[FallVitals]

Well as the deer season draws to a close on the 31st, its not to early to think about scouting. This year I am going to bowhunt a local WMA (wildlife management area).

Since the map is big im going to include a link to the map instead of posting it here. On the map in the low left hand corner you see the parking area with a blue dot. In the middle of the map there is another blue dot and says 'road splits' I would prefere to not go past that point cause on the left hand side of the road it becomes a creek which can get sorta deep and i wont think i would want to pull a deer threw it especially if it has been raining. but i have highlighted the areas i think would be best to start scouting first, what do yall think? BTW its about a mile from the parking to where the road splits.

but yes i do know actully walking around is better then looking at a map. the season ends the 31st so i figure ill start scouting in a week or so.

the map:
http://photos.imageevent.com/rc_racer_007/hunting04/plymouth topo2.jpg

aj

 

[houndawgg]

I like the two areas I circled in red if your gonna stay near the road. I'd put a stand on one of those spots or even do some still hunting if it's a gun season.

 

[FallVitals]

thanks for your input. Im only hunting this during bow season, im not stepping foot on public land during gun season. But i was thinking walk the creeks and look cloesly for heavy trails cause they gotta drink sometime. My buddy who owns a lot of land near here just mentioned tonight about me scouting out his land and finding a place to bow hunt there its all good but the only time i have been in this WMA i was bike riding with a friend in the spring and saw lots of BIG deer and BIG deer tracks. bad part was that was about 2 miles into the wma. which the roads aint bad but im thinking of how long will the deer be in the heat of bow season while i drag it 2 miles...

aj

 

[Bob H in NH]

Walking the creeks is always a good idea to find trails, the red circles look like they might be hardwood ridges which might be good feeding areas.

--Bob

 

[Guest]

It looks to me that there may be many areas on your map that are good. The biggest problem you have to consider is other hunters. If you spend the next 8 months getting all hyped up over this great spot you have decided to set your stand and come to find out 25 other guys know about it, you are not going to be very happy.

Find a spot as far away from the hunting pressure as you can get. Don't worry about having to get a dead deer out of this area. You need to worry about how to get a dead deer.

Once you have a dead deer, skin and bone it on the spot. This can be done in less than an hour even if you don't know what you are doing. You can then load this into a decent pack and head for the truck.

I have done this a bit and it is alot easier than dragging anything. I use a Cabela's pack called the elite scout in the large size. I recently hauled a large North Dakota Whitetail about two miles this way. I had 58 lbs of meat and the head and cape for a total of 68 lbs. That sounds like quite a load ( it is ) but take your time and you can get out of anywhere.

Give this some thought

 

[Bobmuley]

Is there any access that suits you from the north? There appears to be some farm ground or reclaimed mines north of your topo. Get as far away from other hunters as you possibly can.

 

[Bobmuley]

This is the country adjacent to the north side of the area you're looking at (near the top of your topo). To me it seems a lot more manageable to pattern deer near this, than in the expanse of similarly featured lands you're looking at.

 

[FallVitals]

I was planning on finding atleast 3 good stand areas in 3 different areas. I have been all the way north of the WMA but its all private land up there, some sorta farm. So i cant go in that way, although id like to hunt up there more then where im looking at.

hunting preasure was my first thought, but i dont htink to many people hunt this wma, although i can be dead wrong. i drove up past there during doe season and there were only 2 trucks parked at the entrance.

On my bike i have a rear basket that i use a lot for putting my fishing stuff in, i think put my tree stand on it no problem. but i wonder if i could put my bow on it too... that would greatly improve my 'distance', lol. I wonder if theres any where i could get a deer on it and ride it out.... hmmmm. thatd be *******.

aj

 

[Darrel]

You might want to check your local laws before you start cutting up a deer in the woods. I not sure about now, but about 4 years ago I spoke with the Game Warden before season about quartering a deer to be able to get it out of the woods. The place I was hunting was rough, It was hard enough to get your self out of the woods. He told me it was illeagal to do anything to the deer other than standard field dressing. That was here in KY. I would check my local laws first.

I once read a story about a guy who shot a cow elk by mistake. He called the wardens office to report his mistake and to explaim what had happened (It was an honest mistake, the bull was behind heavy brush and the cow ran out as he shot), he then removed the cow from the woods to his truck and waited for the warden. When they showed up they not only took the elk but also his gun, hunting privalages and left him with a healthy fine. Wow, so much for being honest.

Good luck with you hunting,
Darrel