BTW...Happy Father's Day to everyone!! I miss my dad so much but what incredible memories I have with him...very thankful for him every day, but today the memories remind me of how blessed I was to have him for nearly 82 years! Give you dad a hug today if you can 👍 If not, five him a call and this beautiful Sunday morning is such a great time to reflect as well... I truly hope that you enjoy the day everyone!
Happy father day to you also and thank you so much for the information I believe I may just be a little more efficient this year thanks to you guys n good luck hunting this year guys n God bless yas very much
Happy father's day to you as well. I lost my dad back in 96. Hard to believe it's been that long. I treasure all the memories we made in the outdoors together. Absolutely priceless
There is a downside to the "Deep In" style of hunting... it's called the "Deep-Out Drag". If you are going to do it, stash a cart on the way in, or buy some game bags and a frame pack, and you absolutely have to get yourself into shape- if you're huffing and puffing walking in carrying your bow and a stand, then dragging a public land buck might be too much to ask your heart to do. I know as a group we are getting older, and most archery guys are in decent shape, but know your limits. We only establish our limits by pushing them over time in controlled situations, so start working out with hunting in mind. I train for half marathons (not competively, but to run the distance) and weight train, but dragging a 220lb NYS buck, the 1.8miles over relatively flat land nearly killed me. Bringing home a trophy should be secondary to bringing home your kids' father. Public Service Announcement over- great video Jeff!
Ha, appreciate the public service announcement 😁 Although... definately, without a doubt...carry them out! Frame pack in and deboning a deer takes less than an hour. Carrying out 40-60#s (preferably 60 😎) is fairly easy...actually enjoyable compared to dragging. Then you can use that frame pack anywhere that you hunt. Wouldn't do it any other way where legal...
The best way to train for this type of hunting is backpacking. It gets you used to carrying a pack with 30-40lbs, and you’ll get used to covering miles and miles with that weight on your back. I have been a backpacker for 20 years and was an outdoor guide for 6-7 years, teaching people backpacking, wilderness survival, and rock climbing. I just started hunting a couple years ago, and feel like it gives me a huge head start on even more experienced hunters on public land. I know how to scout land, how to read a topo map and navigate with a compass, and I am comfortable carrying weight over many miles. And here’s the biggest benefit backpacking can give you: a deep home base. What I usually do is backpack in 2-4 miles, set up a base camp, then hunt from there. I can wake up already deep in the woods. The one downside is it means you are certain to have to make two trips out (one with meat, one with gear). Trust me, a hundred pound pack (and one trip out) is not the way to go. If you want to get into backpacking and don’t know where to start, check out REI if you have one local. They do backpacking classes. It’s an awesome way to stay in shape over the off season, and to get out and see some amazing stuff. Backpacking really is the best way to get in shape for hunting deep in the woods. It sounds obvious, but nothing prepares your body for carrying weight over terrain like carrying weight over terrain. Back when I was guiding, I took a father and daughter out on a 4 day, 30ish mile backpacking trip. He was a longtime marathon runner and she was a high school cross country runner. They were super cocky going in to the trip (their first time backpacking), and I actually thought it would be a breeze for them. Because of our confidence, we chose a hard trail for day three with like 3200ft of elevation gain in 8 miles or so. It almost killed them. The daughter had a break down that night and I ended up carrying out her gear on day 4. I was really surprised it was so hard given that they were in great shape. The point is, even being in fantastic shape doesn’t prepare your body for carrying weight over steep terrain. I imagine a hunter carrying 40-60 lbs of meat out for the first time, even with a good pack, will be brutalized.
A too the men lol. Defiantly feel it every yr now and arthritis and heart disease dont help shit lol. Dad always said hunt as far as you wanna drag. Hasnt failed yet.
Thank you that means so much to me...I love the sights and sounds of the cable shows but they certainly are not reality for 99.9% for sure. Trying to help the 99.9% for sure ☺️ Have a great day!
I feel bad for the hunters that do not use RUclips. I know quite a few and they are always talking about some hunting show on some high numbered cable channel that I have never seen. All my hunting and habitat improvement ideas and current knowledge is from a select few RUclips channels.
Took my best buck at 73 years old. He was a true 11 point trophy. I took this buck on Nov., 14, 2018.in the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia. I love hunting the National Forests. True wilderness with just you and Nature. No train, highway noise and no dogs barking. Just you, and nature at its finest. Most years I never see another hunter in the woods. Love your videos.
Thank you. going on my first ever hunt this month and i pulled up 2 maps of a public hunting spot while watching. one showing the zoning of a public hunting spot and the other satellite google map so i could see how it really looks. Planning on walking some idea spots tomorrow. You basically sold me on my ideal method of a good time: Get away from people, get to the harder reach areas. Basically confirmed what my gut idea was for success. And even if i dont land myself a successful buck or doe, ill still have at least had a good few hours out in the middle of nowhere away from people just wandering about which I have always loved to do.
I feel like backpacking my entire life until around 34 (but not hunting) has set me up for success with my future hunting. I hear you say you’re willing to walk in a long way, then saying 45 min to an hour. To me, a long way in is days in. I’m not going to hike in 10 miles (5 hours on trails, 10+ hours without trails) to hunt (don’t want to carry meat out that far), but it’s encouraging to a new hunter to hear an experienced guy say you can find uncrowded public land within an hour if you know what you’re doing. I know the backcountry and land navigation. I can’t wait to get out there!!! Good luck guys and get some!
Great presentation Jeff! I was born into hunting 300+ acres of deer paradise for19 years. That’s now gone and I’ve spent the last 19 on public land and it’s been a frustrating and exciting learning experience. Your RUclips channel and two others have taught me more in the last two seasons than I’ve ever known. This season I have four maybe 150” bucks on trail cam and so far to myself. With some luck I hope to be posting a pic of my biggest public land buck soon. Thank you for sharing and this presentation is right on the money.
Great video Jeff; I’ve been successfully bow hunting big woods public land in PA for years and you’ve nailed it in your video. I will stress one point, it’s not always about how deep you go, it’s just about avoiding people. Sometimes closer spots are overlooked because they seem too obvious and therefore get minimal pressure. Just food for thought.
I agree some of my best hints n biggest bucks have come from patches of woods in the suburb's outside of town. I also like this type of hunt in a weird way 👍🦌 good luck every body. PS I killed a decent 8 point this year doing so.
@@JayD_113 yes, and often presured but sometimes by young or inexperienced folks who give up after the first couple of weeks of season. If that happens it's good or I find a untouched nugget for a season or two before being found by other's. Good luck out there! I'm still lookin right now!
I'd just completed all the requisites and obtained my license/permit this week. While deer here in FL may not be as big, I am certainly looking forward to my first hunting experience. I've been watching all your videos for the last week. Thank you so much for all the effort and tips on your videos.
