Trail cameras are great for monitoring deer activity throughout the year. Keep in mind that movements change with the seasons. activity in an area. I try to move them outward from earlier locations to identify from where deer are coming or to where they are going. Once I pin down travel routes and bedding and feeding areas, I can pick the best ambush locations. SCOUTING TOOLS In addition to trail-camera images, keep notes of your scouting. Topographical maps also provide a good visual reference. I even have aerial photographs of my hunting areas I shot by hopping a plane ride with a pilot friend. Google Earth provides a lot of the same information without getting airsick. If you have a GPS, use it to mark deer sign or stand locations on your 56 map or photographs. This information also can be used to determine distances between stands and deer-usage areas, which can help tie things together. When scouting, use the same precautions you do when hunting. Practice scent control, wear camouflage and minimize contact with deer. While you learn about them, it is important not to educate them about your intentions. The better the job you do scouting, the greater your chances of bowhunting success. It's not hard to catch a ball at the park. The hard part is knowing in which seat to sit. Bowhunting is the same way: getting the deer is not hard once you know where to sit!