I know some people will complain about the ad but if we want this channel to survive and have content year to year, they need those. Keep up the sponsors
I don't hunt public much but your points are also very valid for private hunting too. While "public Access" may not be an issue on private, taking into consideration your neighbors access points is very important. Also going with the "my tree" despite what the most recent information may be telling you is a problem I think a lot of folks (public or private) create for themselves. As always LOVE the content. Keep it coming!
You do know that the deer edit the season regs pamphlets for wfwd so they know exactly when to be around and what day to head out to wherever they go on vacation come opening hahaha
Yeah this year's going to leave me in a hell of a tough spot I got a bad knee I need surgery I'm trying to put it off for the end of the season and just get some cortisone shots until deer season's over but it's going to put me in a position I can't walk places that I wanted to get to normally so I'm going to try to use my boat this year a little more than I would have the bad part about where I hunt there isn't a lot of public land with really good access to the rivers there is a lot close to me but it's one of those deals with the river so shallow I'm not necessarily shallow but hard to access because the banks are so high when the water is down the banks are 20 foot up and hard to get up so I'm going to have to try to find some spots that I can access from that like little Creeks that go in and out of this small River and I'm also on my own so I have to deal with the boat the trailer and the truck drag and deer putting them on a deer cart so it's going to be a bit of a challenge I think I probably won't be able to do the same amount of hunting that I used to do but it might put me in a position to hunt totally different than I ever had before so we'll see exactly how this works I definitely ain't going to be able to hunt anywhere where there's normally people cuz I can't out walk them I can't walk back past where they would normally hunt so I'm going to have to find pieces of property that I can access the people aren't hunting maybe real small blocks closer to the road that people Overlook but the way I look at it is at least I'll be out deer hunting even a bad day of deer hunting it's better than a good day sitting on your ass at home
I've been using creative access to get into public land honey holes for at least 5 years and I can honestly say that the number of people who are doing the same thing is increasing. Every time I come across someone on public land who has hip waders or a boat, the conversation come back to the hunting public channel. Last year I went to speed scout a river spot of mine in MN. I got there and immediately 4 hunters in a duck boat pull up and head into the land I was going into. I quickly jumped to plan B and went to another river spot that I had scouted in the summer.It was kind of late so I didn't have time to get a stand up. Long story short, I shot my first buck from the ground in that spot. The ability to adapt is key. Thanks Hunting Public. Keep it up!
This is really good, practical, usable info. Thanks guys! I hunt public land 100% of the time in a state where THP will admit is pretty darn challenging, Mississippi. For almost FIVE years I banged my head against the walls in frustration unable to find consistent success (mature bucks). Then I slowly came to appreciate a couple of the very same principles discussed in this video. First, you MUST go where other hunters either can't or won't go to be successful over the long haul. Yes, you can kill a monster beside the parking lot once a decade, but to be successful year in, year out you've got to be where other hunters aren't. And the single BEST feature I've found for disinguishing those places is WATER! Cross a creek, wade through 1/2 mile of swamp, take a small boat out to that island or to the "other side," paddle a kayak a mile down the river. Sometimes it's as simple as wearing knee boots to cross a shallow channel. One other thing I've learned: Hunt in the THICK stuff! The REALLY thick stuff. Don't get obsessed with finding "perfect" places that provide 360 degrees open shooting. In those thick places will be travel corridors where deer feel safe getting to and from. Set up in there, even if the only shot is a 6" lane when the deer is walking southeast. The more clautrophobic and restricted you feel, the more comfortable that buck feels. Sorry for the long comment! Good luck! Remember, there are deer on that public land. Go find em!
@Nooneinparticular987 ABSOLUTELY! On private land you can manage the property, provide food sources, keep pressure low...plenty of control over the envronment. Public land...not so. You cannot bring the deer to you. You have to go find them. And that's why I consider public land hunting the only REAL hunting. If you're luring deer in, it's not hunting in the strictest sense. It's still totally fine - got no problem with it. But public land deer hunting requires something different, and I like it. (although several times each season when I'm in a slump I start feeling sorry for myself and ask, "why in heck do I do it this way???") LOL.
@Nooneinparticular987 Sir, we are kindred spirits. I agree with everything you said 100%. Managing property to make it easier to fill the freezer is totally fine. I want to feed my family with as much wild game as possible, for many reasons. But when my goal is to test myself against an animal that's managed to survive for 3.5 million years, I take a bow and head to the public lands where I have to do things on their terms. If you're ever in Mississippi, look me up!
You guys are spot on. However, over the years I've noticed less and less hunters in the woods. With less hunters comes less pressure and less people pushing or driving deer to the real thick areas. I notice most hunters set up in areas easy to walk to. This new area I'm currently hunting is thick and I'm lucky if I have a 10-15 yard shot, but there's a thick swamp nearby with a heavy game trail and it's surrounded by thorn trees, pricker bushes, and lots of tall grass/weeds. I'm gonna have to bring my safety goggles out tomorrow and I'm gonna cross that creek and make my way through all the thorns to this downed tree with it's roots up so I can set up there. I saw 8 deer yesterday use this trail going into this area. Where I was hunting no shot on them but I'm gonna go in and hope for the best. If I bag one, dragging that sucker out is gonna be worse than death, lmao.
This really motivates me to push myself harder out there. I'm in michigan and the marshy stuff is the real hard stuff to get through. I'm gonna push harder and get myself a trophy
@@Ryansoutdoorsandmusic Go get 'em! It's difficult. Very, very difficult. Just look at how hard the THP guys work. They have dedicated their lives to the effort of consistently taking good bucks on public land in many different regions, under countless different circumstances. They even work in teams and hunt day after day. Most of us don't have that opportunity, but we can apply the lessons they've learned to increase out odds! I'll say it again: Get to where other hunters won't go. Ask yourself this question: "If I were being hunted in this-that habitat, where would I go to maximize my chances of never being seen?" Answer that question and 50% of the work is done. Good luck!
I've watched every single video you guys have put out since season 1 of Midwest whitetail. Used to fast forward through that to public land segments. The ad didn't bother me at all. Make a living guys. Do what is necessary. I hate too see you get hammered for one damn add. You can't please everyone. If you try that it usually fails. I feel like you get undo pressure for zero ads. Not totally fair. I won't stop watching. I'd rather see a few ads than see you guys go under and disappear.
MONETIZE GENTS! That simple. You will never win the market that you are truly after by trying to please everyone, and that is completely OK. Keep up the great work, plenty of us support your efforts and are more importantly, thankful for the help as we hunt conservation/public land.
Thank you guys for showing Public Land and travel hunts as something attainable to all of us. I know personally that your videos got me to travel 3 times last fall and I'll be doing that every year now, and expanding it to mule deer and elk. In my archery club I would bet thanks to your crew, the number of hunters planning out of state public land hunts has tripled over the last 2 years, so the message is definitely being heard. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge, and the process throughout the year. For sponsors, good for you. You all work so hard to provide content, congratulations on finding a sponsor that meshes with your lifestyle without controlling the gear you use. THP shows "Hunting is FUN!"
Shout out to all the public land hunters who set up ground blinds and tree stands in the dark on opening morning right next to the ag fields. I appreciate you guys running the deer back to my spots.
Me and a bunch of other hunters were driving the deer out of public land and into private land. We helped out the landowners quite a bit based on the shots and dogs going off.
two years of getting skunked in SE michigan public land. solid advice. For me, the biggest learning curve is seeing all these big ol booner bucks on youtube, and lots of smaller deer on my hunts. Some places just dont produce booners. must have let 2 dozen walk last year because of this mindset of always wanting something bigger
I use to get grief from my son for hiking back in public land but as he grew up he realized why i did it less pressure we saw much more game and consistent seeing game was a bonus for our effort. Takecare and keep safe.
Public land hunter here in SE Oklahoma... I’ve been guilty of all 5 you’ve mentioned and decided to change things up (after watching and learning from you guys) this past hunting season... seen more deer than I have ever seen and had a close encounter with a very mature buck (that got chased off by a big coyote lol). Keep up all the tips and the encouragement as there were times in being so predictable that I used to be lucky to see 5 deer in a season and it would be very frustrating. But being flexible and enjoying the hunt in constantly learning and actually seeing results (by being flexible and different when everyone hunts in my area of the state), it all has really opened my eyes and I am enjoying the outdoors even more. Hoping to get my first archery deer this upcoming season! Keep it up THP!
Hey folks listen to what these guys have to say. I've used there advice for 2 years and I have gotten 3 nice bucks and some doe,s for my freezer. There knowledge is invaluable. Also go to there website and support them by buying some thp merchandise. Ill support THP all i can.thanx for another great instructional video.
I have seen numerous ads for Simply Safe - if I were to buy it, it would be due to how well it was explained in this video. Even the rationale was something that could be related to - excellent job. My biggest public land complaint is when I think I have figured out the spot that everyone else will overlook - only to find that someone else is as smart as I think I am. Thanks for your insight. Now, if you guys could only figure out the Target Tour... :)
I love hunting several public area's near me. Especially this one that's 1,000 acres because there are the easy routes that just about everyone else takes then the hard to get to thick places that I get into. It's given me chances and experiences those others can't have!!
