State land birds....

[Turkeygirl]

For you NYer's and anyone in general who hunts state land...how hard does it get hunted?

I hunted a little state land a couple times last spring, never really stayed late, never ran into anyon either, so I don't know if hunting late morning gives you a better chance on state land of running into a bird. I heard a bird gobble when I was there, but never saw him, he was on some land bordering the state land, and one day when I did see a couple birds, they were out about 50 yards and went running by which was weird.

Anyway I'll probably give it a try this spring also, have a second state land spot - at the camp I work at, I've got an "in" Guess people don't get much access into that sde because it's camp property on the state land. Then of course the spot where I hunted last here, saw some big tracks back when we had snow, so I know there are birds in there somewhere.

What are some tactics you guys use to find birds on state land and hunt them?

[Leo]

Find out where the freshest control burn was done and check it out for sign. Turkeys like sifting the ashes for freshly cooked bugs and the freshest new shoots.

[beagleboy]

I hunt state land several times for the turkey season and have had some success early in the morning. By me, the state lands are very hilly and open forests and not very many birds so getting one of these birds to cooperate isn't too hard but the people that hunt these birds teach them to be wise. I just found some state land which I am going to scout this week in Columbia and Schoharie County. I usually avoid state land on weekends. Just too many guys and call happy. I usually run and gun for turkeys on state land. Cover alot of ground.

[Guest Outcast]

I have hunted state land for years with lots of success. You just have to get out there and scout them out. There are plenty of birds and plenty of hunters.

Head out during the youth season and see where other folks are hunting, my bet is that is where you will see most of the pressure, and other hunters.

While scouting don't do any calling, just listen in the morning and evening for gobbles. When you locate a few, then go in late morning and scout the ground. You may even here some more gobbling that can tip you off as to where they head after fly down.