The old saying, “Loose lips sink ships” came about long ago when the world was at war and citizens did what they could to help the war effort. To some, back then and now, it might have sounded a little extreme, and in the case of deer hunting, too, but it proves a point.

Successful public-land deer hunting requires a lot of hard work. You don’t want to give anything away in casual conversation at work or the local diner. Simply put, word travels fast when it comes to big bucks on public land. If you spill the beans and the wrong person overhears the conversation, everybody and their brother could be walking all over your best spots the next weekend. Be careful who you share good public-land hunting intel with, making sure it’s someone that you trust and respect. You’ve worked too hard to let the word out.

Hunting can be great on public land and good bucks can be found. But it’ll take extra work and attention to details to be successful. Photo credit: JonHuelskamp/iStock/Getty Images Plus.

If a new hunter or relative would like some tips on good areas to check out, that’s great, go ahead and help them out and point them in the right direction. Discouraging others from hunting “your areas” is not at all what this is about. We always need to welcome new hunters into the fold and help them learn and enjoy this great pastime. But you certainly don’t need to tell them exactly where you found those buck beds, huge shed antlers and monster rubs — until you are absolutely sure that you can trust them.

Keeping a low profile might not be a high priority for some deer hunters, but when hunting on public land, every little thing can make a difference toward the direction of success. Opportunities at nice bucks and even mature does sometimes happen so rarely that you can’t afford to make too many mistakes. Your cover will be blown, your hunt compromised, and those pressured deer won’t let you get away with it.

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