One of your last points reminds me of my first time ever hunting public land. It was last year and me and my cousin showed up on a friday and there were 6 other trucks at the camp site. Felt discouraged but decided we would talk to them and found out they were all 1 group and were leaving the next morning and told us about what they had been seeing and where at. It really helped out our weekend.
haven't bow hunted in like 10/12 years , been watching your show's , I learned a lot thanks' guy's now I need to dust off my gear and get out there, sure will be nice to get out the bow:), gun hunting is a lot of fun , I like the long shot , sneak and shoot . keep up the great work , and video's God Bless You all
Good to see you guys ,, and finally got to see mindy in the daylight,,not dragging deer ,,, not cooking for six staved hunters , facing the camera and not editing at some little table , this is like the third time that mindy was actually facing the camera and talking to us , a real treat and then ,,the camera goes blurry,,what the heck was that , y’all cameras don’t never go blurry on deers , or turkeys , anyway I think now if I ever ran in to her at a grocery store or somewhere, I think that I could safely say ,,,hello mindy.ohhh and Greg I am old enough to be her grandpa so this is not what you might think,ha ha ha
Ok public land friends....I'm going to share a GREAT tip with you: If you're hunting areas with heavy pressure and you find it difficult to get a long way from "the crowd," then make sure you are the EARLY BIRD. Since you pretty much know where "the crowd" hunts, get there one full hour before them, and find a different access to the general area. Get settled as quickly and quietly as possible. Then, when "the crowd" starts to arrive you will be in position for any deer that they spook on the way in. It's worked for me dozens of times over the years, and It will work for you, too! Come in from a slightly different angle, get into position, and when the other hunters start making their way to their spots you WILL see deer that they bump! Good luck!
I live in Colorado and in order to get into good hunting herer you have to work really hard so I've applied those to the Midwest to the Eastern plains of Colorado andvery little effort in comparison has a lot of reward.
I enjoy your videos because you look like you have fun. Way too many people are wound too tight for hunting. I quit bow hunting about 10 years ago because of a series of eye operation. It screwed up my depth perception and I never used sights. This year I am somewhat better and am going to hit the woods with the bow again. I was bow hunting out of state in the swamps in Maryland where there was a narrow entrance into a huge sorgum field surrounded by oak swamp. There was a DNR building right where you went in. I found where a big bodied buck was bedding in a small woodlot right behind that building. I tried and tried to get him. He stayed right up against that building. One time I did get a glimpse of him and usually found fresh dirt on the leaves where he ran off. I even tried going in and sitting an hour before light. I never did get him and I tried for 3 years. You are right, deer know where the crowds walk.
Thanks for the great tips guys. I'm leaving the comfort of my private farm to take on a new challenge of hunting public this year. You guys have been a great source for tactics and inspiration to take this leap. Thanks for what you do!!!
That second rut in December been working for me in the last few years pretty good , especially on public fewer hunters and a lot bucks on the move still it's worth it to save a few vacation days for that late hunt you will be surprised . Just don't get discourage thinking all the big bucks get shot on the gun opener because that's not always case yeah some do but you will be surprised the ones that don't I used to think that years back but I was I so wrong back then .
Great video you guys, I love listening to your tips and advice for hunting, whether it be turkey hunting or deer hunting, I’ve had a few influencers in my life that’s helped me become a better Hunter before, but you guys have played a big part in me getting a deer last season and a turkey this season. Keep up the great work guys.
Thank you guys for everything u guys do time away from your family to make content for us you guys got me on my first public land buck last year from watching you and then i shot my first Turkey this year from watching you guys thank you for shareing what you guys know
Some great information included in this video. To be honest, I hunt a lot of public. I have yet to harvest my first deer, but have seen a few. The big thing here is introducing yourself to the people you see. As many have stated, we are all outdoorsman and don't want to hurt each other. Most people I have encountered are very friendly. I have had a few even give me their number, and we text and talk about what we see, if we shot something to help each other. Stay safe out there guys and girls.
I hunt public land in South Georgia and I have done everything you just talked about. I love public land hunting and have tried to learned from it. The one thing you said that has helped me the most is to be adaptive.
I get bored and i like to still hunt. I like seeing new country and i do find what i would consider a lot of good deer sign. I do hunt these spots for hours without moving but i always think to myself i walk around to much. Do any of you ever feel like i do?
Not anymore, old age changed that. My advise is, go painfully slow, stop look and listen alot. And alway be mindful of the wind. Opportunity will eventually present itself. Best to do on windy days or during and after rain.
I am so glad I found this video. I was scouting places to go squirrel hunting on public land later this year, but then I noticed a few things. One, although the satellite maps show mostly mature timber (pacifically, green tree, reservoirs, used to attract water fowl), there were quite a few clearing’s, and other transitional spaces, not visible from the air. There are also quite a few crops being grown on the edges of this public land, so I’m going to do quite a bit of research and go back several times.
Excellent advice. 62 y/o guy here and I'm still learning. It's what makes it fun to put meat in the freezer. Also, your vocal tone is great. AND,....you two dont speak with a constant INFLECTIVE at the end of each sentence. Other people drive me away. Bores right through a person. Everyone else...BE DECLARATIVE!!!!dammit. Thanks and good hunting.
Very true about talking to other hunters.... Last year I had several guys pull up to the spot I had scouted the day before, all with the same general idea to hunt field edges like I was gonna do. We ended up talking for a while in the parking lot, splitting ways and we all saw a bunch of deer that evening, and I made some new friends.
From the panhandle of West Virginia hunted public land in Nebraska took two trophy mule deer and one whitetail it can be done if you put in time they hav been some of the most memorable hunts of my life
Y'all family! I love Thp you guys are pure motivation to get to the white tail woods!. I wish everyone respect this season... for the people that don't have it......don't block peoples parking spots y'all not the only ones in them woods.. because if you do disrespect like that.. some hunters might decide to stop hunting game but instead hunt you.
Only been hunting twice killed a nice 6 pointer when I was 12 or 13 my first time out definitely doesn’t happen all the time but now this is my first actual season bow hunting can’t wait.
Positivity - great one to end on guys. Looking forward to a great deer tour and hopeful what I've learned from you guys over the past couple seasons will once again pay off this fall! Good luck THP crew!
This is first year public land hunting. I've had so much fun. Missed doe season because of school. But I've seen tons of doe now. I drove 3.5 hrs to try a new area for a few days.
Where i hunt I have been noticing a lot of the other hunters are hunting those hard to get to places and really gettin back up in there. There isn't a ton of public land to hunt and there are a ton of hunters so the deer are pretty pressured from oct 1 all the way to the end of the year. Late last season I stumbled across some nice bucks in places where you wouldn't think to look . A lot of those placers were relatively close to the parking area and or adjacent to the main access trails other hunters were using to get further back onto the properties. The similarities i noticed were thick cover, elevation with view of the downwind entrances and all were very difficult to setup on. So I guess my point is, some times the most overlooked places are right under our noses and not the spots that are furthest from the truck.
I don't mind the ad and support having one since we know how YT is with hunting/firearms content. That was the best one of the Simpli Safe ads I have seen in a while. Good job. Thanks for sharing those Top 5 Mistakes, I have been hunting for decades on the same acreage around our house that mostly isn't ours but we have permission on without any luck in downing more than a couple spikes that I thought were does and a couple does. We do tend to go to familiar spots, but I also will take walks to places even through thick brush and up or down elevation. I know another mistake is poor woodsmanship, at least for me I don't spend enough time in the woods prior to season aside from turkey season in the spring. I hope that I can get my first deer with a bow this year, I bought an additional archery tag last season and didn't get one deer regardless of weapon. I plan on trying public land in archery season which starts in WV on Sept 29th, usually there are not many people out until rifle season/orange vest and drive ATVs all over season. Most that do archery do so on their own property and hunt over a bait site or at least it would seem that way with the amount of corn people buy at Walmart, Cabela's, Co Op, etc.... There is a piece of public at the southern part of the northern panhandle that I checked out last season and it is super steep almost makes me want a meat hauling backpack like they have for hunting out west. There is also some public land north of me close to where my youngest brother now lives and it is pretty diverse looking, should start scouting that out in a month or two. It looked good the one trip we made up there a month ago, need to dive in more although driving up there with compact cars suck on those gravelly rutted dirt roads. One other thing would be for me to get the courage to ask for permission to hunt someone's property and do right by them. I am too shy for that. Thanks for sharing as always guys.
Don’t be shy. The worst thing they can say is no. You will never know unless you try. I used to be incredibly shy due to my own hang ups. Never know you might find a new friend and/or future hunting partner. Like the THP guys said the property owner even might give you some tips and extra knowledge about hunting in that area which can increase your success rate.
