Tips For Speed Scouting Public Land Whitetails

Scouting public land for big buck whitetail movements, doesn't have to take a long time. In fact, you can speed scout your way to public land big buck success in just 2 scouting trips or less. Whether you hunt wilderness whitetail public land tracks with hills, swamps or big hardwoods, these public land speed scouting tips can help you narrow down the daily movements and hunt an old buck. Hunting public land whitetails can be a daunting task on tens of thousands of acres, but not if you follow these scouting strategies for not only defining exactly where to scout whitetails, but which buck movements to hunt during the deer season and why. If you are scouting for a big buck on public land this Fall, make sure to check out these important speed scouting tips first. Finding great whitetail movements on public land does not have to be that hard, you just have to focus on scouting defined daily whitetail movements.

[@mountainwhitetail8251]

Great video and it relates to my hunting style a lot. Love putting the pieces together on a mature mountain /hill country buck. Thanks for the awesome advice and I’ll be fallowing this season!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man that is great to hear...I always want to put content out there that teaches as many folks as possible! And I LOVE hill country...mountains would be even better ☺️ Definitely narrows down where bucks travel. Enjoy that terrain this season!

[@George-ro6bw]

Jeff, this is really good helpful info and reply's are great also. Thanks

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot George, I really appreciate that! I hope it helps a lot of folks. So many are falling into the trap of searching for buck beds lately, which really only applies to likely 10% or less of all public land tracts. You are very welcome!

[@tannerwills7286]

Yes! I hunt primarily crown land in Alberta and this is speaks specifally to what i need to do. I know I always say this but thanks again Jeff. Cheers!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That's great to hear Tanner...really appreciate it! Thank YOU!

[@paulwakefield5255]

Awesome video Jeff!! Always enjoy your knowledge

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot Paul, I greatly appreciate that!

[@lastbreathtv4332]

Thank you for the information! This was thorough and I really like it!

[@lastbreathtv4332]

*Thanks for sharing Jeff!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank YOU for watching! Great that it hit home...really appreciate it

[@LoganOrrick]

Good info. I'm headed out now to speed scout a section of public river bottoms land now

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Nice...hope you find a great spot!! Really appreciate it and I hope it helps 👍

[@stanp6383]

Shared this with the hunting beast forum members.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks...I hope it helps them out a lot! Many different ways to scout public land...just depends on the habitat type. If hunters use the wrong methods in the wrong location it can really hurt their potential. There is definitely no one size fits all...

[@randlerichardson5826]

That’s the way it is with me brother.

[@BenDownTooLong]

Making my list as I view

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Sounds great Ben, I hope that it helps a lot!

[@vangjackthao]

Jeff can you do a video on hunting pine forests? Not so much plantations but just strictly thick pine forests

[@courtofficermcilvaine7928]

Sir, by conducting a Huntstand mobile app search a few years ago I located a 4 acre parcel of sleeper - public land adjacent to private land within walking distance from my home. This property is close to homes and can only be hunted legally with archery equipment. It is covered up in deer activity. Great video. Thanks Cris

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man thanks a lot Cris...what a cool find and I know of a lot of little honest holes like that in my old stomping grounds of Southern MI. Real happy for you...those spots can be incredible!! Great find and you are very welcome!

[@bobr7206]

Thats a good app i have it and hunt stand. Hunt stand is an awsome free app to

[@randlerichardson5826]

Great video very informative brother as always. We really enjoy your videos brother. Keep on rolling. LORD willing I’ll see you soon and maybe whether it’s at my place or yours we’ll go whack a big buck. Be safe out there GOD BLESS Amen.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks Randle...always appreciate it!

[@markgrenier6787]

Consice to the point .. excellent..one thing ....info is as good or better than Infalt..thx brugh

[@dixielanddiggers2822]

What's your opinion on salt licks or mineral licks for summer time trail camera spots?

[@dualthreatoutdoors]

Do you have some details on the Michigan public land challenge that you are taking part in?