@@bobleonard7122 shouldnt be hunting does in the spring. Ik during and post rut then yes they're most likely pregnant but not well into fetal development. Idk what the season's like down south as i live in upstate NY. But here they dont have doe tags in the spring only antlered. Doe tags are limited and you have to apply in late summer to get them for regular rifle season (starts November 19th here)
@@TacticoolVIKINGBeard Tags smags, we shoot what we want we want to down here. Guess we're just lucky. Have you ever heard of anyone having a hunting license taken away. Not me.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I’m lucky enough to have a family farm in the eastern part of Ohio. There are truly some monster deer there, but if I waited out for one of those I could go years without a deer. A nice 8 point is tough to pass up!
I am very excited to dive into the videos about hunting public land! Most of my hunting is going to take place on a military installation that I have lived at for over 15 years but never hunted before, and a lot of the more experienced hunters here are coming away with excellent deer & hogs.
Happy Father's Day to everyone. I was in the military for 22 years and primarily hunted public land the entire time during my career and killed several nice bucks, so yes it can definitely be done on public land. Great video keep up the wonderful tips!
I think that’s definitely something I need to work on and do before this season walk far out in the puplic land and find were people arnt, my main spot this year had 3-4 other cars hunting there everyday, and in gun season ik I heard at least 5-10 deer get shot in the same puplic land I was sittin in, even one day the first week of gun season someone with a climber sat up in my range
Nothing like the challenge of public hunting. Jeff’s tips have really helped me grow as a hunter over the years. I recently started my own channel to help others in the same way so many have helped me. I would love some feedback from hunters.
Whitetail Habitat Solutions Thank you...there’s a good reason it’s not called catching/killing dinner... keep up the videos. 100k subs is right around the corner and well deserved.
Awesome Jeff thank you. I think even if people were clueless and had no idea or understanding of whitetails, if you just put them away from other hunters, and inside thick cover, your success would skyrocket at the very least with encountering bucks
Thank you so much for the public land video Jeff. Love all your content but these give me such a boost. I am currently working on a personal project documenting public land deer movements in Michigan. I have learned so much from your videos and it has fixed a lot of things that I was taught incorrectly in my youth. It's funny, I am finding that public land scouting and learning deer here in Michigan has almost become my hobby over hunting! People think I am a little nuts but whitetails have caught my total interest from such a young age. It's always fun seeing others with huge passion for it. Good luck this season and Happy Father's day! I'll finally be hunting during bow season for the first time in several years and your videos are only making me more excited!
Hi Jeff my son pointed me to your video I really enjoyed it Makes me realize how fortunate we are in the United States to have public land in short distance anywhere you may live It seems I have a lot to learn to hone my skills and hopefully someday walk in your footprints, so to speak It is really inspiring, The kids and I started to hunt 10 to 15 years ago and grew a lot through the process and it's cool to see that we have much more enjoyment to uncover and unleash, learning a lot about God creation in the same time I live minutes away in Southeast Michigan from several state parks, big enough to be training ground to learn aerial scouting, foot validation, orientation and hunting before gradually moving to bigger woods... Will keep you posted..
Hey Jeff, your giving away all the secrets 😥 . I love hunting public land, especially those that are hard to access. We never leave trails or markers, that's a give away. But keep up the educational support, especially for those new or young hunters.👍👍
Miigwich sir . Great video I love your love of the hunt . I'm native american and have been hunting and trapping pretty much since I could walk I was in the woods and some of the things you are talking about I've been taught the same thing. Stealth is key and going to places other people don't. 👍🏾
Love your teaching. I’ve needed this for a long time because I’ve had no one to ever teach me. I current have HuntWise from watching your RUclips channel. I’ve hunted for ten years and I’ve only killed one 8 point. I hunt in Mississippi and only have public land to hunt and it pisses me off because I have to avoid people and haven’t learned how to get away from them that’s why I haven’t killed anything. I’ve bought a four wheeler this year so I can get back there too them on the back side where no ones hunting. Thank you for teaching us.
My way to get back into woods that nobody is hunting is a small boat, if bow hunting, and sometimes gun, the water hasn't froze yet, this will work, use map, find a "island in the swamp" I use the boat like you have a buddy drop you off, a back door in that can't be followed. lots of swamps end in water you can use a boat in, just a short ride across a small body of water can get you where the swamp meets the lake, miles from a road into the swamp, now get out and walk in, save a lot of walking and a lot of dragging of deer with the boat. I've found that mature bucks like to have water all around them, nothing can get near them without a lot of noise, and I think it kills their sent, so they can't be followed. ( would love to hear you're thoughts on this) Have had good luck this way, get a lot of funny looks putting in at a boat launch during deer season, but not so much when on the way back with a big rack, also a ride in a boat in the dark is a lot nicer than a long walk though brush, making noise, leaving sent, and falling off beaver dams
Dude big thanks!! I went hunting on the last day of the season first time hunting did exactly what you said and got a big doe 2hr in. Went through a swamp in the snow lol but no one else was out there.
I love watching these videos, been watching deer hunting videos on RUclips for nearly 4 years. I honestly would be happy to just get a deer. It’s great watching videos, great trying to learn, great getting out on the woods. But also extremely frustrating when you don’t have any success. I’m probably just doing a bunch of stuff wrong and without someone else to really call me out or show you the ropes it’s ended up being a lot of unsuccessful trial and error. Anyways thanks for the videos, I’ll keep watching!
Love the vids, great tips and tricks. Im from PA and hunt on state game lands and the only big problem is the orange army (drivers) when rifle season comes in. By 730am my spot is driven out and shot for the day. And im in pretty deep, but these guys in my area will walk miles and miles a day. So I appreciate the tips so I can try to get a nice buck in archery before the orange army suits up and are ready for WW3 this rifle season.
hunt the Adirondacks in upstate N.Y. and see if your great tips work as well as they do In,Ohio,PA,or wisconsin.The Adirondacks will be a new experience for you
I have a spot on public land that only has 1 access point. The back side is a state park (no open hunting) and the rest is a bordered by private property. Just a narrow strip of land to access from the road to the main piece of public. The main deterrent for most hunters is that it's steep terrain. Last year I only found sign of one other hunter. I was able to see a really good buck twice the same day, but never had a shit opportunity. Sadly never saw him again, not sure if someone else got him or just moved out of the area. I have a couple other spots I found are over looked spots and if the conditions are right are extremely good locations to have a chance at something. Good luck this year everyone!
I love watching your videos I live in middle Wisconsin. And I go hunt public in north Wisconsin. seeing you still getting nice big bucks on public and learning how to get better from your tips. Thank you😊
Do you have a video that talks hunting public land that is smaller, like 160 acres, surrounded by private land? I know it is easy enough to scout by foot, but looking for those pro tips!
