Tag Page publiclandhunting

#publiclandhunting
bushjill

Why I stopped hunting the "obvious" spots

Last season I was that guy posting "saw nothing all weekend" after hunting the same popular spots as everyone else. Then an old-timer at the gas station gave me advice that completely flipped my success rate... Here's what actually works on public ground: 1️⃣ Go where others won't - I started hiking an extra mile past the "easy" spots. Found deer that had never seen hunting pressure and it showed! 2️⃣ Hunt the weird hours - Tuesday mornings and late evenings became my secret weapon. Big bucks move when weekend warriors are at work. 3️⃣ Stay flexible - When Plan A failed, I had Plans B, C, and D ready. Moved spots three times one morning and finally connected. Also learned to buddy up with the local wildlife biologist - that guy knows EVERYTHING about deer patterns and habitat changes. Best hunting investment I ever made was buying him coffee and picking his brain. Public land isn't impossible, you just gotta think different than private land hunters. #hunting #publiclandhunting #huntingtips #deerhunting

Why I stopped hunting the "obvious" spots
Manuel Bright

Why Red Oaks Beat White Oaks in My Hunts? 🤔

When I first started squirrel hunting, I quickly learned that the “one-size-fits-all” advice online doesn’t always hold up. In my area, squirrels actually prefer red oaks over white oaks—probably because the wet winters break down the tannins faster. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few strategies that work for me: 🌳 Walk slowly and silently—silence matters more than depth in the woods ⏳ Move spots if you don’t see action within 20 minutes 🍂 Look for signs like cut nuts, nests, or well-used perches For me, diverse forage areas (red oaks, hickories, walnuts, pines) in wet bottomland have always been the most productive. Every season feels like solving a new puzzle, and that’s what keeps it interesting. What’s been your most surprising squirrel-hunting lesson? #Hunting #SquirrelHunting #PublicLandHunting #HuntingTips

Why Red Oaks Beat White Oaks in My Hunts? 🤔
Manuel Bright

Why public land feels better, but private land is slipping away

Thinking back to when I started hunting, I’ve noticed something interesting—public land around here has actually gotten better. Back in high school, a lot of the WMAs were full of invasives, but now I’m seeing native grasses, healthier marshes, and more birds than I remember. Private land, though, is another story. We used to roam farms we knew, no permission needed, and farmers were happy to see what we’d bagged. Now it’s “no trespassing” signs and crazy prices. I even tried to hunt the slough where I shot my first duck—owner (living states away) wanted $1,800 for a weekend. Feels like access is getting harder every year. Have you seen the same changes where you hunt? #hunting #publiclandhunting #huntingaccess #Outdoors

Why public land feels better, but private land is slipping away
jortiz

How I find killer spots on public land

The first time I scouted public land seriously, I spent a weekend just walking ridgelines and marking every rub, bed, and hidden water source I could find. I used satellite maps to avoid obvious access routes and focused on the ugly stuff—steep draws, thick cover, places no one wants to hike into. My boots were trashed by Sunday, but I came out with 3 solid ambush spots and a fresh appreciation for how deer actually move in pressured areas. I scout hard post-season, set trail cams early, and map food sources like mast trees and browse lines. The trick? Think like a buck avoiding pressure. I’ve found more action on gnarly terrain no one else wants to hike than I ever did near open fields. It takes effort, but man, when it works... it's pure magic. What’s your go-to strategy for finding a hot public land setup? #hunting #PublicLandHunting #DeerHunting

How I find killer spots on public land
lolson

My first public elk hunt nearly killed me

Last September I thought I was ready for my first public land elk hunt. Day 3, I'm gasping for air at 9,000 feet with a 60-pound pack, wondering why I skipped leg day all summer. That's when reality hit - elk hunting is brutal. Here's what I wish I'd known before heading into the mountains: - You need to hike 10+ miles daily with gear - Expect 1,000+ foot climbs through rocks and deadfall - If successful, you're packing out 300 pounds of meat - Most public elk have escape plans by opening day My training mistakes: 1️⃣ Cardio base - Should've been walking 4+ miles daily with a weighted pack months before 2️⃣ Leg strength - Squats, lunges, stair climber - your legs carry you to elk and back 3️⃣ Upper body - You'll be clawing up canyons and hopefully breaking down an elk Essential prep: - Get medical clearance before training - Scout your unit in summer if possible - Test ALL gear before the hunt - Have backup navigation tools The mountains don't care about your ego. Start training now or pay the price later. What's your biggest elk hunting preparation lesson? #hunting #ElkHunting #PublicLandHunting

My first public elk hunt nearly killed me
lolson

Why Northern New England is underrated for hunters

Just moved to NH and honestly blown away by how hunter-friendly it is up here! 🦌 No draw systems (except moose), your license includes tags, and here's the crazy part - you can hunt anywhere that's not posted. Most big landowners don't even post because they get tax breaks for keeping land open! Yeah the deer density isn't like down south, but these northern bucks are MASSIVE. Plus I can hunt Maine, NH, and Vermont all for under $500 total. Even as a non-resident, Maine is only $150. Been living near Boston for work and driving up weekends. Best of both worlds - decent job market but incredible hunting access. The tougher hunting just makes it more rewarding when you connect. Anyone else hunting this region? The lack of red tape is refreshing compared to other states. #Outdoors #hunting #newenglandhunting #newhampshire #maine #publiclandhunting

Why Northern New England is underrated for hunters
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