👍 First tip is a good one ! - I hunted a public area once, before watching this. I couldn't wait and brimming with excitement, got in well before daylight and quietly settled in. Soon the woods would be waking up and all the gifts nature has to offer would slowly reveal themselves. It was my favorite time, as dew lifted and the sounds of life emerge. Or so I thought. An hour AFTER the sun came up, the first of endless hunters started making their way past my tree, in search of their elusive quarry. They stomped in circles until noon (they were 'still' hunting I guess), then most stomped back to their respective trucks and beer coolers. A few seemed to hunt in pairs, so they could enjoy loud conversation, while stalking. The entertainment for me was seeing the look of defeat on their faces, as they did laps around my stand, reasoning that no deer resided in that part of the county. One hunter (and I use that term with hesitation) even marched by at 15 yards, pausing to take a leak, then opted to fling an arrow "at" an unsuspecting beer can he found nearby, to hone his shooting skills. Two others, I got to know well, even though they never saw me. They spread out within sight of each other, (one under me) and stayed in close communication via radios. They kept each other abreast of all movement they spotted during the days hunt, as well as discussed work, spirts and their distain for their small kids and big wives. No bothering with whispering, since deer can't hear. My favorite had to be the "prepared" hunter, who walked in wearing slacks, casual loafers and a brand new camo t-shirt and hat. He grasped a new hang-on tree stand (no ladder or steps) and a camping stool. He carried a bow from the mid 60's and his quiver kept falling off, spilling his three arrows, one with a field point. On his belt was a variety of deer calls, knives, hatchet, compass, depth finder, safety glasses and several accessories he didn't need. He also sported an orange/black camo school backpack, complete with tupperware containers to secure the rotisserie chicken, potato salad, steamed veggies and what appeared to be Baked Alaska for dessert. After dining on a log, his departure was marked by the jingling of his minivan keys with every step. Of all these mighty outdoorsmen, only one knew I was there the entire time and that's only because of his decision to select a nearby spot upwind, remove Charmin from fanny pack and squat under a tree. At this point I whistled, revealing my covert ambush spot and thwarting his intended blissful deposit. Sadly, I too saw no deer (or squirrels, or birds) that morning, and decided to relocate for the afternoon sit. No buck that afternoon either, although I saw does and other wildlife, which was a treat. Yeah, it was lonely that afternoon in comparison and lacked the aforementioned entertainment, but man!, was it nice.
It's the worst, especially when you have limited time to hunt. You do your best to get in early then the late comers show up and ruin it all. Or set up so their wind burns your sit. So frustrating. I have written on my tailgate dust, "you are late, don't ruin my hunt" a couple times, but still saw people. Maybe they didn't see my message, and it's public so it isn't mine, but still. If I see a truck I do everything in my power to avoid that area. I feel like a metal map in the parking area with small magnets to show your intended hunting spot would be cool.
@@guitjolin Great magnetic map idea ! Not only would it kerp hunters separated (ideally), but would be a good safety tool. But, like everything, if someone showed up and stole the magnets, or scrambled them.. Well, you know how some thugs act.
@@randyporter3491 yeah the safety aspect was a big reason I thought about it too. The idea of, you don't know where I am, I don't know where you are, is a big deal. And yes of course people would steal the magnets and shoot the signs. But if it happened, I would have a bag full of cheap magnets to use. I think it would be sweet for public land. Good luck out there!
@@guitjolin I agree, and still like your idea. A fellow fireman I hunted with for years, had his tree stand slip and fall once. It dumped him, but left him hanging by one foot, upside down. That day, he was hunting alone. He managed to get out after an hour or so, but no one knew where he was. It could have been really bad that day. I did the same thing, but hugged the tree going down. My fault, it was an icy tree and too small. Took all the skin off both hands and one cheek. Funny thing was, the noise of me falling, caused the buck to come running in to investigate and I managed to get my gun up and got the deer, while bleeding all over the gun. Valuable lesson learned. Be safe !
The metal map idea is great. I think it's definitely worth looking further into. For using tree stands, I avoid them. I have almost fallen once and it scared the poo into my underpants. I only hunt on the ground now or if anything, I'll use a sturdy built elevated stand/platform but that's it. Also, that story of all the other hunters coming out had me rolling, lmao, it would be upsetting for me but also entertaining. The only time I got really pissed off at another hunter was when I was hunting public land in Ohio in Chillicothe. I set up a deadfall blind and was out there at 2:30pm. Around an hour or so later this other hunter comes out there and is standing behind me about 50-75 yards. I saw him and I knew he seen me, it's gun season and I'm 100% orange. Had 3 does come out to a small opening near me. As I'm slowing raising my shotgun up to take aim, this guy decides it's now time to go and spooked the does off. I was fricken fuming! I never did have a chance to hunt there again for deer but I had great success hunting other public lands in Ohio for coyotes, which I did at 12am with a full moon and snow on the ground. Sometimes I just can't understand why or how these other hunters think. For me, it's an unwritten rule, if I see orange, I turn and go back. I don't hunt there if I see a vehicle unless I knew the general direction the hunter went like footsteps in the snow or something and I'll go in the opposite direction. I wish all hunters had that mentality but sadly they don't and some of them can be the worse people you can imagine.
This morning when I went to my taxidermy business I found out my neighbor 2 units down had been burglarized overnight and I called simple safe and it is on the way I will not have to worry now thank you guys
I hunt public and private. During drought years, or late spring freezes, that can have major effect on availible browse and acorn crop, big woods public land can be almost void of deer. Last year's hotspot can be a ghost town this year. One of my best spots was destroyed by a prolonged flood that kept lake water levels up in the trees for over a month. The flood killed 5 giant oak trees there about 10 years ago and that area has never been the same. Diversity of cover and food, and don't fall in love with one area to hunt. Good advice.
Greg and Myndi there is nothing like having a watch dog for when you are at home . The few times I’ve hunted public we did run into people and ended up not getting much hunting done to much BSing but all was good enjoy Mother Nature 👍
Love the channel guys. This is my first season and I’m having a hard time for sure. I needed the encouragement. I have 3 Massachusetts tags and so far I’ve made nothing but mistakes. I killed a buck, but after walking up on him, he got up and I found him a mile later eaten by coyotes the next day. Though to swallow.
Not saying I haven't made these mistakes. But I don't anymore and I always tried to be courteous of other hunters and talk to them.the majority of of the hunters are pretty good to go and are willing to have a conversation and if they're not you'll know it right away. I've been blessed to be lucky in the woods where ever I am at!!
In referance to the last part. I agree that getting to know and talking to other Hunters in the area is a great way to get some info on the area. But Like fishermen (not wanting to share info on their favorite fishing spot) some hunters are a bit reclusive about giving out to much info on their favorite areas to hunt or just false info on hunting tactics (sad but true sometimes) So always have your bulls**t radar on and do some research weeks in advance on areas you wish to hunt, talk to your local fish & game office to get info on deer in that area you wish to hunt in. Thanks fellas for putting this video out there, and good luck on your next hunting adventure.
Also remember, driving an hour or more from home doesnt mean youre in a secluded area. Youre just in a hundred other guys local spot that may have been beat to death. Go where people arent going is the main thing.
Let me ask you guys this question... (been following y'all for years now, happy to see your success!). So, moving locations. Adapting. I get it. But how do you deal with finding ONE real nice buck. Of course you know there are always nice bucks around different areas. But that ONE buck, you really want. Wind isn't right, things aren't right, so you move. Hunt another area. How do you get over "ok, thats a hell of a buck, I'll be happy with him"... then second guessing yourself the rest of the year because you "gave up" on that ONE deer you really wanted? I hope I worded this right. Its a struggle I have all the time. Every year. I never kill THE buck... but if I shot a "lesser" buck, I would feel like I messed up. I know everyone deals with this, but how do I justify it and not feel like I short changed myself?
These are some great tips. I am in Georgia and run a real estate team there is a 16,000 acre piece of public ground not far from my office that gets heavy heavy pressure in only 2 or 3 spots on the weekend but on a Wednesday or Thursday its a ghost town. Our local game warden is super helpful too. He's pointed out several access points that don't look like they are access points that no one ever hunts
I have Simpli Safe. Great system. *Make sure you use the included screws to attach the sensors. It takes another ten minutes to install all of them. When it gets cold, the sticky tape loses its grip and half of the sensor will fall off creating a false alarm. Use the screws, because it will happen.
This past season I had a PLAN for opening day. Public land corn field with a shallow river next to it, the field had a drainage running in the middle of it that the deer where using as a highway to get to an easy crossing point on the river .My plan for the first day was to set up in a perfect tree opposite of the corn field and see when comes across, I had went WAY out of my way and made use of my waders to avoid leaving a scent trail anywhere near the corn field and got set up in my stand an hour before daylight. The sun hit the horizon and I heard something coming through the corn field !!! I was pumped up to say the least ... that was until another bow hunter stepped out and into the river after using the well worn deer trail to access that point ( sigh ) . after a few minutes of watching him and thinking WHY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! did YOU do this !!! it is after sun rise and you are just now coming into the woods!!!!! WHY !!! a pair of boots and a cross bow make its way out of the corn field and make it to where his father is waiting for him. At that moment there was not ONE angry bone in my body to see a man with his 5 year old son out deer hunting :P they never knew I was there until they past under my tree and saw my climbing stick. Opening day and that encounter made my whole season !
