Hunting public land is a huge challenge. There are millions of acres of public land in the United States. With private land prices growing more expensive each year, new hunters are forced to either join a clubs with annual dues or hunt public land. Some new hunters are fortunate enough to lease private land from timber cooperations or private land owners. Both of which can be difficult to acquire and both require money. With all these difficult obstacles to overcome that require a substantial amount of money, public land is often the best choice for new hunters to get a taste of hunting the elusive whitetail deer.
This post will cover the basic steps for a new hunter to be successful hunting public land.
What to do before the hunt
This section will cover three critical steps to complete before ever setting foot on the public ground you choose to hunt this season.
- Step 1: How to choose the best public land to hunt
This first step requires some research. If you live in a state with whitetails, chances are you have some access to public land within an hour or two from where you live. Of course some states are more hunter friendly then others. If you are in a state that discourages hunting, you might want to consider planning a diy hunt outside your home state. Liberal regulations against hunters do more harm to conservation then any disease the whitetail deer faces. Regardless, if you choose to hunt your home state or plan an out of state hunt, spend some time in the off season researching different public grounds.
One question you should answer when researching different areas to hunt is, what areas produce.
This question can be difficult to answer. However, you can get an general idea of the hunting pressure by researching the past season harvest statistics. Most states offer harvest stats for their public land areas to the public. In most cases, you can visit a state’s department of natural resources or wildlife and fisheries web site and, with a little digging, you can find harvest statistics for each public land tract where hunting is allowed.
By reviewing harvest statistics, you can easily determine which areas consistently produce and which ones seem to not produce as many harvests. Harvest stats tell you two things. One, the area contains a good number of deer. Two, the area contains a substantial number of hunters. I typically like to hunt areas with less hunters. Even though there might not be a huge deer population in less popular areas, you can still be very successful if you properly scout and hunt deer with less exposure to hunters.
- Step 2: once you decide the specific public land tract you choose to hunt, learn the regulations and boundaries
Learning the specific regulations pertaining to the public land you choose to hunt will save you frustration and possibly an unpleasant visit by the local wildlife officers. Learning the boundaries are also critical for a pleasant hunting experience.
Regulations are often easy to research online. Most states post their regulations on websites, some states also offer free regulation pamphlets on paper at local Walmarts and other stores where hunting licenses are sold. I highly recommend grabbing a couple pamphlets if you purchase your license at store.
Make sure to research the specific area you choose to hunt. Often regulations for public land are more strict and the seasons are shorter then regulations for private land.
In most cases public land areas will not allow any permanent hunting stands. Therefore, you will need to decide on what type of portable stand you will hunt with. You can also choose to simply hunt from the ground if the terrain allows for decent shooting areas.
It is also critical to understand boundaries on government land. I have hunted ducks on public water the contain refugees. Some public lands throughout the country contain refugees much like public water. Boundaries for archery season only are common as well as boundaries for planted food sources that are restricted from hunting.
Of course one of the more common problems of misunderstanding boundary lines is knowing where private land borders public land. One of the quickest ways to get find is trespassing on private land. Avoid this mistake at all costs!
Online maps are a great way to get familiar with boundaries. Most federal and state owned land offer maps indicating boundaries and restrictions for each. Not all boundary lines are clearly marked with paint. Lines can easily be misinterpreted if you do not take the time to research by using a map.
Take time to familiarize yourself with all the boundary lines and restrictions for each.
- Step 3: Take advantage of free online maps to pinpoint areas most likely to contain deer activity
There are a ton of free maps online that allow a new hunter to narrow down promising locations to find deer on public land. I personally use google earth. It’s a simple free tool which will zoom in close enough to ground level to reveal changes in terrain and more importantly, changes in habitats. You can also download better quality maps for a small fee. However if you just look for the different types of timber and how creeks flow through a tract of land, you can gain a great amount of knowledge about the terrain and habitat.
I focus on locating creeks, thickets, and areas where the habit changes. A great example of habitat change is where hardwoods border up next to a young tract of pines. This type of timber transition will often be traveled by deer.
Also by looking at arial maps, you can immediately gain an understanding of the different roads and access points throughout the public land you wish to hunt.
Once you have completed the three steps listed above you can move on to the next major key to having success deer hunting public land.
Scouting
Scouting is probably the most important key to success when hunting any animal. New hunters often overlook the importance of this step. Don’t make this critical mistake. Seasoned hunters know the number one key to successful hunting a new tract of land is scouting.
- Map out your general hunting area
As mentioned in step 3, use arial maps to locate promising locations to hunt. Once you have located these location on a map, hit the woods! Take a gps and plenty of water with you.
- Dedicate time to scout on the ground
If possible, dedicate as much time as you possibly can scouting. I have a limited amount of vacation time to hunt every year. I’m sure most of you can relate to this problem. So, I typically dedicate full day to scout before I hunt if I’m hunting new ground. While I’m hunting, I also try to scout and observe deer activity. The more time you can scout the better your odds are for bagging that buck on public land.
- Basic scouting methods
I try to focus on finding trails and food sources when scouting. Take a good pair of binoculars with you. You can scan for acorn trees, honey suckle vines and persimmon trees from a distance. Another great trick for new hunters having difficulty locating deer trails is, walk creek banks. Creek bank crossings are easy to find and often reveal trails traveled by deer. Also creeks often have soft dirt which allow hunters to easily locate deer tracks and the direction majority of the deer have recently traveled. This can indicate where the bedding areas are.
