You have to remember one thing when looking for Summertime Bucks. They're carrying around antlers on their heads that are covered with velvet that has millions of nerve endings and blood vessels in them. They know they have to protect their velvet from bugs and things that might scuff up their head gear.

They prefer to stay in semi-open terrain where there are breezes to keep the bugs and branches to a minimum.

I find many bucks in the same general area as Does during the Summer. Fields are a great place to glass in the mornings and evenings.

My favorite places to search for Summer Bucks are pipeline and power line right of ways. This is true especially if I'm scouting a new area or want to see what quality of Bucks the current area holds.

In some states, you can actually spotlight Deer at night. Just be sure to check your local regulations before doing this!

Summertime scouting for deer also gives you the chance to pattern the Does. Chances are they'll stick around the entire year. It helps to try and learn their patterns as well.

Of course, as the food sources change, so will the patterns. In agriculture areas, those patterns don't seem to change as much as they do in Deep Woods. Keep that in mind when you're scouting your hunting area.

Don't overlook watering holes. Although Whitetail Deer don't water like Cattle, in arid regions, especially as the Summer temps rise, they'll visit watering holes a lot more often than people think.

I've actually watched Does playing in an old Slough one year while Squirrel hunting. So expect the unexpected. Deer like water a lot more than hunters give them credit for.

I like to cruise rivers and large creeks and look for deer crossings. If I can find several on a stretch of the River, then I'll set up a ways away with binoculars or a spotting scope so I can see all the crossings. I'm looking for bucks that use these crossings and trying to find out which river crossing they may be using. This way, come hunting season, I can have my stand in the right place.

Early season buck hunting can be hot. So make sure you wear cool clothing and take along some water or other refreshments. It's not worth having a heat stroke over!

Remember that Deer get hot also. They're wearing a fur coat year round. You can also find them where it's cool. Try places around water, North sides of Mountains and ridge lines and any place they can catch a breeze.

So gear up and get out there early. There's no shame in ending your season the first week!