Hey yall, can you guys put out an updated public land hunting tip video for next year? Maybe some things to mention now that you didn’t think to mention 4 years ago? Love the content.
Being curious, many of your tips ring true. I'm in Chico CA and there's a lot of public space to hunt and fish. Some times I come across non hunting people. Can be awkward, my best remedy is politeness and howdy it's tough not to get into argument. Be nice!!!!
Sounds like you made this video from last year's deer tour in Michigan, laughing.......... I think the best thing out of this informative video is that all of these things make us better hunters all around. We've all been there did that so many times that if you're still doing it then it's your own fault. I think that by you guys being so willing to share your experiences and not just the harvesting that the THP crew is on the top of everyone's favorite hunting videos. As always be safe and stay healthy my friend.
Public land challenge PA. Chapman state park would be an awesome campsite for yall, talk to the park rangers they may give you a discount for the advertisement on youtube. If not there try buckaloons or kinzua would be good spots as well.
Great tips guys! I know that I fall into that category of finding one spot and hitting it hard all season. Definitely something I'll have to work on this season. Appreciate the info!
Please do not let the offering of money ruin your channels. The lack of ads is why people love your channel. I already have to hear about security systems on the radio on the way to and from work
Public land by me is full of roads no piece is more than a mile thick and all marshes that use to be good , have now been 6 ft of water last few years, and hiking paths right through middle of all if it and if thats not enough little dirt roads bring ya right back into middle of each one , no way to get away from anyone. Ive got lucky few times but its rare
On point number 2, I always keep a small piece of burlap and a $5 stool from Walmart in/attached to my backpack. Ya never know when a better opportunity presents itself!
Just received my hunter's ed certificate today here in CA and I am looking for some major advice and guidance about this sport. Thank you for your content!
I meet my buddy scouting public land and talked and now we hung together and are good friends just because I wasn't afraid to talk to him. Also got a doe with my bow just by hunting transitions and hunting when I could with limited time.
I know you guys hunt New York but I think ya’all should get more north East in the big woods like New Hampshire and Maine. It would be very interesting to see how you guys break down woods like that. Deer that are not influenced by agriculture
I am always looking for more advice on public land hunting here in Iowa. Sadly the private ground I used to hunt has been sold, leased out to out of state hunters or the farmers keep clearing all the timber for crops. Public is about all I have left to go on. I have been trying to find obscure pieces nobody bow hunts on due to them being smaller or not a lot of timber due to the river and interstate near by. I have walked a few different bigger areas and a couple are being hunted very hard every year and those are hard to set up in. The stands I did see are close to the parking area and I hate to walk by another guy and blow his area up so I just avoid them if vehicles are there.
Samuel Johnson its my first year too. Just had opening day in wisconsin Saturday the 12th. Not much luck due to squirrel hunters on same piece of land.
I think staying positive has a direct effect on how your hunts turn out. I don’t know why but sometimes you can think something into happening. I know it sounds crazy. Anyone else have this happen to them? I remember one opening day I didn’t see any deer, I was really bumming and I prayed that something good would happen and kept positive. The next day I shot 2 bucks within a 1/2 hour of each other both 8 points. Never forget that.
These guys are right. All I hunt is public land. I had to learn all by experience. I did all the mistakes they mentioned. Every year that passed, I kept moving into harder to get to spots farther and farther from other people. Usually I don't see much, this year, I've seen 12 deer so far. I hunt 3 different spots based on the terrain and the resources. I know deer need to eat, need a safe haven, and an area away from people. I walk almost 45 mins through thick brush just outside a swap where I can see a bedding area. I had a shot on a little Bambi which I almost took, since it's prime meat imo, but I want to fill my freezer so I'm going to wait for a big one. Out there, I see no signs of people, no trash or markers. Tomorrow I'm going to go around that swap to the other side across the creek. There's a downed tree with the roots up that looks like it can offer a good spot for concealment. I'm not looking forward to it since there's a ton of thorn trees and pricker bushes, but the rubs are massive and the game trail going into the swamp is heavily used so I'm hoping it pays off. If I get a big one, dragging that sucker out is gonna be worse than death but worth it, lmao.
I have almost 1000 acres that I have permission to hunt so I don't usually hunt deer on public land. But I do hunt pheasant and rabbit on public land. Though I'm not so sure that you shouldn't follow the crowd on public land. I was a hundred yards from a big parking lot and a nice 10-point was standing there if I had been looking at that side of the road I may have gotten a shot. And if you are thinking that a 10-point is not that big here in PA where I live it is a very very respectable deer.
You'd be surprised how many deer bed right off the parking area where them main access points are that all the guys go in on. Go in on the other side on the lot from the main access point ( 50 yards away and often you push up deer that bed and watch the other walk right by them. )
Around the east coast where I lived there WAS no public land. All private and none available for hunting. So it is when a new neighbor moved in and asked about hunting I told him of the only available hunting area anyplace close. Told him when he arrived he is going to freak cause cars are parked bumper to bumper and the world is crawling with hunters. Dont fret. Its as important here to know people's habits, not just deer. Get a topo, find a quadrant with a field deep inside the quadrant and you hunt that quadrant. Carry a compass. When you get there, drive around the quadrant till you find a parking spot on the downwind side someplace and find out where you are on that map. Take a compass reading of where that field is inside the quadrant your hunting and follow that heading to your goal. When you enter the woods dont even think of being quiet. Just walk your way on your heading the first 100 yards. In that first hundred yards are 99.9% of the hunters. They hang out at the outskirt of the woods and with that crowd all the deer have run for their lives into the center of quadrant. At about a hundred yards, pause to load up, arrange your load and start your hunt. The vast bulk of hunters are behind you. The vast bulk of deer are ahead of you. Good luck. He returned with two bucks. He said it was exactly as I told him. After another hundred yards he slowly sneaks up on a small field and there in front of him was deer galore. He had a great day and was much more pleased than he was expecting from his first impression of the place.
All great tips but for me and with my back problems there is no way I can do them all. I cant even walk 20 yards without having to stop because of the pain from my back. Believe me I really wish I could go hunting like yall do. Best of luck this upcoming season.
I don't ever follow any croud. I've done pretty well in my 33yrs on state land but it's nice to have your own land. Scouting is key before setting out on the hunt. Just this yr alone I got a buck and a doe from them being so pressured from new hunters even dog walkers. Talking/walking loud and shot at whatever they see. I almost got shot twice this yr and once last yr. Gotta be safe.
I know some people will complain about the ad but if we want this channel to survive and have content year to year, they need those. Keep up the sponsors
I don't hunt public much but your points are also very valid for private hunting too. While "public Access" may not be an issue on private, taking into consideration your neighbors access points is very important. Also going with the "my tree" despite what the most recent information may be telling you is a problem I think a lot of folks (public or private) create for themselves.
As always LOVE the content. Keep it coming!
The ad needs an intro
That's why I'm glad there's a "Skip ahead" button 😂 everybody is happy
Your good do what you have to do ppl have a choice I’m good
I think the deer I hunt have simpli safe
Lol
And my turkeys... and my squirrels... and, well, just about everything I hunt
The deer i hunt wear pt belts
You do know that the deer edit the season regs pamphlets for wfwd so they know exactly when to be around and what day to head out to wherever they go on vacation come opening hahaha
Yeah this year's going to leave me in a hell of a tough spot I got a bad knee I need surgery I'm trying to put it off for the end of the season and just get some cortisone shots until deer season's over but it's going to put me in a position I can't walk places that I wanted to get to normally so I'm going to try to use my boat this year a little more than I would have the bad part about where I hunt there isn't a lot of public land with really good access to the rivers there is a lot close to me but it's one of those deals with the river so shallow I'm not necessarily shallow but hard to access because the banks are so high when the water is down the banks are 20 foot up and hard to get up so I'm going to have to try to find some spots that I can access from that like little Creeks that go in and out of this small River and I'm also on my own so I have to deal with the boat the trailer and the truck drag and deer putting them on a deer cart so it's going to be a bit of a challenge I think I probably won't be able to do the same amount of hunting that I used to do but it might put me in a position to hunt totally different than I ever had before so we'll see exactly how this works I definitely ain't going to be able to hunt anywhere where there's normally people cuz I can't out walk them I can't walk back past where they would normally hunt so I'm going to have to find pieces of property that I can access the people aren't hunting maybe real small blocks closer to the road that people Overlook but the way I look at it is at least I'll be out deer hunting even a bad day of deer hunting it's better than a good day sitting on your ass at home
I've been using creative access to get into public land honey holes for at least 5 years and I can honestly say that the number of people who are doing the same thing is increasing. Every time I come across someone on public land who has hip waders or a boat, the conversation come back to the hunting public channel.
