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Public Land Tips?
#6476654
10/02/16 04:21 AM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 34
buckedup
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 34 |
Any tips on what to look for or anything when hunting public land for a big buck? Specifically East Texas
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: buckedup]
#6476687
10/02/16 06:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,151
kry226
The General
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The General
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,151 |
I think it really depends on the specific piece of public land. I've hunted a lot of the WMAs/NFs in East Texas and I've come to four conclusions:
1. Go early. Be the first hunter on stand in the morning and the afternoon. 2. Learn the property, every nook and cranny. 3. Go where other hunters don't (if possible). 4. Hunt the fringes of the property. As other hunters "go deep", they'll push deer out to you.
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: buckedup]
#6476733
10/02/16 12:19 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,257
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,257 |
Study satellite images to find the more remote areas that also offer travel funnels and other pinch points that are more likely to create deer sightings. For example, near the corner of a bordering pasture is a great place for a stand site. Not wanting to cross on open pasture where they might be seen by predators, deer will "corner" around such open areas, creating a natural pinch point of travel.
IMO, public land has become one of the best places to find big bucks as a result of antler restrictions combined with laws that don't allow baiting. When it's twice as hard to find and shoot them, they're more likely to grow bigger and older.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: buckedup]
#6476824
10/02/16 01:56 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 60
Txfencebuilder s
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 60 |
Study it hard and get ready for people to be all around you unless u go where very few will walk some public does allow baiting that you will need to check on depending where in East Texas lots of hours in the stand will help the matter too. Don't except to see a ton of deer because it's probably not gonna happen
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: buckedup]
#6476853
10/02/16 02:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 186
Indyoshi
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 186 |
Id also say scout. If youre going to new land, first check google maps first to get a general idea of where. Then plan a stalk hunt the first round to scout and cover a little ground (if you plan to get in a tree). Also driving the roads at dusk and dawn is helpful (to me) where you see a bunch of deer on the road is a good place to start if not going super deep in the woods. Here is a vid I did on scouting online. Surely not the best one out there, but has a few good points to consider. I used this method yesterday in SHNF and saw 6/7 deer, pack of hogs, and a bobcat. Didnt get close enough for a shot on any. So little wind, stalking was rough. scout public land
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: buckedup]
#6476988
10/02/16 04:25 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,919
maximum
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,919 |
scout ahead of time. go to your spot and stay there. don't walk around. let everyone else walk around and spook the deer to you. you'll hear all the trucks starting up around 9 or so. buy a stand that you can stay in all day.
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: buckedup]
#6477485
10/02/16 11:02 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,862
swampthang
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,862 |
Hunt hard during the rut. The bucks,even mature ones,will be running around like their heads are on fire.
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: maximum]
#6477666
10/03/16 01:08 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,243
Erny
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,243 |
scout ahead of time. go to your spot and stay there. don't walk around. let everyone else walk around and spook the deer to you. you'll hear all the trucks starting up around 9 or so. buy a stand that you can stay in all day. This is very good advise. It apples to private land hunting as well.
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: buckedup]
#6477725
10/03/16 01:57 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,777
nak
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,777 |
Study the land and figure out the hardest places to get to...hunt there.
If you're walking less than a mile, you are in the wrong place.
We all need to practice Whoa more.
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: Texas Dan]
#6477873
10/03/16 03:26 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,614
1860.colt
emoji colt.45
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emoji colt.45
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,614 |
IMO, public land has become one of the best places to find big bucks as a result of antler restrictions combined with laws that don't allow baiting. When it's twice as hard to find and shoot them, they're more likely to grow bigger and older.
agree with this, & what maximum posted.. i used the hog hunts ( Jan Feb & March ) for scouting... As pappy once said: deer learn ta pattern the hunters , when hunters leave ta eat or rest, deer sometimes more active... Best wishes...
i'm postaddic
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: buckedup]
#6480451
10/04/16 06:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,185
hook_n_line
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,185 |
keep your head down.
Sometimes it's hard being me! But somebody has to do it.
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: Indyoshi]
#6489118
10/10/16 04:40 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 162
ALM TXhunter
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 162 |
Id also say scout. If youre going to new land, first check google maps first to get a general idea of where. Then plan a stalk hunt the first round to scout and cover a little ground (if you plan to get in a tree). Also driving the roads at dusk and dawn is helpful (to me) where you see a bunch of deer on the road is a good place to start if not going super deep in the woods. Here is a vid I did on scouting online. Surely not the best one out there, but has a few good points to consider. I used this method yesterday in SHNF and saw 6/7 deer, pack of hogs, and a bobcat. Didnt get close enough for a shot on any. So little wind, stalking was rough. scout public land Nice video!
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: ALM TXhunter]
#6489823
10/11/16 01:16 AM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 186
Indyoshi
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 186 |
Id also say scout. If youre going to new land, first check google maps first to get a general idea of where. Then plan a stalk hunt the first round to scout and cover a little ground (if you plan to get in a tree). Also driving the roads at dusk and dawn is helpful (to me) where you see a bunch of deer on the road is a good place to start if not going super deep in the woods. Here is a vid I did on scouting online. Surely not the best one out there, but has a few good points to consider. I used this method yesterday in SHNF and saw 6/7 deer, pack of hogs, and a bobcat. Didnt get close enough for a shot on any. So little wind, stalking was rough. scout public land Nice video! Thanks! Looks like you're close...maybe I'll see ya sometime in the Sam
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Re: Public Land Tips?
[Re: buckedup]
#6498490
10/17/16 02:46 AM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,355
TXGH
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,355 |
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