I've read so many posts regarding the desire to hunt the elusive sika. I've heard the stories of the bugling...talked with friends that have taken them...and can't take it any longer.
I believe the rut is winding down for them (timing like an elk) but I'm not opposed to late season hunting. I live on the eastern shore in Delaware and would like to know who might want to take the challenge. This would be an easy, fairly cheap hunt for those within drivin distance. If not this year, definitely next. I don't have many trad hunting friends and this could be a fun one. I would be happy to do a good part of the leg work as I live close. Who's in?
Were would you hunt, Blackwater? I've hunted them with shotgun there and rifle in Crapo, MD for the last 30 years. I have never bow hunted them however and would really like to try that.
I was thinking about it. Seems like a very unique hunt, to say the least.
I would be very interested in this hunt. When are you thinking?
Count me in if there's room, if not this year late season, definitely next year in Mid-October. I went to Md's website and a non-resident tag and an archey stamp is only $136.00. :bigsmyl:
i would love to go! if ya dont mind on of us Bama boys hunting with ya
I've recieved a couple of pm's that I have responded to. I'm looking at Blackwater and maybe Assateauge Island. The island hunts seem to be pretty neat as there are miles of beach front to explore. I've visited a couple of times and those little critters are super cool.
so are they real hard to hunt?? can you call them in like a bull elk? honestly, until the other day i had never seen or heard of one..till i saw a thread on here. they look very cool!
I'm game! Let me know the dates if you set it up this year. I have some hunts already planed but if its an open date I'll go.
They are difficult to hunt. They are nocturnal creatures, diminutive, live in heavy marshland. I hunt in hipboots and use lots of mosquito repellent or Thermacells.
If you are lucky enough to get a shot you have done well. If you bag a 40# hind (doe) you have scored a trophy in my book.
Kyle, I am interested in a 2010 hunt. Not certain I can pull it off but would sure like to try. Is there camping available ?
ChuckC
wow! they're that difficult! and i knew they were small...but not that small. so they pretty much live in water?
Very small with longer fur than a whitetail. Dark like an elk. Yes they bugle and yes they come to the call. This is close quarter hunting and it can be a little wet from what I understand. I believe camping is available in Assateauge NWR but not sure of how long through the year its open. That is how I would prefer to do it because of the close proximity to the hunting area. Its also neat to see the wild ponies roaming the marshland.
I did a little reserach on accomodations in the Chincoteague area and it seems that off season rates are pretty reasonable. Here's some info I found. http://www.chincoteague.com/rentals.html
Maybe we could all chip in for a rental if camping is not available?
this is something i would like to do...being in north alabama..im use to swamps and wet bottmlands at the bases of the hills and bluffs:)
If you don't mind camping, they have concrete pads on the campsites in the State Park on the MD side. A friend of mine does it that way every year.
The Maryland Traditional Bowhunters hosts a sika deer hunt every January at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. I am busy now, but later tonight, I will try to share some ideas.
I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who hunts Sika's regularly for the last 25 years. He states that the Blackwater Refuge offers some of the best Sika deer hunting in the area. Check it out!
http://www.friendsofblackwater.org/hunting.html
Thanks Joe. You're making this too easy. LOL
Feed that fire!!!!
Hey Kyle,
No problem! I love researching ths stuff. That TBM hunt in January that Larry mentioned sounds really interesting. I wonder if you have to be a member of TBM to join in on the hunt?
I am interested as well. I have been thinking about doing a Sika hunt but have never gotten around to it.
Please keep me in mind. Thanks!!
This has been on my list for a long time!
I was hunting them all day yesterday the rut is on these deer are hard to get too. the land will have your butt lost in no time.In some areas the g.p.s is spotty due to the trees .Iguess.we saw lots of deer am-pm .If you dont go where you need to be your wasting your time. coming out at night can be intimadating.scouting is a must.If you get lost your done.check your ego at the door .this is not an area to take lightly .this place is not your grandaddys farm.This place has its own type of bueaty.It is one of the best blue collar hunts out there.Be ready for a BITTER sweet time I love the place and would not change a thing!!!!!!!!
