How far "in" do you go?

[Doc Nock]

If you're out at Scotia, Sarah, like most Game Lands in PA, you take a nice hike away from one area of parking access adn you're plumb into another access area from the other side.

check out the PA GC on line and pull up maps of the area you're hunting. scale it down some once you locate your entry point and see how many parking/ access areas are where you "hike in".

Also, most of our game lands are surrounded by private ground...another access area for those who feel that reaching "untouched" areas is cool.

Charlie makes a great point.  Find food. Find thick cover.  WE've found over the past few years that the deer have learned to spend a good deal of time on posted border private ground to avoid the army of influx of hunters on game lands.

There has been some heavy timbering a few years back on PRIVATE land on the back side of Scotia and that, now grown thick, has changed a lot of travel patterns. it's also posted for private hunting. Small things like that change best laid plans and old travel patterns.

Sign, is a good start...but unlike daylight-made sign, after-dark made sign, can keep you waiting for a bus out in the woods!

Enjoy the experience!

[Sarah]

Not as familiar with deer food sources, especially in winter. What are they looking for (and by extension, what should I be looking for?)

Sorry if that's a question for another forum, but since I have so many central PA hunters answering I'm thinking maybe you can chime in with region-specific information...

[Paul WA]

In farm country you dont have to walk a long way to get into some good hunting. When I bow hunted PA back in the 70's we had a 45 min walk to get into the soy bean plotts  planted by he state ( in the Tower City area )...PR

[ddauler]

Were the food is!

[bornagainbowhunter]

Its all different.  I have spots that i hunt where you can see the road and spots that are about an hour walk from the road.

You just have to find the deer.  

I actually killed the largest buck I have ever shot in a stand maybe 20 yards from the road.  

Almost every buck will put himself in a position where he can be killed somewhere in his routine.  But keep in mind, if you have 1000 acers to hunt there might only be a handful of spots that are the real deal.  Just requires boot leather...and alot of it.

God Bless,
Nathan

[Tajue17]

the deer are running the edges here so out of all my spots the closest is maybe 80yds from where I park to 3/4 of a mile.   average is 200 to 300yds for any of the new england states.

[Hoyt]

I like to get back where the squirrels are friendly. Takes me a couple hrs. to walk in where I'm hunting now.

[pdk25]

Sarah, I haven't been there in a number of years but have had great success this time of the year at Scotia.  You can pm me if you want.  It isn't all that far.  I think that I can still point you in a direction that may help.

[twospots]

"LOTS of deer sign though, rubs, droppings, paths, and deer every time I've gone in."

That far.

Unless you are looking for an adventure, and you may be, you don't need to go into the woods very far to find deer. They get hit by cars all the time for a reason. deer don't have bounderies, they go wherever they need to go. Find water food and bedding area. then find paths between them all and hunt there.
Public land can be very tough. As far as tips, hunt the land as above, but be prepared for others messing up your hunt. it will happen and that is public hunting. Be polite (even though no one else will be to you) and try to stay away from wherever others are hunting. But most of all don't get discouraged! I have hented a field edge in a climber stand and watched 4 guys and 3 dogs chasing rabbits in the field thinking my hunt was basicaly over cause they would scare the deer off. Had a great buck walk buy under the stand watching them in the field.