Public land scouting for deer...how much do you do?

[Keep'er Movin]

Just spent the better of half of the day scouting for next season. How much scouting do you do on public land? When do you start? What type of terrain do you favor when scouting (big woods, marshes, hill country, swamp land, river bottoms, etc.)? I wish all the ponds and creeks I crossed today would still be frozen come Nov but that's what hip boots are for I guess. Hope you all find some great new spots!

 

[Schaaf]

You’re doing more harm than good to the critters by busting around through winter range habitat in January.

I take the dog for walks on public land and make sure to target places where animals aren’t hanging out. I don’t usually think about scouting until I’m looking for sheds and stuff in May.

 

[Keep'er Movin]

You’re doing more harm than good to the critters by busting around through winter range habitat in January.

I take the dog for walks on public land and make sure to target places where animals aren’t hanging out. I don’t usually think about scouting until I’m looking for sheds and stuff in May.

I don't put any real stock in that at all. There is private land all around the places I scout. Plenty of browse, mild winters here in Southern WI, no snow, etc. Herds are alive and healthy here.

 

[Schaaf]

I don't put any real stock in that at all. There is private land all around the places I scout. Plenty of browse, mild winters here in Southern WI, no snow, etc. Herds are alive and healthy here.

Yeah, I got to thinking after I saw your avatar that thought process might not be relevant in WI.

 

[grizzly63]

Just keep walking around the public and the animals will reinforce their desire to stay on private but do as you please.

 

[WildWill]

Just keep walking around the public and the animals will reinforce their desire to stay on private but do as you please.

Better then walking all over the place weeks before season opens driving them onto private during season.




To the OP I do 80% of my deer scouting on public here at home in January and February. I hunt for squirrels, rabbits, hogs, and sometimes do some predator calling while logging away all the sign, trails, bedding areas, and other info that could be useful next season. Here's a rub I found in a bedding zone a couple weeks ago came home with 2 squirrels, a rabbit and some great Intel for next year.

 

[Keep'er Movin]

Better then walking all over the place weeks before season opens driving them onto private during season.




To the OP I do 80% of my deer scouting on public here at home in January and February. I hunt for squirrels, rabbits, hogs, and sometimes do some predator calling while logging away all the sign, trails, bedding areas, and other info that could be useful next season. Here's a rub I found in a bedding zone a couple weeks ago came home with 2 squirrels, a rabbit and some great Intel for next year.View attachment 358370

Very cool rub. I do the same. The beginning the new year is my favorite time to scout. Right now, all the marshes and swamps are frozen over which really helps to locate bedding areas that are usually very difficult to access. Congrats on the small game as well.

 

[TheTone]

Just keep walking around the public and the animals will reinforce their desire to stay on private but do as you please.

I’m planning to go for a hike on some public this week. I’m 100% confident it will have zero impact on where deer or elk are this fall

 

[Hammsolo]

I “scout” year round on private and public. It’s not a clean answer. It depends on climate and what you’re doing. Are you ripping around on a utv? I slink around just like I’m hunting, which I routinely am. I take a pile of coyotes off my spots every year. I’ve watched the herd get healthier as I hold the yote population down.

I’m sick of the bs about yote hunting causing yote populations to grow. That’s only if you go in once dust some, and then not start a cycle. I follow a strict schedule and hunting practices. I don’t fling lead and train them. I get ‘em close during prime times separated by at least a month.

 

[Keep'er Movin]

I “scout” year round on private and public. It’s not a clean answer. It depends on climate and what you’re doing. Are you ripping around on a utv? I slink around just like I’m hunting, which I routinely am. I take a pile of coyotes off my spots every year. I’ve watched the herd get healthier as I hold the yote population down.

I’m sick of the bs about yote hunting causing yote populations to grow. That’s only if you go in once dust some, and then not start a cycle. I follow a strict schedule and hunting practices. I don’t fling lead and train them. I get ‘em close during prime times separated by at least a month.

Nothing but boots on the ground. I look at On-x, decide which part of a property I want to check out, start looking for buck sign, photograph what I see, log it, and walk out. ATVs and UTVs aren't allowed on public hunting grounds in WI. By the way, plenty of Coyote tracks in the snow on the property I scouted today. Most of the time when I find what I'm looking for, I'm also then planning a route in and out based on predominant winds.

 

[Hammsolo]

Good strategies. I e-scout also.