At Blackwater how exactly does the "permit" process work? I have read the website but would be curious to hear from those who have gone through it. Any hoops to jump through?
Hunting sika in october on Assateque Island is osome I have done it for the past two years. I camp on the National Park side of the Island and spend about a week in Mid October. Hunting the sika is great with the added benefit of being on the beach at night and listening to the sika bugling all night. Couple of things to think about would be researching to get a permit to use four wheel vehicles as acess I walk to my areas but it is a lot of ground to cover and walking in the sandy areas is a little trying at best. Also you need to be aware there are wild horses on the beach and they rome free and they can be mischifous at time and tear your camp up, but I am sure once you do this trip you will be hooked like me. The picture on my avatar is on the Island Hunt trip ;)
Jcar315,just stop at blackwater visitor ctr. on key wallace drive and pay the 20.00 dollor fee for your bow permit and go hunting.you will get a map of the area with permit.
Don't forget Fishing Bay wildlife management area has them and there are no permits required. Better have a canoe/boat though.
The terrain is marshland and the trees available to climb are loblolly pine trees. Lots of scrub brush, water, hollys, mud. You can get lost in a 100 yard walk, believe me. Not for the feignt of heart.
I'm glad to hear "tell it like it is" comments. The marsh is unforgiving. A beauty like no other but full of surprises. Honestly, the thing that concerns me most is getting turned around. You may not be lost in the mountains of the west, but you will definitely be alone with little or no elevation to aid you. Gotta be a marshrat.
Bill(Huntingwolf) How does the hunting on Assateague Island compare to the hunting at Blackwater? I sure am attracted to the sleeping on the beach with the horses and the bugling Sika's at night experience.
Blackwater and assateague are two different hunting experiences. I've not hunted assateague, but live and work in Dorchester county. I love the marsh hunting. Comments about getting lost are on the money. Don't go without a gps, compass and map. There are tens of thousands of acres of state and federal land open to hunting in Dorchester. Blackwaters archery permit is over the counter and can be purchased any time. Their archery season is more restrictive than the state season so check dates before you plan to go. Fishing bay WMA, Taylors island WMA, and several thousand acres of Chesapeake Forestlands are all excellent sika hunting. A boat would open up a lot of opportunity, but is not required. Sika deer aren't quite as mysterious as folks might have you believe, but you will work for them and simply applying whitetail tactics may not give you the results you hope for. I think they are easier to hunt off the ground than whitetails. They respond well to calling which adds an exciting element. They love thick cover and stick to it for travel corridors. They bed out in the open marshes and move into the woods at night. Stands on the edge of the marsh but close to thick cover like phragmites or Myrtle bushes will afford a good view to scan the marsh but provide the cover they like for close shots when they come in. They are a hardy critter and their habitat is not conducive to blood trailing. I have regrettably lost a few well-hit sikas for unexplainable reasons. Last winter I made what looked like a great shot on a doe. I let it sit overnight and the next morning tracked it over 1.2 miles. Double backs, loops and crossed it's own trail half a dozen times. Tracked it with my GPS. Finally lost it when it went out on the open marsh and lost blood. Grid searches are next to useless unless you've got a dozen people holding hands as you cross the marsh. If you don't step on them you won't see them.
They are a ton of fun and am just thankful the whitetail and sika rut don't coincide with each other. I'd hate to have to choose between them! Good eats too!
