need some tips
10-12-2004, 05:16 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Madison Indiana
Posts: 210
need some tips
I am hunting an old proving grounds for the army. You cant go in and scout the area before hand and i dont know anything about the place. Anybody have any tips on were to set up or what to look for? I am gonna be there befroe its light out so thats another disadvantage.
10-12-2004, 05:19 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,616
RE: need some tips
well could you go a day early and look around? if not then i would hunt along a creek if there is one if not then maybe a heavy used trail. but i wouldnt go to far from camp in the dark if you dont know where your going. at least for the first day.
10-12-2004, 05:25 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Madison Indiana
Posts: 210
RE: need some tips
Thanks for the tips bwhunter501. Here is a map of the area http://midwest.fws.gov/BigOaks/recreationmapall.htm
10-12-2004, 09:06 PM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Isle, MN
Posts: 1,469
RE: need some tips
I've been in similar situations. What I would do is find some satelite pictures of the land then try to find a funnel. Either just a plain funnel or two funnels that make an X. That would be the easy part, the harder part is finding the spot in the dark. Some websites with satelite (or topo) maps will have gps coordinates. Unless the spot you find is real close to the road you'll almost need gps though.
10-12-2004, 09:40 PM
#7
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Central WI
Posts: 56
RE: need some tips
Bobby, I'll take a shot. First, do you know if there's any other hunting pressure? Do you plan on hunting from the ground or stand?Will the rut be kickin' yet? How much time do you have to hunt this area?
Looking at the map I would start pre dawn at north end of the road between section 34 and 35 to "stake your claim" from other hunters. I'd do a quick turn around to get a glimpse of the terrain in my headlights(if the name has anything to do with it, should be some big oaks around!!!)I'd then wait till first light and make my way west following the creek, looking for well used trails and possible bedding areas, possible creek crossings(there's no use stumbling around in the dark, you'll probably scare everything off anyway). Pick a convergence of two,and set up as quick and quiet as possible. Why did I pick this area? Sections 34 & 35 are the heart of the property, and depending on what kind of hunting pressure there is from the east, southeast and south, they may want to move in that direction... If you do run into other hunters, you could access four other sections rather easy.Most importantly, take your compass, and if you feel like you're lost, simply head north, hit the creek and follow it back east till you hit the road.
Depending on your time frame you could scout these other areas quickly after the morning hunt for an evening hunt or tomorrow's hunt. However, if the rut is starting or in full swing at the time, I would take the first couple of hours and scout for the best possible site and set up all day, again, depending on your time frame.......Likewise, if you plan on setting up a stand and there's nothing but field around, I would continue in the dark until I find suitable terrain. I guess that's would I would do if I planned on hunting that morning. However, if you have a couple of days to hunt this area, I'd take the first morning and scout all the areas.
Anyway, my two cents are more than spent. Good luck!!!
Looking at the map I would start pre dawn at north end of the road between section 34 and 35 to "stake your claim" from other hunters. I'd do a quick turn around to get a glimpse of the terrain in my headlights(if the name has anything to do with it, should be some big oaks around!!!)I'd then wait till first light and make my way west following the creek, looking for well used trails and possible bedding areas, possible creek crossings(there's no use stumbling around in the dark, you'll probably scare everything off anyway). Pick a convergence of two,and set up as quick and quiet as possible. Why did I pick this area? Sections 34 & 35 are the heart of the property, and depending on what kind of hunting pressure there is from the east, southeast and south, they may want to move in that direction... If you do run into other hunters, you could access four other sections rather easy.Most importantly, take your compass, and if you feel like you're lost, simply head north, hit the creek and follow it back east till you hit the road.
Depending on your time frame you could scout these other areas quickly after the morning hunt for an evening hunt or tomorrow's hunt. However, if the rut is starting or in full swing at the time, I would take the first couple of hours and scout for the best possible site and set up all day, again, depending on your time frame.......Likewise, if you plan on setting up a stand and there's nothing but field around, I would continue in the dark until I find suitable terrain. I guess that's would I would do if I planned on hunting that morning. However, if you have a couple of days to hunt this area, I'd take the first morning and scout all the areas.
Anyway, my two cents are more than spent. Good luck!!!
