Summer Deer Scouting in Ohio: Checking Trail Cams in the Heat

Hot Days and Tall Weeds

This weekend we headed to our lease near Newcomerstown, Ohio, to swap batteries in our trail cameras and do some summer deer scouting. On paper it sounded easy, but late August scouting is no joke.

The weeds were taller than my son Teddy in some spots, and the heat hit 89 degrees. Within minutes we were sweating through our clothes. Moving around in thick cover made it tough to see much, but we still picked up a few lessons about scouting deer in Ohio during the summer months.

Our Trail Camera Setup

We’ve got four cameras running right now:

1 Muddy cam

1 Fusion X Pro

2 DECEPTOR Max cams

Trail cameras are the best tool for scouting deer in summer, especially when the woods are overgrown. They capture movement we would miss in person and show us deer behavior around the clock.

One of the first surprises came from a scrape we found last winter. It’s no longer just a scrape — now it’s a hole dug deep into the ground. Around it were both deer and cow tracks, but something had definitely worked it over. Later that night, our cell cam at that exact spot sent us an image of a nice buck standing right over the scrape. That’s the kind of sign that makes sweating through August worth it.

What We Found While Scouting in August

This trip gave us a mix of challenges and discoveries:

Trails in the weeds: Even though the cover was thick, deer trails stood out clearly, cutting lines through the tall grass and weeds.

Old scrape turned hole: A scrape we marked months ago has become an active spot, with tracks and a buck caught on camera.

No live deer sightings: Other than what the trail cam captured, we didn’t see deer moving while we were out.

Wildlife encounters: Teddy spotted a butterfly on a branch, we ran into a giant spider guarding its tree hole, and Hannah took time to clear branches from the two-person stand she shares with Teddy.

These little details remind me that August deer scouting isn’t just about finding the deer you can see. It’s about piecing together the signs, patterns, and camera images to prepare for the season ahead.

Family in the Woods

The best part of the trip wasn’t just checking cameras — it was being out there together. Teddy rode on my shoulders to stay above the weeds, Hannah got their stand cleaned up for fall, and we all got a laugh despite the heat.

Hunting prep can feel like work, but when it turns into family time, it’s easier to push through the sweat and frustration. Even when deer don’t show, these afternoons build memories that last longer than any season.

Lessons Learned from Summer Deer Scouting

Here are my takeaways from this trip and why summer deer scouting in Ohio is still valuable:

1. Thick cover hides more than it shows. Once summer weeds grow up, it’s almost impossible to scout the same way you do in early spring. But clear deer trails still stand out, and those lines tell the story.

2. Trail cameras carry the load. In late summer, it’s the cameras that keep you connected. They run 24/7, catching movement you’d never see while walking through brush in the middle of the day.

3. Don’t expect instant results. Summer scouting doesn’t always mean spotting deer in person. It’s about setting yourself up for success in fall, when sign and movement are easier to read.

4. Scrapes can change. An old scrape might not look the same months later. Ours turned into a hole, and the buck image from that exact spot proves deer are still checking it out.

5. Family time makes the heat worth it. Even on days when it feels like you’re not getting much done, bringing your kids or spouse turns the grind into something enjoyable.

Wrapping It Up

This trip wasn’t glamorous. It was hot, sweaty, and overgrown. But that’s the reality of summer deer scouting. You won’t always spot deer with your own eyes, but trail cameras, old sign, and fresh tracks give you the puzzle pieces you need.

Most importantly, it’s time well spent. Between a nice buck showing up on the scrape cam, Hannah and Teddy getting their stand ready, and a few unexpected encounters (that giant spider won’t be forgotten anytime soon), the day was a win.

Even when summer scouting feels humbling, it builds the foundation for fall success — and creates memories along the way.