March Matters: Shed Hunting, Habitat Work & Scouting for Big Bucks
Written by: Ryan Reading, Fall Obsession Pro Staff
As winter loosens its grip and the landscape begins to thaw, whitetail deer enter a critical transition phase. March is a month of renewal in the deer woods—bucks are recovering from the physical toll of the rut, does are preparing for fawning season, and food sources are shifting from winter browse to early spring growth. For hunters and land managers, this period presents a valuable opportunity. Shed hunting provides insight into a buck’s winter range, habitat work shapes the coming season’s success, and postseason scouting unveils key patterns that will dictate deer movement in the fall. By investing time in these three areas now, you’ll set the stage for better hunting when the leaves turn later in the year.
Shed Hunting: More Than Just Finding Antlers
Shed hunting isn’t just about collecting antlers—it’s an investigative process that reveals where bucks spent their time during the harshest months of the year. When a buck drops his antlers, it signals that his testosterone levels have reached their lowest point. This generally occurs between late January and early March, with older bucks shedding earlier than younger ones.
The best shed hunters understand that finding antlers requires an understanding of late-season deer behavior. Whitetails are energy conservers in the winter months, sticking close to high-calorie food sources and bedding in areas that offer protection from the wind. Focus your search on south-facing slopes, where deer soak up warmth from the sun, and around thick bedding cover such as cedar thickets or tall switchgrass fields. Fence crossings, creek banks, and feeding areas—especially late-season food plots with leftover corn, beans, or brassicas—are prime locations where antlers are jarred loose.
Finding sheds offers more than just a glimpse at a buck’s headgear; it tells you whether a specific deer survived the winter, where he was spending time, and potentially how he’ll use the area next year. Additionally, sheds can indicate which bucks made it through hunting season, providing a preview of next fall’s potential shooter list. For hunters managing property, collecting sheds year after year can reveal growth trends, allowing for better age structure analysis and long-term management decisions.
Spring Habitat Management: Preparing for the Year Ahead
March is a pivotal month for landowners and habitat managers. The deer woods are at their most exposed—foliage is minimal, bedding areas are clearly visible, and food sources are in transition. This makes it the perfect time to implement habitat improvements that will shape deer movement for the upcoming seasons.
One of the most effective habitat strategies in March is hinge cutting, a technique where trees are cut partially through and laid over to create thick, brushy bedding cover. This not only provides deer with immediate security but also allows sunlight to reach the forest floor, promoting new growth that serves as both food and cover. Focus hinge cutting efforts on areas near food sources or along transition zones where deer naturally travel. This will encourage bucks to bed closer to your stand locations, increasing your chances of catching them during daylight hours in the fall.
March is also the ideal time for food plot preparation. While spring planting is still a few weeks away, now is when soil tests should be conducted to determine pH levels and nutrient needs. A well-balanced food plot starts with the right soil conditions. Lime and fertilizer applications should be planned based on test results to optimize plant growth. If frost seeding clover is on the agenda, the best time to do it is when daytime temperatures rise above freezing but the ground still experiences nighttime frost. The natural freeze-thaw cycle helps work the seeds into the soil, ensuring good germination.
Another often-overlooked aspect of spring habitat work is edge feathering—the process of softening the transition between open fields and wooded cover by cutting trees along the edges. This creates an ideal browse area where deer feel secure while feeding. Unlike large open fields that make deer wary, these “softer” edges encourage daylight movement, making them great stand locations for early and late-season hunts.
Scouting for Next Season: Reading the March Landscape
Most hunters focus their scouting efforts in the summer or just before hunting season, but March scouting is arguably the most valuable. Why? Because the sign left behind from last fall’s rut is still fresh, and deer movement patterns are highly visible before spring vegetation conceals everything.
Start by examining last season’s rubs and scrapes. While scrapes aren’t as active in March as they were in November, they still reveal critical information about where bucks felt comfortable moving. A cluster of rubs can indicate a buck’s preferred travel route, while scrapes near bedding areas suggest he was marking territory close to where he felt secure. Connecting these dots can help predict movement patterns for the upcoming season.
Another benefit of March scouting is identifying overlooked stand locations. During the hunting season, human pressure often dictates how deer move. By walking your property now, you can find escape routes and bedding areas that may have gone unnoticed. If you consistently see trails skirting your primary stand locations, it might be time to adjust for next year.
Trail camera deployment in March is also a valuable tool. Many hunters take their cameras down after the season, but keeping a few in strategic locations—such as mineral sites, old scrapes, or transition areas—can provide post-season inventory. This helps determine which bucks survived the winter and how deer are using the land before their patterns shift with spring green-up.
March Work Pays Off in the Fall
Many hunters pack away their gear after the season, but those who stay active in the woods through March gain an invaluable edge. Shed hunting provides tangible clues about buck survival and movement patterns. Habitat work, from hinge cutting to food plot preparation, influences how deer will use the landscape in the months ahead. And strategic scouting reveals insights that can lead to better stand placements and smarter hunting strategies.
The work done in March won’t offer instant gratification, but it’s an investment that pays dividends when autumn arrives. By taking the time to analyze deer behavior, enhance habitat, and refine hunting plans, you’ll be setting the stage for a season filled with more opportunities—and hopefully, a few more filled tags.
Offering my opinion is usually something I try to avoid, but on this occasion, I'll make an exception. March through May are considered optimal times to prepare woods and observe deer behavior. Performing hunting-related tasks can sometimes be challenging. Cutting trails from March until May is recommended as it will be easier to navigate the timber and brush before they fully grow, making cutting simpler. Full green-up may only require slight trimming.
Having stands located where large bucks were observed the prior year is critical. These stands should be moved or set between March and May. It's essential to manage properties efficiently by placing stands and trail cameras in locations with consistent buck sightings since multiple bucks often use areas deemed safe. This could be near bedding areas during early season or doe bedding and trails during rut. Observing buck patterns helps in determining stand and camera placement.
After May, setting tactacam trail cameras for the season duration and planting food plots in mid to late August are the primary activities. By August, all preparations are typically completed. Utilizing twenty-four cameras across 300 acres helps track deer movement effectively. Adopting a learning approach is beneficial; there is a time for observing and a time for applying learned strategies when pursuing deer.
In summary, maximize the use of hunting property and seasons. If managing hunting property is possible, it's advised to make the best use of available resources and assistance while keeping processes simple and effective.
