Scout & Adjust: Keys to Successful Hunting on Public Land

Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller, a lifelong public-land hunter, shares his tips on sharing hunting land.

October 02, 2023 By Game & Fish Staff

If you hunt public land, there’s one fact that will frequently apply: There are going to be other hunters in the woods with you. That’s why it takes diligence to harvest a public buck. Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller points out that to be successful on public land, a hunter must scout thoroughly (three scouting days to one hunting day is his equation), and have back-up plans in the field to account for hunting pressure from others. Learn more in the above video, sponsored by Gumout Performance Additives.

Watch more episodes of "Fueling Your Pursuit":

Episode 1: Treat Your Boat Well on Dry Land for More Splash on the Water
Episode 2: How to Max Your Fishing Success on Foot
Episode 3: Tips to Improve Deer Habitat on Your Hunting Land
Episode 4: Scout & Adjust: Keys to Successful Hunting on Public Land

Recommended Articles

Regional Strut Update: Mid-April Turkey Activity Reports from the Field

Western Whiskerfish: Trophy Flatheads, Channels, Even Blues

Gobbler Gear: 8 Best Turkey Shotshell Loads for 2024

5 Steps for Building the Perfect Fire

Browning's Journey to the X-Bolt 2 Pro McMillian

5 Steps to Quality Walleye Fillets

Simple Summertime Sunfish Recipe

Managing Predators on Your Land

Rocky Wins With All-New Trophy Series Boot Line

How to Add Casting Distance to Reach Bigger Fish

Make Crawfish Part of Perfect Summertime Meal

Recent Videos

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...

Hunting

Kali Parmley - Florida Turkey Slam #1

Hunting

Kali Parmley - Florida Turkey Slam #1

The North American Turkey Slam challenges hunters to harvest all four species of North American turkeys: the Rio Grande, Merriam's, Eastern, and Osceola. Kali Parmley kicks off the adventure by heading to Florida to pursue the elusive Osceola.

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...

Hunting

Kali Parmley - Florida Turkey Slam #2

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...

Fishing

Bass Crash Course: How and When to Fish a Buzz Toad

Fishing

Bass Crash Course: How and When to Fish a Buzz Toad

In this episode of “Crash Course,” host Shane Beilue takes a look at the buzz toad, a versatile lure that pairs the topwater action of a buzzbait with the anti-fouling properties of a weedless frog.

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...

Destinations

Polaris – Pack Up and Play On

Destinations

Polaris – Pack Up and Play On

Packing all of your essentials is a necessity when heading out to camp. But you must have a vehicle to get everything from point A to point B. And the Polaris Xpedition has ample cargo space to transport most anything you could possibly need all while providing a fully enclosed ride along the way.

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...

Gear

Polaris – Camping Adventures In Style

Gear

Polaris – Camping Adventures In Style

Gone are the days where your side by side exposes you to the elements. The fully enclosed Polaris Xpedition keeps you comfortable and dry regardless of what Mother Nature throws your way during your camping adventures.

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...

Fishing

Bass Crash Course: How to Find Bass in an Unfamiliar Lake

Fishing

Bass Crash Course: How to Find Bass in an Unfamiliar Lake

Fishing an unfamiliar body of water can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Our eagerness to dial in the bite is often weighed down by the magnitude of the task at hand. In this episode of “Crash Course,” host Shane Beilue provides some tips that can make the process a bit more methodical.

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...

Fishing

Bass Crash Course: Is Bait Color Choice Important?

Fishing

Bass Crash Course: Is Bait Color Choice Important?

Many bass fishermen agonize over the color of whatever lure they are using. Game & Fish “Crash Course” host Shane Beliue contends that taking note of things like forage and water clarity are more important than having every color under the sun at your disposal.

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...

Gear

What Turkey Hunters Need to Know About TSS

Gear

What Turkey Hunters Need to Know About TSS

Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) loads in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge and .410 bore have taken turkey hunting by storm, but there are some misconceptions about what TSS is and what it can do in the turkey woods. Join Adam Heggenstaller and John Taranto from Game & Fish as they sit down with Jason Lonsberry of Apex Ammunition and Michael Waddell of Bone Collector to discuss the advantages that TSS loads provide to turkey hunters, address the cost of TSS turkey loads and recount the performance of TSS ammo during recent spring gobbler hunts.

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...

Learn

onX Hunt: Your Edge for Successful Spring Turkey Hunts

Learn

onX Hunt: Your Edge for Successful Spring Turkey Hunts

Use the onX Hunt app's Compass Mode and Rangefinder Tool to boost your turkey hunting success this spring.

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...

Destinations

Cigars International – Enjoying the Finer Things

Destinations

Cigars International – Enjoying the Finer Things

Camping outdoors does not mean you have to rough it. But you must make sure your supplies make it to camp in one piece. And thanks to the Herfador travel humidor, your cigars will be in pristine condition throughout your adventure.

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...

Gear

Streamlight – Illuminating Your Adventure

Gear

Streamlight – Illuminating Your Adventure

It is imperative to have a variety of light sources when heading out to camp. From flashlights, to headlamps, to lanterns, Streamlight has a vast array of products to keep you well-lit in the dark.

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of r...

Destinations

Suckerpunch – Snacks While Securing Dinner

Destinations

Suckerpunch – Snacks While Securing Dinner

It's fun to procure your own food while out camping, but you're going to want to have snacks along the way. Instead of reaching for old and tired jerky or trail mix, change up your snack game with a variety of flavors from Suckerpunch.

See All Videos

Buy Digital Single Issues

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Game & Fish App

apple store

google play store

Other Magazines

Guns & Ammo

Guns & Ammo

Guns & Ammo

Subscribe

Hunting

Hunting

Hunting

Subscribe

North American Whitetail

North American Whitetail

North American Whitetail

Subscribe

Bowhunter

Bowhunter

Bowhunter

Subscribe

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

Buy A Copy

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

2023 Fly Fisherman Destinations

Buy A Copy

2023 Hound

2023 Hound

2023 Hound

Buy A Copy

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

Buy A Copy

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

Buy A Copy

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

Buy A Copy

See All Special Interest Magazines

More You May Be Interested In

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?

Subscribe Now