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Started By
Message
My first season on public land (deer)
Posted on 1/30/26 at 9:45 pm
Posted on 1/30/26 at 9:45 pm
OB,
This past deer season, I exclusively hunted public land. I really enjoyed it (had one bad run in but that was it)
Saw plenty of deer, had opportunities to shoot them, but I either couldn’t get the shot opportunity and/or had fawns. Learned a lot from their behavior and how to see the ways they move with the wind and such. Learned a lot with the wind and how to play it.
Also, a huge thing I learned was being considerate with others when sharing the land, so thanks to the OB!
Despite the opportunities given to me and hunting really hard, I unfortunately didn’t kill one, but hopefully next year I get on one. I plan on scouting hard after the season to get ideas for next November/December/January and plan to scout September for early season.
I can’t thank this board enough for the outstanding advice provided.
This past deer season, I exclusively hunted public land. I really enjoyed it (had one bad run in but that was it)
Saw plenty of deer, had opportunities to shoot them, but I either couldn’t get the shot opportunity and/or had fawns. Learned a lot from their behavior and how to see the ways they move with the wind and such. Learned a lot with the wind and how to play it.
Also, a huge thing I learned was being considerate with others when sharing the land, so thanks to the OB!
Despite the opportunities given to me and hunting really hard, I unfortunately didn’t kill one, but hopefully next year I get on one. I plan on scouting hard after the season to get ideas for next November/December/January and plan to scout September for early season.
I can’t thank this board enough for the outstanding advice provided.
4
Posted on 1/30/26 at 10:45 pm to freshtigerbait
quote:My first season bowhunting public, I killed what I thought was a doe. It was a button buck. Live and learn. Next season, I got skunked. The last 4 seasons have been really good for me. It’ll happen for you.
Despite the opportunities given to me and hunting really hard, I unfortunately didn’t kill one, but hopefully next year I get on one
quote:I have a lot of fun scouting and can’t wait to get out there again to learn some new spots.
I plan on scouting hard after the season to get ideas for next November/December/January and plan to scout September for early season.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 10:48 pm to freshtigerbait
This year (at least in my area) has been totally different from previous years due to the amount of acorns that fell. Heck, I watched 2 does this evening eating on acorns 20’ from me, could hear them sniffing around and crunching on them till they finally smelled me.
If you think you found what you think is a great spot this season but really didn’t see what was expected I wouldn’t abandon it next season.
DO NOT get discouraged cause of lack of success this season. I know numerous hunters that had a bad season this year and the common discussion is too many acorns. Just look at some of the posters on here that hunt public a lot, A-bear comes to mind, dudes a killer but this year is just different.
You sound dedicated to public and it’ll all come together sooner or later and it’ll all be worth it bud.
If you think you found what you think is a great spot this season but really didn’t see what was expected I wouldn’t abandon it next season.
DO NOT get discouraged cause of lack of success this season. I know numerous hunters that had a bad season this year and the common discussion is too many acorns. Just look at some of the posters on here that hunt public a lot, A-bear comes to mind, dudes a killer but this year is just different.
You sound dedicated to public and it’ll all come together sooner or later and it’ll all be worth it bud.
This post was edited on 1/30/26 at 11:07 pm
Posted on 1/30/26 at 11:57 pm to freshtigerbait
I’m happy for you that you saw plenty deer on your first season doing it. That’s awesome! A lot of guys don’t have that experience, so you’re doing something right. Stick with it, never stop scouting, and never stop learning. I scout pretty much everyday of the season. The thing about public land, for the most part, is the deer do what deer are supposed to do. Also, being respectful and courteous goes a long way. I’ve made a ton of friends on public land, that I still talk to and meet up with at the campgrounds every year.
