Around here in Montana, mid-July usually means floating the Madison River, throwing back cold ones, and dodging the summer heat. But if you want to tag a wall-hanger this fall, it’s time to shift gears.
According to whitetail guru Scott Bestul in an insightful piece for Field and Stream, the real secret to early-season archery success starts right around Independence Day. Bestul profiles Bob Borowiak, a 76-year-old hunting savant who has bagged over 30 Pope & Young bucks by treating July like it’s prime time. Even though Bob hunts the Midwest, his masterclass in summer scouting translates perfectly to our sweeping Montana river bottoms and alfalfa fields.
The Big Picture vs. The Digital Blindspot
We live in an era obsessed with cellular trail cameras, but Borowiak’s method is old-school. He doesn’t rely on digital images; he uses high-end glass from 500 to 600 yards away.
Here is why your scouting strategy needs a summer upgrade:
- Ditch the Tunnel Vision: Trail cameras only show you a tiny sliver of the woods. Borowiak notes:”Cameras are definitely a good tool and part of my scouting, but they are limited in their ability. They only give a small glimpse of what’s happening out in a field, while I can get a big picture view with my spotting scope.”
- The Ultimate Blind: You don’t need a stealthy hike every night. Borowiak often uses his truck parked on a public road edge. Deer are completely habituated to traffic noise, meaning you can judge velvet racks without ever blowing your scent into the area.
- Plan the Escape: If you do hike in to glass, prioritize your exit route. Never set up so close to a summer food source that you bust the herd when it gets dark.
Debunking the “Strict Pattern” Myth
A lot of hunters think mature bucks follow a strict, daily itinerary. Borowiak calls BS on that. Older deer have preferred home ranges and safe zones, but they aren’t punching a time clock. They mix up their bedding spots and rotate through available food—whether that’s soybeans out east or Montana alfalfa and acorns.
Instead of hyper-focusing on one deer’s supposed routine, Borowiak scouts to find areas where multiple mature bucks overlap, keeping his options wide open for the opener.
The Takeaway for Big Sky Hunters
If you’re just setting up on fresh sign in September and hoping for the best, you’re playing a losing game. As Borowiak admitted about his early years:
“I spent the first 8 years hunting deer that didn’t exist… That all changed when I started putting in my time, doing the long-range glassing and really trying to get a handle on what deer are out there.”
So, take a break from the standard Montana summer routine. Grab a spotting scope, find a high vantage point, and start tracking those velvet giants before anyone else even thinks about opening their gear bins.
For the full breakdown on Bob’s strategy, check out the original article by Scott Bestul via Field & Stream.
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