Hello, this is my first year bowhunting. I have really enjoyed reading all the information on this site over the past couple months, and I have learned a TON! I was wondering how many of you hunt public land, and how many continue to do so while it is gun season. I have talked to a couple people in my area that bowhunt and have heard mixed opinions. Some say that I should stay away from public land during gun season because it is too dangerous. Others have said that if you take the proper precautions you should be fine. I have yet to get my first deer and I am already addicted to the sport! Any help and opinion is appreciated!
this is my first year hunting as well, last year i moved into a house that is next to state land. and the reason i went with bow hunting is in the morning and evening it sounds like a fireing range. it seem for every 1 bow hunter there is 20 gun hunters. with a lot of people that will shot anything that moves (not all are like that) just my 2 cents!
As long as you wear orange you're fine (which in MN you legally have to during gun season). If you know how deer use the land and can get along escape routes or near security cover, the pressure can be a blessing in disguise.
I would pick your set up before gun season and personally wouldnt walk in when its dark but go in the afternoons for evening hunts. That's just me though. I'm not getting shot by some dumby. Wear orange, and like Fitz said it could be a blessing if you pick your spots right.
I hunt 95% public land, only because its smack in the middle of the 5 mile drive to school everyday, so I go before and/or after school. The one nature preserve around here is archery only, so that is real nice. The other is just state land, so anything goes basically. I haven't had any problems yet, and rarely do I even see anyone else. Not to say that someone couldn't blow you away with a 7mm at 300yds. I think if you make your presence known, yes even to the wildlife, nature eventually calms down, and your day will turn out good. Also try to find entrances that aren't used by many people, don't be afraid to walk out of your way to be safer. Good luck this season, that first deer will be the biggest rush.
I've been mostly public land until last year. I got on a lease last year and then again this year. And just picked up a 2nd lease that is a heck of a lot closer. Even with the leases I still venture out to public land some.
Thanks guys! I work tonight and Sunday night but I'm planning on an evening hunt Monday. I will let you know how it goes (hopefully in a "deer down" post).
I'm mainly private land, but hunted a couple times with my uncle on public land, once bow, twice gun. I used a climber for bow and didn't see anything, mainly because I didn't know much about the land so I climbed up a tree near some beaten up brush. Gun season is another story. Both time I went was last day of shotgun in NJ and both times we ground hunted from small rock ledges. Groups of people were driving at each other, it looked like a civil war scene. Good thing no one saw anything though. Like it was said, wear lots of orange, get in early, and pray no one messes up your hunt.
all i hunt is public land. i live in a state forest and that is where i hunt. Getting to know the land before you hunt it is the main thing. I just wouldnt show up on opening day and try to find a spot.
I live in an area where there are towns that don't allow gun hunting. Kinda cool because the woods are mine! LOL
