Funnels and pinch points are where terrain or cover squeezes deer movement into a narrow path. On public land, these spots are valuable because they reduce the number of routes deer can take. A small creek crossing, a strip of timber between fields, or a saddle between ridges can all create a pinch.
Look for funnels that are close to bedding and offer wind advantages. Deer prefer routes that keep them in cover and let them scent-check open areas. If the funnel puts them in the open, they may only use it at night. If it keeps them concealed, you are more likely to see daylight movement.
Set up just off the tightest part of the funnel with a crosswind. That keeps your scent from drifting directly down the route while still allowing a shot. On public land, funnels are high-pressure spots, so access quietly and hunt them at the right time rather than overusing them.
On public land, the details that seem small add up fast. Mark the conditions you saw, how deer reacted, and how other hunters used the area. Those notes let you build a repeatable plan instead of relying on luck. If a spot produced but access was marginal, adjust your route next time. The goal is to learn faster than the pressure changes, and to stack small improvements over the season. That mindset keeps you ahead of the average hunter and in sync with how deer adapt.