Thanks for this video. I grew up hunting big public forest game lands in PA and still love it even though I now also hunt on private land. My memories of hunting with my dad are all from those public game lands.
Great tips, I have used many of these with success. I would also add finding other ways to access. Take a canoe across a river, ask the private land owner to cross their fields to access the public from the back door.
Lol very smart and yes, I myself carry a full on military camo net in my tool box. As soon as I find my entrance I place branches and my camo on. Especially for dove hunting lordy, still gotta get me a buck. Ty sir
Great information I've been doing this for years and scoring big it all comes down to who isnt lazy,,, you have to work for the big bucks and bears and I always end up having to pack them out ,,, I hunt a huge public tract which i use the other people to push me prizes as they walk in on the easy access
Very good tips. Not sure if you are aware but onx hunt app allows you to download maps of 5 to 10mi square to use when you run out of cell coverage. The GPS on your phone works without cell coverage. I'm sure other hunt apps have similar features. But like you said compass skills are necessary when everything else tanks.
Great video buddy. I am 99% public land in Jersey. Its tough, a lot of small parcels but limited access. I use the tips in this video. I walk on main roads to find entry points, away from parking areas. Also use basemap to set my spots so no markers needed. Happy father's day.
Awesome...sounds like a great plan! Although you will want to check out Huntwise this year...incredible app! Will be including my weather forecast algorithm I developed over the past 30 years this season ☺️
Just had an epiphany. I have my own small parcel in Southern Ohio. I am obviously doing all I can to make it the spot and be the herd influencer, however I am not far from big public. I am going to scout it and find the best places I can. The epiphany is I live 20 hrs away so when I take off time to hunt I don’t want to miss out on hunting time due to low value days. I will hunt public on the low value days and on the premium days I will put in my time on my property.
Used to hunt with my Ex's family in the big timbers in MO. we would walk at least a half or more over some uneven terrain. Never ran into other people , they were always close to the road. They have taken a few 160 and 170 class deer. I took a nice little 145 class buck.
Jeff, I always appreciate your information. I put in a watering hole this past summer and in the beginning of archery season I watched a doe with fawns come in and drink. I'm waiting for the bucks to start hitting it during the daytime. Any day now. Good luck on your PA hunt.
Thank you very much Wes! Going to be a great day ☺️ Hope you have one too! In a very controlled setting but it is so easy to spray too much and kill or injure the SG. Trust me on that one 😬 I prefer mowing down to the top of the switch in July/early August...
I hunt public land in Alabama. It's exactly the same as private land with one big difference. On public land, you have to do a lot more scouting. You also have to do a lot more walking. Most people have no success because they want to just walk a couple hundred yards in and sit. I get out super early. I may be walking a mile in at 3 in the morning using a gps and a legal to use pen flash light. I have over an hour of dark before legal hunting light while I just sit super quietly while waiting. Sometimes I never see anything. I have had times where I shot something within ten minutes of legal hunting times.... Yes, it sucks to drag something so long. But I can't afford to buy my own land. I am just grateful for public hunting land.
Great video as always jeff. Just got back from MN last night scouting public land for bow season . This yr will be my first out of state whitetail deer hunt and I'm sure looking forward to it!
thanks for this important information I am hunting a Pressure Area, I didn't in my tree stand 2 1/2 weeks ago there we two big brown Doe's came within 15 yards from my tree stand because the Cherry I was hunting with want to get out of our hunting area because he was hungry , But I haven't seen any Bucks Yet. hopefully I will be successful this year. We have been hunting Power-lines area.
Would so love for you to come down here to Tennessee and help me learn the public lands! I can’t say anything else but that I respect what you have to say. Like I said in a previous comment, my daughter is wanting to hunt and I want to keep her away from open shooting. Keep her safe!
Big thing like you said pay attention to the other hunters. My 2 best spots 1 is 1.5 miles in just one ridge over from where people never go and saw 30deer last year opening day of gun. The other spot is 100 yards off the side in a little swamp that gets over looked during bow. Always see a decent deer in both spots.
whenever my sister & I hunt on the Navajo reservation, we're lucky that a majority of the hunters prefer to drive around instead of actually hiking & stalking like we do, they don't realize they push the bucks to us. we tag out everytime we hunt the rez.
Hey Jeff, more good information for those of us who hunt public land. Thanks! I hunt the Manistee National Forest in Northern Michigan. I get a tad anal about hiding my way in / out of the areas I hunt and really enjoy trying to locate where other hunters spend their time so I can avoid those areas. It's kind of a game for me to park somewhere and then walk the weeded edge of a road/trail to finally get the the area where I head into the woods. I lay a couple of down sticks/logs side-by-side pointing the direction I leave the road/trail to head toward my spot. I do use tacks but place them far enough apart to keep others from being able to follow them. I even alternate white and orange tacks to make them harder for others to follow in the daylight. I place them on both sides of larger trees and just above fern level. I also remove all tacks after I abandon an area for the season. Question: What's your stance on removing old ribbons and tacks left by others in the woods? I view them as eye sores and consider them trash left in the nature. I also believe they give non-hunters another reason to look unfavorably towards hunters. I remove them as trash, if I'm sure they are old markers.
I don't know about removing old markers. I agree they're trash, but what if someone is out there relying on those markers to make it back? It wouldn't be a good strategy for sure, but it might make the difference between getting home on time and at the least a long night in the woods.
I feel like the “hard to access” ways in are usually significantly louder than the easier ways in. I am hunting in the mountains out west. Do you have any advice?
Just went out on my first hunt ever Saturday with my father and brother, and this exact scenario played out.. we walked in a good 30min (2 miles) and were completely alone in the Pa wilderness. We hit a nice honey pot of deer and my brother ended up taking down a 8 point buck. My question for you and/or any other hunters is how the heck do you get your kill out of the woods and back to the truck.. it took us from 12 to 4 in the afternoon from the time of kill to we got to the truck and it was grueling. Actually tied the deer to a 8 foot long branch and carried it out branch ends on our shoulders. When you are out in the middle of no where and across 2 beaver dams like you said in your video, how do you get a deer back by yourself? After dealing with this on Saturday I’m very reluctant to head out solo just because it would have been imposible to get that deer back by myself.. thanks!
Great video. I hunt in south eastern VA. Not a whole lot to see on a topo map because we are at sea level. What should I look for on a topo in my area while I scout from home??
Perhaps your best video of all the ones I’ve watched. Awesome. Picked up some thoughts on how to honey approach. I hunt big public land in PA every year. Killed some nice bucks covering escape routes of bucks when the masses come in from access points. I have 3 stand sites in a 200 acre area I’m rethinking based on your input. Hunting eastern pa instead of western pa this year.
