If you hunt public land, no reminder is needed about how challenging it is. After countless long days without seeing deer, frustration can peak. You might feel like quitting for the year. Don’t. Keep at it. The reward — taking any buck on public land late season — is worth it. It’s far from easy. But when you succeed, the memory will stick for a long time.

FOOD & COVER IN TIMBER

At this stage, scattered mast or forbs are too random to hunt effectively on large public tracts. Instead, use aerial maps for locating timbered areas. Look for clear-cuts, selectively thinned zones, or old burns. These spots hold edge, browse & security cover. All public lands — from Alabama to Virginia or New York — share this pattern. Skittish bucks & does will gravitate here. Once deer settle in an undisturbed area, studies indicate they often stick within 100 to 200 acres through the season.

Start by seeking thinned timber or cutover spots less than five years old. These areas hold deer well. Young saplings & greenery provide excellent browse. Cover is thick enough to stay head high for bucks. Older cuts — 10 years or more — are easy to overlook. These places may seem overgrown, yet they provide edge habitat & browsing. Occasionally, leftover mast hides in the cover, which deer find & consume.

KEEP CAMERAS ROLLING

Bring at least two deer trail cameras. More is better; use up to six, particularly in sprawling clear-cuts. Place them where trails exit or enter cover, or along edges showing fresh tracks or older rubs. Deploy cellular deer camsif allowed in your area. Ensure the signal is strong, then secure cams with locks & cables to prevent theft. Time is short. Your priority is finding deer as quickly as possible. If your camera catches a daylight buck, note the exact time. Be ready to hunt the following day. At this stage, bucks focus on food, rebuilding strength & becoming somewhat predictable.

HOPING FOR A LATE RUT

Never bank on hunting the second rut — it’s unreliable. But if it unfolds, take full advantage. Mississippi State research indicates mid-December can bring late rutting activity on public lands where doe numbers exceed bucks. Many adult does aren’t bred in November’s cycle. Roughly 28 days later, these does re-enter estrus. Bucks, especially those 2.5 years or older, pursue them. If you’re lucky, a late flurry could happen near the cutover you’ve been monitoring. Stay alert.

OUTWORK THE COMPETITION

University of Georgia researchers tracked hunters on two WMAs. Results showed most stands were just 250 yards from roads or parking. Roughly 90% of hunter pressure occurred on only 51% of the land. Large portions remained mostly untouched.

You may not need to hike as far as expected to find solitude. Aerial maps can help. Pinpoint cutovers or burns about half a mile off-road. Gear up: pack 70MAX trail cams, climbing stands & essential hunting equipment. Push yourself harder than the competition, hunting until the bitter end of the season. The toughest part might not be the hunt itself. It could be dragging a buck back to your truck.