Public land deer hunting isn’t easy. It can be a challenging task. Finding ways to succeed in a challenging setting doesn’t make it simple. Without question, it comes with a high degree of barriers. But that doesn’t mean you have to follow the crowd.
In fact, it just might pay off to go against the grain, do things differently, and eventually succeed. So, check out the following tips and tactics, and consider implementing these methods when deer hunting public land this season.
- Bring a Group
Those who plan to hunt public lands usually don’t bring many. That’s for good reason. Telling too many people can kill the quality of a hunting area. But don’t let that deter you from bringing a small group of trusted individuals. A trusty friend or two along for the trip doesn’t hurt anything. Just make sure they understand the hunting code and don’t share it with anyone else.
- Still-Hunt a Lot of Ground
Some don’t like to still-hunt. It messes up the hunting, they say. But what’s the difference in a still-hunting route and a really long entry and exit path? Nothing at all. Done correctly, still-hunting is effective and does not mess up other people’s hunts. It’s a pretty deadly tactic, especially for gun hunters.
- Grunt and Rattle
Oftentimes, people advise against calling and rattling on public lands. In some instances, that’s solid advice. There’s just too much pressure to make it viable. But in other situations, where pressure seems to be lower, deeper into public tracts where there are fewer hunters, closer to private land borders where deer might respond from, and during the best times to call (i.e.: during the rut), calling is still viable.
- Bring a Deer Decoy
Many hunters choose not to use deer decoys on public lands. They deem it an unsafe hunting practice. During gun seasons, that’s true. But during archery season, it isn’t. Unless an area is just overrun with hunters, decoying (at the right time) can be an excellent advantage. Don’t look past using it during the late pre-rut through peak rut. (But maybe place a blaze orange collar around its neck to show other hunters it isn’t real.)
- Hunt the “Easy” Spots
Because public land has become so heavily pressured, a lot of hunters think all of the easy spots are overhunted. Therefore, they walk right by good areas with easy access because they assume they’re already targeted. While it’s OK to assume that, don’t write off an area until you know it’s burned. Throw a sit at it, or at least scout, to confirm and verify.
- Hunt the Weekends
It’s true, public lands get hunted most on the weekends. So, hunters are advised to hunt during the week to avoid other hunters. That’s a great tactic, but don’t completely avoid weekends. That said, use the hunting pressure to your advantage. If you know where other hunters hunt (or at least approach from), and how deer escape the area, circle wide and set up along good escape routes. Get there early (before other hunters start moving), stay all day long (to avoid spooking deer yourself), and be ready when other hunters push deer toward you. Use that hunting pressure to your advantage.
- Be the Last One There
More times than not, you’re better off getting to public land spots early. Getting there before other hunters ensures you get to hunt the area you planned for. But if you get there later, you risk other hunters hitting the area you hoped to sit. But if you aren’t beholden to a specific spot, it’s actually better to get their later, see where everyone is going, and go elsewhere. Avoid all of that hunting pressure and try an area that seems to be overlooked.
- Share Your Spots
Public land hunters have good reasons to be “selfish” with their hunting spots. It’s too easy to tell others, and then they or someone else burns the spot. In time, the entire area can get ruined. So, don’t share your hunting spots carelessly, but don’t be afraid to share it with someone new. Introduce someone new to hunting. Let them know you’re helping them in the short term, but they’ll eventually have to spread wings and fly. (Of course, you can remain good hunting buddies and continue hunting together.)
Tag Your Public Land Buck
Hunting on public land isn’t easy. It takes a lot of time and energy to “get it done,” as they say. But by going against the grain, and doing things a little differently than everyone else is (at the moment), you can move the odds closer to being in your favor. Do that, and you just might tag a public land buck.
