The afternoon started in abject failure. Trees blocked the river in both directions. We were covered in cobwebs, decaying bark, and more sweat than is befitting a mid-October day. There would be no ducks or trout in this spot.

My oldest son and I were on a two-fold mission: locate a new waterfowl hole while also identifying some late-season fishing opportunities.

The next three locations were even less successful. Long and winding drives essentially led to dead ends. No access, no water, or NO TRESSPASSING  wasn’t what the maps indicated. But that was the reality we faced.

Then, on a last second jerk-the-steering-wheel-because-that-looks-like-water maneuver, we were presented with what looked better than everything we had planned on looking at. Within ten minutes there were two birds in the boat and we were surrounded by evening swirls as fish pursued their evening meals. Not bad for  a last resort.

I shouldn’t be surprised. At least once a season for as long as I can remember I’ve stumbled upon something excitingly surprising for hunting or fishing. There isn’t a formula for serendipity. But here are four ways to think about and undertake thorough scouting:

Start anywhere your target might be.

Fish swim in water. Ducks land in swamps. Deer walk… everywhere. If you’ve been hunting or fishing for any length of time, ruling out somewhere because it “probably isn’t any good” is probably the right impulse. But probably and definitely are not the same. Wildlife can be patterned. But animals also act unpredictably by our standards. I consistently caught decent panfish in what was essentially a drainage ditch behind some massive concrete data center buildings in Northern Virginia. The only reason I stopped to look at it was because it was water. A blue line or a swampy looking spot is worth a look. Just a look won’t hurt, and has the potential to be great.

Use all the resources.

At this moment in history we’re spoiled. I can think of five free and paid apps that I reference when I’m scrolling around my local landscape. The information on ownership, access, flows, history, and topography is astounding. Cross-referencing said sources also allows me to get clarification or to ensure I have the latest data. Beyond the digital, local word of mouth can offer everything from a honey hole to a map quadrant. Recently I struck up a conversation at a local general store. “So and so knows about waterfowl” turned into a discreet nod when I mentioned a river I was planning on hunting this season. Don’t eschew the old ways; just don’t expect to have your hand held.

Get in a combination of road and trail miles.

An afternoon chasing wary, rising brown trout started with driving around and peering over every bridge and culvert we saw on the map. Exploration can be part of the fun. Drive down one more road. Hike around another bend. Your car puts you in more settings, and your feet get you more details. Instead of just staring at Google Maps, head to some pins and get the lay of the land (or water) yourself. Rarely are expectations and what we see with our own eyes  perfectly in line. What looks like a field may indeed be a weedy pond. That perfect mountain  creek might actually be dry ever summer. But get out there and confirm: nothing ventured, etc.

Don’t be afraid to turn around or back out.

If I had an odometer that recorded the distance I’ve traveled in reverse on narrow gravel roads, I’m confident you’d be slightly impressed. Why is this a statistic I boast in? If anything, I do think it reflects an optimistic ambition. An ambition that might not always be the most well thought out, but an ambition nonetheless. Whether it be behind the wheel of your not-exactly-4×4 or in your hiking boots, pushing a little past where you might want to stop can pay off. I’ve only been confronted by hermit-adjacent folks and dogs a few times. Don’t be foolish. But don’t miss out on something good because you didn’t give it a little more effort.