Scouting for '10

So I'm trying to get out there while there are still some leaves on the trees so I can get an idea for the natural shade canopy for this coming season. Also, maybe doing some soil prep work before the ground freezes to let it sit a little while. Anyways, it comes down to determining where to put in all my hard work at. There are a lot of farms around me with wooded areas more or less scattered around the area. Unfortunately they are not very large and I'm worried about people walking their land and finding stuff.

Speaking of scouting, EVERYONE MUST CHECK OUT NASA WORLDWIND!!! If you like google earth, this thing will blow your mind. Unlike Google Earth, Worldwind has topo map features which lets you see where buildings are located regardless of the aerial view, such as buildings hidden in the trees. It also has water sources mapped out. A few nice looking spots turned out having a building too close by, which saved me an afternoon of getting dirty or even more.

Back to the scouting, there are a few state park wilderness areas around, nothing huge but in the order of about 1,000 acres or smaller with additional surrounding wooded areas not within the park limits. I could either choose to roll the dice and go sneaking through farm fields or sneak off a trail somewhere and do my thing. I'm somewhat thinking the latter because I could have a ready-made excuse rather than explaining to a farmer with a shotgun. There is also the drawback of having more hikers wandering around and whatnot. I suppose a third option might be to find some large industrial type complex with neglected land. My goal is about 10-20 baby girls planted by next spring.

I'm in the exact same dilema, bro. I've written off the state park/hiking areas long ago and am leaning towards nearby undeveloped commercial property and leased hunting land.

Come on people, I know plenty of you guys have got to be doing some scouting about now for next season. My problem is in my area there are plenty of small wooded areas but almost none more than a mile or so in any one direction, if that gives you an idea. In my area all the true forests are state parks and whatnot. Would these small wooded areas be okay for say, 3 plants per site with about 3 different sites? I've noticed industrial type developments with small areas of woods nearby. It seems like these areas would be less appealing to people hiking around and the workers there probably wouldn't be in the business of walking around all the woods there. I'm sure a lot of you use mapping software and for those that do, what kind of things do you look for both to be near, and which to avoid like the plague. I kinda dropped the ball last season so I have to redeem myself this year.

FebreezeIt said:

Come on people, I know plenty of you guys have got to be doing some scouting about now for next season. My problem is in my area there are plenty of small wooded areas but almost none more than a mile or so in any one direction, if that gives you an idea. In my area all the true forests are state parks and whatnot. Would these small wooded areas be okay for say, 3 plants per site with about 3 different sites? I've noticed industrial type developments with small areas of woods nearby. It seems like these areas would be less appealing to people hiking around and the workers there probably wouldn't be in the business of walking around all the woods there. I'm sure a lot of you use mapping software and for those that do, what kind of things do you look for both to be near, and which to avoid like the plague. I kinda dropped the ball last season so I have to redeem myself this year.

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you sound pretty outa luck, I wouldnt dare even put in the effort only a mile away from civilization.. but man this nasa thing is way better then google earth

I will check out Nasa worldwide! Thank you, smell good spray face!

FebreezeIt said:

Come on people, I know plenty of you guys have got to be doing some scouting about now for next season. My problem is in my area there are plenty of small wooded areas but almost none more than a mile or so in any one direction, if that gives you an idea. In my area all the true forests are state parks and whatnot. Would these small wooded areas be okay for say, 3 plants per site with about 3 different sites? I've noticed industrial type developments with small areas of woods nearby. It seems like these areas would be less appealing to people hiking around and the workers there probably wouldn't be in the business of walking around all the woods there. I'm sure a lot of you use mapping software and for those that do, what kind of things do you look for both to be near, and which to avoid like the plague. I kinda dropped the ball last season so I have to redeem myself this year.

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That's what I do! Three plants here, two plants there, one plant over there..... 50-75 yards is as close as I get them to each other. I had a pleasant surprise this season with a single plant that was off by itself. It did really well and I yielded more off of it than two plants that I had in another area, so not only do you stand less chance of all your shit getting found in one fell swoop but you may also see that some spots are more receptive and get better natural help with water, sunshine, and soil (other than the soil that you would bring in for getting started).

Hell yea, try the nasa version and you'll never use google earth again! But how far would you guys be willing to travel to get to your location? Like I said, I don't live near any large forests, mostly scattered here and there. So I had the idea that I might want to find an area where it would be difficult for people to stop to check out, aside from someone walking in. Luckily there aren't any homeless people that would be camping out in these areas. But I figure, if someone would have to be dropped off to scout out the location, someone wouldn't be very likely to do that, especially if there isn't a very big likelyhood of anything being out there. My biggest concern would be kids exploring, like I used to do when I was young. Adults have less time on there hands and if the area isn't very suitable for hiking or hunting, there is less likelyhood of someone going out there. I dunno, I'm still trying to find some spots worth putting the effort in so any advice is appreciated.

So I've made a little progress, I'm debating between either a swamp or a marsh or up in a tree. With a swamp or marsh I would feel more secure because most people when they are exploring don't wanna get their feet soaked and a thousand mosquito bites. Also, growing in a marsh or swamp would allow for quick and easy watering. Growing in a tree poses its own little hazards such as breaking your neek falling out of it, haha. On the other hand, not many people go looking for grow ops up in the tree canopy. I think I would have to do this in a pine tree because all the other trees will drop their leaves way before my project is finished. So yea, like I said before, not a lot of huge wilderness areas so I gotta make do with what I got. There are a lot of farmer's fields and small forested areas here and there. I think if I go with a swamp or tree grow I can make out with a respectable crop, safetly.

Well i would go with the swamp because itz on the ground and easier than having too climb a tree to water it and shit and it will be more noticible to the helicopters sooo ya just pack plenty of mosquito spray and watch out for dem moccasins and crocs happy growin