When to scout
Scout year round if you can. In northern climates, scout when you have snow on the ground to see how the deer are moving and to give you a direction they are moving. During the springtime, look for tracks in mud or worn down paths that have been used recently. During the summer, look for anything that suggest they have been there. Scout every time you are at your hunting spot. You can never scout enough, the more you scout, the more success you will have come the next season.

What to look for
The big signs that deer are in the area is their droppings. Also look for beds and tracks. As fall approaches, look for rubs and scrapes, that is good indication a buck is in the area.

Other times to scout
Scout while in your stand while hunting. It doesn't hurt to scout while hunting. If anything, you may notice something different than before and you can adjust your location accordingly.