Last year I went to speed scout a river spot of mine in MN. I got there and immediately 4 hunters in a duck boat pull up and head into the land I was going into. I quickly jumped to plan B and went to another river spot that I had scouted in the summer.It was kind of late so I didn't have time to get a stand up. Long story short, I shot my first buck from the ground in that spot. The ability to adapt is key. Thanks Hunting Public. Keep it up!
Can't wait. This year is my first deer season!
Good luck
Good luck!
Same! Gl man, let's share stories
Awesome man, good luck, have fun, don't be picky!!!
OH YEAH, HOPE YOU ALL THE LUCK, FIRST U WILL REMEMBER FOR A LONG TIME.
This is really good, practical, usable info. Thanks guys!
I hunt public land 100% of the time in a state where THP will admit is pretty darn challenging, Mississippi. For almost FIVE years I banged my head against the walls in frustration unable to find consistent success (mature bucks). Then I slowly came to appreciate a couple of the very same principles discussed in this video. First, you MUST go where other hunters either can't or won't go to be successful over the long haul. Yes, you can kill a monster beside the parking lot once a decade, but to be successful year in, year out you've got to be where other hunters aren't. And the single BEST feature I've found for disinguishing those places is WATER! Cross a creek, wade through 1/2 mile of swamp, take a small boat out to that island or to the "other side," paddle a kayak a mile down the river. Sometimes it's as simple as wearing knee boots to cross a shallow channel. One other thing I've learned: Hunt in the THICK stuff! The REALLY thick stuff. Don't get obsessed with finding "perfect" places that provide 360 degrees open shooting. In those thick places will be travel corridors where deer feel safe getting to and from. Set up in there, even if the only shot is a 6" lane when the deer is walking southeast. The more clautrophobic and restricted you feel, the more comfortable that buck feels. Sorry for the long comment! Good luck! Remember, there are deer on that public land. Go find em!
@Nooneinparticular987 ABSOLUTELY! On private land you can manage the property, provide food sources, keep pressure low...plenty of control over the envronment. Public land...not so. You cannot bring the deer to you. You have to go find them. And that's why I consider public land hunting the only REAL hunting. If you're luring deer in, it's not hunting in the strictest sense. It's still totally fine - got no problem with it. But public land deer hunting requires something different, and I like it. (although several times each season when I'm in a slump I start feeling sorry for myself and ask, "why in heck do I do it this way???") LOL.
@Nooneinparticular987 Sir, we are kindred spirits. I agree with everything you said 100%. Managing property to make it easier to fill the freezer is totally fine. I want to feed my family with as much wild game as possible, for many reasons. But when my goal is to test myself against an animal that's managed to survive for 3.5 million years, I take a bow and head to the public lands where I have to do things on their terms. If you're ever in Mississippi, look me up!
You guys are spot on. However, over the years I've noticed less and less hunters in the woods. With less hunters comes less pressure and less people pushing or driving deer to the real thick areas. I notice most hunters set up in areas easy to walk to. This new area I'm currently hunting is thick and I'm lucky if I have a 10-15 yard shot, but there's a thick swamp nearby with a heavy game trail and it's surrounded by thorn trees, pricker bushes, and lots of tall grass/weeds. I'm gonna have to bring my safety goggles out tomorrow and I'm gonna cross that creek and make my way through all the thorns to this downed tree with it's roots up so I can set up there. I saw 8 deer yesterday use this trail going into this area. Where I was hunting no shot on them but I'm gonna go in and hope for the best. If I bag one, dragging that sucker out is gonna be worse than death, lmao.
This really motivates me to push myself harder out there. I'm in michigan and the marshy stuff is the real hard stuff to get through. I'm gonna push harder and get myself a trophy
@@Ryansoutdoorsandmusic Go get 'em! It's difficult. Very, very difficult. Just look at how hard the THP guys work. They have dedicated their lives to the effort of consistently taking good bucks on public land in many different regions, under countless different circumstances. They even work in teams and hunt day after day. Most of us don't have that opportunity, but we can apply the lessons they've learned to increase out odds! I'll say it again: Get to where other hunters won't go. Ask yourself this question: "If I were being hunted in this-that habitat, where would I go to maximize my chances of never being seen?" Answer that question and 50% of the work is done. Good luck!
I've watched every single video you guys have put out since season 1 of Midwest whitetail. Used to fast forward through that to public land segments. The ad didn't bother me at all. Make a living guys. Do what is necessary. I hate too see you get hammered for one damn add. You can't please everyone. If you try that it usually fails. I feel like you get undo pressure for zero ads. Not totally fair. I won't stop watching. I'd rather see a few ads than see you guys go under and disappear.
MONETIZE GENTS! That simple. You will never win the market that you are truly after by trying to please everyone, and that is completely OK. Keep up the great work, plenty of us support your efforts and are more importantly, thankful for the help as we hunt conservation/public land.
Thank you guys for showing Public Land and travel hunts as something attainable to all of us. I know personally that your videos got me to travel 3 times last fall and I'll be doing that every year now, and expanding it to mule deer and elk. In my archery club I would bet thanks to your crew, the number of hunters planning out of state public land hunts has tripled over the last 2 years, so the message is definitely being heard. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge, and the process throughout the year. For sponsors, good for you. You all work so hard to provide content, congratulations on finding a sponsor that meshes with your lifestyle without controlling the gear you use. THP shows "Hunting is FUN!"
I think you guys will be the turning point to get more young folks back into hunting and being confident to harvest a deer. Keep up the great work.
Shout out to all the public land hunters who set up ground blinds and tree stands in the dark on opening morning right next to the ag fields. I appreciate you guys running the deer back to my spots.
Lmao, sometimes having other hunters around helps you out! I've shot numerous deer on public land due to other hunters driving them to me, lol.
Me and a bunch of other hunters were driving the deer out of public land and into private land. We helped out the landowners quite a bit based on the shots and dogs going off.
Lol
two years of getting skunked in SE michigan public land. solid advice. For me, the biggest learning curve is seeing all these big ol booner bucks on youtube, and lots of smaller deer on my hunts. Some places just dont produce booners. must have let 2 dozen walk last year because of this mindset of always wanting something bigger
I use to get grief from my son for hiking back in public land but as he grew up he realized why i did it less pressure we saw much more game and consistent seeing game was a bonus for our effort. Takecare and keep safe.
Really excited for more public lands advice. As a new hunter, these tips really help. Thanks THP!
Public land hunter here in SE Oklahoma... I’ve been guilty of all 5 you’ve mentioned and decided to change things up (after watching and learning from you guys) this past hunting season... seen more deer than I have ever seen and had a close encounter with a very mature buck (that got chased off by a big coyote lol). Keep up all the tips and the encouragement as there were times in being so predictable that I used to be lucky to see 5 deer in a season and it would be very frustrating. But being flexible and enjoying the hunt in constantly learning and actually seeing results (by being flexible and different when everyone hunts in my area of the state), it all has really opened my eyes and I am enjoying the outdoors even more. Hoping to get my first archery deer this upcoming season! Keep it up THP!
Driving 13.5 hours to go scout some public land in Missouri this weekend. Y’all videos really help. Thank you!
Hey folks listen to what these guys have to say. I've used there advice for 2 years and I have gotten 3 nice bucks and some doe,s for my freezer. There knowledge is invaluable. Also go to there website and support them by buying some thp merchandise. Ill support THP all i can.thanx for another great instructional video.
One of the best UA-cam channels out there! Y’all inspire confidence every time
I have seen numerous ads for Simply Safe - if I were to buy it, it would be due to how well it was explained in this video. Even the rationale was something that could be related to - excellent job. My biggest public land complaint is when I think I have figured out the spot that everyone else will overlook - only to find that someone else is as smart as I think I am. Thanks for your insight. Now, if you guys could only figure out the Target Tour... :)
I love hunting several public area's near me. Especially this one that's 1,000 acres because there are the easy routes that just about everyone else takes then the hard to get to thick places that I get into. It's given me chances and experiences those others can't have!!
One of your last points reminds me of my first time ever hunting public land. It was last year and me and my cousin showed up on a friday and there were 6 other trucks at the camp site. Felt discouraged but decided we would talk to them and found out they were all 1 group and were leaving the next morning and told us about what they had been seeing and where at. It really helped out our weekend.
