Alright guys, here is my question, and quite possibly there might not be an answer...
I lost my hunting lease 5 years ago, and have had to hunt public ground here in South Eastern Michigan, and i can honestly say that I hate it. I found and have hunted some very respectable deer, but so have countless others who obviously don't have a clue about proper hunting etiquette, let alone preseason scouting and basic hunting do's and dont's. I'm not saying I'm going to quit hunting Michigan, but if I'm going to spend 5 hrs driving one way for a weekend hunt, I might as well drive 20 hrs for a 1-2 week hunt. Is there any place you guys could recommend I go to to enjoy some other "Fair Chase" unoutfitted (read that as a DIY hunt) from Michigan to Montana and south down to Florida/Tex I'm wanting to get away from the masses of people that inhabit Public Land around here and at the same time experience what some NON DRAW hunts are like (prefer an over-the-counter tag vs entry and draw type tags. I'm not, nor do I see myself ever being a trophy hunter. I couldn't be any happier getting a chance at a flat top.
Just a few months ago, I excaped to Kauai, Hawaii for a mountain hunt (the story can be found here http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=119858 That hunt will not be on the list for next year, but I would love to do it again.
Does such a place exist? If so, would you please let me know, either here or thru PM if you don't want to share it publicly.
Mike, your welcome in MO. Cheap over the counter tags...and if someone one points you in a good direction for a fun hunt, I can always split gas money.
The public hunting in TX stinks. I feel your pain.
Try to lease some privately owned property close to home, if that option exists..
Montana has raised the prices on their non resident tags to the point where I cannot really suggest it as a viable option. Colorado has a lot of country and a lot of elk. It may get too much hunting pressure for your liking but I wouldn't know.
QuoteOriginally posted by Onestringer:
Mike, your welcome in MO. Cheap over the counter tags...and if someone one points you in a good direction for a fun hunt, I can always split gas money.
That was the best hunting I have ever experienced Scott. Thank you for bringing me into the lease way back when. I will deffinately let you know what I decide, and would enjoy sharing camp with you again.
Should be able to find good bow hunting and not a lot of people on public land in the Upper Peninsula. May be a far drive for you though.
If you choose to go West, be sure to do your homework. I have been disappointed in my most recent Western hunts -- Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado. All were overrun with hunters, many on 4 wheelers. The next time I go, I'll be looking for wilderness areas or those that you have to access on foot.
Alabama has some great public land deer hunting and if a scheduled gun hunt isn't on you rarely see another vehicle. They also have some land that is bowhunt only. Cahaba River Wildlife Refuge is a bowhunt only area and get's very little pressure. It has some big bucks on it too.
I'd be interested in teaming up on the Cahaba River. Looks like a cool area.
Wheeler Refuge here in Decatur is the same way, bowhunting only except a two week flintlock season. Lotsa deer on it.
The Wheeler and Cahaba sites. . are there hogs there also ? A reasonable chance at seeing some ?
ChuckC
I appreciate all the PM's guys, and I will be looking into all of them real closely.
I know it isn't west or south but up here in the Adirondacks there are very few bowhunters and 1000's of acres of public land. You can head out for weeks and never see another person. There are deer but they are hard to find/pattern.
I have private land to hunt in Iowa, that comes with some doe tags from the farmer. the problem is that there are others who hunt the same ground, they all call themselves trophy hunters. Every evening four or five of them, that are not hunting that day, circle the field edges of the entire farm right at or a bit after sundown. Of course, this alerts all of the deer making it impossible for those of us that are hunting to get anything. A territorial animal thing I believe, they figure if they are not going to shoot the big one, no one else can either. To get away from the harassment, I moved to public land and let the game warden handle the ethics of those that I shared the private land. A couple of them survived his scrutiny with no violations thus far, but he is working on it.
Here's something a little different. Maybe try Alaska for a year or two. POW and Kodiak would be my choice. POW would be the top choice only because you can do a hunt there cheaper than Kodiak and they received less of a winter kill than Kodiak last year. Kodiak is more open and easier to spot deer but you pretty much need to fly out to more remote country to find better deer hunting $$. There is more public land than you could ever explore in your life time. Not many bow hunters but there are a few rifle hunters. There is so much land and so many roads on POW that I never saw another hunter in the week I was on the island last month. Truly a great experience. You should try it once you will love it.
