I was directed to this page to get any tips or questions answered about national Forrest hunting. I plan to purchase the permit to hunt state land next year (probably Sam Houston) and I was wanting to know if y'all could give me some tips on scouting and tactics for Bowhunting it. I plan to scout it with a trail camera in a remote spot with a security box on it. Anything will be appreciated! Thanks
-
-
Here is the Sam Houston thread for last year. also. Lot's of useful info in this thread. This should keep you busy for a while!
If you do a search for the Sam Houston National Forest you will find previous years threads also. -
Also look at the other threads on stands, etc. Public isn't easy, it's cheap, and IMO- rewarding. Good luck.Comment
-
Good luckComment
-
Definitely a different experience !! Started doing public land hunts 2 years ago and been blessed to get something both years I know guys been doing it for years and its hit and miss good luck!!Comment
-
Have more than two spots! Be friendly to the wardens. Scout. Hike. Sit. And sit some more!Comment
-
Hunting public land= doing your homework. Once you have found a spot that you are sure is tucked away from the crowds and have scouted it to know there is activity in the area, then go find another. You can't have too many "go to" spots on public land. You may never see a soul there until opening morning and BAM, all of the sudden you are in need of another place to hunt. Nothing you can do about it except for have a backup plan.
Treat the land like it was yours only in the sense that you leave it better than you found it. Don't try to rule it just try and keep it like you would your own. You wouldn't go into your own land and shoot up and trash the place so don't do it on "ours". Common sense really.
Obtain as much info as possible, whether it be from other hunters, GW, park rangers, neighboring land owners, etc as it will help you to establish some sort of history or timeline of the area. This being said, don't put too much emphasis on what others say. People like to talk and will exaggerate as well as try to downplay their success/stories. Your best info comes from what you have seen personally whether on camera or in person. Rubs, scrapes, trails, bedding areas, actual sightings all need to be documented in some way as to give you a reference to go back to. No way you will remember every detail from every trip into the woods. Even just a simple journal will prove to be a valuable tool over the years.
None of the above will replace time spent in a stand hunting. The more hours I spend in my tree stands every year the more entries I end up with in my journal at the end of the year. Again, common sense. I try to hunt evenings during the week as there are typically less people in the woods. On weekends that I know I'm gonna be hunting I will try to stay in the woods all day. Even if it means moving from one location to another several times. I also try to "prepare" the area during the week before hunting that weekend so when going in to sit I can sneak in as quiet as possible. Same when leaving. Try not to leave your "footprint" in an area too much if you are planning on coming back. And don't be afraid of changing things up. I think a lot of hunters get comfortable with what they have been doing and have a tendency to stick with it. If you aren't happy with the results of a particular area then simply move on to the next. That's the beauty of public land. There's plenty of it and no designated spots.
There's nothing more challenging than fighting off all of the adversity that comes along with hunting public land, but there's also nothing more rewarding when it all comes together! Good luck in your pursuit!
HGComment
Comment