There is no better feeling than killing a limit of ducks on public land and knowing that any body else with a license could have picked that spot and done the same thing. But they didn't and you did.

Scout hard, drive farther, run longer, walk in past everybody else.

Just be careful and respectful... You'll get it back... If a spot is taken then find another... There is always another.. Sometimes the ones that show up late and find out we're everyone's at can get pushed to the same spot the ducks are gona get pushed to

I have had some great hunts on public areas, also had a few that were a waste of time, but you know even the bad hunts were hunts! Way better than watching someone else hunt on TV. Go get them.

When conditions are right, public is awesome. Look for this.....


And you just might get this......



or this



The more work you put in, the better and more successful hunter you will become.

Or you can boom scout like Garrett.

I use every tool available to me, sir

Public hunting photos

If you put the work in you can find good areas to hunt. Like most people said it is a first come first serve type of situation and be prepared to pick your gear up and move away from the idiot that set up 30 yards from you peppering you with his pass over shooting. My advice would be to scout, scout and scout some more. Make sure you have a couple of spots picked out so if you need to move you have an option. The harder it is for you to get to the spot the less likely it will have someone there. Most lakes are not new and there are several seasoned hunters on all the public lakes and most likely they know all the good spots. If you run across one of these guys I would make friends with them and see if you can sit with then to hunt. You will learn more form one of these guys in one morning that you will learn all year by your self.

Also if you are fortunate enough to meet a seasoned Vet on one of the many public lakes and he takes you to his spot... DO NOT beat him to that spot the next day with your buddies!

My taxi hunts a local lake and it seems to be the only place in the area that some species are killed.

Public laking could be stellar in texas.
Just scout, have a boat, scout again.
Leave at midnite. Hunt monday-thursday only.
Lie about where u going and where u have been.
Lie about the birds u have seen and shot.
Dont take friends, they will steal ur spot.

Lots of respect for lakehunters.
Knock urself out!

FIFY

How about the second day?

Ok, ever. U right

There are spots in the timber back in AR that I still call up one of my dads former coworkers before I go back to, and he showed them to me 15 years ago, and he hasn't hunted them in at least 5.

It's called respect.

I don't have anything against guides or their sports, but I get a lot more satisfaction out of putting myself on ducks than I do having somebody else do all the leg work. By the time I add up boat/lease costs, gas, etc. it has nothing to do with money. I'm sure if I added up the cost of two guided hunts per week compared to what I spend it would be close. I'm just more of a DIY kinda guy and like scouting, it isn't work to me. I know some folks are just too busy to put in the time, gotta do what they gotta do.

Although there is at least a guide or two around here I'd like to share a blind with. Not to pick their brains, but just to BS a bit and maybe have a beer or two after the hunt.