Alright fellers.. I know there are some sure enough killers on here... Figured we could educate some of the young bucks/lurkers on how to hunt public ground. I’ll start it off.

Hunt the people not the deer. Find where others hunt and go deeper. The deer are less pressured further from the road. Dragged a few out past other hunters who didn’t get in there deep.

Also, don’t be afraid to hunt off the ground or pack in a stand. Hunt where the deer are not where you want them to be...

Hunt the boundaries, during the week all day.

Most good public land hunters don't talk about hunting public land.

This.

I know... but some folks gotta learn somehow::. I was lucky enough to have a sho nuff killer show me how to do it.

Thanks for the tips. I hunt the Cahaba River WMA as I wasn’t having much better success in a Bibb Co club after the past 5 years. I decided I could use the exercise scouting and save some $$ going back to the WMA which I hunted for a few years before joining a club. My biggest challenge is the pines and how to hunt the varying age stands. Basically hunting the edges near acorns has not worked well, even to spot the occasional doe. The deer are there though, each rifle hunt people kill bucks 10pt and bigger.

Hunting pines is tough. The biggest thing you need to consistently see deer is time. You have to put boots on the ground. It’s not easy but if you put the time in you will find the deer.

talk to anyone who works there and ask where nobody hunts, dosen't have to be "way back in" just unhunted.

Maybe I can pick up a few pointers on here

Mid day if not all day.

Hunt the green fields, walk in 30 minutes after day light and loose lips sink ships

I try to speak with the people who work for the gas company when I can catch someone on the weekdays. I ask where they see deer (implying daytime movement) but asking where they don’t see people I am more likely to get useful information as they don’t report too many deer sighting. I agree putting in as much time as I can is always beneficial, I just want to do it as effectively as possible.

This!

When I lived near and hunted Choccolocca several years ago I almost always saw deer and very rarely was I " way back" in the woods. Saw some studs killed up there within 200 yds of the road. I think just finding unhunted spots is key or escape routes. Also never really quit scouting. Spent a lot of time scouting from the truck in and out of season; watching for deer and marking where others were hunting. I was also fortunate enough to always hunt mid week which I think helps as well.

I do think getting way off the beaten path has its place as well; just wanted to note the other as well.

I mostly hunt turkeys on public land. But if you ask me where I am going to lie.

The best tip I can give anyone for public land hunting is to scout early and often. Identify at least 5 areas you want to check out preseason using aerial and topo maps and then go put boots on the ground.

Don't try to hunt the entire WMA. Find an area or section, say between roads, and get to know it inside and out, if you don't find good sign, pick another section. It's easy to find yourself running all over the place looking for the perfect spot only to find out the season is over already.

Fred has it right.,,, hunt the hunters... and I’m with you out back I wouldn’t tell a soul where I knew some turkeys were... thankfully I have a lease for them:...

This happens very easy. I'll find a new spot to try and be thinking about being somewhere different while I'm hunting it. I end up convincing myself to get down too early and scout around.

I mainly hunt public land. And you can't be good everywhere. Find 1 or 2 spots and learn them. Another thing and this is a problem of mine. Stop posting pics of deer or kills. People see that and will move in on you quick. There is a bunch of good hunting for free out there. And I'm too lazy to walk in 3 moles. My spots are usually less than 500 yrds from my truck.

Yeah i get overwhelmed. Im all pumped about trying my new area. I get there and am already thinking about where else i need to check. I have killed deer on my way to my good spot. I have sat all day and not seen a thing then see deer back at my truck. Its always where road traffic is or that spot where u just dont want to hunt. I see more deer on public land around 9am seems like. I think id stay away from the green fields. Find some good sign and just wait it out. But u gotta walk til u find it