Early Season Scouting: What We're Looking For Before the Season Opens

Long before opening day arrives, we're already spending time behind the glass.

Every year, hunters get caught up in broadheads, rifles, range sessions, and gear prep. Those things matter, but most successful hunts are won long before the season starts. The more time you spend scouting during the summer, the fewer surprises you'll face when your tag is finally in your pocket.

Whether you're chasing elk in the high country, mule deer in open basins, or whitetails closer to home, early-season scouting gives you an opportunity to learn exactly how animals are using the landscape before hunting pressure changes their behavior.

The goal isn't just to find animals. It's to understand why they're there.

Start with Food Sources

The first thing we're paying attention to is food.

During the summer and early fall, animals are focused on feeding. Mule deer and elk are spending long hours putting on calories, and quality feed often determines where they'll spend most of their time.

When scouting, we're looking for:

• Fresh green vegetation
• Alpine meadows
• Burns with new growth
• Agricultural fields where available
• Moisture-rich north and east-facing slopes
• Areas with consistent feed throughout the summer

When we locate animals, we're not just marking a waypoint and moving on. We're watching where they enter a feeding area, where they leave, and what routes they consistently use. A buck or bull spotted in July may not be standing in the exact same location on opening day, but understanding the area he prefers gives you a huge advantage.

Don't Overlook Water

Anyone who has hunted the West knows how important water can become during hot weather.

Springs, stock tanks, seeps, creeks, and small ponds can attract a surprising amount of activity. During dry years, water often becomes one of the easiest places to narrow down animal movement.

When checking water sources, we're looking for:

• Fresh tracks
• Droppings
• Well-worn game trails
• Bedding cover nearby
• Fresh sign showing regular use

These clues often tell us more than a single trail camera photo ever could.

Locate Bedding Areas

Animals spend far more time bedding than feeding, especially once temperatures rise throughout the day.

North-facing slopes, dark timber, shaded draws, and areas with consistent airflow often hold animals during daylight hours.

One mistake we see hunters make is pushing too aggressively into bedding areas during scouting. If you repeatedly bump animals throughout the summer, don't be surprised when they aren't there when the season opens.

That's why we spend more time glassing than hiking.

Focus on Travel Routes

A lot of hunters focus only on where animals feed or bed, but understanding how they move between those locations can be just as important.

Pay attention to:

• Saddle crossings
• Ridge lines
• Creek crossings
• Well-used game trails
• Funnel points
• Terrain features that naturally direct movement

These locations often become excellent setup opportunities once hunting pressure increases and feeding patterns become less predictable.

Use Optics More Than Boots

A good vantage point and quality optics will tell you far more than wandering through every drainage on foot.

The less pressure you apply, the more natural the animals will behave. Some of our best scouting days involve sitting behind binoculars for hours and simply watching what unfolds.

The information gathered during those long glassing sessions often becomes the foundation for our entire hunting strategy.

What We Wear While Scouting

Early-season conditions can be brutal. It's not uncommon to start the morning with cool temperatures and finish the day hiking under a blazing sun.

That's exactly why we designed the Torrid Collection.

The lightweight bird's-eye fabric was built specifically for hot-weather hunts and scouting trips where sun exposure becomes a constant challenge. It provides breathable comfort while helping protect your skin during long days spent hiking ridges or sitting behind the glass.

For pants, we often reach for the Venture or Uinta depending on terrain and conditions. Both offer the durability needed to cover miles without sacrificing comfort during warm-weather hunts and scouting trips.

No matter where you're scouting, don't forget the basics:

• Quality merino wool socks
• A breathable hat
• Plenty of water
• Lightweight gloves for sun protection
• Rain gear for changing mountain weather

The reality is that scouting gear doesn't need to be complicated. You simply need clothing that keeps you comfortable, manages moisture, protects you from the sun, and allows you to move efficiently through the mountains.

Build a Plan Before Opening Day

At the end of the day, early-season scouting is all about building confidence.

Every glassing session, every waypoint, every water source, and every trail you discover adds another piece to the puzzle.

Before the season arrives, make sure you've identified:

• Primary feeding areas
• Bedding locations
• Water sources
• Travel routes
• Glassing points
• Backup hunting locations
• Access routes and wind considerations

When opening day arrives, you're no longer guessing where animals might be. You're hunting with a plan built from firsthand knowledge.

And that's often the difference between spending your season searching for animals and spending it hunting them.