How To Scout Public Land For Deer

Continually scouting for your next great public land deer hunting grounds, can at times be frustrating. However, if you live in the North 1/2 of the country, there is most likely a quality tract of public hunting land within 1 to 3 hours of home. You just need to learn how to find quality locations efficiently and then add a small amount of boot time. There are some great strategies for helping you scout public land for deer. When, where, why and how to scout public land for deer can all be accomplished much faster than you may realize..

[@fire_x_friction8820]

Great video and discussion. State land , swamp meets hardwood I've made a living on for a long time where people didn't want to walk to. It was just a longer drag. But that's the fun and the price. Great vid, better discussion.

[@tomlalond1825]

Ask and you shall receive! Thanks Jeff for adding some of the exact tips I’ve been looking for to get an edge!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

You are very welcome Tom and that is great to hear! Trying to continually bring a lot more so I hope those tips hit the mark too!

[@sierraridgereaper]

Ive never hunted anything but public land. I currently hunt a 3500 ac area and in 5 yrs of hunting this tract, Ive never seen another hunter in the woods. It has a main road (forest service rd) that runs the west edge, one road that is gated that enters the area, the rest is inaccessible by vehicle (old logging rds) so its all on foot. Ive only seen guys on the main road at the west edge, road hunters either on quads or in their trucks. No one ever gets off the beaten path here much less braves the woods. I love it, have it all to myself every year. In Fact, Ive never had a trail cam ever come up missing and some (4) are within a hundred yards of that main road, all just hangin with bungy cords, tree stands never touched. Not sure why the guys around here never venture in to the woods, maybe scared of the lions and bears, dont really know but I guess thats good for me as I am old school and love it.

[@mcgyversshed8397]

Just recently came across your video series. I'm quite impressed with your methodical and detail oriented approach. Please keep it up.....I'm learning alot. Thanks

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man that is so great to hear and I really appreciate that! And of course I will do my best. I work in the whitetail industry full time...and this is a large part of what I do. So, I don't plan on stopping any time soon...

[@mcgyversshed8397]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Right, I didn't think you would be. I meant more that your disposition and demeanor make the videos really easy to understand and learn from. I live in Maine and have looked to employ the services of someone like yourself more than once. Unfortunately, up here, there are so few individuals such as yourself that offer the experience and approach you do.

[@mcgyversshed8397]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 As a result, I'm trying to learn as much as I can from people like you so I can better the success and hunting opportunities for my daughters and me.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@mcgyversshed8397 really appreciate it! I know very pricey...but I do fly to a few clients every year...for example Mississippi and Virginia last year. I have a set, 3-day fly-in fee. But really, your comments mean a lot and I hope the videos can help a great deal as well!

[@patrickfoster6221]

This is exactly what I've been looking for! There's a ton of state land and forest land around me. I live in west Michigan and it's pretty heavily hunted. Those are pretty simple ways to break the areas down. I've learned a lot from your videos and look forward to watching more. Thanks for doing it!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That is great to hear Patrick and I really appreciate your feedback! Most of all I hope it helps and you can bet I have a lot more coming very soon! Good luck

[@patrickfoster6221]

So far so good, but there's always room for improvement. Thanks again!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@patrickfoster6221 You are welcome Patrick!

[@ML-ks2lj]

I hunt on the east side and man Michigan I swear has adapted deer to look up into the trees.

[@jaehanson781]

Great tips, thanks Jeff. I hunt the Western Michigan area and want to start experimenting more with state land.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you Jae! Boy this would really apply to a lot of those Western MI public land areas for sure. Good luck on your quest!

[@normankaster917]

The best information that you stated was two things that I use #1 find the hard to reach locations Ex.small slice of high ground located in a Marsh and hunt the deer runs leading into that.#2 hunt the Hunter, know where they park, location of stands, are they baiting, what time are they getting into the woods, what time are they leaving, are they also bow hunting the area. All of that and more, can be figured out with just a quick 10 min conversation with them either before or after the hunt...I do it all the time.I have never had another Hunter not give me the information I'm looking for, if you know how to "hunt the Hunter" than get into your location before they get to theirs, use them to push feeding deer into the thick stuff that is hard to get to AKA your location. Feeding deer meaning deer that are feeding on their bait piles that are spooked as they walk into their stand, or deer could also be feeding on natural food that's available to them, I use a large group of guys every year to sent bump some thick cover of the Manisstee River bottom these guys walk the ridge every Thanksgiving and set up on top of it looking down into the River bottom, mean while I'm down wind 400 yards hunting the exit. Hard to get into my location due to I have to use my canoe and set a tree stand up all before they slam the door of the pick up truck and start walking the 200 yards to the river. One day I know this will pay off big.I have seen some of the nicest bucks of my hunting life with there help. Great topic as always.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Great points Norman! The one thing though is that I go out of my way to avoid tslking to other hunters. I study their parking areas, walk-in direction, bkind locatiins at times....but from what they drive to if they use bait or not, to navigational skills, how many, kids, women or men and much more...can all be found out without taling to them, and then they know nothing about me 😉 I like hiding from other hunters as much as deer...

