Ethan Givan Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 This year Im looking at trying some public land for turkeys. There is one WMA about 20 minutes from my house that is 1600 acres. It is mostly woods and lots of hills and hollars. I have heard that it has alot of turkeys on it. Do you guys have any tips for turkey hunting on public land? I have always hunted private land but I want to try something new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ambuscher Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 I hunt public land, and usually wait till the second week to even go over there. Kind of let everyone else get it out of there system before I go. Also it's better to hunt during the week, while everyone is at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 First off BE CAREFUL!!! I probably would NOT use decoys. Call softly. I would think those turkeys get called to A LOT so they might be a little call shy too....so they may come in silent. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccwhitey Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Im calling for my kid brother this weekend and were hunting public land. It's solid timber except for some small clearings here and there. We have killed two in these spots in the past. Good luck on your hunt!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Outcast Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 I hunt public land all the time. I just do a lot of scouting, talk a lot with other hunters that hunt the area to get a feel as to where they are going. Last year I started putting a sign on my truck. I would scout the night before and often locate a few birds gobbling. I would make up my mind which way I was going to go, then make a sign telling them where I was going to be, to please be respectfull, then I would give general directions to where I had heard other turkeys talking the night before. It worked great. I even met up with another hunter after a morning hunt, and he had followed my directions and took a nice jake that morning. Most turkey hunters do not want to see other hunters in the woods, and if they know where you will roughly be, most of them, will stay clear. Of course there always is one idiot. So use caution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Givan Posted March 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 That is a great idea about the sign. Me and my brother are going to try to scout before we hunt there. We will also try to beat other hunters there by getting in there really early that morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsman2230 Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 I hunt some public land here in Pa and I usually wait until a week day to hunt it because everyone and their brother is there on the weekends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maytom Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 This year Im looking at trying some public land for turkeys. There is one WMA about 20 minutes from my house that is 1600 acres. It is mostly woods and lots of hills and hollars. I have heard that it has alot of turkeys on it. Do you guys have any tips for turkey hunting on public land? I have always hunted private land but I want to try something new. I my opinion, both public and private pieces of land have the very same issues, interference from other hunters!! Just because you hunt private land doesn't guarantee you'll be the only one in the woods!!! The only tip on public land hunting I can suggest is to not hunt where you see everyone else parked!!! That section of woods has been obviously hit hard by other hunters there before you. Get out a map on the place and look for certain areas that are farther away from the parking areas!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest longspur69 Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Public hunting lands offer some incredible opportunities. When possible, I like to hunt near the end of roads and park in such a way as to limit the access of others. I also leave a note. Study maps and try to target difficult to reach areas that have access that is pretty much limited to the direction you're coming from, ie. around large creeks and rivers, or large hills with one access road. Another big hint would be to NOT jump out of the truck cackling, cutting, crowing and owling. The earlier you get a bird gobbling the more time there is for other hunters to head your way. Also, calling to turkeys on the roost makes them stay on the roost longer - especially on heavily hunted areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_RIDGE_RUNNER Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 I hunt both private and public land. When on public I never imitate a gobble and use a decoy only if I am way back in. Pick a really big tree to sit against too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Lots of good advice here. Never thought of leaving a sign. I like it. Scout well. Go on a weekday. Get farther back in than anyone else wants to go. Kill a bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsman1977 Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 get as far away from parking areas as you can..if you have to walk to find unhunted birds....do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riverBottom Posted April 3, 2008 Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 I hunt on public land every year for turkey. I do a lot of scouting in areas that aren't easily accessible by vehicle. Just make sure to be carefull. Keep an eye out for any other hunters that might be in the area. I use decoys, but usually only on field edges, that way somebody can't sneak up on me trying to shoot my decoy. I find that the birds are more skittish on public land than on private, but with some patience you shouldn't have any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beagleboy Posted April 3, 2008 Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 I rarely hunt public land, but when I do I like the idea of the sign. Awesome advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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