[@darrellorr7884]

I wish you would do this for a public land in Missouri I’ve been looking at but can’t seem to figure out where to hunt, granted there is only one pond on the property and not seeing many around it would that be a good place?

[@jwsteine]

Hey Jeff, thanks for the video. I'm hunting public land here in TN for the "velvet" hunt the last weekend in August, I've done some of the prep work and wanted to know if you had any additional advice on how to hunt and where given the fact it will be fairly unpressured that time of year and how to go about it to be successful.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi John! Man, such a different hunt from the rut. Best of all they are on their Summer feeding patterns. Bucks that are there today are probably there end of August and the do not move far during the day! You don't want to try for a morning hunt where they are already in their beds, at the expense of a premium evening hunt. Also, they will move a lot more during a cold front. If there is a cold front day coming up soon, I would wait until then if I was going to be invasive at all...otherwise those evening sits are a premium! Best of luck tho...I would sure cameras to find a pattern where you think they should be and get on em 🙂 Good luck!

[@randlerichardson5826]

You would like it here where I hunt. Plenty of hills and hollows steep places.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Got to live good topography!

[@Tbowie13]

Man i wish youd point this out on a computer screen, i cant see what your talking about with the glare and small size of the screen. like when you said about a point…it all looks the same color green to me. I just bought onx so i really am interested in what your trying to show, i just can’t make it out.

[@Curt6234]

Do you ever hunt Egypt valley wildlife area

[@3279642]

Can you please define, Clear cuts, that you speak of, what is it exactly and why are you looking for them. why are the deer around them? thanks so much and keep up the awesome work.

[@doughboy5840]

3279642 clear cuts are where there's not much trees brush like a field something like that where the deer are gonna be travelling between them. Normally their around it cause they bed near it. Food is in them. Or they have a water travel or something of that nature

[@paulhester1904]

Ok, what vid of yours shows what a bench area is? Need to know.

[@zacharyburns8383]

I live in Montana and Not many people give any tips for public land tips its way different here, I’m from Ohio so I understand this, But Montana is a whole different ball game and I only Bow hunt it’s all pretty flat on the river lots of trees could use some tips

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Zachery...I was discussing these types of areas with someone else...I hope they help? Areas where there is very limited bedding and bucks are slotted into very, very tight bedding windows. Not true at all for big woods tho...different kind if hunting. That's more for high pressure small public land tracts. In those cases that buck may not even leave his bed before dark. In big woods area he may have several bedding areas spread out over 100s if not thousands of acres....and he may be on the move during daylight nearly all day during the rut. Again tho completely different hunting methods for different areas of habitat type. Low hunting pressure small public land tracts are an even different tactic. Of course much easier to hunt and bucks do not stick in their bedding areas all day...but do stick to their bedding areas as far as location and placement. Just much less nocturnal and very easy to kill in funnels and food sources, let along if you can set up on the downwind edge of a few acres of bedding cover. You can just about always get the wind in your favor in those types of areas!

[@zacharyburns8383]

If I send you a aerial photo could you look at it for me I hunt a Island on the Yellowstone River

[@Scaponey]

I hunt in south eastern VA. I don't have fingers, saddles and such. What do you suggest for speed scouting a 4600 WMA?

[@rfb7117]

Jeff, It looks like you take advantage of features of onXmaps. Have you ever thought of doing a video for beginners on a how to effectively use onXmaps? Maybe a dummies approach to the tool. thanks, Bob

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Bob... OnX maps has great online tutorials I couldn't possibly compete with...also more of a product type review vid that I don't like to do. I would check out OnX maps tho...some great stuff on their channel! I hope that makes sense? I used it a lot on your land...