[@johnkendall6962]

This answered a lot of questions I had. I know of a place on public land that meets most of the requirements I will be be checking it out in the next few weeks

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That sounds perfect John...I was hoping these videos would help public land hunters a lot! Good luck with the new spot and thanks for the comments...really appreciate them

[@RS-ms1bz]

Jeff. After watching many of your videos, especially this one, I took a lot of time looking on Google Earth at our wildlife management area not more than 20 minutes from where I live. I haven't hunted there since I was in high school 30 years ago, which even back then was overrun with hunters, especially during gun season. I was fortunate enough to have private mountain acreage to hunt in West Virginia the last few decades...still trying to figure that area out, which is rugged mountains with steep ravines...but would like to try public land close to home. I found an area that's 3/4 mile from the main road in one direction, and over 3 miles from the next road over in the other direction. About a mile down the mountainside is private land, mostly farm land. This area I can see on Google Earth is a natural bowl surrounded by ridges to the north, east and west, and slowly runs downhill to the private land. I can see a stream that meanders down through the bowl which is mostly meadow looking. Hard to tell by looking at the map, It looks roughly 100 yards or so wide and maybe 200 yards long. There are hollows on the west and east side flowing down into this area. It's definitely a terrain change, edge change and vegetation change. It seems to fit everything you stated in this video, just wondering your thoughts. I would like to check it out once the season is over this winter. I think I can get a better handle on the lay of the land with leaves off the trees. What are your thoughts on hunting a bowl area like this and the winds that are sure to be moving in all directions given the terrain features. Thanks for all of the videos and awesome information!

[@mike81399]

Pontiac lake rec/ bald mountain, Holly Rec, my neck of the woods! Love the videos, thanks for sharing your experience.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Mike you are very welcome! So many incredible memories in those post...even rabbit and squirrel hunting! Heck most recently I've ridden the Pontiac lake single track mountain bike loop. I've even sledded there as a kid...grew up within 5 miles of there. Have a deep connection with those areas, for nearly 40 years of use! Thanks again...

[@mike81399]

Ever opener I'm on public land in Alcona county, we we're on Michigan out of doors Dec. 2013. Love it!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@mike81399 that's really cool Mike...I had a great time getting back out to my favorite swamp for the opener this year!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@travissmith-wz5nc nice... love this MI areas!!

[@mike81399]

@@travissmith-wz5nc yep! Got pizza at the Mikado market on the opener, small world!

[@randlerichardson5826]

Hey brother finally got a chance to watch your video.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Nice...I hope you liked it Randle!

[@cantgetenoughoutdoors3258]

Man you got that right!!! It’s out there, just gotta find it!!!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Definitely so. Anyone who says they can't find a good chunk of private land to hunt....just isn't looking very hard at all. Thanks for the comments Matthew!

[@cantgetenoughoutdoors3258]

Yes sir my favorite thing either when you speak of an encounter or harvest one, people go “where did you get him” I’m thinking yeah right, I always say up the rd. Good hunting!

[@robertgolden3799]

Great video!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you very much Robert....hope that it helps!

[@Me2Lancer]

Thank you for sharing this information. I prefer good public lands hunting.

[@ML-ks2lj]

I was just eye balling bald mountain area on the maps for some mid January hunting

[@peterarmstrong4330]

Took my biggest buck on public land in Michigan. Big block of standing pines.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Took my biggest MI buck from public land too...got to love MI!

[@1stcivdiv81]

Could y’all make some videos on hunting down south? Your such a wealth of knowledge but slot of it doesn’t pertain to me and where I hunt in one aspect or another. I live and hunt in east Texas where the post oak savanna and piney woods regions meet. It’s warm here, sometimes in the 60s 70s in November December. Early season can be in 80s and 90s. They move a little different and there’s so mich pressure that a lot of times they are nocturnal and the only way to find them I. The day is to get on to the thickets and bump them out and try to get on them that way. If you’ve hunted here there’s ALOT of your fans and subscribers that are from here and many of us would really enjoy it. Thanks

[@TheHYENA87]

Yes, yes, yes! When your hunting public land just do what the public won’t do... walk, like a deer, my rationale is exactly what Jeff said. 30 mins one way and you will be in paradise.