Compass skills are good. A powerstick to keep your phone charged is better unless you’re going in for days. Down that with both…. Brought a solar powered charger. Haven’t had to use a compass in years but know how.
Do you camp at a site nearby? Do a video on that set up. Do you have a portable wood stove, how cold etc. How do you pack your game out from 40 min in?
Awesome video! Sad hunting numbers are going down. I think we intuit the same thing about scouting, and trekking away from other hunters and people. I've been afraid of gun season and haven't hunted public land during gun, but you inspired me to look a little harder.
I have yetseen one of your videos that isn’t value added. Excellent, Excellent videos!!! I hunt Michigan tip to tip, one of my most favorite places to hunt! The UP is lower chances of killing a buck but it is some of the best experiences Ihave ever had
Great video!! How true I used to have secret spots on public. Even had a guy sitting against my climbing oak last year I hope your getting more rain then us. Dry as hell here!!!
Great thoughts on public land. Another thing I have found in Wisconsin. It is public land hunting land unless you own some good average. And it seems that every 40 acres in the Southern half of the state has permanent shooting towers on 2 corners. That's no way to connect to the land, but if sitting in a sofa with the Packet game on in an enclosure is your thing, well I'd rather go shopping for some meat st Piggly Wigley. I digress. I have found few landowners that are open to you hunting their land even if you know them. Lots of relatives are asking them the same thing. One guy would not even let me cross from public land onto his land where my deer crossed onto. I found him to ask if I could find my mortally shot deer and that was WITH him! My guess is he had an illegal feeding station there off Rocky Run in Columbia County. He poked around for 15 min. And came out with the face of a liar saying he didn't see anything. He Would NOT let me cross his fence line even with him. So, public land is a good thing. Access can be a challenge with well worn paths to areas. Will try your techniques. Got a wonderful 9 pointer this year on public land. One point for each year I have not gotten anything.
I try to do just that, but it is really disappointing to do all this home work and think to yourself No one could possibly go, or want to go in this spot" and get there and find sign that someone has been there... or everything is looking great for hours, you hear a twig snap, your heart speeds up, you just know it has to be that one smart buck sneaking along and another Hunter comes walking through. It's tough here on NY public land!
I stopped hunting because of the anxiety I have of this type of frustration and let down. I so badly want to get out again, but I just can't cope. I know people hear that and think it's a sign of a feeble mind. And for sure, accepting the reality you describe and adjusting your expectations is huge. But dang it, I still haven't been able to get out after 20 years. I'm not an uptight control freak or the like....uhggg. BTW, NY here as well
Come hunt with me in pa, you would have a blast in the woods where I setup. Miles of non pressured woods. At times i wish there were more people to push them. Love the content by the way.
Where i hunt on public land in pa 5a to be more specific there is some very big bucks, i saw one 2 years ago that i know was over a 200 inch typical. And then i missed a 14 inch monster. The key to seeing them is in archery season normally the last week.
I will be hunting public land for my first year hunting and the area is mostly swamp surounded by hardwoods the harwoods are surround by corn fields any tips i know your a busy guy!
My question to you is this, when I get off the beaten Trail and go through the woods it just seems so loud and I’ll find a good spot. That’s deep in the woods nowhere near any trail so it’s hard to get to, but it’s just so loud to get all the way out there, what do you have to say about that?
I cross a beaver dam on my way into my opening day stand where ive shot a decent buck almost every time ive hunted it ..first day of rifle season is this Saturday in New York .....I can barely control my excitement
Love your channel and your channel has been the reason for many of my goals I've set for myself. Any tips for hunting SE michigan public land? It seems no matter how far in i go, there's signs of other humans, bike paths, equestrian trails or other hunters.
Hey Jeff, Thanks for sharing the content. I especially love the videos regarding public land. This video pictures a very nice stainless steel rifle on a few shots. What make/model/caliber is it?
BTW...Happy Father's Day to everyone!! I miss my dad so much but what incredible memories I have with him...very thankful for him every day, but today the memories remind me of how blessed I was to have him for nearly 82 years! Give you dad a hug today if you can 👍 If not, five him a call and this beautiful Sunday morning is such a great time to reflect as well...
I truly hope that you enjoy the day everyone!
Happy father day to you also and thank you so much for the information I believe I may just be a little more efficient this year thanks to you guys n good luck hunting this year guys n God bless yas very much
Happy Father's Day Jeff
Happy father's day to you as well. I lost my dad back in 96. Hard to believe it's been that long. I treasure all the memories we made in the outdoors together. Absolutely priceless
Thank you for this very informative video!
Happy Father's day
There is a downside to the "Deep In" style of hunting... it's called the "Deep-Out Drag". If you are going to do it, stash a cart on the way in, or buy some game bags and a frame pack, and you absolutely have to get yourself into shape- if you're huffing and puffing walking in carrying your bow and a stand, then dragging a public land buck might be too much to ask your heart to do. I know as a group we are getting older, and most archery guys are in decent shape, but know your limits. We only establish our limits by pushing them over time in controlled situations, so start working out with hunting in mind. I train for half marathons (not competively, but to run the distance) and weight train, but dragging a 220lb NYS buck, the 1.8miles over relatively flat land nearly killed me. Bringing home a trophy should be secondary to bringing home your kids' father. Public Service Announcement over- great video Jeff!
Ha, appreciate the public service announcement 😁
Although... definately, without a doubt...carry them out! Frame pack in and deboning a deer takes less than an hour. Carrying out 40-60#s (preferably 60 😎) is fairly easy...actually enjoyable compared to dragging. Then you can use that frame pack anywhere that you hunt. Wouldn't do it any other way where legal...
The best way to train for this type of hunting is backpacking. It gets you used to carrying a pack with 30-40lbs, and you’ll get used to covering miles and miles with that weight on your back.
I have been a backpacker for 20 years and was an outdoor guide for 6-7 years, teaching people backpacking, wilderness survival, and rock climbing.
I just started hunting a couple years ago, and feel like it gives me a huge head start on even more experienced hunters on public land. I know how to scout land, how to read a topo map and navigate with a compass, and I am comfortable carrying weight over many miles.
And here’s the biggest benefit backpacking can give you: a deep home base. What I usually do is backpack in 2-4 miles, set up a base camp, then hunt from there. I can wake up already deep in the woods. The one downside is it means you are certain to have to make two trips out (one with meat, one with gear). Trust me, a hundred pound pack (and one trip out) is not the way to go.
If you want to get into backpacking and don’t know where to start, check out REI if you have one local. They do backpacking classes. It’s an awesome way to stay in shape over the off season, and to get out and see some amazing stuff.
