How To Scout Public Land For Deer

Continually scouting for your next great public land deer hunting grounds, can at times be frustrating. However, if you live in the North 1/2 of the country, there is most likely a quality tract of public hunting land within 1 to 3 hours of home. You just need to learn how to find quality locations efficiently and then add a small amount of boot time. There are some great strategies for helping you scout public land for deer. When, where, why and how to scout public land for deer can all be accomplished much faster than you may realize..

[fire_x_friction]

Great video and discussion. State land, swamp meets hardwood I've made a living on for a long time where people didn't want to walk to. It was just a longer drag. But that's the fun and the price. Great vid, better discussion.

[tomlalond]

Ask and you shall receive! Thanks Jeff for adding some of the exact tips I’ve been looking for to get an edge!

[normankaster]

The best information that you stated was two things that I use #1 find the hard to reach locations Ex.small slice of high ground located in a Marsh and hunt the deer runs leading into that.#2 hunt the Hunter, know where they park, location of stands, are they baiting, what time are they getting into the woods, what time are they leaving, are they also bow hunting the area. All of that and more, can be figured out with just a quick 10 min conversation with them either before or after the hunt...I do it all the time.I have never had another Hunter not give me the information I'm looking for, if you know how to "hunt the Hunter" than get into your location before they get to theirs, use them to push feeding deer into the thick stuff that is hard to get to AKA your location. Feeding deer meaning deer that are feeding on their bait piles that are spooked as they walk into their stand, or deer could also be feeding on natural food that's available to them, I use a large group of guys every year to sent bump some thick cover of the Manisstee River bottom these guys walk the ridge every Thanksgiving and set up on top of it looking down into the River bottom, mean while I'm down wind 400 yards hunting the exit. Hard to get into my location due to I have to use my canoe and set a tree stand up all before they slam the door of the pick up truck and start walking the 200 yards to the river. One day I know this will pay off big.I have seen some of the nicest bucks of my hunting life with there help. Great topic as always.

[mcgyversshed]

Just recently came across your video series. I'm quite impressed with your methodical and detail oriented approach. Please keep it learning alot. Thanks

[mike]

Pontiac lake rec/ bald mountain, Holly Rec, my neck of the woods! Love the videos, thanks for sharing your experience.

[patrickfoster]

This is exactly what I've been looking for! There's a ton of state land and forest land around me. I live in west Michigan and it's pretty heavily hunted. Those are pretty simple ways to break the areas down. I've learned a lot from your videos and look forward to watching more. Thanks for doing it!

[sierraridgereaper]

Ive never hunted anything but public land. I currently hunt a 3500 ac area and in 5 yrs of hunting this tract, Ive never seen another hunter in the woods. It has a main road (forest service rd) that runs the west edge, one road that is gated that enters the area, the rest is inaccessible by vehicle (old logging rds) so its all on foot. Ive only seen guys on the main road at the west edge, road hunters either on quads or in their trucks. No one ever gets off the beaten path here much less braves the woods. I love it, have it all to myself every year. In Fact, Ive never had a trail cam ever come up missing and some (4) are within a hundred yards of that main road, all just hangin with bungy cords, tree stands never touched. Not sure why the guys around here never venture in to the woods, maybe scared of the lions and bears, dont really know but I guess thats good for me as I am old school and love it.

[johnkendall]

This answered a lot of questions I had. I know of a place on public land that meets most of the requirements I will be be checking it out in the next few weeks

[jaehanson]

Great tips, thanks Jeff. I hunt the Western Michigan area and want to start experimenting more with state land.

[RS-msbz]

Jeff. After watching many of your videos, especially this one, I took a lot of time looking on Google Earth at our wildlife management area not more than 20 minutes from where I live. I haven't hunted there since I was in high school 30 years ago, which even back then was overrun with hunters, especially during gun season. I was fortunate enough to have private mountain acreage to hunt in West Virginia the last few decades...still trying to figure that area out, which is rugged mountains with steep ravines...but would like to try public land close to home. I found an area that's 3/4 mile from the main road in one direction, and over 3 miles from the next road over in the other direction. About a mile down the mountainside is private land, mostly farm land. This area I can see on Google Earth is a natural bowl surrounded by ridges to the north, east and west, and slowly runs downhill to the private land. I can see a stream that meanders down through the bowl which is mostly meadow looking. Hard to tell by looking at the map, It looks roughly 100 yards or so wide and maybe 200 yards long. There are hollows on the west and east side flowing down into this area. It's definitely a terrain change, edge change and vegetation change. It seems to fit everything you stated in this video, just wondering your thoughts. I would like to check it out once the season is over this winter. I think I can get a better handle on the lay of the land with leaves off the trees. What are your thoughts on hunting a bowl area like this and the winds that are sure to be moving in all directions given the terrain features. Thanks for all of the videos and awesome information!

[ML-kslj]

I was just eye balling bald mountain area on the maps for some mid January hunting

[cantgetenoughoutdoors]

Man you got that right!!! It’s out there, just gotta find it!!!

[randlerichardson]

Hey brother finally got a chance to watch your video.

[peterarmstrong]

Took my biggest buck on public land in Michigan. Big block of standing pines.

[RichardWing]

Is there a sequel? With more walking in the woods showing specific types of sign and cover and talking about how we should analyze that to find a specific spot. I have a great area with low hunter density but it seems like everywhere just has mediocre sign one rub here and there with no other sign. A few tiny singular scrapes again nothing nearby. I'm having a hard time finding feeding areas late autumn. I have some good spots for late year and rifle but archery season up here in Northern Michigan sorta throws me for loop. I feel like my deer could be heavy in an area for a week and then disappear. Or it's almost like they already went into winter phase even though it's still 70 degrees once in a while.

[rickparshall]

You want elevation changes with hardwood stands on hill and big pines on top and marsh/swampy at base with good sized creek ... you would love our area.. state doesn't do anything to it but cut one end of the several meadows and the main path in and out.. wilderness.. just wish I could figure it out...

[MeLancer]

Thank you for sharing this information. I prefer good public lands hunting.

[koreywilliams]

I wanna get out next year and try rifle hunting for the first time. I doubt I'm going to see anything or even shoot anything but it would be fun just to get out and give it a shot. And who knows maybe ill get lucky and bag my first deer 😊

[TheHYENA]

Yes, yes, yes! When your hunting public land just do what the public won’t do... walk, like a deer, my rationale is exactly what Jeff said. 30 mins one way and you will be in paradise.

[rongarofalo]

Another great video with much information that I can actually apply to my style of hunting. All of my current stands are next to some type of funnel. Either natural or man made, funnels will get you close to the action.