What are some key things to look for when hunting or starting to hunt on public lands? etc. open areas leading out into the open fields, water, food sources, bedding areas? New to the areas and trying to figure out the public lands when travel time is like an hour or more. Not a lot of scouting opportunities with that long of commute. Need to be looking at maps but at what?? Thanks for reading my post, any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

definitely look at google earth images of the land you plan on hunting. i would really try to find their food source. thats your best bet. key to being successful on public land is going where others wont.

Google maps is amazing for hunting... check out the satellite view of where you'll be headed and you can basically plan your whole hunt from the sky.

Once you get to the area you think you want to be, start looking for sign and narrow down your area from there.

Both google and bing maps are helpful. Look for areas that most hunters won't make the effort to get to.

Scout in the spring with a gps and return to a mapping software to download any info found. You'll get a picture then, build a map and pick the best spot to hunt and hunt it.

Give it 4 years.

Thanks for the good ideas and information.

Obviously, you want to hunt where there is good sign, but you also want to consider other hunters. I usually try to hunt an area that is a bit further in than most are willing to walk. I hunt State land almost exclusively, and this has helped me see more undisturbed deer.