Narrowing it down.

[ozzz]

When looking at public places to hunt, how do you guys narrow it down to decide which places you want to look at first?

What are the most important factors when looking at the maps that puts a place at the top of your list to chech out?

Size of the property?
Ease/difficulty of access?
Terrain features?

[NatureBoy]

I check out every huntable parcel of land in my area. It's important to me to have as many hunting locations close to where I live as possible. First I drive around the circumference of it, or ride around it on my bike to make sure it's worth further investigation. If it's really hard to access (landlocked etc.), I get excited and spend extra time in my investigation (aerial maps, topos etc.) and focus on those spots. Every year I ask land owners of small parcels in my area for permission to hunt.

When looking at aerials, I try to find all of the funnels, pinch points, possible bedding. If the property has well defined transitions lines, I will mark and walk those making careful notes along the way. That's how I start to narrow it down.

That being said, I'm no expert. I know a few of the guys here are really good at pinpointing possible buck bedding locations on topos. Post a topo and I'm sure they will help you out.

[ozzz]

Im not necessarily talking about one specific property. If your looking at all the properties within one hour of your house, what dictates which ones you would check out first.

[Bucky]

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7247

[ozzz]

http://www.thehuntingbeast.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7247

That is a good thread, so I guess just combining as many of those factors as you can would give you a good starting point.

[NatureBoy]

If they were all one hour from my house, I'd start with the property that I think has the best available bedding, food sources, water (rivers seem to hold good deer) and is hard to access. Some properties look like they would be easy to access, but aren't. For example, maybe they're off a highway with no parking or in back of a golf course.

[mcmidc]

I would say terrain features is the most key for me. Followed by pressure and ease of access. As far as terrain features go, take a look at all transition lines. This is a safe bet in almost any terrain. Deer are transition animals and will utilize the transition lines, and you should find deer sign if deer are using the area. If areas are heavily pressured, then finding out of the place areas can help, but there may not be any on a particular property, so this can be hit or miss. Ease of access can certainly cut down on hunting pressure, going a long distance off of trails where knee or hip boots are a must, can help, or crossing a river or creek. But I would say that the first thing I look for when seeing an aerial for the first time is where are the transition lines, and go from there (except hill country where a topo may be of more use).

[headgear]

I specifically look for potential bedding areas and hard to access places that generally involve water of some kind. Sometimes these places are way back and other times they are just a couple hundred yards off of a road but finding places that most will not travel is the key.

[Zap]

I would drive around the areas early evening/morning for a few days before the stsrt of season, find where the deer are moving.
Then go in ASAP and kill one.

If you want only big bucks it gets more complicated.....

[virginiashadow]

Less pressure=great. Areas that hold deer year round=great. Find both=a reliable and productive hunting experience.

[Swampthing]

I specifically look for potential bedding areas and hard to access places that generally involve water of some kind. Sometimes these places are way back and other times they are just a couple hundred yards off of a road but finding places that most will not travel is the key.

Exactly what I would say. Very few of my Big Buck Beds don,t involve water of some sort . I,ve hardly ever found good beds with out getting wet.

[Dewey]

I specifically look for potential bedding areas and hard to access places that generally involve water of some kind. Sometimes these places are way back and other times they are just a couple hundred yards off of a road but finding places that most will not travel is the key.

Exactly what I would say. Very few of my Big Buck Beds don,t involve water of some sort . I,ve hardly ever found good beds with out getting wet.

Same here. I find that getting in the water get's rid of 90% of the hunting pressure. Hip boots or chest waders are probably my most important hunting item(other than my bow and Lone Wolf).

[ozzz]

Thanks for the replies fellas, lots of good info.

What about morning specific stands? I am switching to second shift starting in September so I will get to hunt a lot of weekday mornings on public land near my house. Is there anything you would or wouldnt do specifically for morning sits?

[headgear]

If you can only get out on the mornings I would learn to hunt the moon and save your best buck areas for the best moon days outside of the rut. The rest of the days could be used for in season scouting or shooting does.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7716

[ozzz]

If you can only get out on the mornings I would learn to hunt the moon and save your best buck areas for the best moon days outside of the rut. The rest of the days could be used for in season scouting or shooting does.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7716

Good idea. Another factor to consider to be sure.