The place Ive hunted for 5 years sold after this season and the new land owners aren't too keen on hunting. SO now I've got look for a new place to hunt which is odd for me because I always had a place. This may be an extremely dumb question but I have to ask. How is public hunting with bow? Ive always heard horror stories for gun week but nothing really about bow. Also Ive only ever hunted farms so I feel like I will be very unprepared for this coming season. How would you actually plan a hunt on public land? How do you scout public land , I doubt leaving trail cams is a safe idea. Like I said I know this sounds very stupid but Ive always had a place to hunt and Ive always hunted with my dad so this is kind of all new this year. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Just get a map of the public land you are hunting. Look for the normal stuff pinch points, funnels etc.. I also walk the land a ton get comfortable with entrance and exits for different winds and find the bedding areas. I always use cameras, just don't put out your best ones I use cheap moultrie a-5 cams. Do the job and if stolen only out 60$ but I always lock them, however if someone wants to take it they will find a way unfortunatly. Pressure is def less during bowseason compared to gun, you will still run into people. Best advice that hAs worked for me is go in deep places where other will not go. Bring a deer cart because when you kill one 2 miles from your truck you'll learn quick that you should have a cart hah. Also I have had great luck hunting saddles and selfs in hillsides, I'm hunting public in SE ohio tho and it's really hilly. I have connected on some nice bucks where I hunt public biggest being a 140" 9 point, just need to put some boots on the ground and prepare to sit all day long during pre rut and rut. Best of luck, don't listen to peopl when they say it can't be done.
