Same spot or new spot every year?

[Ridgerunner]

Just curious if guys are hitting the same country every year or whether you hit different country on a regular basis?

 

[HellsCanyon]

In Idaho we hit the same spot for elk in Sept three years in a row but are changing it up this year. Wolves finally moved onto our string of ridge lines and where we typically hear 15 bulls a day, we were down to 2-3 with perfect weather in 3rd week in Sept. And we hunted a late season muley unit as our plan B for the last two years. Still searching for a high country honey hole at this point.

Mike

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I try to hit different places every year......it would probably be easier if I hunted the same areas a couple of years in a row, but I like the scenery and everything that goes into hunting a new spot.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Well, honestly its a combination of both. I have several spots that I know really well and can consistently find the deer there if I want to. I am constantly looking for new areas to try, and make it a point in August to take a couple of trips to the new areas I have map scouted.

For instance, last year I tried a new area and will likely go back based on the number of solid deer that I found there. The one weakness to this particular spot is that it had quite a few people there, even 5 miles back. So if I can find a spot that isn't hit quite as hard this year during my pack trips, that will be it. If not, I know where the deer went to hide out when the pressure came.

 

[dreamingbig]

It has been the same spot for me for the past 9 seasons. It really helped to learn the terrain and habits of the elk. I was open to trying new country this year but I have a bull tag that is dragging me back for another year.

 

[belly-deep]

I like to check out a few new spots every year, but always fall back to the old ones when it gets down to the wire...

 

[Rizzy]

Mostly different spots every year, in fact 90% of the time I scout, it's new spots every scouting trip. I will go back to the productive spots at least once to see whats there, but once I learn an area and harvest I usually move on. This year I plan to go back to one of my Elk spots to see if that 5 point is a six point this year

 

[bohntr]

I have several different spots in various states that I rotate and hunt. So in essence, I hunt the same drainage/area, however, it may not be annually. It all depends on the winter kill (if any), buck to doe ratio, ability to draw, and recent trends. In the early summer is when I do my scouting trips to check new areas to see if I find something I want to put in the rotation. I can honestly say, that knowing an area very well and how deer utilize it is a critical key to continued success.

 

[RosinBag]

I was same spot for 15 years in a row, but taking a break from blacktails this year to try high country Mulies in areas I have never hunted.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Same spot or new spot?

Yes, and yes.

 

[Kevin Root]

I have backcountry areas I try to go to most every year to fish and hunt. Somewhat due to tradition and somewhat because of success and feeling comfortable knowing the areas. I also like to try, learn and find new places. There are so many new places to explore and I'll never be able to find more awesome places unless I venture out and find them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I am guilty of the grass is greener over here at times too, or I am still looking for that mule deer honey hole filled with good bucks that no one else has discovered. I am trying to cut down on my areas though and really learn a couple like the backside of my hand.

 

[HellsCanyon]

I am guilty of the grass is greener over here at times too, or I am still looking for that mule deer honey hole filled with good bucks that no one else has discovered. I am trying to cut down on my areas though and really learn a couple like the backside of my hand.

I think in WA that is the key. We both know a father/son combo
That consistently pull 165"+ bucks out of the gpw. Only reason they do is they've been hunting the same drainage for years and know how to use other hunters to their advantage. At least I think you know who I am talking about!

Mike

 

[Evan Williams]

For elk I move around a lot. I cover a bunch of ground to see where they are at and when...etc.

For Mule Deer I have been putting in for the same unit ( or cluster of units ) and knowing i have a honey hole in that unit and finding new basins and areas on maps and from talking to people who might have been in the area at one time or another.

 

[Segan]

I really like to explore new country so I allow minimal scouting to the areas I know well. I figure its worth looking under a few new trees each year especially with tags becoming tougher to get year after year. With that being said Iam more efficient of a hunter in my favorite spots that I usually end up in every year.

I was looking at my google earth map just this past week of country that I have hunted and put a place mark over the years. I thought it was impressive to see all different angles of country, and realize how fortunate Iam to spend as much time in the mountains as I do.

 

[Hoytnut]

Some of both. Love my core areas, but it also great to branch out and hit new areas.

 

[robby denning]

AMEN BOHNTR!

I hunt where ever my scouting leads me. Sometimes it's the same spot, sometimes miles and units, and states away, but virtually in all cases, I know the areas well. Too well by some standards (as in $ and time spent learning).

 

[Daniel Bybee]

I usually have my go to spots that I keep tabs on, but im always out walking and glassing for new spots. If its the rut and im in the desert its more of a run and gun trying to catch up, in the summer I locate the water(scarce this year) and start my glassing around that. If its a good water source away from people ill set up a trail cam and let it tell me whats there when I am not. Daniel