i need some opinions on where to set up at. i just started hunting this new public spot, and last week i walked in there w/ my bud with some folding chairs. on our way in, on the main trail right at 1st light, we saw deers roaming, so we decided to post right there on the main trail. I saw a nice buck a few min. later, and he was about 40 yards from me roaming around on the main trail (the one I was sitting on), but he wouldnt come closer, and i also saw a few groups of deer roaming on this main trail during the morning. Im going back tomarrow and im not sure if i should siton that main trail again, or try to work my way back in the woods (in the dark lol). I have always heard "to get big deer you need to get off the beaten path, do some leg work", but if i saw this buck on the main trail, should I disregard that rule and hunt on the main trail again...? do you guys ever kill bucks on main trails on public land. maybe i will sit there tomarrow and then try to scout around after 9:00 deeper into the woods. i guess its just something about sitting on the main trail, 200 yardsinto the trail,that makes me feel like a "amature" or "inexperienced" hunter b/c im not walking into the "depths" of the woods hundreds of yards. but if i saw a nice buck there a few days ago (had him snorting + stomping at me), doesnt that mean he at least frequents this area, which means its a alright place to set up. sorry for long post, but this has been bugging me all day lol.

set up where u see deer. if its in a field or on a trail or w/e, if u have an idea where the deer will be then u have an advantage. in the middle of the day maybe work your way down the trail a little and figure out more of the puzzle such aswhere they bed, where the buck sign is, etc. bucks use trails whenever its safe and convenient so its fine to hunt the trails just make sure to control your scent and be quiet and use cover.

alright, thats what i was thinking. i mean, if i see deer there, then deer must use that somewhat. i will prob. hunt there until 10am or so and then continue on and look. then i should go and look for scrapes, rubs, etc right...i just feel like if im on a main trail not too far on the trail, i dont have as good of a chance as killing him opposed to someone who travels 500 yards to hunt. buti guess its like you said, hunt where deer are. if i saw him there once, i guess he has to use that area somewhat because i saw him, you know what I mean? thanks alot

how do u get into the woods? do u walk thru the field?

no, theres no field. its just basically a firetrail that breaks off of another fire trail. i walk back on this trail and was told by a good friend who use to hunt it that there are deer everywhere pretty much, because it comes out like a pennisula (its surrounded by water so he said all the deer in the surrounding area get pushed to this little 'point', that is what he called it). i was walking off the road and onto the trailtoday and a park ranger said that its a good spot to hunt and that he saw two nice 8 pointers in there in last few days. i should have asked him exactly where he saw them. but i believe the deer hes speaking of is the one i saw on the main trail a few days ago. he was snorting, weezing, stomping lol i think he smelled me b/c i forgot to scent spray me and my buddy b/ci was so excited to hunt. soi just dont know ifi should hunt there in same spot i saw himor try to meander myself further in thewoods. but i guess when ya think about it i should just sitwhere i was seeing deer, main trail or not

cool sounds like a good spot...and once u explore your way in u might find better spots to sit too. good luck!!!

hope so, we will see.