In the deer hunting world, I’ve been lucky to encounter Chris Leppert, who is CEO and founder of The Mobile Hunters Expo. Leppert consistently bags really big bucks, and he hunts exclusively on public land.
Leppert is from southern Ohio. How does he find success on public land in various states? He combines research with his years of hunting experience, which have taught him how deer respond to hunting pressure.
“Deer hunting is nothing more than a constant shift – in the early season we have the advantage of being able to scout and pattern deer leading up to the opener,” he says. “During the pre-rut and rut, we can take advantage of deer that have … other things on the brain.
“Now we are into the later part of the year with many gun seasons in full swing and the deer hunting can be very intimidating,” Leppert adds. “But it doesn’t have to be.”
Public Land Hunting Tips
Leppert provided his five best tips to help you “wrap your tag around a gorgeous set of antlers on pressured deer.”
Stay Away from Popular Access
Deer watch our access far more than we give them credit for. It’s how lots of big bucks stay alive for so long. When you see a pull off or lot where the majority have to park, try parking somewhere else, have a buddy drop you off, ride your e-bike a good ways away from the lot toward your spot and ditch it in the woods, or you can always do the old fashioned way and walk. E-scouting prior to your hunt is a great way to prepare for this ahead of time.
Hunt the Thick Cover
By now, most of the canopy has left the forests, and as the cover recedes so do the deer. Looking for older clear cuts, thickets of evergreens such as pines or cedars, or honeysuckle can often produce great bucks. Lots of times the buck sign isn’t as prevalent in the thicker areas that you might see earlier when hunting or scouting near edges or food, but those deer will be there. Beds, tracks, and trails will help you narrow things down when you pair them up with the nearest food source, the wind, and the nearest pressure.
Anticipate the Pressure
When you know where pressure is going to come from, set up to use it to your advantage! Lots of people don’t pay attention to the wind when they access their spots. If you can set up to where people walking in will wind bump you deer, you can be at the back door waiting to ambush them. Bucks love to use cover to hide so being close to or in it will be very important.
Cut Them Off
We all know food is king this time of year. But most will be afraid to set up between the food and bedding. Expecting a big mature buck that has been pressured all year to show up on a field edge on Public Land is nothing short of madness. Is it possible? Sure… But we aren’t looking for possible. We are looking for an encounter. And the odds of an encounter skyrocket when you get closer to the bedding and set up where a buck feels safe and secure to move.
Expect to Succeed
When you start thinking like a mature buck and learn to anticipate his next move and the moves of the majority of hunters, you end up putting yourself in the game. And very quickly I might add. Don’t go through all the trouble only to doubt yourself. Show up as if it were on purpose. The more you believe that “today is the day” the better you’ll execute your game plan.
In summary, bucks make a living by staying alive. The more seriously you take their will to survive and the more you study the human condition, the more you’ll be able to prepare yourself for a successful hunt.
About the Mobile Hunters Expo
Leppert organizers several Mobile Hunters Expo’s throughout the US. In 2025 the closest to Schuylkill County will be hosted at Spooky Nook Sports, 75 Champ Blvd., Manheim. In addition to tactical seminars, the show will include vendors showcasing the best gear for mobile hunters. The dates and times are: Aug. 9, 3-8 p.m.; Aug. 10, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Aug. 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, check out www.MobileHuntersExpo.com
PHOTO CAPTION: Chris Leppert hunts public land in eight states. This buck is from southern Ohio. (Photo submitted by Leppert)
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