Anyone have any tips on hunting public land. I've always hunted on private land, but where I live now I'm forced to hunt on public. ----> CB

I think I'd contact your DNR and get the contact number of a few of the wildlife officers who cover the areas, then talk to them. They should be able to clue you in on things, plus let you know about any quirks in the law. Im my state we have a lot of management areas and the rules and regs. vary some within the areas.

Aim Hard!

I hunt both public and private lands.I would suggest to get to the thickest part of the woods you can find.Seems around here most the guys just want to walk in a 100 yds and set up in the most opened part of the woods so they can see more.Which is great for me,as it drives the deer back to me in the thickets were im set up.Its worked year after year!!

It's not how big the Deer,But the size of the experiance that matters!!

Ditto on what carpet guy said, get back in there beyond everyone else and come about 10am the deer will be running over you, I say this from experience! Good luck!

I've hunted public land with good success on putting meat in the freezer, not a rack on the wall. So, based on that, here's what I do:

- think like other hunters. Which is usually "where is the hardest place to go and I'll be there". Reason? Because they think they are outdoing other hunters. Now avoid them.
- now take a look at the surrounding area (outer boundaries) and try to figure out if it's a popular place for deer. You may find a travel route in the public land
- third: I've seen more deer near the "public land" parking lot vs goig back as far as I can "to outdo the other guy".
- now that you go fairly close to parking spots, and alot of folks go as far as they can, now you just need to first in, last out.