late season public land
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 240
late season public land
I was thinking about trying to late season bow hunt on some public land later this year. I know its still a little while away but I was wondering if anyone had any tips for late season public land hunting. Ive never really hunted any public land before so any advice helps. Thanks guys!
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: west central wi USA
Posts: 2,242
The public areas get pounded during gun season. The deer will vacate to areas where they aren't bothered. They will start coming back a couple of weeks after things quiet down. You'll have to scout any food plots or heavy cover areas after a snow to get a sense of their movement. They will travel a long way to get food in late season, so locate where they are coming from. One thing about late season hunting is that deer movement gets very regular and predictable. If they come through a 4:00 one day, they'll be through at the same time tomorrow.
#5
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Noble,OK
Posts: 132
When the hunters go in the deer come out. Find a food plot along the property lines and start scouting the area there. Deer chased out during the gun seasons will start to filter back in but even the bow hunters will keep them holding to the edges.
#7
Also, there are public hunting lands that are bowhunting only, which greatly reduces hunting pressure. If you find a small, bowhunting only tract that connects to larger tracts, you could have a sweet hunting spot on your hands
#8
Food. Winter is all about food for deer. Hunt the food source that the deer are hitting. I have not had much luck in morning hunts in late season. I usually go mid-day and sit for as long as I can stand it.
-Jake
-Jake