State land hunting tips/etiquette

J.Marsillo

J.Marsillo

Joined
Nov 8, 2000
Messages
1,255
Maybe this is the wrong forum but does anybody have some good advice for hunting state land?
I used to hunt alot when I was younger because I had a huge land locked area that no one hunted but me and a few friends.Gradually over the last 10 years all of my hunting spots have either been sold off and developed or changed hands.There is a nice McMansion where I shot a 6 pointer in 1999 :grumpy:

So I have been hunting state land this year and its wayyy different than hunting on private land.Besides being unfamilliar with the land and deer movement the trails are through woods that you cant see more than 20 yards in.This leaves me kind of just walking on 4 wheeler type trails hoping to see anything with at least 3 points on one side(NY state pilot program).

Something else that I dont feel comfortable about is other hunters in the woods that I dont know there location.There is a sign in box that no one uses ,when I sign in I write which trails I will be on or what general direction.I also where a full blaze orange jacket for fear of getting shot :eek: (the dec website gives clear directions out of the city)
I have been out half a dozen times and havn't even seen a tail,where normally by now I am pretty sucessfull.Should I just get to a spot at 5 am before everyone else and sit and wait,or is there a better way to hunt from the ground.
 
Sounds like you're hunting at Stewart. I haven't tried there myself, but it is on my list of places to check out. It sounds mostly like you and I are guilty of the same error this year. Not enough scouting and homework. When hunting heavily used land I have two strategies that I like to use.

First, go where the hunters aren't. No matter how heavy the hunting pressure is, there will always be areas that are left alone. Maybe they are too far, or too hard to get into. Maybe it is swampy. Whatever. Hunt where others don't and you should see deer.

The second is an off-shoot of the first. Try and figure out what the hunting pressure is doing to change the deer habits. If they go completely nocturnal, there is not much you can do. Otherwise, try to determine what the deer are doing now. Then set up accordingly.
 
Joe, I have hunted a lot of public land here in WI, and you are right, it is WAAAAYY different from hunting private land. It is a bit eerie at first not knowing where anyone is, but generally most guys are good about not tearing up the forest with wayward gunfire. If I see another hunter, I give him a wide berth and continue. I only wish more guys would do that for me. My hunt ususally gets molested at least once by somone not paying attention.
Have a back up spot or 2 in mind, just in case the spot you picked has already been taken. (happens from time to time)
The state park I hunt isn't as popular as it once was, but there are monster deer taken out there every year. (none by me though :mad: )

Scouting on the public land is a must, because the DNR will make changes like building a hiking trail through the valley you hunt, (happend to me) or the scenery changes due to overgrowth of underbrush.

Oh yeah, wear lots of brown and blow your nose often with a large white hanky! :D Seriously, try to have fun and good luck! -Matt-
 
When I lived up in N. Michigan, all I had access to was public land. Of primary importance is research, both in the books and on the ground! Get a good topo map and get as familliar with the lay of the land as possible. Find some good saddles, funnels, feeding and bedding areas to start with. The further from access points, the better. (The majority of hunters using the land will most likely not walk "too far" before getting settled.)

Pre-season scouting is the next step. Get to those hot-spots you saw on the maps and look for sign. The best spots I found wereall small saddles leading from the main forest into swampy ground. The deer funneled in through the saddles on their way to dense cover.

Once season starts, dress in as much orange as you can and get in there EARLY and quietly! If you can be settled and quiet 30-45 minutes before the masses hit the parking areas, they'll chase the deer to you. Make yourself comfortable, bring a lunch and a good book. Prime time is morning twilight, but the witching hour can also be 11 a.m. - Noon. A lot of hunters are headed back into town for lunch and a nap and will stir up the deer again on their way by.

I always carry too much "stuff" into the woods with me, but I'm always comfortable, well fed, and warm.:D Stalking was never very effective for me on public land 'cause the deer were always over-wary from all of the traffic. Sittin' in a tree or under a bush is much more effective.

J-
 
Scout...Scout.....Scout. Here in MD I hunt public land and have put many miles on my boots scouting the areas. I get in early and stay all day pretty much. People moving around the woods move deer for you and if you do you hw alot of times you can get the deer pushed right too you. I dont know what the land you are hunting looks like but are thier any ridges, streams,swamps, washouts? I still hunt streams and this year have been successful as far as seeing deer. It is different hunting public land as people just pop up out of no where and occasionally they do get lost as well. I agree with eyegor as far as get away from the hunters. Its hard to figure out but with some work you can get away. I do alot of still hunting and stalking in snow so my approach varies depending on wind, rain, and other factors.
 
Joe, I used to hunt up near Livingston Manor / Roscoe on the public land there.
Pretty much the same as the rest have said.
Scout, walk further, and thru thicker/wetter stuff than the average 200 yards from the road guy. Wife's nephew got a couple, when most were skunked, in a real *&%&^ of an ankle twisting rocky/swampy mess.

Do wear your "Don't Shoot Me" coat.
And if you do walk in before sun up (dark) use a flashlight.
There are alot of stoopid people out there.

If you want info on the area I mentioned, email me :D
 
I use the heck out of topozone and google earth and try to find a place as far away from roads as possible, I have a canoe so I look for navigable streams and rivers, which is a great way to get back in and out of some pristine hunting. The average goober that hunts on public land will not get more than 100yds off the road and will literally push game towards you if you do your homework and pick the right places to hunt. Chris
 
I agree - scout !! Know every bit of the area. Pick a few likely places not near roads . Movement of other hunters can benefit you, driving the deer to you. Of course there is no guarantee !! My friend and I were hunting state land once ,sitting quite close to each other but with a large mound between us so we could actually shoot in any direction safely.Just before opening hour a 'hunter ' approached .My friend told him exactly where I was .He must have thought we knew what we were doing so he sat directly between us .We left !!
 
Damn mete I hope you took a big piss before you left that guy in your spot :D

Topo maps are a great idea ! I found one spot where there is a nice chute up the mountain hopefully all my mid season roaming didnt upset anything.

The dont shoot me coat is a must ;)
I was thinking of going to stewart for the last weekend but my friend lives right across the street he said it is HEAVILY hunted :thumbdn:
worst case scenario I shoot a doe off my neighbors field :D
 
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