What You Need to Know About Hunting On Public Land

Whether hunting on family land, with permission from neighbors, on leases, or on public land, spring turkey season offers ample opportunities. If you’re gearing up for a public land hunt, or have faced challenges and are ready for another round, here’s what awaits you and how to navigate common curveballs.

Expect Interruptions

Sharing public land means dealing with other hunters, often at the most inopportune moments. Imagine having a tom gobbling his way in, only to have two groups of hunters converge and spook the bird. It’s a common scenario on public land. Murphy’s Law often applies here, and turkey hunting is no different. The key to dealing with such disruptions is adaptability. Remember that turkey lives to see another day, giving you another chance to hunt.

One way to mitigate interruptions is to get to your spot early. Arriving before other hunters can help you secure a prime location. Additionally, setting up in less obvious spots, away from trails and roads, can reduce the likelihood of encountering other hunters. Be prepared for the unexpected and always have a backup plan.

Sharpen Your Calling Skills

Turkeys have an acute sense of hearing and are able to detect the direction and distance of sounds with remarkable precision. The turkeys on heavily pressured public lands have heard it all, including sub-par calls. If your calling isn’t up to par, you’ll quickly fall behind. Consider refining your calling skills or adopting silent tactics to outsmart these wary birds.

To improve your calling, practice regularly and listen to recordings of real turkeys. Join local turkey hunting clubs or online forums to exchange tips and techniques. Using a variety of calls, such as box calls, slate calls, and diaphragm calls, can help you mimic different turkey sounds and increase your chances of success.

Beware of Private Land Sanctuaries

Many public land hunts can be frustrating when turkeys cling to adjacent private lands, safe from hunters. Often, you’ll see a flock just out of reach, spending hours trying to lure them in without success. While it’s important to try, often your efforts are better spent locating birds within public lands that are more willing to respond.

Building relationships with private landowners adjacent to public land can sometimes provide opportunities to hunt those sanctuary birds. Respecting landowners’ property and asking for permission can occasionally result in access to prime hunting areas. Additionally, scouting the boundaries of public land can help you identify areas where turkeys move between public and private lands, giving you an advantage.

Understand Turkey Behavior

Turkeys, especially those that have been bumped by hunters, tend to find safe zones and stick to them. Few things are more frustrating than a tom that sees your decoys and responds to your calls yet refuses to commit. This usually happens when birds are wary of unfamiliar areas. Preseason scouting helps, but in-season scouting is crucial to finding these new safe zones.

Learning to read turkey behavior can significantly enhance your hunting strategy. Pay attention to their daily patterns, feeding areas, and roosting sites. Use trail cameras to monitor turkey activity and adjust your hunting locations accordingly. Understanding their behavior and adjusting your tactics can turn a frustrating hunt into a successful one.

The Hard Work Pays Off

Finding relatively unpressured games on public land is challenging but possible. According to a study by the University of Georgia, most public land hunters stick close to roads and trails. The study tracked 151 hunter outings and found that 40% of all hunter locations were within 25 yards of a road, with half of the hunter locations concentrated in just 2.9% of the area. This means that vast areas remain less pressured, offering opportunities for those willing to venture further.

Venturing deeper into public land, away from the crowded areas, can lead to discovering unpressured turkeys. Be prepared for longer hikes and tougher terrain, but the rewards can be worth the effort. Equip yourself with a good map, GPS, and plenty of water and snacks for extended hunts. The satisfaction of finding and harvesting a bird in a less pressured area is immense.

Strategies for Success

To maximize your chances of success on public land, consider the following strategies:

Scouting: Preseason and in-season scouting are critical. Look for signs of turkey activity, such as tracks, droppings, and feathers. Listen for gobbling at dawn and dusk to locate roosting areas.

Decoy Placement: Use decoys strategically to lure in wary toms. Position them in open areas where they can be easily seen. A combination of hen and Jake decoys can often provoke a territorial response from a tom.

Calling Techniques: Use a mix of calling techniques to mimic real turkey sounds. Start with soft clucks and purrs, and escalate to more aggressive yelps and cuts if needed. Know when to call and when to stay silent.

Camouflage and Concealment: Wear full camouflage, including gloves and face masks, to blend into your surroundings. Set up in natural cover, such as brush or against large trees, to break up your outline.

Patience and Persistence: Patience is key in turkey hunting. If a bird isn’t responding, stay put and remain quiet. Sometimes, waiting silently can coax a cautious tom into range.

Safety First: Always prioritize safety. Make sure you are clearly visible to other hunters by wearing blaze orange when moving. Communicate with hunting partners and establish a clear shooting plan.

Public land turkey hunting presents unique challenges, from interruptions by other hunters to the need for advanced calling skills. Turkeys often seek refuge in private land sanctuaries, making it essential to scout and find less pressured areas. With hard work, perseverance, and a solid strategy, a successful hunt is still achievable. Embrace the challenge, refine your skills, and enjoy the process of hunting turkeys on public land.

Any tips for hunting on public land?