Backpacking really is the best way to get in shape for hunting deep in the woods. It sounds obvious, but nothing prepares your body for carrying weight over terrain like carrying weight over terrain. Back when I was guiding, I took a father and daughter out on a 4 day, 30ish mile backpacking trip. He was a longtime marathon runner and she was a high school cross country runner. They were super cocky going in to the trip (their first time backpacking), and I actually thought it would be a breeze for them. Because of our confidence, we chose a hard trail for day three with like 3200ft of elevation gain in 8 miles or so. It almost killed them. The daughter had a break down that night and I ended up carrying out her gear on day 4. I was really surprised it was so hard given that they were in great shape. The point is, even being in fantastic shape doesn’t prepare your body for carrying weight over steep terrain. I imagine a hunter carrying 40-60 lbs of meat out for the first time, even with a good pack, will be brutalized.
A too the men lol. Defiantly feel it every yr now and arthritis and heart disease dont help shit lol. Dad always said hunt as far as you wanna drag. Hasnt failed yet.
More human tracks then deer tracks in Michigan!
Absolutely agree
Jeff you are so real...way more relevant to the vast majority of deer hunters than say The Outdoor Channel portrayals of whitetail reality
Thank you that means so much to me...I love the sights and sounds of the cable shows but they certainly are not reality for 99.9% for sure. Trying to help the 99.9% for sure ☺️ Have a great day!
I feel bad for the hunters that do not use RUclips. I know quite a few and they are always talking about some hunting show on some high numbered cable channel that I have never seen. All my hunting and habitat improvement ideas and current knowledge is from a select few RUclips channels.
@@Miguel_Travels I always appreciate you watching and commenting...really means a lot to be included in your channel list ☺️
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thank you sir. Just found your channel an am applying knowledge. Will let you know if i get a kill 🙌
Outdoor Channel. 5 minutes of hunting, 25 minutes of buy this. Have not watched it in probably ten years. One big infomercial.
Took my best buck at 73 years old. He was a true 11 point trophy. I took this buck on Nov., 14, 2018.in the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia. I love hunting the National Forests. True wilderness with just you and Nature. No train, highway noise and no dogs barking. Just you, and nature at its finest. Most years I never see another hunter in the woods. Love your videos.
Thank you. going on my first ever hunt this month and i pulled up 2 maps of a public hunting spot while watching. one showing the zoning of a public hunting spot and the other satellite google map so i could see how it really looks. Planning on walking some idea spots tomorrow. You basically sold me on my ideal method of a good time: Get away from people, get to the harder reach areas. Basically confirmed what my gut idea was for success. And even if i dont land myself a successful buck or doe, ill still have at least had a good few hours out in the middle of nowhere away from people just wandering about which I have always loved to do.
I feel like backpacking my entire life until around 34 (but not hunting) has set me up for success with my future hunting. I hear you say you’re willing to walk in a long way, then saying 45 min to an hour. To me, a long way in is days in. I’m not going to hike in 10 miles (5 hours on trails, 10+ hours without trails) to hunt (don’t want to carry meat out that far), but it’s encouraging to a new hunter to hear an experienced guy say you can find uncrowded public land within an hour if you know what you’re doing. I know the backcountry and land navigation. I can’t wait to get out there!!! Good luck guys and get some!
Great presentation Jeff! I was born into hunting 300+ acres of deer paradise for19 years. That’s now gone and I’ve spent the last 19 on public land and it’s been a frustrating and exciting learning experience. Your RUclips channel and two others have taught me more in the last two seasons than I’ve ever known. This season I have four maybe 150” bucks on trail cam and so far to myself. With some luck I hope to be posting a pic of my biggest public land buck soon. Thank you for sharing and this presentation is right on the money.
Great video Jeff; I’ve been successfully bow hunting big woods public land in PA for years and you’ve nailed it in your video. I will stress one point, it’s not always about how deep you go, it’s just about avoiding people. Sometimes closer spots are overlooked because they seem too obvious and therefore get minimal pressure. Just food for thought.
I agree some of my best hints n biggest bucks have come from patches of woods in the suburb's outside of town. I also like this type of hunt in a weird way 👍🦌 good luck every body. PS I killed a decent 8 point this year doing so.
@@briantrudell8248is it small plots of public land?
@@JayD_113 yes, and often presured but sometimes by young or inexperienced folks who give up after the first couple of weeks of season. If that happens it's good or I find a untouched nugget for a season or two before being found by other's. Good luck out there! I'm still lookin right now!
I'd just completed all the requisites and obtained my license/permit this week. While deer here in FL may not be as big, I am certainly looking forward to my first hunting experience. I've been watching all your videos for the last week. Thank you so much for all the effort and tips on your videos.
How was it?
Little late but welcome to the hunting community. Hope you've had and will have great luck and enjoy yourself thoroughly
@@TacticoolVIKINGBeard Can't picture her gutting a pregnant doe and thoroughly enjoying it but...
@@bobleonard7122 shouldnt be hunting does in the spring. Ik during and post rut then yes they're most likely pregnant but not well into fetal development. Idk what the season's like down south as i live in upstate NY. But here they dont have doe tags in the spring only antlered. Doe tags are limited and you have to apply in late summer to get them for regular rifle season (starts November 19th here)
@@TacticoolVIKINGBeard Tags smags, we shoot what we want we want to down here. Guess we're just lucky. Have you ever heard of anyone having a hunting license taken away. Not me.
This channel is great. I love your comments on realistic expectations. So many of these hunting channels lose sight of that.
Thank you very much...all about setting realistic goals, doing your best and having fun!! 👍😊
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I’m lucky enough to have a family farm in the eastern part of Ohio. There are truly some monster deer there, but if I waited out for one of those I could go years without a deer. A nice 8 point is tough to pass up!
I am very excited to dive into the videos about hunting public land! Most of my hunting is going to take place on a military installation that I have lived at for over 15 years but never hunted before, and a lot of the more experienced hunters here are coming away with excellent deer & hogs.
Happy Father's Day to everyone. I was in the military for 22 years and primarily hunted public land the entire time during my career and killed several nice bucks, so yes it can definitely be done on public land. Great video keep up the wonderful tips!
I think that’s definitely something I need to work on and do before this season walk far out in the puplic land and find were people arnt, my main spot this year had 3-4 other cars hunting there everyday, and in gun season ik I heard at least 5-10 deer get shot in the same puplic land I was sittin in, even one day the first week of gun season someone with a climber sat up in my range
Nothing like the challenge of public hunting. Jeff’s tips have really helped me grow as a hunter over the years. I recently started my own channel to help others in the same way so many have helped me. I would love some feedback from hunters.
Thank you! Really like that name too..."Chasing Dinner" 👍 good luck with the channel!
Whitetail Habitat Solutions Thank you...there’s a good reason it’s not called catching/killing dinner... keep up the videos. 100k subs is right around the corner and well deserved.
@@chasingdinner lol that's deff true. love this channel been subscribed for quite a while know and has helped me with alot of things .