[@markchapman4605]

I live in adddison vt would love to hear someone give some tips to hunt on public land here there is little avalible

[@MikeH0311]

What about Pennsylvania game commission roads they are like mowed down trails but not vehicles allowed on them but they can help get you deep in the game lands pretty quiet what are your thoughts on them ?

[@samanthabrenzel3585]

Awesome video! I'll be exploring public land for the first time next year due to having to hunt closer to home with a new baby. I've been looking at a bunch of maps and I wonder if you have an opinion on agriculture fields vs. natural food sources. Would you rather be way back in the property with natural food, or near ag fields closer to the roads? hunting on private all my life we always focused on ag fields, but now on public it seems like bucks normally hang back away from the pressure like you talk about.

[@rickparshall]

Samantha Brenzel I am betting Jeff would say to find where they bed and park a stand in the middle and to of course keep wind patterns and entry/exit strategy as non invasive as possible... and then he would say hope that helps and good luck!! Love his videos

[@dennisignowski144]

Our group hunts puplic here in southern mi. Hard to totally get away from everyone but you look for over looked spots. Took my best buck this year, you are dead right on Oct cold fronts. Keep up ghe good work!

[@travisjohnson2042]

Really depends on what you are looking for. The deer population is likely to stick closer to the Ag fields. In my experiences does love Ag fields, but the Bucks not as much...at east not during the day. Just because there is a road close by doesn't mean hunting pressure is going to be heavy. Hunting pressure can be hit or miss unless it is a recreation area with nice parking lots for people to go into.I like to search for spots by Ag fields that are hard to get to. One that is land locked by private land so to speak on 3 sides. One spot I am looking at for the upcoming year is only a few hundred yards off the road, but the only access is a 1.5 mile walk from a totally different direction. It is unlikely many, if any, take this trek because there are hundreds of easier acres to hunt right by a parking lot

[@rongarofalo3482]

Another great video with much information that I can actually apply to my style of hunting. All of my current stands are next to some type of funnel. Either natural or man made, funnels will get you close to the action.

[@kev0925]

Jeff.....any advice on hunting public land without being able to scout prior?

[@icecardinal]

Jeff, I love this idea and your videos. I hunt public land in East Central WI and have struggled to find deer the last couple years. I've been trying to do what you're outlining thru satellite maps but would love to consult on areas with you or someone from your team. Is that something you do?

[@danielhines145]

Hey Dan, I too am a WI public land hunter hoping to one day be able to own my own 40 acre slice of heaven, but for now I fight off the masses of other hunters. I am in Dane county, so extremely pressured public lands down this way. I have been lucky to shoot 3 nice bucks the last 5 years though. I am more than happy to exchange notes if you want. But I would first start by looking at public lands that are hard to access. Get creative here, I use riparian rights a lot, a pair of chest waders or a boat can help. Don't over look MFL and VPA's. One of my better spots, I use a VPA to access the backside of a nice public tract. The VPA is just ag fields, so I never see anyone parked on the road by them. I am on the quest to shoot a deer on public land in every county in WI, so I am watching Jeff's videos to try and get some tips for the big woods up north. Good luck!

[@williamkessler8399]

Hey Jeff what do you use for your aerial photos to scout an area? Google maps, and OnX maps have ok images but if its a summer time picture I cant really tell what the trees are to rule out monocultures of hard woods and such.

[@nemideergoon1844]

HuntStand has better map quality than Onx, I use em both but if I need quality use HuntStand

[@rickparshall]

You want elevation changes with hardwood stands on hill and big pines on top and marsh/swampy at base with good sized creek ... you would love our area.. state doesn't do anything to it but cut one end of the several meadows and the main path in and out.. wilderness.. just wish I could figure it out...

[@rickparshall]

1100 ft vertical in probably 1/4 mile.. well as the bird flies😁..

[@rickparshall]

There is a meadow just above the ridge in a saddle that is at least a mile walk from any road, and the haul out would be rough either direction... guess I need to pull up the panties and quarter it and pack it out..??😁🙄

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@rickparshall that's the only way I can suggest Rick. My walk in PA was over 3 hours round trip...in truth I should have hunted my spot only 1.5 hours round trip. Either way though...up hill the entire way in for the shorter distance...uphill over an hour for the long sit. I've work the hair off the hide on both sides of a deer before on that long distance haul...but either distance it's only a frame pack for me.

[@codysmith9975]

Have you ever hunted island lake in Livingston county??