- How to scout for the specific time in the season you plan to hunt
Depending on what time of year you plane to hunt will dictate how to scout public land. If you plan to hunt the rut, you should look for rubs and scraps. Also focus on scouting and hunting near thickets as well as heavy traveled trails for the rut. If you plan to hunt early season or late season focus on finding food sources.
- Scouting food sources
Food sources are a great for early season and late season hunts. Most people focus on acorns and fruit such as persimmons. However, there are two types of food sources that people often overlook. Honeysuckle vines and black berry vines are great food sources for you guys that hunt where these plants are available.
- Scouting to hunt the rut and pre rut
When scouting the pre rut focus on finding scraps and rubs. Often scraps that are fresh and near food sources can be dynamite for killing big deer. Another tip, look for scraps with fresh urine spots in the soil. This often indicates the rut is about to begin. During the pre rut, buck often routinely check their scraps and can be sighted more often during daylight hours.
When scouting for the rut focus on finding thickets and travel routs. I like to find corridors where deer are traveling around thick areas. Try to find vantage points from the ground or from a tree where you can see long distances near thick areas. Bums often cruise these areas in search of a hot doe.
- Summary
If you want to be successful hunting whitetail on public land you have to scout. Scouting will eliminate wasted hours in the woods hunting. Dedicate as much time as possible to scouting. You will not regret it!
Gearing up for the hunt
There are a few items I recommend you bring with you for hunting public land.
Obviously, the weapon you choose to hunt with is a must. The second essential item is your hunting platform or blind.
Choosing a hunting platform
There is a huge variety of hunting stands and blinds to choose from. My all time favorite for public land hunt is a climbing stand. Climbing stand are portable and will work in just about any area I hunt. However, hunting slings are gaining popularity because they are lite weight and extremely versatile. Also, pop up blinds are great for public land hunting as well. I recommend you research all three and decide which type will work best for you. I might also add, a lot of hunters simply hunt from the ground by utilizing good camp clothing and stacking brush around their sitting area to break up their human outline.
Basic essentials for you backpack
Below is a list of items I bring in my back pack.
- Binoculars
- Two skinning knives
- Multitool
- Basic first aid kit
- Compass
- Two flashlights
- Fifty foot of parachute cord
- Two cigarette lighters
- Water
- Snacks
- Extra pair of socks
- An emergency whistle
- Ammo
- Grunt call
There are several other items you can bring such as extra ammo or clothing. I also bring an emergency blanket if I am hunting during the cooler parts of the season. However, if you are hunting public land, the less weight you have to deal with the better you can cover ground and get away from the heavily pressured areas.
Time for the hunt!
Now the exciting part!! This is what you have waited for and spent so much time preparing for. You have spent your time wisely be properly scouting and preparing for this day. Now it is time to execute the final part of your journey In hunting whitetail on public land.
- Traveling to your hunting spot.
There are a few tips I recon you try while traveling to your hunting spot.
First, allow yourself plenty of time to travel. The earlier you can get to your spot the better. You will be able to beat other hunters to the area by simply waking up an hour earlier then the other guys at the camp grounds.
Secondly, park your vehicle near an intersection if possible. This will confuse other hunters of where you are exactly hunting. By doing this you can possibly keep your spot a secret from other hunters that poach spots instead of doing their own scouting.
The third tip, be as stealthy as possible. By being stealthy you reduce the possibility of tipping off the deer you are in the area. Of course wind direction should always play into you hunting location, stealth is almost as important when approaching your hunting spot.
Finally, wind direction is critical for approaching a stand. Always attempt to approach down wind of you hunting spot. When scouting, it is wise to plan different entrance routes and stand locations for different wind directions.
- The hunt
First and foremost, enjoy being out there!! Take it in and enjoy the sights and sounds of the wild woods.
Secondly, observe as much as possible. Listen for movement and other animals such as squirrels and wood peckers sounding alarm calls.
Finally, if you see a deer, try to stay calm and be patient. The longer you can watch a deer the better your chances is to make a good shot. Shot placement is critical especially when bow hunting. Take your time, breath and focus on your target.
Success!
If you are fortunate enough to to get a shot at a deer, you have experienced a successful hunt. Regardless if you kill one or not, simply getting a deer in range is a huge accomplishment.
However, if you do kill one, you need to get the meat out of the woods and into your ice chest. Some people like to field dress their deer others prefer to haul their harvest out then skin the deer. I prefer the latter.
I recommend skinning your harvest in a somewhat controlled environment. By doing this, the meat will stay cleaner and you don’t have to spend hours in the dark working with under a flashlight.
So how do you get a deer carcass out of the woods? There are several products you can use for this task. There are deer carts that work great. I have used a homage sled made of plastic. You can simply go to Lowe’s and purchase a plastic trough and easily convert it into a sled. For more homemade ideas check back with us at Americanhuntingsafari.com for upcoming ideas and tips.
Summary
Take advantage of the tips in this post. If you can simply follow these basic steps you will be successful. Hunting public land is an incredible challenge for a new hunter however, anyone can do it with a little preparation and dedication. I cannot guarantee you success by reading this post but if you stick with it and continue to follow the tips shared in this post you will experience success sooner rather then later.
I hope this post has brought vale and knowledge to you guys! I have been hunting since I was 7 years old. I love every part of it and want to encourage as many people as possible to give it a try!
Thank you for reading this post! Check out our website Americanhuntingsafari.com for more useful tips and tricks for hunting and fishing.