Moose Droppings

Public Land Hunting… Where to Go?

Sep 19, 2008 @ 09:25 am by Moose

Almost any hunting message board I’ve been on this time of year someone posts about looking for a place to hunt. While they often will get some general info and encouragement no one is giving out GPS coordinates to that ole mossy horn. To be successful on public land you need to look at maps to identify and narrow down the possible places to hunt. Then you really need to wear out a little boot leather scouting these areas out preferably before the season comes in. The inspiration for this post came from an article out of Virginia by Andy Thompson. His focus is on Virginia but his tips are good pretty much any where you plan to hunt on public land.

“What you’re trying to do is get away from a place where a person can walk in 100 or 200 yards. You’re looking for places where a normal person is not going to walk back into.”
When to go: Public lands can be busy places during whitetail seasons. There are two schools of thought. On the one hand, you’re more likely to encounter interference from other hunters. On the other, people can bump deer around and get them moving.
“If a person does want to hunt national forest lands,” Lafon said, “I would recommend they hunt on one of the busier days, because you’re really wanting hunters to help you out a bit. It’ll get the deer moving.”
That means try opening day and Saturdays.
On WMAs, he said, “I would hunt during the week, because you’re trying to find a place to not rub elbows with people and walk on top of each other.”

North Carolina has some great Game Lands (public hunting areas) so get out and check them out.

Story by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose