Hunting Public Land

[wiggle wart]

I learned a little on archery hunting in private land with a guy many would consider an expert. I hunted public land on my own last year and discovered how difficult it can be. No trail cameras, a climber stand, and little knowledge on deer movement in the area due to lack of time. I didn't shoot a deer last year but I'm not giving up. There is so much to learn. I've learned that there's much more to the sport than the kill, although that is the ultimate goal. I will keep trying and learning as I go. One thing I like is talking to other bow hunters who seem more than willing to share experiences. These are good folks. I'm excited and ready to try again this year. I may not shoot a deer, but I will learn more that's for sure.

[Flyflinger]

Don't give up there are some great deer on public ground. Just remember...you have to make yourself uncomfortable to be successful. What I mean by that is:

1. Don't get out of your stand all day durring the rut.

2. get away from the car, at least a mile.

3. Get some good topo maps and hunt the funnels..these are the natural escape routes for deer. When 10am rolls around all the other hunter will be getting down and walking in for lunch...thats when the action starts...as the deer will be pushed.

4. Take sent control very seriously...I started seeing 10X the amount of deer when I broke down and bought some scent lock cloths and payed close attention to the wind. You will never kil.l a big buck unless you watch the wind.

Good Luck!

[wiggle wart]

Don't give up there are some great deer on public ground. Just remember...you have to make yourself uncomfortable to be successful. What I mean by that is:

1. Don't get out of your stand all day durring the rut.

2. get away from the car, at least a mile.

3. Get some good topo maps and hunt the funnels..these are the natural escape routes for deer. When 10am rolls around all the other hunter will be getting down and walking in for lunch...thats when the action starts...as the deer will be pushed.

4. Take sent control very seriously...I started seeing 10X the amount of deer when I broke down and bought some scent lock cloths and payed close attention to the wind. You will never kil.l a big buck unless you watch the wind.

Good Luck!

Thank you. That was very helpful.

[David Unnerstall]

I, especially, agree with number three. I read the book "Mapping Trophy Whitetails" by Brad Herndon and it gave me familiarity and confidence hunting public land that I have never seen before.

[wiggle wart]

I, especially, agree with number three. I read the book "Mapping Trophy Whitetails" by Brad Herndon and it gave me familiarity and confidence hunting public land that I have never seen before.

Thanks! I bought that book last year. I have printed out topo maps of the areas I hunt, plus I look at Google Earth.

[Seth]

What public grounds are you hunting? I can pull up a topo and scout the area and see if we can find you some good funnels to set up on.

[wiggle wart]

What public grounds are you hunting? I can pull up a topo and scout the area and see if we can find you some good funnels to set up on.

I am hunting the masters area of Stockton Lake.

[wiggle wart]

I am hunting the masters area of Stockton Lake

That's so kind of you Seth, but I'll handle that part. I 'm just looking for a few tips that's all. I enjoy chatting with other bow hunters because most of them are willing to share ideas. That's part of the fun. Thanks again!

[oneshot]

I grew up hunting without Cameras or Stands,hunted with a Recurve Bow Wood Shafts.Learned to watch wind direction in terms of which way I expected the Deer to come from,I paid attention to my Camo even though it was very simple back then.

Practice,take your Time and put your Arrow where you want it.

oneshot

[slider]

I didn't put the arrow where I really wanted to friday evening, but the final result was a button buck about 75 yards from where I shot it. Slider