Olin
Lets do it Mike!
I got ideas and spots.
SteveO can come to.
Talk soon,
CTT
If I had the bucks, I would do SE Alaska. Lots of deer, lots of black bears, lots of public land, and lots of adventure. The spendy part is getting there and arranging a drop in, but what a place. Even if you can't afford to hunt, everyone who loves wild places has to have the Great Land on their bucket list. You won't regret it.
Mike,
Remember your more than welcome to a Florida adventure. Just give me some dates and I'll arrange something, Hogs anytime, deer if possible.
I'm still working on trying to scare some geese with you!
Ohio, I know guys who have killed deer and had great opportunities on Public land. Not to mention its much closer.
I am currently drawing a blank on the property but can get it for you if you want, just PM me.
Mike,
I haven't forgotten you but have been busy. Will call soon.
Next year you can come down here opening weekend if you want and hunt the 21 acres to which I have access. As long as my permission doesn't get revoked you're welcome anytime but we need to plan in advance. It's small acreage but deer are there.
Bud
336-402-3833
I really appreciate all the ideas guys, and it has me thinking outside the box now (last time I did that I ended up with a glass footed arrow). This could turn into quite the adventure. Your more than welcome anytime up here for geese Hal. 1st two weeks in September are worth it (5 per day). PM's are a coming Chuck and Charlie.
Sounds like there are quite a few with the same issues I have
Mike, I would love to go on a hunt with you sometime. If you are ever in need of another hunter to help defray costs, let me know. I'd need a little lead time, but would love the opportunity!
I use to lived in MI. . moved 20 yrs ago. Though it will always be my home and most of my hunting friends are from there, I could not agree more. If I lived there now I would not hunt there. Get west of the Mississippi and you will be amazed how a 10 hr drive will get you into a different world for undisturbed whitetails; MO, western NE, AR, even KS still has some good public hunting-compared to MI. Further, drive 20 and get your self into the Rocky Mt states and you will find an even more diverse world that has more adventure than one can imagine.
For the life of me I can not understand young guys who scratch every penny they have on 80 acres along with a tractor, etc etc. just so they have a place to hunt whitetails. They apparently have never seen MILES AND MILES of open accessible land with complete freedom to hunt without the hassles.
QuoteOriginally posted by KSdan:
I use to lived in MI. . moved 20 yrs ago. Though it will always be my home and most of my hunting friends are from there, I could not agree more. If I lived there now I would not hunt there. Get west of the Mississippi and you will be amazed how a 10 hr drive will get you into a different world for undisturbed whitetails; MO, western NE, AR, even KS still has some good public hunting-compared to MI. Further, drive 20 and get your self into the Rocky Mt states and you will find an even more diverse world that has more adventure than one can imagine.
For the life of me I can not understand young guys who scratch every penny they have on 80 acres along with a tractor, etc etc. just so they have a place to hunt whitetails. They apparently have never seen MILES AND MILES of open accessible land with complete freedom to hunt without the hassles.
VERY well said.
I had that when I lived in South East New Mexico, but that was 20+ yrs ago. I do hear the West (of the Mississippi) calling me.
Ettiquitte between hunters is very poor in Michigan, I can understand your wanderlust.
Never underestimate the U.P....one more mild winter and hunting there will be great!
say kodiak, doesnt one have to use an outfitter if you are not an alaskan resident.
i have always been keen to go to alaska- but that has deterred me.
I've been pleased with hunting in Colorado. You have to work to get away from folks, but I think it is well worth it and also part of the fun. I live in NE WI and we have 1000s of acres of public land here but again you have to work hard to get away from folks.
AEP.com............
QuoteOriginally posted by hvyhitter:
AEP.com............
Are you sure about that site? It is about Electrical Power, unless I went wrong somewhere.
Interesting how opinions and experiences are so very different on states, private, public, etc. land.
The best hunting spot I every haunted was on the IN/MI state line (IN side) in Elkhart County, Indiana. I moved from that area way back in 1985 and have never forgotten it.
