How To

E-scouting mule deer in Colorado involves targeting high-altitude, south-facing slopes, basins, and alpine areas in summer/early fall, and shifting focus to lower-elevation sagebrush, oak brush, and pinyon-juniper benches during late-season migration.

To plan your guided elk hunt, start by choosing a reputable outfitter 1-2 years in advance, determining your ideal hunt style (e.g., backcountry horseback vs. private-land lodge), and organizing tags. To start, carefully vet outfitters via references, prepare physically for altitude hunting, and begin e-scouting with tools like HuntWise to survey the landscape.

From late March through August, locating a coyote den takes knowing how to read sign and the lay of the land.

When e-scouting elk in Wyoming, target high-elevation, north-facing slopes with heavy timber, water sources, and grassy meadows with a focus on the northwest region. Concentrate scouting on burn areas (15 years and younger) and remote roadless areas 1–2 miles from trails to avoid excessive hunting pressure. September scouting should especially focus on bedding near food and water.

Use a hunting app (like HuntWise) to find public land by turning on Government Lands or Public Hunting map layers. Zoom out to see regional tracts (e.g., WMAs or National Forests), zoom in to check boundaries, and download offline maps before you hike.

To find mule deer in Wyoming, focus your e-scouting on transition areas where mountainous inclines meet agricultural areas, sagebrush foothills, and riparian bottoms. These zones are especially prevalent in the southern Absarokas (Units 117–120) and the Bighorn Mountains.

To build a ground blind, choose a location with natural cover, use branches or brush to create a concealed structure, and position shooting lanes for clear visibility. Effective blinds blend into the environment, minimize movement visibility, and provide concealment from a deer or turkey’s line of sight.

To call turkeys effectively, use basic sounds like yelps, clucks, and purrs to mimic hen behavior, and adjust your calling based on turkey response and hunting pressure. Start with soft, realistic calls, then increase intensity only if needed, as overcalling can reduce your chances of success.

A turkey box call is a "friction" call that uses a wooden box attached to a wooden paddle. Although box calls are widely considered the best option for beginner turkey hunters, many experienced hunters continue to carry them into the field each year.  

Imagine it's the opening morning of spring turkey season. You're up early to brew your coffee and get ready for the walk to the woods or field edge, where you're hoping some gobblers will strut right into your decoys and offer you a perfect 25-yard shot. You've successfully hunted this area in the past, and you assume you won't need to do any new turkey scouting.

One of the best ways to find land to boost your chances of bringing home a turkey is to scout digitally with HuntWise. Locate field, water sources, and timbered cover before heading out for your hunt.

Small game can be a great introduction to hunting and a good way to keep your skills sharp after a big game season has ended. Rabbits in particular are a great quarry to chase—but first, you'll need to know how to find rabbits in the woods.