I agree 100% with Steve not because I know him but he has hunted them and know's BlackWater pretty good and he lives a mile or so from there...I myself used to hunt Assateaque with several friends nearly every weekend in the early 80's and ninty's but haven't been there for about 8 years or so but I can tell you one good thing ...If you hunt the Bayside past the sand dunes it's an area to pack knee boots and hipboots but you can get around some of the Myrtle bush without getting lost...If you stay late just remember to listen for the GPS that God has given us and that's the Breaking of the Ocean waves and it will lead you out of the marshy side...Remember your route in and hunt with a buddy near by so you can have someone to help drag a sika out with you...These guys sometimes are seen in heards of 3 or even up to about 12 or more and what an exciting time you will have...The first time you hear that Bugle/whistle will stay with you forever...The rangers will sometimes check you and don't speed through the park before entering the beach...They have a list of gear you must have on your 4x4 so check the list before going...No A.T.V such as quads but I think a hand cart is O.k. but I've seen some people just carry their deer out in one hand...If you see Steve's Sika he got last week then you've seen the average size Sika ( Sorry Steve I didn't mean for yours to sound average :D ) BUT I've seen some six point stags that were almost Black in color and could of been 125 to 150# on the hoof and that's rare and would be considered a giant...I've gotten two with bow down Assateaque and one with gun but every time I had a great time...God Bless, Keefer's <")))><
I'm already thinking of using a canoe. I believe it would be easier to get around and if you follow the waterways, less chance of getting lost. Most guys I've talked to about Assateaque used wheelbarrows with balloon tires in the sand. Of course this was a few years ago when they opened the campground to hunting and guys were hauling out four at a time.
this should be a 2010 trip PLANING an SCOUTING a must if you really want to snag one of these critters. It is too hard of a trip to just go down there an wing it.Assateague an other areas all have different rules.an alot needs to be hashed out before a hunt can take place to be effective
Plumber, you are 100% correct sir. I definitely will not be going in blind.
Plumber, There is an area we called the Flats down there...Almost to the end and I remember some Brick Pillers or something and we hunted way back around the bay side and came to an area of Marsh, Big Pines and Lots of Briars...Back in the mid 80's this and a place called Hunkafers or something like that was the Hot areas but lots have changed since then...I do remember when we used to drive a washed out road then and in the 90's you could only use the beach then park and walk a few miles...The good thing is the Island is about 2 miles wide or less and what about 16 miles long...My friends and I are always wanting to go back again but with Children and work etc. It is hard to get one good day in but I'm up for it....If we can get Mike Mittin to go I think He could write about it in another book or better yet could do some Video footage to add to the next "Primal Dreams" Sika footage would be very neat to see in that Video...Could even get the The Two twin "Weasel Brothers" out as well...I meant Wensels :goldtooth:
sounds great we should all get togeather those of us that are 1-3 hrs away maybe meet for breakfast make some plans an get things squared away as far as lodgeing etc. divie up the planing get all our ducks in a row.an help any out of state guys who may want to come we should come up with a reasonable number of people so things dont get too over the top.
As long as where we have breakfast serves scrapple.
I am from South Jersey and was on Chincotegue and saw a brochure about them looked on the fish and wildlife web page and really got interested. I want to do the pack in and camp hunt I would go if you are interested.
Steve, are you available for hire as a guide? :pray: Seriously though, I really think us out of staters are going to have to hire some people that can guide us or at least point us in the right direction when hunting. I know for me it's a three hour drive so doing any type of productive scouting could be next to impossible, however i would come down a few times to scout with someone who already has some idea of the lay of the land. Anyone have any ideas how we can tackle this problem for out of staters? By the way, I'll buy breakfast, and I'll bring a brick of scrapple for Kyle. What brand do you like?
Home made if possible but if not I'm not picky. Ha. Ha. I need to consult "the boss" but let me see what I have coming up. I could probably break away for a day to familiarize my self with the area or areas. I can be to most of those places in an hour and a half or less.
I talked to the hunting coordinator at Blackwater NWR and found him very helpful. His name and number are on the website. Ditto the comments about blood trailing. I made a good shot on one from a treestand and saw him go down in the marsh, but if I hadn't seen him go down, I don't know that I would have found him. The thick coat and the marsh make for terrible blood trailing.
blood trailing is a no go in the water an once they hit the fragmite it is a real job. when they run through it they dont even leave a hole.