[@rfb7117]

Okay...thanks. Did you get all your planting done? We plan on starting next week.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@rfb7117 I did Bob...just waiting on rain now ☺️ Up in Canada on a book writing trip...and I don't return until Friday. So at least I can't go out and look at it too much. Isn't that the saying..."a watched plot never grows" ha. Or at least that's what I say👍 Good luck with the plots...I love this time of year! I hope you feel extremely solid heading into planting and the season

[@hookedntravel]

Quick question. Are you going to release your All Weather Whitetails book in ebook format? Thanks again and Great video's

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Yes definitely at some point soon! Thanks for keeping it in my mind 👍 definitely need to...

[@otahu26]

What would you do In CANADA? We have way to much Land and hard to find bucks...

[@tomjackson8561]

What kind of climber do you use

[@chrisconiglio3249]

Hi Jeff, what app are you using to draw the colored lines on your OnX map?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I took screenshots of those two areas...and then I edit them in markup on my Google phone. I use this with clients at the start of the day a lot...also with my hunting buddies and friends. Works great!

[@palmermorris5567]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Wish I started here instead of searching and searching the OnX site for this...:)

[@shawnsiegrist3632]

What cameras do you use?

[@randlerichardson5826]

We’re getting our own supply of clear cuts here in Tn. The state is cutting to much big timber here. Our state forest Standing Stone State Forrest has made multi-millions of dollars off these timber cuts. Not much of the money goes back into the park. That’s one thing that upsets me. Most of the money goes for new private four wheel drive trucks. Personal trucks. You know what I’m saying.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Well at least the benefits to the wildlife and hunting is outstanding ☺️

[@randlerichardson5826]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions the one thing that bothers me is the state is trying to kill out these hogs but the places I hunt hogs it borders the park system. The hogs get on state ground when deer season is closed and we’re not allowed to kill them. The stats doesn’t want them killed in my opinion. These hog permits like I’m on is just to make the landowner happy. Kinda covers the owners eyes you know what I mean brother I’m sure. Be safe out there GOD BLESS.

[@milesoutdoors8118]

What app are you using to draw the lines on? TIA

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Miles! I took a screen shot from OnX maps...then I can draw on it, in Markup on my Google Pixel phone. Comes in handy!

[@plram3054]

Hi Jeff What is the best way to hunt a deer on prarie . Her in Illinois I found a big buck when I was scouting two weeks ago. What is your recommendation Thanks

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Sly...I would focus on the nearest source of diversity and habitat. In particular daytime Fall/Winter browse. As the Summer shifts into Fall that buck will likely displace depending on the availability of Fall food and Fall cover. Can you think of some diversity in the area? That's what I live about areas like that...similar to areas in central to Western MN too - lack of diversity defined deer use.

[@sobersportsman]

Is a bench the same as a saddle?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

If you open your hand and curve a finger upward to form a valley...that is a saddle. Think of it as like the saddle on a horse. A bench is a flat spot on the side of the face of a ridge, the side of a point, the broad flat off the point of a ridge. Something that you can imagine a giant taking a seat against and having a backrest. I hope that helps a little? Check out this vid I created about reading topo maps...it should help a lot I hope. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGqWZWSGndSrmaM

[@haroldcallahan4887]

I hunted public land in upstate NY once and there was almost a hunter for every tree- parking was like going to a rock concert - they had guys with flashlights directing parking in the parking area - no more public for me - I am blessed to have access to quality private property. Opening day in upstate NY (Columbia County- first rifle county north of NYC) sounds like a war zone - there must be more gun fire than in Iraq at the height of the war - I am not exaggerating

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Harold I hear you, but you can always find good public land to hunt in any state, with low pressure. I know of some great NY areas down by the Allegheny Reservoir....let alone some great little honey hole parcels that feature low to no pressure in Central NY around client parcels. Hunters tell me that in the high pressure states of PA, MI and WI...man if they only knew 🙂 Great public lands are everywhere...it's awesome! That being said...that area you were at doesn't sound like one for sure. Unless that are areas deep within the tract that you can access from the side and wait for the army of hunters to push deer back to you.