Great tips for the new hunters. I would say get in shape, move slow and glass. A 3k rifle doesn’t do you any good if you don’t see the wild 😜 life.
haven't bow hunted in like 10/12 years , been watching your show's , I learned a lot thanks' guy's now I need to dust off my gear and get out there, sure will be nice to get out the bow:), gun hunting is a lot of fun , I like the long shot , sneak and shoot . keep up the great work , and video's God Bless You all
Good to see you guys ,, and finally got to see mindy in the daylight,,not dragging deer ,,, not cooking for six staved hunters , facing the camera and not editing at some little table , this is like the third time that mindy was actually facing the camera and talking to us , a real treat and then ,,the camera goes blurry,,what the heck was that , y’all cameras don’t never go blurry on deers , or turkeys , anyway I think now if I ever ran in to her at a grocery store or somewhere, I think that I could safely say ,,,hello mindy.ohhh and Greg I am old enough to be her grandpa so this is not what you might think,ha ha ha
I'm old too, she is a charming breath of fresh air.
Ok public land friends....I'm going to share a GREAT tip with you: If you're hunting areas with heavy pressure and you find it difficult to get a long way from "the crowd," then make sure you are the EARLY BIRD. Since you pretty much know where "the crowd" hunts, get there one full hour before them, and find a different access to the general area. Get settled as quickly and quietly as possible. Then, when "the crowd" starts to arrive you will be in position for any deer that they spook on the way in. It's worked for me dozens of times over the years, and It will work for you, too! Come in from a slightly different angle, get into position, and when the other hunters start making their way to their spots you WILL see deer that they bump! Good luck!
Let’s goooo. Thanks THP for the amazing content. I am 17 trying to hunt public land by myself. This helps
I live in Colorado and in order to get into good hunting herer you have to work really hard so I've applied those to the Midwest to the Eastern plains of Colorado andvery little effort in comparison has a lot of reward.
Hey, exactly the same situation here. Good luck out there.
Missouri is hard to find private land to hunt.
I enjoy your videos because you look like you have fun. Way too many people are wound too tight for hunting. I quit bow hunting about 10 years ago because of a series of eye operation. It screwed up my depth perception and I never used sights. This year I am somewhat better and am going to hit the woods with the bow again. I was bow hunting out of state in the swamps in Maryland where there was a narrow entrance into a huge sorgum field surrounded by oak swamp. There was a DNR building right where you went in. I found where a big bodied buck was bedding in a small woodlot right behind that building. I tried and tried to get him. He stayed right up against that building. One time I did get a glimpse of him and usually found fresh dirt on the leaves where he ran off. I even tried going in and sitting an hour before light. I never did get him and I tried for 3 years. You are right, deer know where the crowds walk.
Thanks for the great tips guys. I'm leaving the comfort of my private farm to take on a new challenge of hunting public this year. You guys have been a great source for tactics and inspiration to take this leap. Thanks for what you do!!!
That second rut in December been working for me in the last few years pretty good , especially on public fewer hunters and a lot bucks on the move still it's worth it to save a few vacation days for that late hunt you will be surprised . Just don't get discourage thinking all the big bucks get shot on the gun opener because that's not always case yeah some do but you will be surprised the ones that don't I used to think that years back but I was I so wrong back then .
Great video you guys, I love listening to your tips and advice for hunting, whether it be turkey hunting or deer hunting, I’ve had a few influencers in my life that’s helped me become a better Hunter before, but you guys have played a big part in me getting a deer last season and a turkey this season. Keep up the great work guys.
Y'all are such instinctive common sense hunters. And great production guys. I've learned so much and applied it toward my own success. Great work men!
Thank you guys for everything u guys do time away from your family to make content for us you guys got me on my first public land buck last year from watching you and then i shot my first Turkey this year from watching you guys thank you for shareing what you guys know
Some great information included in this video. To be honest, I hunt a lot of public. I have yet to harvest my first deer, but have seen a few. The big thing here is introducing yourself to the people you see. As many have stated, we are all outdoorsman and don't want to hurt each other. Most people I have encountered are very friendly. I have had a few even give me their number, and we text and talk about what we see, if we shot something to help each other. Stay safe out there guys and girls.
I hunt public land in South Georgia and I have done everything you just talked about. I love public land hunting and have tried to learned from it. The one thing you said that has helped me the most is to be adaptive.
I get bored and i like to still hunt. I like seeing new country and i do find what i would consider a lot of good deer sign. I do hunt these spots for hours without moving but i always think to myself i walk around to much. Do any of you ever feel like i do?
Not anymore, old age changed that. My advise is, go painfully slow, stop look and listen alot. And alway be mindful of the wind. Opportunity will eventually present itself. Best to do on windy days or during and after rain.
I am so glad I found this video. I was scouting places to go squirrel hunting on public land later this year, but then I noticed a few things. One, although the satellite maps show mostly mature timber (pacifically, green tree, reservoirs, used to attract water fowl), there were quite a few clearing’s, and other transitional spaces, not visible from the air. There are also quite a few crops being grown on the edges of this public land, so I’m going to do quite a bit of research and go back several times.
Excellent advice. 62 y/o guy here and I'm still learning. It's what makes it fun to put meat in the freezer.
Also, your vocal tone is great. AND,....you two dont speak with a constant INFLECTIVE at the end of each sentence. Other people drive me away. Bores right through a person. Everyone else...BE DECLARATIVE!!!!dammit. Thanks and good hunting.
Very true about talking to other hunters.... Last year I had several guys pull up to the spot I had scouted the day before, all with the same general idea to hunt field edges like I was gonna do. We ended up talking for a while in the parking lot, splitting ways and we all saw a bunch of deer that evening, and I made some new friends.
From the panhandle of West Virginia hunted public land in Nebraska took two trophy mule deer and one whitetail it can be done if you put in time they hav been some of the most memorable hunts of my life
You guys are helping a lot of people with your advice. Thanks for the tips and good luck with your hunts this season!
Y'all family! I love Thp you guys are pure motivation to get to the white tail woods!. I wish everyone respect this season... for the people that don't have it......don't block peoples parking spots y'all not the only ones in them woods.. because if you do disrespect like that.. some hunters might decide to stop hunting game but instead hunt you.
Thanks for the content. Enjoy some 'time off' between seasons. Rest up and have fun enjoy your fams! It's almost deer tour time!!
Only been hunting twice killed a nice 6 pointer when I was 12 or 13 my first time out definitely doesn’t happen all the time but now this is my first actual season bow hunting can’t wait.
The Hunting Public matters.
Great video guys. I catch myself finding that favorite tree and spending way too much time in it.
Good stuff fellas! I really enjoy recapping things you've talked about in the past. Can't wait for this season!
Positivity - great one to end on guys. Looking forward to a great deer tour and hopeful what I've learned from you guys over the past couple seasons will once again pay off this fall! Good luck THP crew!
Watching your videos have helped me a bunch on hunting public ground. I still rewatch videos just to keep improving
This is first year public land hunting. I've had so much fun. Missed doe season because of school. But I've seen tons of doe now. I drove 3.5 hrs to try a new area for a few days.
Having hunted my home county of Fulton county Illinois for many years on public land with bow and success I can say this is sound advise.
Where i hunt I have been noticing a lot of the other hunters are hunting those hard to get to places and really gettin back up in there. There isn't a ton of public land to hunt and there are a ton of hunters so the deer are pretty pressured from oct 1 all the way to the end of the year. Late last season I stumbled across some nice bucks in places where you wouldn't think to look . A lot of those placers were relatively close to the parking area and or adjacent to the main access trails other hunters were using to get further back onto the properties. The similarities i noticed were thick cover, elevation with view of the downwind entrances and all were very difficult to setup on. So I guess my point is, some times the most overlooked places are right under our noses and not the spots that are furthest from the truck.
I don't mind the ad and support having one since we know how YT is with hunting/firearms content. That was the best one of the Simpli Safe ads I have seen in a while. Good job.
Thanks for sharing those Top 5 Mistakes, I have been hunting for decades on the same acreage around our house that mostly isn't ours but we have permission on without any luck in downing more than a couple spikes that I thought were does and a couple does. We do tend to go to familiar spots, but I also will take walks to places even through thick brush and up or down elevation. I know another mistake is poor woodsmanship, at least for me I don't spend enough time in the woods prior to season aside from turkey season in the spring. I hope that I can get my first deer with a bow this year, I bought an additional archery tag last season and didn't get one deer regardless of weapon.
I plan on trying public land in archery season which starts in WV on Sept 29th, usually there are not many people out until rifle season/orange vest and drive ATVs all over season. Most that do archery do so on their own property and hunt over a bait site or at least it would seem that way with the amount of corn people buy at Walmart, Cabela's, Co Op, etc.... There is a piece of public at the southern part of the northern panhandle that I checked out last season and it is super steep almost makes me want a meat hauling backpack like they have for hunting out west. There is also some public land north of me close to where my youngest brother now lives and it is pretty diverse looking, should start scouting that out in a month or two. It looked good the one trip we made up there a month ago, need to dive in more although driving up there with compact cars suck on those gravelly rutted dirt roads.
One other thing would be for me to get the courage to ask for permission to hunt someone's property and do right by them. I am too shy for that.
Thanks for sharing as always guys.