Keefer you in for breakfast we aint that far from Kbetts may we can come up with a meeting spot
Drive bestpitch ferry road in the evening and look for tracks where deer go through the ditch and cross the road. There is a band of woods between the road and the marsh that holds a lot of deer. There is thick cover and phrag in there. You could also park in the state boat launch on bestpitch and walk the edge of the woods around there. Chesapeake forestlands at henry's crossroads would be good too. You can do a lot of scouting on google earth. I'd be happy to help how I can, but my time is pretty tight. If you are considering this for 2010, a few days on either side of October 15th is usually peak rut. There is still plenty of time left this year too. Feel free to pm me if you want more info. This is a very doable DIY hunt. The deer are ubiquitous and there is virtually no where you don't have a chance of seeing one. If you use a canoe keep in mind the wind and tides and be prepared to paddle in the dark.
For following a sika after a shot in deeper water, they leave a trail of bubbles from the methane gas in the mud. Also, cloudy water usually stays around until drier ground is reached and blood can be seen on a leaf or pine needle.
I have found good hunting at Fishing Bay before and after the gun seasons. There may be snow in January but it usually doesn't last more than a day or two. They move a good bit then and are easier to see them before being seen.
Ditch crossings may seem too obvious to hunt but they have been fairly reliable for me. My favorite place to hunt out of a stand is at a ditch where the sikas are moving to or from the marsh and higher ground. The next time I see a forecast for a higher than usual tide, I'm calling off work and going to that ditch!
Cambridge Diner on Rt 50 has good food at cheap prices during the week. Good place to meet and centrally located.
Quit tempted to do it in the future. Especially if I can get someone here to carpool with me. It looks to be about an 7 or 8 hour drive.
Charlie
Ed(plumber)I got your pm but I'm on a holiday in Sky Valley GA and for some reason I couldn't reply to the PM on my Blackberry. Email me at joe@deangelisagency.com. My email is working...thanks!
hello the gang ! in 2005 i was lucky enough to shoot a sika ! that was my very first traditionnal harvest.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd133/kiboko_bucket/bdkh1forum5lm_th.jpg)
In some Hills of south of france there are living free on public land with some quota to shoot ...
i was not hunting them and it's just a pure hasard ... but i'm thinking to try again and very interested by "bugling" during the rut, what instrument do you use please ?
thank you
Kib
Someone else is going to have to answer this one. I'm still a newbie to this. I believe they are made locally by a few.
there is only one call I use an it is a doug wigfield .I may have the last name off by a letter or to But its real close. they run anywhere from 35-50 dollars.
This is one hunt I wish I would have done when I lived close by -- 500 miles. Now that I am 4,000 miles, well, I dunno!??!?!
From an Outdoor Life article (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7689/is_200709/ai_n32237252/?tag=content;col1) :
QuoteFrom cow talk to bugles, Wigfield's "Sika Seducer" is an open-reed call capable of reproducing all the sounds you're likely to hear in sika country. ($34.95, plus $5.95 shipping and handling; includes instructional CD; 410-742-1445)
thank's you ! i'm looking forward now with those informations
Assuming you scouted an area this year and found good sign and activity, would that spot still be a decent bet next year or do they tend to move to different areas year to year? If they do move from area to area, or if some areas can go hot or cold, what time of year next year, would be a good time to scout for a 2010 hunt?
These deer like a very certain terain wet, thick an wet " O " an did mention thick.I guess they relocate from time to time but for the most part they stay in a genral area. some of my buddys have leased land since the 1970 an they always have the deer there.I have heard that if they get alot of pressure.they will leave.but I dont think under normal hunting conditions this will happen.we set out trail cameras an always kill or see the bucks we have on film.