Awesome Jeff thank you. I think even if people were clueless and had no idea or understanding of whitetails, if you just put them away from other hunters, and inside thick cover, your success would skyrocket at the very least with encountering bucks
Thanks a lot and man, so true...Amen to that!
Now this man's a real hunter
Awesome advice brother
Thank you so much for the public land video Jeff. Love all your content but these give me such a boost. I am currently working on a personal project documenting public land deer movements in Michigan. I have learned so much from your videos and it has fixed a lot of things that I was taught incorrectly in my youth. It's funny, I am finding that public land scouting and learning deer here in Michigan has almost become my hobby over hunting! People think I am a little nuts but whitetails have caught my total interest from such a young age. It's always fun seeing others with huge passion for it. Good luck this season and Happy Father's day! I'll finally be hunting during bow season for the first time in several years and your videos are only making me more excited!
Hi Jeff my son pointed me to your video I really enjoyed it
Makes me realize how fortunate we are in the United States to have public land in short distance anywhere you may live
It seems I have a lot to learn to hone my skills and hopefully someday walk in your footprints, so to speak
It is really inspiring, The kids and I started to hunt 10 to 15 years ago and grew a lot through the process and it's cool to see that we have much more enjoyment to uncover and unleash, learning a lot about God creation in the same time
I live minutes away in Southeast Michigan from several state parks, big enough to be training ground to learn aerial scouting, foot validation, orientation and hunting before gradually moving to bigger woods...
Will keep you posted..
Hey Jeff, your giving away all the secrets 😥 . I love hunting public land, especially those that are hard to access. We never leave trails or markers, that's a give away. But keep up the educational support, especially for those new or young hunters.👍👍
Love it! When I saw the video title this morning, it got me excited. Best hunting vids on RUclips hands down!
Thanks a lot Jim...man I really appreciate that and it fired me up to keep them coming!
I love this guy's videos...I learn something new every time..
Thank you Montana...really appreciate you watching!
Jeff your videos are hands down my favorite on the internet and they have been a help!
Just found your channel, great tips 👍 appreciate them as a new hunter. Season 1 will be glorious with your info! Thx!
Miigwich sir . Great video I love your love of the hunt . I'm native american and have been hunting and trapping pretty much since I could walk I was in the woods and some of the things you are talking about I've been taught the same thing. Stealth is key and going to places other people don't. 👍🏾
Love your teaching. I’ve needed this for a long time because I’ve had no one to ever teach me. I current have HuntWise from watching your RUclips channel. I’ve hunted for ten years and I’ve only killed one 8 point. I hunt in Mississippi and only have public land to hunt and it pisses me off because I have to avoid people and haven’t learned how to get away from them that’s why I haven’t killed anything. I’ve bought a four wheeler this year so I can get back there too them on the back side where no ones hunting. Thank you for teaching us.
My way to get back into woods that nobody is hunting is a small boat, if bow hunting, and sometimes gun, the water hasn't froze yet, this will work, use map, find a "island in the swamp" I use the boat like you have a buddy drop you off, a back door in that can't be followed. lots of swamps end in water you can use a boat in, just a short ride across a small body of water can get you where the swamp meets the lake, miles from a road into the swamp, now get out and walk in, save a lot of walking and a lot of dragging of deer with the boat. I've found that mature bucks like to have water all around them, nothing can get near them without a lot of noise, and I think it kills their sent, so they can't be followed. ( would love to hear you're thoughts on this) Have had good luck this way, get a lot of funny looks putting in at a boat launch during deer season, but not so much when on the way back with a big rack, also a ride in a boat in the dark is a lot nicer than a long walk though brush, making noise, leaving sent, and falling off beaver dams
Great advice for those conditions for sure!
Scouted some spots near home on public land last weekend. Set up a blind in a great looking spot. Can't wait to go there in a few days for a sit
Dude big thanks!! I went hunting on the last day of the season first time hunting did exactly what you said and got a big doe 2hr in. Went through a swamp in the snow lol but no one else was out there.
@ 2:36 are you on Loyalsock State Forest property in Pennsylvania? Sure looks like the logging road by our cabin
I love watching these videos, been watching deer hunting videos on RUclips for nearly 4 years. I honestly would be happy to just get a deer. It’s great watching videos, great trying to learn, great getting out on the woods. But also extremely frustrating when you don’t have any success. I’m probably just doing a bunch of stuff wrong and without someone else to really call me out or show you the ropes it’s ended up being a lot of unsuccessful trial and error. Anyways thanks for the videos, I’ll keep watching!
Love the vids, great tips and tricks. Im from PA and hunt on state game lands and the only big problem is the orange army (drivers) when rifle season comes in. By 730am my spot is driven out and shot for the day. And im in pretty deep, but these guys in my area will walk miles and miles a day. So I appreciate the tips so I can try to get a nice buck in archery before the orange army suits up and are ready for WW3 this rifle season.
hunt the Adirondacks in upstate N.Y. and see if your great tips work as well as they do In,Ohio,PA,or wisconsin.The Adirondacks will be a new experience for you
I have a spot on public land that only has 1 access point. The back side is a state park (no open hunting) and the rest is a bordered by private property. Just a narrow strip of land to access from the road to the main piece of public. The main deterrent for most hunters is that it's steep terrain. Last year I only found sign of one other hunter. I was able to see a really good buck twice the same day, but never had a shit opportunity. Sadly never saw him again, not sure if someone else got him or just moved out of the area. I have a couple other spots I found are over looked spots and if the conditions are right are extremely good locations to have a chance at something. Good luck this year everyone!
Love this guy
He thinks outside the box. Simple but yet not thought of
I love watching your videos I live in middle Wisconsin. And I go hunt public in north Wisconsin. seeing you still getting nice big bucks on public and learning how to get better from your tips. Thank you😊
Thank you for those great tips me and my brother are hunting in jackson michagan this year
That's great Kamie!! Jackson is a GREAT place to hunt!! Big buck area...
You and everyone else In southern MI, be safe and know what’s beyond your target! Good luck. Busy area for hunter traffic!
Do you have a video that talks hunting public land that is smaller, like 160 acres, surrounded by private land? I know it is easy enough to scout by foot, but looking for those pro tips!
Thanks for this video. I grew up hunting big public forest game lands in PA and still love it even though I now also hunt on private land. My memories of hunting with my dad are all from those public game lands.
Great tips, I have used many of these with success. I would also add finding other ways to access. Take a canoe across a river, ask the private land owner to cross their fields to access the public from the back door.
