Hey guys I'm kinda new to this forum, but I was wondering if y'all had any tips on bow hunting public land? Just any tips in general because I recently lost my lease so I'm stuck with public land! Thanks in advance guys!!
Go where other hunters won't. Last year I took a canoe into the river and setup in an area that wasn't accessible via the WMA roads, so that meant I was totally alone. There were deer everywhere! Also be sure to spend a good amount of time scouting. Generally, don't hunt in the areas where there are pull offs. The hard it is to access, the less likely it will be that someone will walk in on you. I've had great luck with going further in than most people are willing to, and while it can be a PITA to get the deer out, IMO, it's well worth it.
I try to do this ask much as possible, but it seems that people always seem to find you! I'll try goin a little farther next time! Also I'll be scouting more! Thanks man!
Going in deep is good but don't get to caught up in getting way back from the road,sometimes there are good spots very close to roads/parking lots that everyone else just passes by thinking that they need to walk farther. Like MistawondaBread said,look for places that are hard to access or require a canoe or waders to get to.Creeks/rivers/lakes will stop most people from hunting in a area simply because they either don't have a boat or don't feel liking bringing one along. Avoid hunting weekends if possible because there are a lot fewer people out during the week therefore a lot less pressure and more land to yourself. If you have thousands and thousands of acres of public land then you could try liking way back in (like 8/10 miles) and then just camping out for a couple days.Be sure to check your regs before doing that though.
Hunt spots you think others will over look. I used to hunt a wma close to my house and have killed a few deer within sight of a busy parking area at that wma. I was probobly within 75-80 yards or less of the gravel lot.
Don't give up on a spot too quickly. Trust your scouting instincts and stick with a place. I showed a fella half a dozen good stand sites in a game-rich area and he hardly hunted any of them. Impatience and worrying about another spot on your mind is the enemy.
Google maps bing maps mapquest...offer good satellite Intel and can lead you to a little used access point (might need to get permission to cross private land). Used this tactic to get in the "back door" on public land.
The absolute best advice I can give you in hunting public land, no matter where or for what is to purchase a subscription to OnX maps for the state your hunting.
If your state has managed hunts put in for one, if nothing else if you get drawn it give you a second option if you get drawn. If you can find the other hunters use it to your advantage , get in early and stay later and set up where they will bump deer to you. There are always guys getting out late and leaving early.
High Rodger and welcome to the forum to help you with your question I recommend look for the food source such as acorns and easy travel areas deer are lazy and look for the easiest path of travel
Thats selfish and greedy. lands not cheap nowadays. It don't suprise me if it ends up being a suburban area. I hope the state buys it or another hunter thats biying that land. We still need farmer's and hunting deer on their land with full respect
I couldn't agree with ya any more man! They split the property too one is crop land and the other is hills
