spoon & crockpot proud member......killing tomorrows trophys today
Joined
·
28,714 Posts
How many of you bow hunt deer on public land? There are some game lands here is SE Pennsylvania that are 10 minutes from my house which I scout regularly. The problem is that these lands get constant foot traffic from people on walks, fisherman going to the river, and other hunters. Dove season opened 9/1 so the deer are constantly hearing gun fire. Bow season will open the same day as the last day for doves (9/30) and then there's only about a 1 week respite where the only hunting action will be bow season. After that, squirrel season opens and the assorted youth and muzzleloader seasons. Hunting this parcel of land for deer is probably about as hard as it gets. The only deer I see during the season are at last light as they pop out of the standing corn and hedgerows after being in lockdown mode all day. And the sighted deer are always young does. I know good racked bucks exist there because of the sign I see but they've got to borderline vampires and only showing themselves well after dark.
I'm thinking my only shot at sighting one of the bucks during legal shooting hours is going to be at first light in hopes that I can catch one who stayed out a little too late. I found some very good sign yesterday with three trees in a row rubbed and beat up pretty good and I've seen it in this same area about three years in a row now. The way I see it, the best window of opportunity I have here is going to be while bow season is the only game in town. After that, all bets are off and the small game season orange brigade will move in.
What methods do some of you use for hunting public land that falls under intense pressure? These lands are only 150 acres and flat. Options are limited.
I'm thinking my only shot at sighting one of the bucks during legal shooting hours is going to be at first light in hopes that I can catch one who stayed out a little too late. I found some very good sign yesterday with three trees in a row rubbed and beat up pretty good and I've seen it in this same area about three years in a row now. The way I see it, the best window of opportunity I have here is going to be while bow season is the only game in town. After that, all bets are off and the small game season orange brigade will move in.
What methods do some of you use for hunting public land that falls under intense pressure? These lands are only 150 acres and flat. Options are limited.