Scouting...New to Hunting

[CoastalPirate]

I went hunting for the first time this year up in Arkansas and want to continue it here. My step-father, the one who took me hunting, thinks I'm Mr. Money bags and should join I club, but in all honesty I have no money to join a club. I would rather use it to go on a saltwater trip to be honest. So I am considering public land. My wife said she would be my hunting partner so what we are wondering is how would we go about scouting for the next hunting season? We are considering the Apalachicola forest. As of right now I am saving up for a GPS. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[MudDucker]

You can scout for the layout of the land, but the pattern of the animals changes. Right now they are in spring rut season. The fall and winter is more of eat to survive mode. Get that GPS!

[SS-342]

What Mudduck said X ten.

[bman]

I assume your talking about deer... Be careful on public land. Anyone can go and a lot of folks don't know what they are doing.

I'd suggest asking friends if they have an opening in a lease or know of some private land you can learn on.
That's not going to easy to find because we hunters are protective of our spots

Also do some reading on hunting ethics... There was a great book at Kevin's called something like "how to get invited and asked back"

[CoastalPirate]

Bman you assumed correct, I am after deer....and also hogs,turkeys and maybe some bushy tails. Haha I wouldnt ask for your spots just like I wouldnt ask for a fisherman's honey holes. I have been told numerous times to be extremely careful going into public land, my bro who works for FWC wont even go in there with me. But the issue is still the same, I lack the funds to obtain a lease and I dont know anyone who hunts. Now if land owners would let me pay a specific rate for a day I would do it in a heart beat! For now my option is the GPS and a deer stand. I appreciate the help no matter what though!

[lonesouth]

So, JT has all the holes, and now Bman has all the food plots...

[dombern34]

lots of corn and deer cameras!

[Chill-N-Grill]

Aucilla offers deer, hogs and turkeys. I never had a dangerous encounter but have seen some fools there. Just be aware of your surroundings.

[Rhettley]

There are some fellas on the local forums that do quite well deer hunting the public land around the area. Get your GPS and learn how to use it taking short walks around your neighborhood. Once you feel comfortable with it, start taking hikes on the public land/WMAs. See what the tree cover does to your GPS. Some units don't get a signal through tree tops.
On your hikes look for tree rubs or old ground scrapes from this past winter. They'll use the same areas next year. Look for narrow trails through the brush, grass, undergrowth, etc. Deer use surprising small trails and often walk single file down the same trail every day. Find areas where the trails intersect if you can. You can also find areas where they cross a fence at a low spot. Just make sure it's not on a boundary line...
The pressure when season starts might change their movements but if you have enough areas you are familiar with you can figure out what changes they are making.