Personally, I don’t blame the acorn crop. It could definitely be that, but i possibly don’t have the experience to speak on it. I will say this though, this year has been very weird. My best places produced almost no deer sightings. Hell I even started hunting a whole new wma because I couldn’t get on deer at the places I’ve hunted for years. Definitely don’t let this season discourage you. I’ve made over 90 sits so far, and haven’t killed a deer. I’ve had plenty opportunities, even passed on some bucks that most people would never think twice about shooting, but mature buck sightings have been almost nonexistent. The past week or so I’ve been feeling the pressure since my freezer is almost empty, and I can’t even get a doe in range. I think it’s the lack of water, but regardless, I’ll be in a tree in the morning.
quote:
DO NOT get discouraged cause of lack of success this season. I know numerous hunters that had a bad season this year and the common discussion is too many acorns
Personally, I don’t blame the acorn crop. It could definitely be that, but i possibly don’t have the experience to speak on it. I will say this though, this year has been very weird. My best places produced almost no deer sightings. Hell I even started hunting a whole new wma because I couldn’t get on deer at the places I’ve hunted for years. Definitely don’t let this season discourage you. I’ve made over 90 sits so far, and haven’t killed a deer. I’ve had plenty opportunities, even passed on some bucks that most people would never think twice about shooting, but mature buck sightings have been almost nonexistent. The past week or so I’ve been feeling the pressure since my freezer is almost empty, and I can’t even get a doe in range. I think it’s the lack of water, but regardless, I’ll be in a tree in the morning.
Posted on 1/31/26 at 5:46 am to A_bear
quote:
Personally, I don’t blame the acorn crop
I looked back at the number of hunts and sightings this year. I have almost same number of sits but only 1 deer in freezer. Usually I put 2-3 per year. This AM we’ll find out as last 2 seasons I killed on jan 31 and Feb 1 to close it out
But I do think the acorn crop held them in the woods
Posted on 1/31/26 at 6:13 am to freshtigerbait
Glad your experience has been good. Scouting new areas and constantly learning more about the woods and game is rewarding for me.
Try to scout when it is at least a little wet, much easier.
Try to scout when it is at least a little wet, much easier.
Posted on 1/31/26 at 7:14 am to WillFerrellisking
Between the very warm weather and the acorns it was a tough season for most. The entire month of October I didn’t even see a deer. It took me a minute to figure the place out but eventually they started showing up more regularly.
Hell…I had some come literally right underneath me which I thought was really cool
I plan on staying dedicated to this. I’m addicted to the grind!
Thanks again for your words of encouragement!!
Hell…I had some come literally right underneath me which I thought was really cool
I plan on staying dedicated to this. I’m addicted to the grind!
Thanks again for your words of encouragement!!
Posted on 1/31/26 at 7:19 am to rattlebucket
quote:
But I do think the acorn crop held them in the woods
I could never hunt somewhere that doesn’t allow going in the woods, scouting, and hunting where I please. I would go crazy hunting the same stands over and over, dumping out feed, hoping they come out before dark. If you put in the time, you can figure out which specific trees they prefer to feed on. I found a bunch this year, and probably would’ve killed something if I hunted over them consistently, but I’m always looking to find something I think is better.
Posted on 1/31/26 at 7:26 am to A_bear
Thank you! I appreciate your words of encouragement!
I honestly blame the heat more than the acorns. At the wma I went to, nothing and I mean nothing moved when it was hot. Especially that second half of December. Felt like Vietnam out there. However, at the start of the rut (new years eve) it was a cold morning and I mean it was on. I heard grunts in different directions around me and had deer moving through my area.
It’s been a goal of mine to kill one on public. It’ll happen soon. Best of luck to you!
I honestly blame the heat more than the acorns. At the wma I went to, nothing and I mean nothing moved when it was hot. Especially that second half of December. Felt like Vietnam out there. However, at the start of the rut (new years eve) it was a cold morning and I mean it was on. I heard grunts in different directions around me and had deer moving through my area.
It’s been a goal of mine to kill one on public. It’ll happen soon. Best of luck to you!
Posted on 1/31/26 at 7:33 am to Sparty3131
Yes sir. Thanks for your advice!
Posted on 1/31/26 at 12:17 pm to A_bear
Thats another problem i encountered. The wma i went to had so many hardwoods that were dropping acorns. They didnt have to move far when they moved.
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