New to public hunting-scouting question

[Hawkeyebowhunter]

First post, I live in Iowa, have always hunted my grandpas property. I'm wanting to check out some new spots this year on public.

Heading out to check the spots now, what are the top 3 things I should be on the lookout for concerning potential stand sites come October?

Thanks all!

[backstraps]

Welcome to the BEAST!!

For me....
Hunting pressure
Buck beds
Habitat

[Swedishbowhunter]

Welcome! 1. Hunting where others are not

[freezeAR]

Welcome to the Beast. Look for beds, kill tree and acess.

[funderburk]

Welcome to the Beast! Glad you’re here :)

All of the above + edges/transitions. Study aerials to find them quickly. Mark them and scout them.

[HunterBob]

Start with cyber scouting... It will help point you in the right direction for boots on the ground.

[Hawkeyebowhunter]

Found a couple of spots I think i'd like to try out come this fall.

Edge of the public property I am in a small oak flat on the top of a ridge system leading down to the river. Big bluff behind me, access thru a CRP field should make for a decent approach from the south, really an East wind would be better once I'm in the stand.

I am looking around for a tree suitable to put a stand in that's far enough from the 5 trails yet close enough for a good shot-I look up and there's a hang on stand locked to a tree???

Now I need to do some research, but I'm awfully sure you aren't supposed to leave treestands up more than a week after season closes. I would pull mine after each sit for fear of it getting stolen but that's just me.

I've never hunted public before, and don't want to encroach on someone else's spot...

I was able to find a nice scrape/rub line further to the south (350-400 yards) of that tree that I liked, across the CRP field where I wouldn't be intruding on that stand site I liked, however I'm not sure of the protocol. I realize nobody can stake claim to public property, however I don't want to be rude either.

[Dpierce72]

Welcome!

[UofLbowhunter]

Found a couple of spots I think i'd like to try out come this fall.

Edge of the public property I am in a small oak flat on the top of a ridge system leading down to the river. Big bluff behind me, access thru a CRP field should make for a decent approach from the south, really an East wind would be better once I'm in the stand.

I am looking around for a tree suitable to put a stand in that's far enough from the 5 trails yet close enough for a good shot-I look up and there's a hang on stand locked to a tree???

Now I need to do some research, but I'm awfully sure you aren't supposed to leave treestands up more than a week after season closes. I would pull mine after each sit for fear of it getting stolen but that's just me.

I've never hunted public before, and don't want to encroach on someone else's spot...

I was able to find a nice scrape/rub line further to the south (350-400 yards) of that tree that I liked, across the CRP field where I wouldn't be intruding on that stand site I liked, however I'm not sure of the protocol. I realize nobody can stake claim to public property, however I don't want to be rude either.

Hunting away from that ladder stand would be alot better than hunting close to it! Chances are, the deer know its there!

I would be looking for place on the edge of area you cant get a stand and or wet areas that hunter dont go like swamps marsh or open crp, more than likely pressured deer will be in those areas. Now once you find those areas be looking for closest spots to a hang a stand and try to avoid people as much as possible. I think that would at least be a good way to start!

Three things for scouting
1- depending on the sizes of the wma’s i would pick a couple of different ones, scout the crap out of them, locate some beds, and stand sites in the off season and mark good potential areas on a map.
2 scout in season the areas you picked with stand on your back

3 dont be scared to move on to diffrent wma’s or diffrent areas if no good sign is there!

[funderburk]

Found a couple of spots I think i'd like to try out come this fall.

Edge of the public property I am in a small oak flat on the top of a ridge system leading down to the river. Big bluff behind me, access thru a CRP field should make for a decent approach from the south, really an East wind would be better once I'm in the stand.

I am looking around for a tree suitable to put a stand in that's far enough from the 5 trails yet close enough for a good shot-I look up and there's a hang on stand locked to a tree???

Now I need to do some research, but I'm awfully sure you aren't supposed to leave treestands up more than a week after season closes. I would pull mine after each sit for fear of it getting stolen but that's just me.

I've never hunted public before, and don't want to encroach on someone else's spot...

I was able to find a nice scrape/rub line further to the south (350-400 yards) of that tree that I liked, across the CRP field where I wouldn't be intruding on that stand site I liked, however I'm not sure of the protocol. I realize nobody can stake claim to public property, however I don't want to be rude either.

Hunting away from that ladder stand would be alot better than hunting close to it! Chances are, the deer know its there!

I would be looking for place on the edge of area you cant get a stand and or wet areas that hunter dont go like swamps marsh or open crp, more than likely pressured deer will be in those areas. Now once you find those areas be looking for closest spots to a hang a stand and try to avoid people as much as possible. I think that would at least be a good way to start!

Three things for scouting
1- depending on the sizes of the wma’s i would pick a couple of different ones, scout the crap out of them, locate some beds, and stand sites in the off season and mark good potential areas on a map.
2 scout in season the areas you picked with stand on your back

3 dont be scared to move on to diffrent wma’s or diffrent areas if no good sign is there!

x2

[justdirtyfun]

Welcome. Some great hunters hang out here so you are in good company.

I would be doing you a disservice if I don't suggest dan's dvds first and foremost. ASAP. Public land bucks have so many tricks that you are probably unaware of. And scouting trips without that knowledge will not be as valuable as you think.

You want to be in the woods if you are like me but get the lay of the land with access points and crop rotation now. Stand location will be better figured out later.

[Hawkeyebowhunter]

I'll have to see if I can find the DVD's, I really enjoy watching that stuff.

I went to one of Barry Wensel's last bootcamps-really enjoyed that.

I meant to say that I found a hang on stand, the other hunter just pulled his sticks.

[Dpierce72]

Welcome!

responded too quickly...

1. Public Access (parking/trails)
2. Transitions AND the thickest areas you can find / bedding
3. Signs of other hunters (old stands, food wrappers, etc)

[crossfitcarpenter]

Find multi season rubs and follow them intil you find a bunch of multi season rubs in thick cover. Correct if I’m wrong guys but that would mean rut bedding.

[Hawkeyebowhunter]

Any other tips?