[@koreywilliams4570]

I wanna get out next year and try rifle hunting for the first time. I doubt I'm going to see anything or even shoot anything but it would be fun just to get out and give it a shot. And who knows maybe ill get lucky and bag my first deer 😊

[@davidsiroonian3698]

What boots are you wearing in this video?

[@ShootStraight84]

There is a channel call Whitetail Properties their logo is VERY close to yours man you should say something

[@G_Lob814]

Where In PA do you hunt I Live Near Pittsburgh.

[@randymatson5710]

What part of Pa. Do you hunt I live in northwest Pa. And hunt alot of the Allegheny National Forrest

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Randy I am right there! I hunt East of Bradford, right along the reservoir. I love the area!

[@randymatson5710]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 nice alot of big woods plenty of places to get away from other hunters

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@randymatson5710 that's what I live so much! I've often stated I would rather see zero deer than lots of hunters! I appreciate the solitude...

[@randlerichardson5826]

Yeah we leave sign to where our stands are and somebody will hunt out of it. I went to one of mine yesterday and I’ve not been to it since bow season opened and there’s muddy prints goin up the ladder. Somebody has been in my stand.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Dang Randle! I try to make it tough enough to know where I'm hunting...that I even get confused at times, lol! But I don't want someone following me in unless they are really good at it! And if they are that food at tracking...they probably will hunt someplace else.

[@randlerichardson5826]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions people round here the older hunters won’t bother a stand if they find it. We’ve got a bunch of young punks here that will do anything they don’t care. Well I thought it was supposed to rain all day but it’s not goin to go help cut a big tree. Got to make money some how. I’m 100% disabled I got papers to prove that but they won’t let me draw one red cent. Long story. But THANK THE LORD AMEN me and my wife are truly Blessed Amen. GOD BLESS you brother I’ll holler later Amen. Have a blessed day.

[@randlerichardson5826]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions I’ve got to go kinda supervise my bro Inlaw we’ve got a big tree that’s bout dead to cut in the middle of town. I cut timber all my life well half of it anyways. Only job I’ve ever had that I liked. Have a blessed one brother we’ll talk later kill a big’un now GOD BLESS.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@randlerichardson5826 good luck today Randle if you can get out! And dang...young punks, that's too bad they do that! Take care my friend

[@randlerichardson5826]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions just got home brother fixing to shower the saw dust off. Good luck in the woods maybe I can go this weekend it’s supposed to be rain and storms here tomorrow. Sunday looks good though. I’ll holler later brother good luck and GOD BLESS.

[@backcountrysurvivalists]

If your on public land, where’s your blaze orange?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I never wear blaze orange to scout...

[@courtneydyer3416]

Backcountry Survivalists that is only when it is gun season unless Michigan is different than Illinois

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@courtneydyer3416 so true...and only if you are actually hunting. No gun...you can where what you want. I was actually 20' from the truck along a dirt road too 🙂

[@20cameron1]

From what I’ve seen, your typical hunter does not want to put physical effort into making a kill. The deeper and more isolated the area, the better. They would rather walk 100 yards or less into a tree stand than figure out where the deer are hiding. Why is it our ancestors could kill everyday and didn’t need a deer stand? The place I found is easy to walk through, but it’s a bowl shape and it’s not an easy task to hunt. But I’ve come across a buck and I didn’t spook him. He was trying to smell but couldn’t because I was behind him downwind. Try stalking and take your time.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Great points...so true! Consistent hunting success takes at least some degree of difficulty!

[@randlerichardson5826]

I’m disabled and the park system here won’t let four wheelers drive the old roads. I can’t walk far anymore. They should let the people that’s disabled take four wheelers and ride back in the hard to reach places but they don’t. So I don’t get to hunt where I want to.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man that's tough Randle! I hear you too.maybe an electric vehicle would be a compromise for the feds or state? They would have to be very strict on what constitutes disabled when it comes to access too. I know folks with handicap stickers who could walk a few miles. And do. Hopefully there will be a balance some day so you can enjoy getting deeper into the forest...and that's a shame that hunters use your stand! That may be legal...but it sure isn't ethical!

[@randlerichardson5826]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions I know the only thing the ones over standing stone state park cares about is money. They’ve cut multi million dollars of timber off the park here and not one dime that we can see went back in the park system. I know most of the forestry people here and they’re like a barrel of snakes CROOKED. Sad but true brother. They’ve ruined some great deer and turkey hunting here. Places I’ve killed both they clear cut them. It’s so thick a rabbit couldn’t get through it now.

[@ZachLwry]

That is NOT planted pine