Maximizing your time in the Field

I spend a lot of time outdoors, whether it be fishing, hunting, foraging, or hiking. A few years ago, I realized many of these excursions into the wild were not properly being utilized. The activity I was engaged in was the sole focus. Eventually the realization set in that I was wasting valuable time in the field. How could it be considered time wasted when you’re hyper focused on the task at hand? For instance, if I was looking for Morel Mushrooms there was no time spent searching for deer bedding areas, overlooked food sources, a convergence of trials that led to community scrape tree, travel corridors, pinch points, etc. While deer hunting, I would find a random turkey feather and not ask myself why it was there. A few simple questions could have filled my turkey tag the following spring. Where is the closest water source? Are there viable roost trees in the immediate area? Any other sign that could give me intel outside of the season. These small but critical details were being overshadowed by the task at hand.

Limited Time

Humans are creatures of habit. We develop time management skills from a young age that form the building blocks for how we live our lives. The amount of time dedicated to a certain task is dependent on importance, whether it be work, family, hobbies, or the desire for entertainment. The push-pull relationship of making time for it or not having enough of it is a constant battle for balance. So, whenever I step foot in the outdoors an effort is made to maximize the opportunity for knowledge. How many times have you walked by a huge rub that only mature bucks can make, take notice, then walk away without thinking about why it’s there. These small puzzle pieces can become the catalyst for tagging your dream buck, if you pay attention to the details. The animals we pursue are constantly adapting to survive so if we can find chinks in the armor, we can capitalize on their tendencies. They are playing chess with every move they make; it’s a tough game to win if you show up with checkers.

Squandered Opportunity

The vivid realization came about when searching for an ambush point to intercept a mature Whitetail Buck leaving the sanctity of cover for his evening routine. The previous turkey season while hunting with a friend we observed the sudden change of habitat from open hardwoods to thick briars and honeysuckle. Before dawn we weaved through the tangled mess and stepped into an area with tall CRP type grass. Rubs and scrapes were along every trail we walked that morning. He turned to me and said, “I bet a big Buck would love to lay down in here and hide out.” I agreed with him, and we continued our way towards the location where turkeys had been gobbling the morning prior. In that moment a critical error was made on my part. I never thought of studying the details of the perfectly constructed bedding area ripe with big Buck sign. I thought I’ll come back in the summer and scout once turkey season is over. Fortunately for the animals using this sanctuary that never happened. Six months later with stealth in mind, I slowly entered the ultra-sensitive area only to be met with an explosion of chaos as a large antlered Buck sprung forth from his bed and crashed through the thick brush. That moment has become one of the most pivotal in my journey to becoming a better outdoorsman. I knew that if I had taken the time to scout the area once it was discovered the outcome could have been much different that day.

Intrusion to Sensitive Areas

Whitetail Deer will bed down in areas that offer them the best chance of security and survival. Anyone who has ever had their house or vehicle broken into understands the feeling of having their “safe” place violated. The feelings we experience are long-lasting in these situations. It’s similar in the Whitetail world, with the exception that deer will tolerate the intrusion because the area did exactly what they wanted it to do, it let them escape with their life. A close call with safety is not something soon forgotten, so while they might leave the area for a while it won’t be permanent. This is the reason out of season scouting is important, we can go into these areas and learn the way they are used to assist us with our setup months down the road when it counts. We are striving to gain the maximum amount of knowledge with the least amount of damage. As someone who had their house broken into, the initial shock lasts for a while but over time it slowly fades into memory and the feeling of safety returns to the home.

Gathering Intel

Hunting Whitetails is a chess game, I can think of no better analogy for the pursuit. Calculated moves are a necessity and mistakes are often costly. There are exceptions to this that typically fall under the term of “getting lucky”. Most of us work far too hard and dedicate ourselves to the craft to call it lucky when we accomplish the end goal. From gathering intel every time we step afield, to reading articles, or watching videos trying to find the edge that can make the difference on our next adventure. The most important aspect when gathering intel is to slow down. We live in a fast-paced world so we must shift gears and be more attentive to the minor details of our surroundings. Some things to consider are, what plants are being browsed on? What trees provide food or thermal cover when the temps plummet? What info can be derived from trail camera photos? What were the deer doing this time of year last season? Intel can and should be gathered year-round.

Conclusion

When we start to condition ourselves to see more of our surroundings, it will undoubtedly benefit us in all our outdoor pursuits. It can feel like an overwhelming task in the beginning but keep chipping away at it and the results will come. Make it a point to learn a new tree every year and a plant that native animals like to feed on that you overlooked in the past. Find a plant that has the top nipped off and research what type it is and when they target that food source. You will start to realize how much information you have walked by for years and never took notice of. Remember the more pieces of the puzzle we have the easier it will become to put together when it matters most. Keep your eyes, ears, and mind open and start honing the craft of woodsmanship skills.