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Public Land Tips? #6476654 10/02/16 04:21 AM
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buckedup Offline OP
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Any tips on what to look for or anything when hunting public land for a big buck? Specifically East Texas

Re: Public Land Tips? [Re: buckedup] #6476687 10/02/16 06:43 AM
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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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Texas Dan Online Content
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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."
Re: Public Land Tips? [Re: buckedup] #6476824 10/02/16 01:56 PM
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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

Re: Public Land Tips? [Re: buckedup] #6476853 10/02/16 02:17 PM
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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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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.

Re: Public Land Tips? [Re: buckedup] #6477485 10/02/16 11:02 PM
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Hunt hard during the rut. The bucks,even mature ones,will be running around like their heads are on fire.

Re: Public Land Tips? [Re: maximum] #6477666 10/03/16 01:08 AM
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Originally Posted By: maximum
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.

Re: Public Land Tips? [Re: buckedup] #6477725 10/03/16 01:57 AM
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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.
Re: Public Land Tips? [Re: Texas Dan] #6477873 10/03/16 03:26 AM
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Originally Posted By: Texas Dan

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.

cheers 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... flag



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Re: Public Land Tips? [Re: buckedup] #6480451 10/04/16 06:33 PM
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keep your head down. peep


Sometimes it's hard being me! But somebody has to do it.
Re: Public Land Tips? [Re: Indyoshi] #6489118 10/10/16 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted By: Indyoshi
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!

Re: Public Land Tips? [Re: ALM TXhunter] #6489823 10/11/16 01:16 AM
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Originally Posted By: ALM TXhunter
Originally Posted By: Indyoshi
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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This should help you out



Joseph Trousdale
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