Lol very smart and yes, I myself carry a full on military camo net in my tool box. As soon as I find my entrance I place branches and my camo on. Especially for dove hunting lordy, still gotta get me a buck. Ty sir
Great information I've been doing this for years and scoring big it all comes down to who isnt lazy,,, you have to work for the big bucks and bears and I always end up having to pack them out ,,, I hunt a huge public tract which i use the other people to push me prizes as they walk in on the easy access
Absolutely, Jeff. Leave no sign. Landmarks, landmarks, landmarks and a compass.
What do you recommend for staying warm in the snow, can you link the gear etc boots, backpack, what to make sure you have with you.
Very good tips. Not sure if you are aware but onx hunt app allows you to download maps of 5 to 10mi square to use when you run out of cell coverage. The GPS on your phone works without cell coverage. I'm sure other hunt apps have similar features. But like you said compass skills are necessary when everything else tanks.
Hi Scott thanks a lot! I use Huntwise but for sure, they all do I think? As long as preloaded...
New to the channel, been watching videos for 3-4 days now lol, love the content and information, thank you!
Great video buddy. I am 99% public land in Jersey. Its tough, a lot of small parcels but limited access. I use the tips in this video. I walk on main roads to find entry points, away from parking areas. Also use basemap to set my spots so no markers needed. Happy father's day.
Awesome...sounds like a great plan! Although you will want to check out Huntwise this year...incredible app! Will be including my weather forecast algorithm I developed over the past 30 years this season ☺️
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 will check it out.
Just had an epiphany. I have my own small parcel in Southern Ohio. I am obviously doing all I can to make it the spot and be the herd influencer, however I am not far from big public. I am going to scout it and find the best places I can. The epiphany is I live 20 hrs away so when I take off
time to hunt I don’t want to miss out on hunting time due to low value days. I will hunt public on the low value days and on the premium days I will put in my time on my property.
This was beyond great! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion. Can't wait to apply these.
Used to hunt with my Ex's family in the big timbers in MO. we would walk at least a half or more over some uneven terrain. Never ran into other people , they were always close to the road. They have taken a few 160 and 170 class deer. I took a nice little 145 class buck.
Video is 2 years old but the info holds true to today,thanks.
Jeff, I always appreciate your information. I put in a watering hole this past summer and in the beginning of archery season I watched a doe with fawns come in and drink. I'm waiting for the bucks to start hitting it during the daytime.
Any day now. Good luck on your PA hunt.
I love your videos I've used your info for years and still at 50 never shot a buck.
Happy Fathers Day to you Jeff ! Thanks for taking the time To share your Wisdom Love all your content and Tips !!
Happy Father's Day to you also your videos are so much help keep up the good work brother
Thank you so much Jerry! Hope you have a great day too 👍
Definitely good idea know how to use a compass & read a topo map. Having our phones makes us to reliant on the tech, which can fail.
Amen!
Happy Father’s Day Jeff! I was wondering if you would spray 24d on switchgrass if you didn’t like the weed growth. Thanks Jeff and have a great day!
Thank you very much Wes! Going to be a great day ☺️ Hope you have one too!
In a very controlled setting but it is so easy to spray too much and kill or injure the SG. Trust me on that one 😬 I prefer mowing down to the top of the switch in July/early August...
Ok thanks Jeff. The switch is growing well but you always say that weeds and shade are the death of all sg. Have a great day!
@@weswilson3758 definately Wes...don't let the weeds over take the switch too much! Always great to mow if needed. Even next year too...
I hunt public land in Alabama. It's exactly the same as private land with one big difference.
On public land, you have to do a lot more scouting. You also have to do a lot more walking. Most people have no success because they want to just walk a couple hundred yards in and sit.
I get out super early. I may be walking a mile in at 3 in the morning using a gps and a legal to use pen flash light. I have over an hour of dark before legal hunting light while I just sit super quietly while waiting.
Sometimes I never see anything. I have had times where I shot something within ten minutes of legal hunting times.... Yes, it sucks to drag something so long. But I can't afford to buy my own land. I am just grateful for public hunting land.
Great video as always jeff. Just got back from MN last night scouting public land for bow season . This yr will be my first out of state whitetail deer hunt and I'm sure looking forward to it!
thanks for this important information I am hunting a Pressure Area, I didn't in my tree stand 2 1/2 weeks ago there we two big brown Doe's came within 15 yards from my tree stand because the Cherry I was hunting with want to get out of our hunting area because he was hungry , But I haven't seen any Bucks Yet. hopefully I will be successful this year. We have been hunting Power-lines area.
Sir you are a great teacher. As always, great information. Thank you!
Maybe this is a dumb question, but how do you get an animal that weighs more than you do back to your vehicle if you’ve walked way far away?
Hi Adam...I debone it and carry it out. Very easy to do...
ruclips.net/video/Pm0SeS1ZK44/видео.html
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I appreciate your reply!! Thanks. I’ll check it out
Love your videos so informative.
Thank you Shawn I really appreciate it!
What strategies do you use to cover your tracks in snow?
None...do t need to unless people are stalking me
Would so love for you to come down here to Tennessee and help me learn the public lands! I can’t say anything else but that I respect what you have to say. Like I said in a previous comment, my daughter is wanting to hunt and I want to keep her away from open shooting. Keep her safe!
Big thing like you said pay attention to the other hunters. My 2 best spots 1 is 1.5 miles in just one ridge over from where people never go and saw 30deer last year opening day of gun. The other spot is 100 yards off the side in a little swamp that gets over looked during bow. Always see a decent deer in both spots.
Thanks I’ve been striking out so far upstate NY but I haven’t put in the work I should to get out of those common areas
Where in upstate are you?
whenever my sister & I hunt on the Navajo reservation, we're lucky that a majority of the hunters prefer to drive around instead of actually hiking & stalking like we do, they don't realize they push the bucks to us. we tag out everytime we hunt the rez.
Seen a monster 4 years ago but unfortunately had some jerks sitting behind me but thankfully that monster was wise and hope he still kicking.
Hopefully you can get one this year!! Good luck 👍
As a new hunter this was very helpful. Thank you.
Hey Jeff, more good information for those of us who hunt public land. Thanks! I hunt the Manistee National Forest in Northern Michigan. I get a tad anal about hiding my way in / out of the areas I hunt and really enjoy trying to locate where other hunters spend their time so I can avoid those areas. It's kind of a game for me to park somewhere and then walk the weeded edge of a road/trail to finally get the the area where I head into the woods. I lay a couple of down sticks/logs side-by-side pointing the direction I leave the road/trail to head toward my spot. I do use tacks but place them far enough apart to keep others from being able to follow them. I even alternate white and orange tacks to make them harder for others to follow in the daylight. I place them on both sides of larger trees and just above fern level. I also remove all tacks after I abandon an area for the season.
Question: What's your stance on removing old ribbons and tacks left by others in the woods? I view them as eye sores and consider them trash left in the nature. I also believe they give non-hunters another reason to look unfavorably towards hunters. I remove them as trash, if I'm sure they are old markers.
