In the past I admit I havent been taking full advantage of pre-season scouting for whitetails. The last 2-3 years, however have been a totally different story. I have always read in the big shot hunting magazines that this is the best and most advantageous time to be watching for sign. Many hunters wait until a week or two before their respective bow or rifle/shotgun season kicks off. After learning more about exactly HOW to scout in the early part of the year I strongly advise against waiting that long.
Knowing what to look for in the pre-season is the biggest key the most obvious but still my favorite thing to see is big almost cow-like tracks. Alot of hunters look at tracks and dont stop to think what the track could be telling them. I used to be the same way but here's what I've learned to gather from tracks when I see them. Checking to see how deep the track is can sometimes give a good idea as to how big heavy the deer is, muddy spots can sometimes be deceiving by making the track look bigger than it actually is so be aware of that. (obvious I know) Keep food sources in mind, is the track coming in from a food source or going out to it? chances are if the deer is going out to a food source these tracks are going to be from the later pm hours of the evening. If the tracks are leading away from a food source there is a good possibility that the deer is using the area as a track from the food source to a bedding area which should indicate morning travel.
Knowing when and where that big buck you've been chasing for years is making his tracks can contribute to a great deal of success unless of course he turns into a nocturnal ghost like so many "Monster" bucks have been known to do.
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