IllinoisHunter Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 First of all, I would like to say hello to everyone. I'm a 'fawn' and hope to grow into a monster buck some day. Just wanted to start a thread on hunting public ground and the best way to approach it when there is a tremendous amount of hunting pressure. As with most areas, the beginning and up until the rut it is very easy to pattern the deer movements. But, it doesn't take long for the bucks to feel pressured and turn nocturnal. What's everyone's experiences? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnatecsteve Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground Find their "escape routes" if possible. There is an area somewhere where they will retraet to when they get pressured or jumped. As many people will tell you, get to those spots where most hunters consider too hard or too far to get to. I would use pop-up ground blinds in thick cover so you can stay very mobile. Plus if you are hunting the thick nasty stuff, you'll have more shot oportunities often from the groung than a tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAstringking Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground hunt the thick stuff that all the 2 day warriors wont even think of going into. escape routes are another great way to find deer during pressure situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground Be the First in and Stay All Day! Let them push deer towards you and jump them up when they leave for lunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOYTnMUZZYboy Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground Where you at in Illinois, Illinoishunter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnatecsteve Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground Another thing to consider...as with public land turkey, those deer have probably heard every deer call and smelled every brand of deer lure on the market. I would hunt more of an ambush style keeping the calling subtle and just rely on scent elimination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground One of the big problems on the state land that I hunt is that apparently everyone has heard the story about going farther into public lands to try to get past the pressure. I have adjoining property that allows me to use my ATV to get up a very long and steep hill, and can easily get back in farther than you would expect others to go. Ha! no such thing. I have watched people trudging up that hill carrying packs and heavy stands, huffing and puffing and drenched in sweat. Perhaps that parcel of state land just isn't big enough, but it appears that hunters are now very determined to overcome any physical challenge to get in deeper than they perceive anyone else would go. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirage Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground Well I would start by walking the land and getting to know it real well. Then Go where nobody else wants to go and stay in as long as you can sun up to sun down you will get them. The more your in the woods the more deer you will see. Good luck and welcome to the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DU_man_84 Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground BE DIFFERENT, hunt thick stuff, hunt the areas with little or no pressure, get there first, stay out a little longer and get in the stand a little earlier, if your hunting the same tree, make a different approach to the tree on your way in and out of the woods, dont walk the same trail day in and day out, if possible get to know some of the hunters out there, get in with them you might be surprised the might let you in on some good spots, by the way where in illinois are ya and also welcome to realtree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground [ QUOTE ] BE DIFFERENT, [/ QUOTE ] That's the key. Notice how everyone else said "go where no one else goes." Ever notice how "everyone else" goes deeper into the woods to get away from the crowd??? Try hunting just on the edge of the land. I hunt public land and hunt 100 yards off the road. I've see and had my share of mature bucks well within bow range, but just can't get a shot off. You don't have to go deeper than everyone else because everyone else has the same mindset...they're going deeper. Stay close to the truck.....it makes for a shorter drag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAstringking Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] BE DIFFERENT, [/ QUOTE ] That's the key. Notice how everyone else said "go where no one else goes." Ever notice how "everyone else" goes deeper into the woods to get away from the crowd??? Try hunting just on the edge of the land. I hunt public land and hunt 100 yards off the road. I've see and had my share of mature bucks well within bow range, but just can't get a shot off. You don't have to go deeper than everyone else because everyone else has the same mindset...they're going deeper. Stay close to the truck.....it makes for a shorter drag. [/ QUOTE ] that is true...i shot the biggest buck ever shot at my camp and i was only 40 yards from my camp. everyone else was hiking into the woods for a mile and i sat within hearing distance from my camp. and only 30 yards from the outhouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IllinoisHunter Posted January 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground I hunt public ground known as Jim Edgar Panther Creek (16,000 acres). This is a very large parcel of land to hunt. I have harvested many mature bucks with my bow here, along with a 140 class 9 -pointer. I just kind of like to know what strategies everyone else takes into these type of situations. Like I said, I've been fortunate enough to have much success here, but I would like to take everyone's ideas into the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyBucks Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground I have to say that I know the public land that I hunt on as well as I do my own property. I always have atleast two other areas that I could move to if need be. I'm not the type to stand and argue with someone until daylight about who was there first or who has been hunting there longer, If someone comes in on me I'll just slip out to another spot that I have just as much faith in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rad_112176 Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground The one thing i have learned about hunting public land is don't stay in one spot to long. I have hunted Rend Lake area in Il for 3 years now and i can pattern the deer pretty well now. I start off hunting within seeing distance of the truck for October. Usually all the bow hunters come to IL to hunt when the rut kicks in meaning late October. That is usually pre rut, but seams to produce good buck movement. I then work my way in deeper and deeper as the time goes on. After the last gun season you might as well count on yourself loosing a few pounds with the walk in you have to do. I have been very fortunate with being mobile like this. See alot of deer and some dandy bucks. My best day of the year was when i was about 200 yrds from the truck and i had 8 different bucks come within bow range and 2 shooters that i just couldn't get a shot at. I have also walked this property numerous times to see elevations and to see what thicket i may have missed the last time. I noticed one last weekend that i am eager to get my stand in early next year. Now if we could just get all people to be honest and quit stealing my stands..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoytguy08 Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground I also hunt at Panther Creek, there is some giants in there. Where exactly do u live? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest realtrhunter Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground I am in Southern Illinois and hunt Crab Orchard Refuge and the Shawnee Nat. Forest. I scout and scout and scout. Try the pattern the deer for early season and try to do it without getting busted. I have put the carbon suite on in 100+ degrees and scouted most of a day. Hunt the thickets and even better his bedding area. I also try to find the little areas that are pretty much unknown by others, especially after shotgun season. I try to be in my stand and ready at least an hour before shooting time, to let everything settle down and stay on the stand longer than most. I have had people come looking for me because it was so long after shootign time and I was just getting down, to let the deer move through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OklaBow712 Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Hunting public ground This past season was my first experience with public land...here in Okla where I hunt absolutely no vehicle or ATV traffic is allowed..so from Oct to Nov had 2200 acres virtually to myself...most weekend warriors wont walk 3/4 of a mile to hunt..much less have to drag one out that far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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