Tactics for freshly scouted land north of Edson.

[Tyangelo]

A couple weeks ago, I scouted out a new area I'll be hunting for whitetail. Fir those who may be familiar, its north on Tom Hill Road, by Edson, and it consists of land with connecting Lease roads, and lots of cutlines between the pumps. A variety of terrain. Did surprise 2 doe standing on a lease road. There sure are a ton of game trails and tracks up there. Would you suggest setting up a blind, or pushing bush? Any other tips?

[duffy4]

Do you have "Google earth" on your computer or access to recent air photos of the area?

A great way to locate potential ambush spots is to use a birds eye view. Then go in on the ground and see if there are good game trails getting use where you predicted there would be.

Play the wind and get into your stand site early and as quiet as you can.

Rattling and grunting is starting to get some responce from what I hear lately.

Good luck!

[Zuludog]

In all seriousness, don't be that specific about your potentail honey holes on a public forum.

[wind drift]

Ya...anyone can zero right in on that! That's funny, right there. The Tom Hill Road leads to a sea of Crown land, just like pretty much every other road north, south, west and even east of Edson. Really though, Duffy's advice is solid. Bucks will be moving soon. Use air photos to locate travel corridors and funnels. Watch those. Put in time, be patient and you will see deer. That said, be aware that the area between Edson and Whitecourt was very hard hit by winter last year. My trail cameras have yet to capture a buck over 140ish yet. Manage your expectations accordingly.

[albertadeer]

All i know is i found a set of 200+ whitetail shed antlers in that area a few years ago....Sit on pipelines and rattle like crazy!!!

Good luck!

[Grizzly Adams]

Did a Spring bear hunt there a few years ago. Remember lots of very poor, deeply rutted dry weather only roads, bad even by comparison with other Northern roads. Loggers had really don a number on the place.

Grizz:

[Tyangelo]

Tried to rattle at numerous cutlines today, but no go. Didn't see a single fresh sign all day.

[exitwound]

Originally Posted by Zuludog

In all seriousness, don't be that specific about your potentail honey holes on a public forum.

tom hill tower road a honey hole... yep for about 1000 other people...DOH