I don't know about removing old markers. I agree they're trash, but what if someone is out there relying on those markers to make it back? It wouldn't be a good strategy for sure, but it might make the difference between getting home on time and at the least a long night in the woods.
I feel like the “hard to access” ways in are usually significantly louder than the easier ways in. I am hunting in the mountains out west. Do you have any advice?
I agree with you! I have the thought of slow is steady...steady is fast... when hunting thick cover
Just went out on my first hunt ever Saturday with my father and brother, and this exact scenario played out.. we walked in a good 30min (2 miles) and were completely alone in the Pa wilderness. We hit a nice honey pot of deer and my brother ended up taking down a 8 point buck. My question for you and/or any other hunters is how the heck do you get your kill out of the woods and back to the truck.. it took us from 12 to 4 in the afternoon from the time of kill to we got to the truck and it was grueling. Actually tied the deer to a 8 foot long branch and carried it out branch ends on our shoulders. When you are out in the middle of no where and across 2 beaver dams like you said in your video, how do you get a deer back by yourself? After dealing with this on Saturday I’m very reluctant to head out solo just because it would have been imposible to get that deer back by myself.. thanks!
In my state you can call game warden and they will help.
Cut it up in the field and pack it out. Its what i do. Makes it 1000 times easier
Great video. I hunt in south eastern VA. Not a whole lot to see on a topo map because we are at sea level. What should I look for on a topo in my area while I scout from home??
Perhaps your best video of all the ones I’ve watched. Awesome. Picked up some thoughts on how to honey approach. I hunt big public land in PA every year. Killed some nice bucks covering escape routes of bucks when the masses come in from access points. I have 3 stand sites in a 200 acre area I’m rethinking based on your input. Hunting eastern pa instead of western pa this year.
Few understand that for a compass to be useful , you still need to know 2 things.
1 . How to orientate the map
2. What your pace count is
My opening day is today for Massachusetts and I'm hoping these tips pay off on the 12 pointer I have my eyes on
Would love to see a video of you showing what would be a great or high percentage area on a map!
Do you find most of your bucks in snow, being able to track them better?
I would say fewer in the snow? I rarely track to hunt tho, too...
Compass skills are good. A powerstick to keep your phone charged is better unless you’re going in for days. Down that with both…. Brought a solar powered charger. Haven’t had to use a compass in years but know how.
Do you camp at a site nearby? Do a video on that set up. Do you have a portable wood stove, how cold etc.
How do you pack your game out from 40 min in?
Great video! I'm just getting into hunting and this helped me out alot. Thank you.
Awesome video! Sad hunting numbers are going down. I think we intuit the same thing about scouting, and trekking away from other hunters and people. I've been afraid of gun season and haven't hunted public land during gun, but you inspired me to look a little harder.
I have yetseen one of your videos that isn’t value added. Excellent, Excellent videos!!! I hunt Michigan tip to tip, one of my most favorite places to hunt! The UP is lower chances of killing a buck but it is some of the best experiences Ihave ever had
Great video!! How true I used to have secret spots on public. Even had a guy sitting against my climbing oak last year I hope your getting more rain then us. Dry as hell here!!!
Great thoughts on public land. Another thing I have found in Wisconsin. It is public land hunting land unless you own some good average. And it seems that every 40 acres in the Southern half of the state has permanent shooting towers on 2 corners. That's no way to connect to the land, but if sitting in a sofa with the Packet game on in an enclosure is your thing, well I'd rather go shopping for some meat st Piggly Wigley. I digress.
I have found few landowners that are open to you hunting their land even if you know them. Lots of relatives are asking them the same thing. One guy would not even let me cross from public land onto his land where my deer crossed onto. I found him to ask if I could find my mortally shot deer and that was WITH him! My guess is he had an illegal feeding station there off Rocky Run in Columbia County. He poked around for 15 min. And came out with the face of a liar saying he didn't see anything. He Would NOT let me cross his fence line even with him.
So, public land is a good thing. Access can be a challenge with well worn paths to areas. Will try your techniques.
Got a wonderful 9 pointer this year on public land. One point for each year I have not gotten anything.
I try to do just that, but it is really disappointing to do all this home work and think to yourself No one could possibly go, or want to go in this spot" and get there and find sign that someone has been there... or everything is looking great for hours, you hear a twig snap, your heart speeds up, you just know it has to be that one smart buck sneaking along and another Hunter comes walking through. It's tough here on NY public land!
I stopped hunting because of the anxiety I have of this type of frustration and let down. I so badly want to get out again, but I just can't cope. I know people hear that and think it's a sign of a feeble mind. And for sure, accepting the reality you describe and adjusting your expectations is huge. But dang it, I still haven't been able to get out after 20 years. I'm not an uptight control freak or the like....uhggg. BTW, NY here as well
I’m WMAs can you just park on the side of the road and walk in from there? Or are you usually required to park in a designated parking area?
I like that excitement with which you are talking about the hunting :)
Have you hunted Eglin Air Force Base Reservation? It is maintained by the Jackson Guard in North Florida Valpariso Area.
Any chance you do a video on how to find mature does? I tag out on private property with good bucks every year but we don't get many doe after that
Come hunt with me in pa, you would have a blast in the woods where I setup. Miles of non pressured woods. At times i wish there were more people to push them. Love the content by the way.
Where are you ? I hunt 4E
Was the picture at 2: 34 in Bradford county Pa? It looks like the area I hunt. Thanks for your insights.
Where i hunt on public land in pa 5a to be more specific there is some very big bucks, i saw one 2 years ago that i know was over a 200 inch typical. And then i missed a 14 inch monster. The key to seeing them is in archery season normally the last week.
I will be hunting public land for my first year hunting and the area is mostly swamp surounded by hardwoods the harwoods are surround by corn fields any tips i know your a busy guy!
My question to you is this, when I get off the beaten Trail and go through the woods it just seems so loud and I’ll find a good spot. That’s deep in the woods nowhere near any trail so it’s hard to get to, but it’s just so loud to get all the way out there, what do you have to say about that?
I'm headed to hunt Hammersley Wild Area in PA next week for the opening day. Any recommendations?
I cross a beaver dam on my way into my opening day stand where ive shot a decent buck almost every time ive hunted it ..first day of rifle season is this Saturday in New York .....I can barely control my excitement
Love your channel and your channel has been the reason for many of my goals I've set for myself.
Any tips for hunting SE michigan public land? It seems no matter how far in i go, there's signs of other humans, bike paths, equestrian trails or other hunters.
Do you have a particular compass that you suggest?
Hey Jeff, Thanks for sharing the content. I especially love the videos regarding public land. This video pictures a very nice stainless steel rifle on a few shots. What make/model/caliber is it?