Don’t be shy. The worst thing they can say is no. You will never know unless you try. I used to be incredibly shy due to my own hang ups. Never know you might find a new friend and/or future hunting partner. Like the THP guys said the property owner even might give you some tips and extra knowledge about hunting in that area which can increase your success rate.
👍 First tip is a good one ! - I hunted a public area once, before watching this. I couldn't wait and brimming with excitement, got in well before daylight and quietly settled in. Soon the woods would be waking up and all the gifts nature has to offer would slowly reveal themselves. It was my favorite time, as dew lifted and the sounds of life emerge. Or so I thought. An hour AFTER the sun came up, the first of endless hunters started making their way past my tree, in search of their elusive quarry. They stomped in circles until noon (they were 'still' hunting I guess), then most stomped back to their respective trucks and beer coolers. A few seemed to hunt in pairs, so they could enjoy loud conversation, while stalking. The entertainment for me was seeing the look of defeat on their faces, as they did laps around my stand, reasoning that no deer resided in that part of the county. One hunter (and I use that term with hesitation) even marched by at 15 yards, pausing to take a leak, then opted to fling an arrow "at" an unsuspecting beer can he found nearby, to hone his shooting skills. Two others, I got to know well, even though they never saw me. They spread out within sight of each other, (one under me) and stayed in close communication via radios. They kept each other abreast of all movement they spotted during the days hunt, as well as discussed work, spirts and their distain for their small kids and big wives. No bothering with whispering, since deer can't hear. My favorite had to be the "prepared" hunter, who walked in wearing slacks, casual loafers and a brand new camo t-shirt and hat. He grasped a new hang-on tree stand (no ladder or steps) and a camping stool. He carried a bow from the mid 60's and his quiver kept falling off, spilling his three arrows, one with a field point. On his belt was a variety of deer calls, knives, hatchet, compass, depth finder, safety glasses and several accessories he didn't need. He also sported an orange/black camo school backpack, complete with tupperware containers to secure the rotisserie chicken, potato salad, steamed veggies and what appeared to be Baked Alaska for dessert. After dining on a log, his departure was marked by the jingling of his minivan keys with every step. Of all these mighty outdoorsmen, only one knew I was there the entire time and that's only because of his decision to select a nearby spot upwind, remove Charmin from fanny pack and squat under a tree. At this point I whistled, revealing my covert ambush spot and thwarting his intended blissful deposit. Sadly, I too saw no deer (or squirrels, or birds) that morning, and decided to relocate for the afternoon sit. No buck that afternoon either, although I saw does and other wildlife, which was a treat. Yeah, it was lonely that afternoon in comparison and lacked the aforementioned entertainment, but man!, was it nice.
It's the worst, especially when you have limited time to hunt. You do your best to get in early then the late comers show up and ruin it all. Or set up so their wind burns your sit. So frustrating. I have written on my tailgate dust, "you are late, don't ruin my hunt" a couple times, but still saw people. Maybe they didn't see my message, and it's public so it isn't mine, but still. If I see a truck I do everything in my power to avoid that area. I feel like a metal map in the parking area with small magnets to show your intended hunting spot would be cool.
@@guitjolin Great magnetic map idea ! Not only would it kerp hunters separated (ideally), but would be a good safety tool. But, like everything, if someone showed up and stole the magnets, or scrambled them.. Well, you know how some thugs act.
@@randyporter3491 yeah the safety aspect was a big reason I thought about it too. The idea of, you don't know where I am, I don't know where you are, is a big deal. And yes of course people would steal the magnets and shoot the signs. But if it happened, I would have a bag full of cheap magnets to use. I think it would be sweet for public land. Good luck out there!
@@guitjolin I agree, and still like your idea. A fellow fireman I hunted with for years, had his tree stand slip and fall once. It dumped him, but left him hanging by one foot, upside down. That day, he was hunting alone. He managed to get out after an hour or so, but no one knew where he was. It could have been really bad that day. I did the same thing, but hugged the tree going down. My fault, it was an icy tree and too small. Took all the skin off both hands and one cheek. Funny thing was, the noise of me falling, caused the buck to come running in to investigate and I managed to get my gun up and got the deer, while bleeding all over the gun. Valuable lesson learned. Be safe !
The metal map idea is great. I think it's definitely worth looking further into. For using tree stands, I avoid them. I have almost fallen once and it scared the poo into my underpants. I only hunt on the ground now or if anything, I'll use a sturdy built elevated stand/platform but that's it. Also, that story of all the other hunters coming out had me rolling, lmao, it would be upsetting for me but also entertaining. The only time I got really pissed off at another hunter was when I was hunting public land in Ohio in Chillicothe. I set up a deadfall blind and was out there at 2:30pm. Around an hour or so later this other hunter comes out there and is standing behind me about 50-75 yards. I saw him and I knew he seen me, it's gun season and I'm 100% orange. Had 3 does come out to a small opening near me. As I'm slowing raising my shotgun up to take aim, this guy decides it's now time to go and spooked the does off. I was fricken fuming! I never did have a chance to hunt there again for deer but I had great success hunting other public lands in Ohio for coyotes, which I did at 12am with a full moon and snow on the ground. Sometimes I just can't understand why or how these other hunters think. For me, it's an unwritten rule, if I see orange, I turn and go back. I don't hunt there if I see a vehicle unless I knew the general direction the hunter went like footsteps in the snow or something and I'll go in the opposite direction. I wish all hunters had that mentality but sadly they don't and some of them can be the worse people you can imagine.
This morning when I went to my taxidermy business I found out my neighbor 2 units down had been burglarized overnight and I called simple safe and it is on the way I will not have to worry now thank you guys
I hunt public and private. During drought years, or late spring freezes, that can have major effect on availible browse and acorn crop, big woods public land can be almost void of deer. Last year's hotspot can be a ghost town this year. One of my best spots was destroyed by a prolonged flood that kept lake water levels up in the trees for over a month. The flood killed 5 giant oak trees there about 10 years ago and that area has never been the same. Diversity of cover and food, and don't fall in love with one area to hunt. Good advice.
Greg and Myndi there is nothing like having a watch dog for when you are at home . The few times I’ve hunted public we did run into people and ended up not getting much hunting done to much BSing but all was good enjoy Mother Nature 👍
Love the channel guys. This is my first season and I’m having a hard time for sure. I needed the encouragement. I have 3 Massachusetts tags and so far I’ve made nothing but mistakes. I killed a buck, but after walking up on him, he got up and I found him a mile later eaten by coyotes the next day. Though to swallow.
Not saying I haven't made these mistakes. But I don't anymore and I always tried to be courteous of other hunters and talk to them.the majority of of the hunters are pretty good to go and are willing to have a conversation and if they're not you'll know it right away. I've been blessed to be lucky in the woods where ever I am at!!
Idk about y’all but this fired me up for deer season already....... Wooo as Rgtfm says 😂
In referance to the last part. I agree that getting to know and talking to other Hunters in the area is a great way to get some info on the area. But Like fishermen (not wanting to share info on their favorite fishing spot) some hunters are a bit reclusive about giving out to much info on their favorite areas to hunt or just false info on hunting tactics (sad but true sometimes) So always have your bulls**t radar on and do some research weeks in advance on areas you wish to hunt, talk to your local fish & game office to get info on deer in that area you wish to hunt in. Thanks fellas for putting this video out there, and good luck on your next hunting adventure.
Also remember, driving an hour or more from home doesnt mean youre in a secluded area. Youre just in a hundred other guys local spot that may have been beat to death. Go where people arent going is the main thing.
Getting back into it after 7 years off. No longer own private land though so this will be my first time hunting public land
Let me ask you guys this question... (been following y'all for years now, happy to see your success!). So, moving locations. Adapting. I get it. But how do you deal with finding ONE real nice buck. Of course you know there are always nice bucks around different areas. But that ONE buck, you really want. Wind isn't right, things aren't right, so you move. Hunt another area. How do you get over "ok, thats a hell of a buck, I'll be happy with him"... then second guessing yourself the rest of the year because you "gave up" on that ONE deer you really wanted? I hope I worded this right. Its a struggle I have all the time. Every year. I never kill THE buck... but if I shot a "lesser" buck, I would feel like I messed up. I know everyone deals with this, but how do I justify it and not feel like I short changed myself?
These are some great tips. I am in Georgia and run a real estate team there is a 16,000 acre piece of public ground not far from my office that gets heavy heavy pressure in only 2 or 3 spots on the weekend but on a Wednesday or Thursday its a ghost town. Our local game warden is super helpful too. He's pointed out several access points that don't look like they are access points that no one ever hunts
i live in georgia as well and I'm looking for new spots to hunt. are you able to give me GPS to that area and maybe a few access points?
@@thomasseabaugh8614 look up berry college wma the check in is on ccc rd just north of the college.
Good job on the commercial and great info.
I have Simpli Safe. Great system. *Make sure you use the included screws to attach the sensors. It takes another ten minutes to install all of them. When it gets cold, the sticky tape loses its grip and half of the sensor will fall off creating a false alarm. Use the screws, because it will happen.
