Last minute tips

Just wondering if anyone has any last minute tips for public land bow hunt. I still have a buck tag, and I bought an older vixon last month. I've had 6 or 7 sits at different locations in my ground blind at the cottage, but havnt had any luck yet. Had one come close monday morning, but snorted and ran before he got within my comfortable range. I found a public track locally yesterday, and plan on trying it for some afternoon sits . Do you think I should just sit and try to call or rattle one on..., or is it worth putting the corn down and hope none one else finds and hunts over it. Kind of running g out of ideas, but it's kind of what I expected for a first year with a crossbow . Any tips or advise is appreciated, thx,
Scott

I'm new to hunting as well. Started last year, strictly crossbow, public land. Managed 3 bucks so far! I found being on the ground is tough unless you have a blind thats been brushed in for the last 2 months. They notice anything different and your scent control game needs to be on extreme point. I hunt from my climber and get high up(30'+) and wrap my camo blind skirt completely around my stand. If i leave anything on the ground i seal it tight in a contractor garbage bag. Bait can't hurt, put 20-40 lbs down and leave for 3 or four days before sitting over it.
As for rattling rn, my impression is unless you're postive theres a mature or decent buck around to call in don't bother...I've heard stories of lesser bucks sneaking away from the sound, and I doubt does want anything to do with fighting bucks. Might be better off with a fawn or doe bleat...
Good luck to you, I know i needed it!

Have you scouted the new public spot you found? This time of year, the deer runs become really visible and you should be able to find your best spot to set up on a travel route without needing the add bait. You should also be able to find likely bedding areas.

depending on where you are hunting its the second controlled week in some parts of Ontario next week..just confirm so you are legal

I've had some success and frustration with baiting on public land, both with the deer and other hunters. You can change the pattern of the deer significantly, meaning rather than pass through on a travel route, they'll bed a couple hundred yards from the bait and only hit it at night. Meaning it could be very difficult to get in undetected, and even if you don't bump them going in, they won't move until dark anyway.

One of the best late season public land tactics (IMO) is to go in later in the morning and find a main trail (snow helps), and quietly set up on the downwind side right there and then and sit until dark if you can. It can be one of your best chances to catch a pressured deer somewhat off their guard.

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Hunt where the deer are! Sounds obvious but you would be surprised at how many don't do this.. :)

I don't hunt public land but if I did and still had a tag I would hunt the bedding to food zones and forget the bait and calling. The less scent and pressure the better!

spots i dont know well at all i tend to spot and stalk, especially if other hunters hunt it as the deer have already patterned them. i find sitting can help, however knowing where to this late in the game might prove to be uneventful unless you want to shoot squirrels.
try to get elevated if you can and look with your eyes and not your feet.
ive seen a ton of deer on public land. chances are you'll have one without head gear within range, but the bucks who made it past the gun season are harder to hunt...

Thanks guys for all the tips. I've scouted twice now, and think I'll set up on a transition piece. I will be out after the controlled with fingers crossed. Thx again.
Scott.

Bait tends to make mature bucks leary. After all they do know its put there by humans. A travel route between bedding and feeding areas would be ideal if you can find it. I would not rattle or call. You'd be giving away your location. They tend to want to get downwind of those types of sounds. Just my opinion

Makes sense...thank you.