Public Land Tactics

Do you public land hunters subscribe more to the concept of going in farther than others are willing to go, or finding overlooked areas that most may not think holds any deer, or both/and?

I enjoy hearing other hunters' thoughts and ideas on this subject. Currently doing sort of a mid-season re-evaluation of my own tactics thru seasons end.

I think it depends on the land and how they are using it. Most of the public land I've scouted has so many roads that there really isn't a such thing as farther or deeper. Where I hunt, some of the best places are right next to the roads anyways. IMO the traffic has little impact on their behavior long term. I don't know how many times I've parked and bumped deer that were bedded down 50 yards away when I start walking to my spot. It's all about bedding areas, food sources, and travel routes. Pretend that there are no roads. Study the land and their patterns.

Where you're hunting seems similar to the public ground I've been hunting too. Lot of road or trail access so you can walk in "deep" only to find you're 50 yards from another road you could've driven another 10 mins to get to.

Seems also a lot of the best bedding areas are within 100 yards of where I usually park. I suppose you just have to truly look at terrain features mostly.

I've killed deer outta trees I could see vehicles riding by on state and public land. Most people try to go farther in than the other hunters. Look for funnels/terrain in places most people don't hunt. Dirt roads show deer crossings, look for those. If ya got time to waste, ride around and see where folks are hunting then, find your own place. Google earth will show you a lot. I looked for swamps alot, killed a lot of deer in the swamps, just kept hip waters with me. Good luck.

Good morning. I too am in the same boat as far as public land stratagies are concerned, however I am just in my 2nd season of learning public land. Plus I only hunted 4 times last season and I've only been 5 times so far this year, so therefore not enough time in the woods on my behalf. That is about to change for January....I hope!

Never enough time for the things you love!

I've been trying to go in farther so far, but only .50 mile, which isn't far. I have places picked out over a mile in, just haven't been in yet. But going back to what you asked, if every article you read tells guys "to go in farther", then I too have wondered if that's what everyone is doing? I sometimes think these hunting articles refers to the massive public lands out west. Then, throw in this crazy weather this year. Sorry, BUT WHEN IT'S HOT, I DO NOT GO JUST TO GO!!

Also, I have 2 places where I literally used a machete to create a trail to where I wanted to get. Made those pre-season. In other words thick to walk through, but opens up to where I'm hunting. Have no clue if it will work, my strategy that is.

I have been trying to look for terrain features so far that funnel the deer through the woods. Like the other guy said, too many roads everywhere for access. I'm trying to find places with no roads of any kind, including old logging roads.

I found 2 potential spots pre-season, one with incredible sign, other jumped a single deer when I got there, however SO EASY to access. I was bummed!! Means every other Tom, Dick, & Harry could see the sign too.

I literally have 10 places picked out and recorded but have yet to see, scout, or hunt.

Plus there is the food factor, I know deer have to eat but hell, I don't know what they want this time of the year? Acorns should be gone, your maple leaves and such are gone, so green briar? Why I'm looking for land features.

I don't know how much I will be in the woods for the next 6 weeks, hopefully a lot, but I will probably be hunting/scouting at the same time. I'll put on my ghillie leaf suit, grab my bow, and still hunt my way in. Plus I'm hunting from the ground so I don't have to worry about toting a treestand.

Lot to learn, but I love the challenge! Love being in the woods! NWALJM, good luck to you as well as others, feel free to PM me if you've like to discuss strategies/notes sometime.

Thanks!