Community
Whitetail Deer Hunting Gain a better understanding of the World's most popular big game animal and the techniques that will help you become a better deer hunter.

Hunting State Land Advise?

Thread Tools
 
Old 09-23-2016 | 10:20 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Spike
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default Hunting State Land Advise?

Been doing some research and what I'm getting out of it is try to hunt a place that you think no other hunter is going to go
Gettings21 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-24-2016 | 01:48 AM
  #2  
alleyyooper's Avatar
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 0
From: MICHIGAN
Talking

Post a question like that and no location like even the state so all one can do is say where they live.




Here in Michigan any area of the state below the bride troll land opening week of firearm deer season is a good place to get shot or shot at is state land. Rest of the different seasons, you would be revelaty safe above the shot gun zone line mid week.
Above the bridge YOOPER land you would be fairly safe about half way across since you need to be a bit away for the bridge and also more federal land to go with the state land.


Al
alleyyooper is offline  
Reply
Old 09-24-2016 | 05:27 AM
  #3  
younggun308's Avatar
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,266
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Default

Please tell us what state and what the terrain is like.

In western Virginia and East Tennessee, it's remarkably hilly and that terrain provides much more backstop for shots on deer. It in fact is rare you get a shot in which you don't have the ground in your scope, unless you are in the bottom of a ravine looking at a deer at the top of a ridge/crest (obviously not a safe shot unless the target area has a large tree behind it). For that reason I would look on GoogleMaps and try to hike into the most rugged place I find that seems to have good deer habitat, and is farther from the road. The more effort you put into it, the less likely you are to run into other hunters.
If I hunted in a flat area, though, I'd be much more nervous about hunting public land.
younggun308 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-24-2016 | 06:15 AM
  #4  
Bocajnala's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,088
Likes: 30
From: Trumbull County, Ohio
Default

I hunt public land in gun season, and have for years. Wear orange, be aware of your surroundings. For finding deer, I look for the sign and then hunt it. Ya, you can go deeper to avoid others, but there may not be any deer there. The best combination is lots of sign in an area others can't or won't get to. One of my best spots for public land was an island cut off by a lake, and two creeks. You could get there by canoe, or crossing a really sketchy log across the creek. I used to hunt in there and saw lots of deer. When the shooting starts they head to places they know are secure. I like to hunt swampy areas on public land too. it's thick, wet and nasty so allot of people won't go in. But the deer are in there. Give us some more info, like what state you're in, and what the terrain is like.
-Jake
Bocajnala is offline  
Reply
Old 09-24-2016 | 08:13 AM
  #5  
Champlain Islander's Avatar
Dominant Buck
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,835
Likes: 10
From: On an Island in Paradise
Default

I hunt a lot of pub land and always try to get in early and further than most. Deer get pushed and often the results are quite similar from year to year. Knowing through experience where pressured animal go fills tags.
Champlain Islander is offline  
Reply
Old 09-24-2016 | 12:04 PM
  #6  
Giant Nontypical
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,230
Likes: 0
Default

I've killed mule deer, whitetail deer, blacktail deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, bighorn sheep and mountain goat on public land. So I'm curious just what the OP is asking?
flags is offline  
Reply
Old 09-24-2016 | 01:24 PM
  #7  
bronko22000's Avatar
Boone & Crockett
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 12,825
Likes: 5
From: Eastern PA
Default

Originally Posted by Champlain Islander
I hunt a lot of pub land and always try to get in early and further than most. Deer get pushed and often the results are quite similar from year to year. Knowing through experience where pressured animal go fills tags.
Originally Posted by flags
I've killed mule deer, whitetail deer, blacktail deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, bighorn sheep and mountain goat on public land. So I'm curious just what the OP is asking?
Me thinks the boy is looking for a bit of solitude hunting public land. I believe Champlain Islander hit the nail on the head. Find a big tract of public land, get a topo map of that area and head on in deep. Most "hunters" especially the old guys will stay close to roads.
Do some scouting before hand and look for deer sign or whatever game you're going for and mark it on your map or better yet as a way point in your GPS, or both. Good places to check are saddles and draws at least 1/2 mile from any road. But be for warned - the further you go in the longer your drag will be!
bronko22000 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-24-2016 | 03:12 PM
  #8  
Thread Starter
Spike
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by younggun308
Please tell us what state and what the terrain is like.

In western Virginia and East Tennessee, it's remarkably hilly and that terrain provides much more backstop for shots on deer. It in fact is rare you get a shot in which you don't have the ground in your scope, unless you are in the bottom of a ravine looking at a deer at the top of a ridge/crest (obviously not a safe shot unless the target area has a large tree behind it). For that reason I would look on GoogleMaps and try to hike into the most rugged place I find that seems to have good deer habitat, and is farther from the road. The more effort you put into it, the less likely you are to run into other hunters.
If I hunted in a flat area, though, I'd be much more nervous about hunting public land.
The terrain isn't very hilly at all. But does have a river going through it. Pretty thick Woods and has some farm land around.
Gettings21 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-24-2016 | 03:18 PM
  #9  
Thread Starter
Spike
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Bocajnala
I hunt public land in gun season, and have for years. Wear orange, be aware of your surroundings. For finding deer, I look for the sign and then hunt it. Ya, you can go deeper to avoid others, but there may not be any deer there. The best combination is lots of sign in an area others can't or won't get to. One of my best spots for public land was an island cut off by a lake, and two creeks. You could get there by canoe, or crossing a really sketchy log across the creek. I used to hunt in there and saw lots of deer. When the shooting starts they head to places they know are secure. I like to hunt swampy areas on public land too. it's thick, wet and nasty so allot of people won't go in. But the deer are in there. Give us some more info, like what state you're in, and what the terrain is like.
-Jake
I'm sorry guys. I live in michigan. If you'd like to look it up I hunt the lapeer state game area. Not far from my house the that's why I like going there. Last year I went out and didn't do any research didn't see one deer all year. Frustrating! This year I wanna go at it in a different way. Thought you guys might have some ideas or clues to look for. I have some topo and some aerial views on my phone but don't know how to add them on here.
Gettings21 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-24-2016 | 03:56 PM
  #10  
Giant Nontypical
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,230
Likes: 0
Default

Find the thickest nastiest stuff around. Go in before first light and sit tight don't leave until it is too dark to shoot. Let other hunters run the deer to you. When pressured deer will head to places people won't go. If you have a swamp, go there. Don't be afraid to get wet, muddy and miserable. Take a pack frame and bone the deer out where it hits the ground if legal. Drag marks tell others where you killed a deer. No reason to advertise a good spot.
flags is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.