Anyone interested in helping a newbie "e-scout"?

Jonny360

FNG
Joined
Aug 7, 2019
Messages
49
First time pulling a deer tag. I'm using google earth to look around the unit here in California. The problem is i'm just not exactly where where to focus my field time. I've heard that the bucks are gonna be high. But how high? Above tree line is often bare granite but sometimes there is scattered pine there. I've been told to look for the water on drier years like this year. But should I focus on high water, low water, streams or ponds? Anyways if anyone wants to do a little back and forth with me on google earth over PM or facebook messenger that would be super helpful. Just share my zone and maybe some pins and a little chat about what to focus on with my pre season scouting trips?
 
Joined
Jun 19, 2019
Messages
364
First time pulling a deer tag. I'm using google earth to look around the unit here in California. The problem is i'm just not exactly where where to focus my field time. I've heard that the bucks are gonna be high. But how high? Above tree line is often bare granite but sometimes there is scattered pine there. I've been told to look for the water on drier years like this year. But should I focus on high water, low water, streams or ponds? Anyways if anyone wants to do a little back and forth with me on google earth over PM or facebook messenger that would be super helpful. Just share my zone and maybe some pins and a little chat about what to focus on with my pre season scouting trips?

Sent you a PM


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Dioni A

Basque Assassin
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Mar 29, 2016
Messages
1,770
Location
Nampa, Idaho
Good on you for doing your own homework 👍
You might check out the last episode of the hunt Backcountry podcast with Jason wright. It is all about scouting and Google Earth.
 

Mark364

FNG
Joined
Jun 22, 2020
Messages
2
First time pulling a deer tag. I'm using google earth to look around the unit here in California. The problem is i'm just not exactly where where to focus my field time. I've heard that the bucks are gonna be high. But how high? Above tree line is often bare granite but sometimes there is scattered pine there. I've been told to look for the water on drier years like this year. But should I focus on high water, low water, streams or ponds? Anyways if anyone wants to do a little back and forth with me on google earth over PM or facebook messenger that would be super helpful. Just share my zone and maybe some pins and a little chat about what to focus on with my pre season scouting trips?
What zone did you pull a tag for?
 

Troutnut

FNG
Joined
Sep 14, 2016
Messages
82
I learned the hard way last year that the best advice is: don't just e-scout. It's a good tool, but make sure you either get boots on the ground in the unit yourself or talk to those who have. There are places that look good online that just don't have many deer, and probably vice versa.
 
OP
J

Jonny360

FNG
Joined
Aug 7, 2019
Messages
49
I learned the hard way last year that the best advice is: don't just e-scout. It's a good tool, but make sure you either get boots on the ground in the unit yourself or talk to those who have. There are places that look good online that just don't have many deer, and probably vice versa.

I'm not planning to just e scout. In trout fishing we called places that look productive "fishy". I need some help identifying places that look muley.
 
OP
J

Jonny360

FNG
Joined
Aug 7, 2019
Messages
49
You pulled an X zone on your first draw, you lucky bastard. This was my first draw and I ended up in D14 which is at least close to home.

Yes lucky for sure. Though seems archery tags are much easier to draw.
 
Joined
May 10, 2017
Messages
2,158
No harm in asking. Be sure the guy is familiar with the habitat type. I’m not interested in belong because CA is out of my wheelhouse and I’d just be BSing.
 
Joined
Aug 2, 2020
Messages
5
Location
Paso Robles
Johnny,
How did your X9B hunt go? Were you able to hunt with the fires? I typically hunt D7, but with the fires, wasn't able too. Also, what optics did you go with? I'm looking at adding a good pair of 15's. Glass from a tripod with 15's and keep the 10's in the harness.
 
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