This past season I had a PLAN for opening day. Public land corn field with a shallow river next to it, the field had a drainage running in the middle of it that the deer where using as a highway to get to an easy crossing point on the river .My plan for the first day was to set up in a perfect tree opposite of the corn field and see when comes across, I had went WAY out of my way and made use of my waders to avoid leaving a scent trail anywhere near the corn field and got set up in my stand an hour before daylight. The sun hit the horizon and I heard something coming through the corn field !!! I was pumped up to say the least ... that was until another bow hunter stepped out and into the river after using the well worn deer trail to access that point ( sigh ) . after a few minutes of watching him and thinking WHY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! did YOU do this !!! it is after sun rise and you are just now coming into the woods!!!!! WHY !!! a pair of boots and a cross bow make its way out of the corn field and make it to where his father is waiting for him. At that moment there was not ONE angry bone in my body to see a man with his 5 year old son out deer hunting :P they never knew I was there until they past under my tree and saw my climbing stick. Opening day and that encounter made my whole season !
I put that deer crossing sign next to my stand. I just don't get why they don't use it....Thanks guys, again a great vid with great info.
Hey yall, can you guys put out an updated public land hunting tip video for next year? Maybe some things to mention now that you didn’t think to mention 4 years ago? Love the content.
Being curious, many of your tips ring true. I'm in Chico CA and there's a lot of public space to hunt and fish. Some times I come across non hunting people. Can be awkward, my best remedy is politeness and howdy it's tough not to get into argument. Be nice!!!!
Sounds like you made this video from last year's deer tour in Michigan, laughing.......... I think the best thing out of this informative video is that all of these things make us better hunters all around. We've all been there did that so many times that if you're still doing it then it's your own fault. I think that by you guys being so willing to share your experiences and not just the harvesting that the THP crew is on the top of everyone's favorite hunting videos. As always be safe and stay healthy my friend.
Should I morning hunt early season?
I have heard both I should and shouldn't hunt in the morning.
I say hunt when you have the time
It a hunt when you can kinda thing ive had luck at both times marning and eevening
Public land challenge PA. Chapman state park would be an awesome campsite for yall, talk to the park rangers they may give you a discount for the advertisement on youtube. If not there try buckaloons or kinzua would be good spots as well.
Great tips guys! I know that I fall into that category of finding one spot and hitting it hard all season. Definitely something I'll have to work on this season. Appreciate the info!
Please do not let the offering of money ruin your channels. The lack of ads is why people love your channel. I already have to hear about security systems on the radio on the way to and from work
We hear ya but have to pay the bills.
@@TheHuntingPublic your choice between making a 2 minute add and a 20 second add.
Great video for review and encouragement as we prepare fir 2020 deer season. Thanks
My second season and already applied most of these tips! Great video
Love you guys I definitely experienced everything you described last year going in confident this year!!
Public land by me is full of roads no piece is more than a mile thick and all marshes that use to be good , have now been 6 ft of water last few years, and hiking paths right through middle of all if it and if thats not enough little dirt roads bring ya right back into middle of each one , no way to get away from anyone. Ive got lucky few times but its rare
My WMU in Ontario only has a 2 week open for Deer hunting with a rifle, not a lot time. Lucky though the bow season is 2 months
On point number 2, I always keep a small piece of burlap and a $5 stool from Walmart in/attached to my backpack. Ya never know when a better opportunity presents itself!
Just received my hunter's ed certificate today here in CA and I am looking for some major advice and guidance about this sport.
Thank you for your content!
Welcome aboard
Move out of CA. Lol
4:56 is still my favorite THP moment!
Hands down
I dont always like thp videos before i watch them.. Oh wait. Yea i do.. And they never disappoint!!!
I love when deer season becomes closer and closer!!!
I meet my buddy scouting public land and talked and now we hung together and are good friends just because I wasn't afraid to talk to him. Also got a doe with my bow just by hunting transitions and hunting when I could with limited time.
To be honest, i would rather have ads, than bs hunting videos like most of youtube hunters
Some of them are just straight high fence garbage.
Can you please DM me some you've come across so I know what to avoid?
@@MarsIncorporated_ is it possible to dm on UA-cam?
What?
I like this video... helps me to understand what ive gotta do for my first hunt ever!
I know you guys hunt New York but I think ya’all should get more north East in the big woods like New Hampshire and Maine. It would be very interesting to see how you guys break down woods like that. Deer that are not influenced by agriculture
I am always looking for more advice on public land hunting here in Iowa. Sadly the private ground I used to hunt has been sold, leased out to out of state hunters or the farmers keep clearing all the timber for crops. Public is about all I have left to go on. I have been trying to find obscure pieces nobody bow hunts on due to them being smaller or not a lot of timber due to the river and interstate near by. I have walked a few different bigger areas and a couple are being hunted very hard every year and those are hard to set up in. The stands I did see are close to the parking area and I hate to walk by another guy and blow his area up so I just avoid them if vehicles are there.
Thanks for the help love public land hunting
Fantastic advice for public land hunters!! You guys have definitely got it figured out!!
Samuel Johnson its my first year too. Just had opening day in wisconsin Saturday the 12th. Not much luck due to squirrel hunters on same piece of land.
I think staying positive has a direct effect on how your hunts turn out. I don’t know why but sometimes you can think something into happening. I know it sounds crazy. Anyone else have this happen to them? I remember one opening day I didn’t see any deer, I was really bumming and I prayed that something good would happen and kept positive. The next day I shot 2 bucks within a 1/2 hour of each other both 8 points. Never forget that.
These guys are right. All I hunt is public land. I had to learn all by experience. I did all the mistakes they mentioned. Every year that passed, I kept moving into harder to get to spots farther and farther from other people. Usually I don't see much, this year, I've seen 12 deer so far. I hunt 3 different spots based on the terrain and the resources. I know deer need to eat, need a safe haven, and an area away from people. I walk almost 45 mins through thick brush just outside a swap where I can see a bedding area. I had a shot on a little Bambi which I almost took, since it's prime meat imo, but I want to fill my freezer so I'm going to wait for a big one. Out there, I see no signs of people, no trash or markers. Tomorrow I'm going to go around that swap to the other side across the creek. There's a downed tree with the roots up that looks like it can offer a good spot for concealment. I'm not looking forward to it since there's a ton of thorn trees and pricker bushes, but the rubs are massive and the game trail going into the swamp is heavily used so I'm hoping it pays off. If I get a big one, dragging that sucker out is gonna be worse than death but worth it, lmao.
How did you do bro?
X2 on how you did
I have almost 1000 acres that I have permission to hunt so I don't usually hunt deer on public land. But I do hunt pheasant and rabbit on public land. Though I'm not so sure that you shouldn't follow the crowd on public land. I was a hundred yards from a big parking lot and a nice 10-point was standing there if I had been looking at that side of the road I may have gotten a shot. And if you are thinking that a 10-point is not that big here in PA where I live it is a very very respectable deer.
You'd be surprised how many deer bed right off the parking area where them main access points are that all the guys go in on. Go in on the other side on the lot from the main access point ( 50 yards away and often you push up deer that bed and watch the other walk right by them. )
Around the east coast where I lived there WAS no public land. All private and none available for hunting. So it is when a new neighbor moved in and asked about hunting I told him of the only available hunting area anyplace close. Told him when he arrived he is going to freak cause cars are parked bumper to bumper and the world is crawling with hunters. Dont fret. Its as important here to know people's habits, not just deer. Get a topo, find a quadrant with a field deep inside the quadrant and you hunt that quadrant. Carry a compass. When you get there, drive around the quadrant till you find a parking spot on the downwind side someplace and find out where you are on that map. Take a compass reading of where that field is inside the quadrant your hunting and follow that heading to your goal. When you enter the woods dont even think of being quiet. Just walk your way on your heading the first 100 yards. In that first hundred yards are 99.9% of the hunters. They hang out at the outskirt of the woods and with that crowd all the deer have run for their lives into the center of quadrant. At about a hundred yards, pause to load up, arrange your load and start your hunt. The vast bulk of hunters are behind you. The vast bulk of deer are ahead of you. Good luck. He returned with two bucks. He said it was exactly as I told him. After another hundred yards he slowly sneaks up on a small field and there in front of him was deer galore. He had a great day and was much more pleased than he was expecting from his first impression of the place.
Great content guys! 👊🏻👍🏻 Seems like common sense but is often overlooked👍🏻
All great tips but for me and with my back problems there is no way I can do them all. I cant even walk 20 yards without having to stop because of the pain from my back. Believe me I really wish I could go hunting like yall do. Best of luck this upcoming season.
I don't ever follow any croud. I've done pretty well in my 33yrs on state land but it's nice to have your own land. Scouting is key before setting out on the hunt. Just this yr alone I got a buck and a doe from them being so pressured from new hunters even dog walkers. Talking/walking loud and shot at whatever they see. I almost got shot twice this yr and once last yr. Gotta be safe.