[@paulwakefield5255]

Harold Callahan lol, funny mental images here. Good stuff Harold

[@haroldcallahan4887]

@@paulwakefield5255 Thanks Paul - yes I am not exaggerating. The hunter safety courses around NYC have some crazy stories too. Keep in mind we are dealing with all the crazies out of the city. One instructor told a story of some NYC hunter went upstate and shot a cow. Another guy was bragging that he shot the biggest fox he ever saw- he opened his trunk to show off his fox and it turned out to be an Irish Setter- yes the hunting is crazy just outside the NYC area

[@Danyang1]

How do you get the contour lines on your onx map? Can't seem to find it

[@WolfPointOutfitters]

i see your comment is 7 months old so you may have gotten an answer but there is a circle touch button that has 3 choices sat, hyb & topo. your looking for hyb

[@Danyang1]

@@WolfPointOutfitters thank you, I did find the answer by playing around on the app. I appreciate it though!

[@Gendronk]

How big or long does a bench need to run. For deer to focus on it

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

It could be very short if the land is steep and then has a more gradual allow on either side. It also depends on what deer are moving to and from. A lot of my favorite benches are 50 yards or less within a long ridge line,...even double benches with a point that sticks out that forces deer high or low to form an X.

[@Gendronk]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thanks for the response. I've watched most of your videos since I found your channel a while back. I hunt the E.U.P.. This year I'm hunting one very hilly section and putting all of your pointers to use. I will be going out Monday to put out some cams.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@Gendronk that's awesome K, great luck! I also like where those ridge systems hit swamps and lowland. Diversity of food and cover and then those upper benches that face those areas often have great sign.

[@Gendronk]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thanks for all the input. It's marshy creek that transitions into some pretty big ridges. It's going to be hard to get in and hell to get a deer out if I get one but hopefully it's worth it

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@Gendronk you are very welcome!Hopefully you can find some great sign! Also...using a frame pack to get them out in a situation like that can be a GREAT addition...cut one out and pack him out...

[@jacobmengel3009]

I hunt 10k+ acres in north central Pennsylvania. Any extra recommendations beyond the knowledge you gave in the video?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Jacob I was right near you over by Bradford! I have hunted there since 93. Missed a few years but at least 17-18 seasons. Check out my public land playlist...a few vids just from PA last year: kzbin.info/aero/PLmV8Ilexgmhfhq31_lulJiD0mh-OmGtd0

[@jacobmengel3009]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thank you!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@jacobmengel3009 Sure thing Jacob!

[@randlerichardson5826]

Hey brother

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hey Randle!

[@wadesoutdoors1914]

You ever hunt crown city in Ohio ?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

No...not sure where that is?

[@MrHalstead88]

What climber is that in this video? Looks like a summit.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Yes it is...very lightweight one and it allows for very, very little movement in the tree, while shooting deer...

[@MrHalstead88]

I like how comfy the summit is to sit in for long hours, but what I don't like is it's hard to find a tree to climb that has cover in it or around it. The tree has to basically be a telephone pole which makes ya stick out like a soar thumb lol. Any videos for a tip on climbers? And have you thought about looking into hunting out of a saddle? Seems to be the new craze.

[@jakegilly6438]

Why is it pointless to try to hunt bedding in the big woods? I’d like to hear your knowledge

