Scouting

When we refer to off-season scouting, we are generally referring to the period of time that starts in late winter/early spring and runs until early summer. The goal of your off-season scouting program is to identify potential waterfowl hunting "hotspots" that you may be able to use in the upcoming fall seasons.

There are four key reasons why scouting in the off-season is essential to consistent long-term success.

First, both ducks and geese are adapting to the increased hunting pressure on both public and private land by using more areas that are "off the beaten path". Waterfowl, as with all wild creatures, have a built in survival mechanism and an uncanny ability to adapt. When hunting pressure becomes too intense in an area often times the ducks and/or geese will either leave the area, or they will avoid the area and find an alternative location. Your ability to identify these "alternative locations" can spell the difference between a successful or unsuccessful waterfowl season. And as you will see, one of the best times to find these locations is in the off-season.

Second, the ducks and/or geese that are already in your area or are making their way back north through your area can help you identify "fringe" spots quickly and easily. With no hunting pressure in the area, you have the opportunity to use the ducks and the geese as your guide. They can literally lead you to a great new spot you never even knew existed.

Third, spring is typically the wettest time of the year in most parts of North America. With heavy spring rains and winter snow runoff, you can identify areas that have the potential of holding water in the fall. This is critically important when your area has a wetter than normal fall or the area experiences a heavy rain that causes runoff. The same areas that were holding water in the spring will more than likely be holding water in the fall under similar conditions.

Finally, it is easier to identify hidden "hotspots" in the off-season because there is little or no ground cover to obscure your view. Most crops have not been planted during this time of the year and much of the heavy vegetation has been matted and beaten down from the winter rain and snow. These two factors provide you with a very clear picture of what areas may be attractive in the fall under similar conditions.

To recap:

The Goal Of Off-Season Scouting - Identify potential waterfowl hunting "hotspot" during the spring for the fall waterfowl hunting season.

Factors To Identify - "Fringe" areas that have the potential to attract ducks and geese in the fall by observing and recording these locations when observation conditions are optimal.