I am a new hunter/sportsman and this would actually be my first year hunting. I will be using a crossbow. Was thinking about using the public lands at Kingsbury FAW (I live in S. Bend area) -- does anyone have any tips or advice for a newcomer?

Thanks in advance

Good for you and welcome. I hunt public but I'm in the south, and not familiar with Kingsbury. Someone on here may be able to help though. Study terrain, satelite and FWA maps of it and plan to check certain areas that look good to you. Then hunt and/or eliminate, until you get into some good stuff. I'd use a climbing stand until you know where you want to be. Good luck and be safe

Well, it gets hit pretty hard ... not as bad now as it will be come gun season.... many stands are already up in the better locations... some guys have hunted these spots for years and can be real jerks if you encroach .... I dont think any one area is better than another, I dont hunt there but am very familiar with it... look at google maps, it is fairly flat, but has some good pinch points.... it may take a few years + to learn it.... dont forget, there are waterfowl and upland hunters out there the same time you will be .... if you ground hunt with the tool you use, you might be better off to an extent till you learn the place, just dont spot and stalk the place, that will tee off many if you Elmer Fudd under them. Find a good place and sit/blend in... ... A climber will work if you find the right spot/tree ....

Winimac is another place to look at

Thanks everyone!

Been hunting there for several years now. A lot of hunters like to hunt the perimeter of the 'refuge areas' (the "No Hunting") zones in sections 2, 3, & 4. Area 5 is large and popular as well. At this point of the year & season, might be best to do some table top scouting with Google Earth, identify some features such as tree lines, fields, elevation that interest you then go from there.
Good luck!