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Stupid Question... How do you scout public land? #5303397 09/12/14 09:25 PM
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zbot11 Offline OP
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Like the title says, this is going to be a pretty stupid question. This is my first year with a public permit, and I wanted to get out to do some scouting for ducks, but is it still possible?

Now that early teal is (almost) open and archery is closing in, how do you guys manage to scout spots without walking into anyone's hunt? I will be on foot, no boat, so that complicates things a little more for ducks. Any help or lessons on etiquette is appreciated.

Re: Stupid Question... How do you scout public land? [Re: zbot11] #5303508 09/12/14 10:20 PM
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Best way is to find a buddy who already hunts ducks in your area.

Re: Stupid Question... How do you scout public land? [Re: zbot11] #5303826 09/13/14 01:26 AM
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not a stupid question, scratch teal u'll be trying ta set up close ta water, theirs some archery hunters that hunt water sources. be as quit as posible, if see an archer ease around & respect his hunting, same for archer if walks up ta duck hunter. both payed ta hunt best wishes flag



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Re: Stupid Question... How do you scout public land? [Re: zbot11] #5303909 09/13/14 02:08 AM
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There are a few areas I have scouted quite a bit… I have found stands chained to trees, brush blinds, duck decoys etc… You can usually spot an area before your ‘in it’ because the brush just isn’t what your use to seeing during the walk in, give it some distance and go around…. that being said, on public land I will walk about a mile (really) into it before looking around. Most public land folks will not walk that far – especially if they think they will have to bring something out…

Visit with the folks at the WMA, if your sincere – my experience is that they usually enjoy talking about their area, what they do, what they have seen and can give some really good leads. The local GW is another good resource.. most are really, really good folks.

All that being said.. I was hunting public land during archery season and headed down a path I knew pretty well… nothing looked odd or out of place.. got within less than 40 yards of a very well concealed brush blind.. .. really good job.. the hunter was polite and waved me off and I felt bad because I probably busted his hunt .. it happens..

Oh, and if you like an area.. get the USGS map and a good compass… GPS is nice, I have one … but can use the other just as well…. Hope this helps up

Re: Stupid Question... How do you scout public land? [Re: zbot11] #5307034 09/15/14 03:39 AM
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Google maps/GPS helps before you get there, but there's nothing like boots on the ground to scout the area. As said above, if you can scout before the hunt, be courteous of bowhunters and be prepared to back out the way you came if you come up on someone. I don't know how it works for ducks, but for deer hunting on WMAs, you can still-hunt in the mornings & evenings and try to do some quiet exploring around midday.

Re: Stupid Question... How do you scout public land? [Re: zbot11] #5307661 09/15/14 04:59 PM
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zbot11 Offline OP
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Thanks for the advice everyone.

I went out to some corps land yesterday early afternoon, spent the day scouting duck spots until 5 or so, and then settled in to find some doves. No doves taken but it was a great introduction to the land.

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