Afternoon,
I just joined the forum yesterday. I'm from Eastern Ohio, near Lisbon. Just curious how many public land only bow hunters we have here?
I just moved back to Ohio last year after 6 years and the farms I used to hunt are now leased up or bought out by fellow hunters. so, I'm now a public land bow hunter (other than the 1 stand I have in my 2 acre patch behind the house.
I ate tag soup last year but learned a lot of valuable lessons, and even started to enjoy the challenge of hunting public. I did get REALLY frustrated several times to the point I packed up and went home, but, I suppose that's to be expected.
This year I've spent more days than I can count scouting, hiking, glassing and adjusting my set up to be more suitable for 1+ mile hikes in. I feel like I've learned more about deer behavior since the end of last season than I had in the few years of hunting before that combined.
My goal this year is to take my first ever buck. I don't expect to kill a world class deer and even if I don't succeed in my goal I think I'll be one step closer to it. I had 4 trail cameras stolen from public land last year decided I wouldn't use any this year. So, i'll have that added challenge as well.
If any of you public land hunters have any stories to tell or tips/tricks to pass along to a novice I'd be happy to hear them.
I just joined the forum yesterday. I'm from Eastern Ohio, near Lisbon. Just curious how many public land only bow hunters we have here?
I just moved back to Ohio last year after 6 years and the farms I used to hunt are now leased up or bought out by fellow hunters. so, I'm now a public land bow hunter (other than the 1 stand I have in my 2 acre patch behind the house.
I ate tag soup last year but learned a lot of valuable lessons, and even started to enjoy the challenge of hunting public. I did get REALLY frustrated several times to the point I packed up and went home, but, I suppose that's to be expected.
This year I've spent more days than I can count scouting, hiking, glassing and adjusting my set up to be more suitable for 1+ mile hikes in. I feel like I've learned more about deer behavior since the end of last season than I had in the few years of hunting before that combined.
My goal this year is to take my first ever buck. I don't expect to kill a world class deer and even if I don't succeed in my goal I think I'll be one step closer to it. I had 4 trail cameras stolen from public land last year decided I wouldn't use any this year. So, i'll have that added challenge as well.
If any of you public land hunters have any stories to tell or tips/tricks to pass along to a novice I'd be happy to hear them.