I lived in KS and worked for KDWP from 89-92. It was the worst deer hunting of my life and I had 1.5 miles of small river private habitat to hunt (west of Newton). Of course I've seen the pictures of big KS deer, the TV shows, etc. It was EXTREMELY difficult to find private land access. I trust the new walk-in hunting program is providing more public opportunity.
I am most fond of hunting in states with statewide quality management programs -- in other words, one buck rule states. My favorites are KY and IN. When I go west I pursue "exotic" beasts instead of whitetails.
That's kind of where I'm at. If I'm going to drive to hunt, I might as well go far enough to hunt something different.
Main thing I want is to go where the chance of running into another person is slim.
Like Mike Mitten once said "A guy without many friends has great potential of being a Solo Bowhunter". Truer words couldn't have been spoken. I prefer to surround myself with quality, not quantity. So maybe I have a good headstart.
Thank you for the replies guys, and I have yet to hear much about Colorado cow elk, or mule deer out west (OTC tags)
If you are going as far as Colorado, you might as well consider Utah. I know Utah has OTC elk tags and LOTS of public land. I haven't hunted there, just a suggestion...
Montana has doe tags over the counter(Buck tags are a draw).Mule deer and whitetails. Miles and miles of open land. During the bow season, I have never run into anyone hunting on the public land I hunt. I am in eastern MT, if you need more info LMK.
I live in Northern Mi and other than rifle season very few hunters on public land where I live! Usually have the woods all to myself especially now!
If it was me I'd go to Arizona. OTC tags for Mule Deer and Couse Whitetails. Lots of public land.
I would have to chime in on the U.P. I was amazed at the quality of the hunting and herd this past year in particular. Thousands of acres of public land in the central counties and you can go for days without seeing another human being unless you search them out. Free camping with a DNR permit anywhere you want to plunk down. Pretty hard to beat.
QuoteOriginally posted by fujimo:
say kodiak, doesnt one have to use an outfitter if you are not an alaskan resident.
i have always been keen to go to alaska- but that has deterred me.
A non resident will only have to hire an outfitter for sheep, goats, grizzly and brown bear. Unless you are from another country and considered a non resident alien then you have to hire an outfitter for all.
I have done the UP hunts (used to own a place in Trout Lake), but I want to experience something different. I'm only young once, and I want to do what my body will allow me while I still can, hence the reason for wanting to head west. It is nice to have options, and the ability to go and seek them out. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and ideas.
Good luck on your search Mike...
Sorry Mike AEP changed its website and no longer has a direct link...its aep.com/environment/conservation then click deer hunting.......60,000 acres of reclaimed stripmine for outdoor recreation, Like most other places if you get away from the roads and trails the hunting is much better and several campsites are open for the season..........or google aep hunting ohio............
For deer I was going to say UP also. On the comeback I hear. But what about IN and OH? I know wheel bow hunters doing do it your self state land hunts and killing real nice bucks every year and they go even with good private land spots in MI because they say the can see multiple bucks in a day there bigger than the best one they see all year here.
Now about that goose hunting :D
Shawnee national forest in illinois is big enough o disappear into. And illinois bow starts a month and a half before gun hunters! While not admitted by dnr you may even see some pigs!
Mike-I have some of the same issues that you have too! I lost my lease 13 years ago and have been hunting the UP since then. I have been sick and tired of the way the state of Michigan manages its deer herd. It's about the quantity of tags($) and not the quality of deer! This past November I ventured to the AEP land in Ohio and had a great time! No shots at deer but I think the potential is there! I still feel the need to do something different too and am willing to venture to other states as well. If any of you gentlemen have room for me next year could you PM me? I need some help too! Thanks and good luck to you, Mike!
Kenny :archer2:
Common down to the Mississippi delta and hunt panther swamp, plenty of deer and hogs, probably the next state record, to hunt with little pressure and no gun hunters after Dec 12th. We have over 100,000 acres of public land to hunt within 15 miles of my camp.
Mike,
There are tags in states like CO and WY that require you to apply through the draw but are basically guaranteed so not much different that OTC. I've been on a few of those hunts and can give you some insight if you are interested. Call me some time.
Julian