Let’s be real—deer season may feel months away, but the hunters who consistently notch tags in the fall? They’re grinding in the heat of June and July. The off-season isn’t just downtime—it’s a golden window to scout, pattern deer, and set yourself up for success before bucks go nocturnal and pressure kicks in.
Here are 7 legit, field-proven scouting tips to make your summer work count when fall hits full swing.
🦌 1. Glass in the Evenings to Spot Velvet Bucks
June and July are prime time for spotting bachelor groups feeding in open ag fields. Deer are locked into food-to-bed routines, and the bucks haven’t yet turned cagey.
Tips:
- Set up downwind on high ground with binos or a spotting scope.
- Watch soybean fields, alfalfa, clover, and native edge habitat.
- Focus on movement from 30–60 minutes before sunset to last light.
Why it matters: You’ll not only identify potential shooters, but also learn how and where they enter fields—giving you intel on travel routes and staging areas.
🌾 2. Map Bedding Areas with Low Impact
Don’t go charging into thick cover and blow out every doe and fawn in the woods. But you can take low-impact walks to note bedding zones—especially mid-mornings when deer are settled.
Tips:
- Look for depressions in grass, clusters of hair, and fresh droppings.
- Use wind and thermals to your advantage—even in the off-season.
- Mark potential bedding sites on your hunt app (OnX, HuntStand, etc.).
Why it matters: Understanding where deer bed in summer gives you a baseline when bucks start shifting beds closer to acorns and scrapes in September.
🪵 3. Run Trail Cams on Feeding Transitions
June and July are not the best time to hang cameras on scrapes—they’re mostly inactive. Instead, focus on trails between bedding and food, or edges where terrain funnels movement.
Tips:
- Use solar-powered cams or long-life lithium batteries.
- Set cams to video mode for better behavior patterns.
- Avoid checking cams every few days. Go in once a month, if that.
Why it matters: Summer trail cam data helps you identify consistent patterns—and bucks still in velvet are easier to ID than hard-antlered ones come fall.
🧭 4. Scout with Purpose—Not Just for Sign
Old rubs and trails are helpful, but they’re not gospel for summer scouting. Instead, focus on habitat functionality—where deer eat, sleep, and feel safe right now.
What to look for:
- Water sources during heat waves
- Thermal bedding cover (shaded cedar thickets, north-facing slopes)
- Hidden pockets of browse within thick cover
Why it matters: Food changes from clover and soybeans to acorns and hard mast in fall—but deer prefer low-pressure zones all year. Finding those “summer sanctuaries” early helps you stay ahead.
🎯 5. Dial in Stand Locations While Foliage is Thick
Hanging stands or saddle prep during summer shows you exactly what deer will see in season. If you can stay hidden in full foliage, you’re golden come October.
Tips:
- Set lanes based on real-time visibility (not winter wide-open woods).
- Plan wind directions now—thermal shifts will guide you.
- Pre-trim access routes to avoid busting deer on your way in later.
Why it matters: Planning now prevents that classic early October facepalm: “I didn’t realize that branch was blocking my shot.”
👣 6. Use Mock Scrapes for Inventory
While scrapes aren’t hot right now, you can start conditioning deer to use a specific location. Create a mock scrape using a licking branch and scent-free dirt.
Tips:
- Use natural ropes or real branches over bare earth.
- Position trail cams to monitor deer use over time.
- Avoid synthetic scents—bucks will start using it organically as the rut nears.
Why it matters: Come late August, that mock scrape could become your primary inventory hub when velvet starts peeling.
🌿 7. Track Browse Pressure and Habitat Changes
Deer tell you what they’re eating—if you’re looking. Take note of what’s being nipped or browsed around food plots, native browse zones, and edge habitat.
Tips:
- Monitor over-browsed areas (sign of heavy pressure).
- Watch how preferences change from soft greens to early mast crops.
- Take notes weekly—plant growth changes fast in summer heat.
Why it matters: Knowing what deer are eating now helps you project where they’ll shift when certain food sources dry up or disappear in late summer.
🦌 Final Thoughts: The Grind Separates the Hunters from the Hopeful
Anyone can throw up a stand in late September and hope a buck walks by. But consistent success? That starts now—with sweat, boots on the ground, and an eye for detail.
By putting in the off-season work in June and July, you’re building familiarity with the land, the deer, and the patterns that will give you the upper hand this fall.
Because when that mature buck finally slips up, the guy who scouted all summer will be the one holding antlers.