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Because it is a moving target, needle in a haystack venture that consumes way, way too much time for hunters. While bedding areas matter of 20-40 acres or more...the actual bed does not. By positioning around the bedding areas you find, you can hunt them over and over again while bucks leave bedding area, enter them, travel between them and during the rut on large cover public land tracts, Bucks cruise large loops and travel great distances...very defined movements based on doe bedding areas, just as much more than their actual bedding areas. On small defined parcels...island small tract public land hunting, or broken habitat public land hunting with small cover patches it is a little easier and more appropriate. Even then though, it depends on hunting pressure and if you need to attempt 1 and done sits...or manage your sits. On big, large tracts just a huge waste of time. More of a fad thing that applied to a small % of public land habitat types. A method for sure...but not really appropriate for large wilderness or heavily wooded settings. Seriously like looking for a moving needle in a haystack of different buck bed locations that change with the seasons, as well within the hunting season itself. Some of the big areas I like to hunt...southern Ohio is one...I wouldn't even hunt with s buddy if their goal was to find buck beds, because it would be wasting time within a team effort. Might as well hunt on my own. Small tract public land...different story. Meaning, 500-1000 acres or less. But when hunting 10s of thousands of acres...that calls for more effective hunting methods. Really no method fits all habitat types and if anyone tells you that it does, you can probably find thst they only hunt that habitat type 😉 Another thing too with big woods buck beds. IF you find an active bed, it is an entirely different practice sneaking into that area surrounded by miles of cover...vs sneaking into that area on small, fragmented habitat areas with highly defined bedding opportunity. Much less of a chance to spook deer. I actually hunt bedding areas on the small private lands I hunt - often. But even then I could care less where there actual bed is, I just care that the buck is staying in that 2 acres over there...or that 5 acres over there, and that he is traveling to a particular food source nearly every day. Then I have him. And I have him by taking very careful sits designed to preserve his movement for the entire season of possible...or entire rut...or entire early season...basically for as long as he is around. You can kill that buck at a rate of 80-90%+, as opposed to thinking you can hunt his bed on a 1 and done hunt at a rate of potential success much, much lower. You can get away with that in some of the fantasy states where mature bucks and a lack of hunting pressure creates an incredibly different game. But not if you are trying to manage sits over an entire season. That concept applies to big woods public land hunting. Preservation of future sits can be critical to your success.

[@jakegilly6438]

Oh so you are saying the bucks still have there defined bedding areas it’s just pointless to try to find exactly where he’s at in the bedding area or are you saying they don’t have defined bedding

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@jakegilly6438 they have defined bedding areas...large areas, and even that bedding area isn't necessarily the same every day. Hunting cruising, food sources, funnels and between doe bedding area movements are all great tactics that help you narrow down his daylight movement depending on the time of the season. Even on that wilderness parcel that I showed...the bucks move between this island's in the marshes that connect thousands of acres to the North and thousands of acres to the South. I don't care where they bed in a case like that, because guaranteed they will travel through those islands for the rut, for gun season and when the pressure heats up for the weekenders within the large land masses. 45 minute hike in, no trail, 2 beaver dam crossings and lots of water for knee boots keeps hunters out. Looking for a bed would give you a spot in big woods. Looking for a movement gives you many spots...closer to bed, closer to food and cruising or escape funnels. Protecting his bedding area allows the movement to continue all season long...or at least when he is in that spot which will change by the season, especially on public land.

[@jakegilly6438]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions right on, and how you said they will travel through those funnels during rut I remember dan infalt saying those mature bucks still stick around bedding during the rut and you can’t catch a mature buck cruising through a funnel. Do you think that’s true?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@jakegilly6438 that is true for small, fragmented public land chunks. Areas where there is very limited bedding and bucks are slotted into very, very tight bedding windows. Not true at all for big woods tho...different kind if hunting. That's more for high pressure small public land tracts. In those cases that buck may not even leave his bed before dark. In big woods area he may have several bedding areas spread out over 100s if not thousands of acres....and he may be on the move during daylight nearly all day during the rut. Again tho completely different hunting methods for different areas of habitat type. Low hunting pressure small public land tracts are an even different tactic. Of course much easier to hunt and bucks do not stick in their bedding areas all day...but do stick to their bedding areas as far as location and placement. Just much less nocturnal and very easy to kill in funnels and food sources, let along if you can set up on the downwind edge of a few acres of bedding cover. Those are easy hunts and they may be surrounded by homes, businesses, etc...but little to no hunting pressure. Sometimes in those spots getting access to hunt through someone's yard and into the public land is the hardest part of the hunt. Again tho...lots of different ways to hunt that work the best for the habitat, size and lay of the land ..