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Here in Calif, you would therefore tend to hunt the north facing slopes during the bow season and the south facing slopes during the rifle.
The purpose of an early scouting trip will therefore be to identify bucks in a general area.
Set up on a crossroads of 2 trails for archery, or overlooking it for rifle.
Nobody is going to tell you where they have seen deer. In fact, they are more likely to lie to you just like a poker player.
... Also, if you feel froggy you can walk 5 miles down to honeybee creek.