Scout smart: There's no better time to scout than right after the season. Your intrusion at this time will be long forgiven by hunting season. But, sometimes we all find ourselves scouting right before - or even during - the season.

Here are a few tips on remaining stealthy near and during the season:

Do much of your scouting well before the season. Just after the season is one of the absolutely best times to scout for many reasons. Set up your stand as early before the season as possible.

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You should scout near your locations but never in the deer's prime cover and bedding area. This is watched very closed and intrusion is remembered for a lengthy time.

Spend your time scouting field edges and fringe cover looking for travel routes in and out of a big buck's sanctuary (where he beds and spends most of his daylight hours). But make every effort to stay out of the sanctuary itself because, in human terms, this is like a stranger breaking into your living room.

Aerial photos should become your deer hunting bible. They contain a wealth of information that can pinpoint travel funnels, expose possible stand locations and even help plan a small drive. The only leg-work that's required after studying an aerial photo is a quick spot-check trip to confirm your hunches.