Could anyone with experience hunting Maryland Sika deer share some information on planning a d.i.y hunt.

I realize they are elusive little deer, and the odds of harvesting one, or seeing one would be rare on my first trip. However, "It wouldn't be the first time I hung around in a tree, acting like a nut and didn't see anything."

Therma cell
Hip boots or chest waders
GPS
Have fun
Therma cell x3

Thanks for the tip.....would a kayak or canoe help me in getting away from other hunters?

As of right now, I'm looking at the two public areas mentioned on Maryland's Natural Res. site, or maybe the island with the little horses. Planning this hunt for 2015-16.

If you hunt fishing bay a yak or canoe will help you hit up some of the islands. But it also has walk in areas. Not a bunch of pressure durning bow but once muzz or gun season opens it get hammered on the public spots

I'll be watching this one.

I too would like to take this trip.

I would as well.

ChuckC

I had hoped to do a DIY sika hunt this fall.  It didn't work out for me this year, though.  Here are a few links to sites I found when I was researching the public hunting areas, seasons, licenses, etc. Good luck!

 The Wallow (Sika forum)  

  Assateague hunting regs

 MD DNR Sika Info

Blackwater Refuge Hunting Info

  Another MD DNR Sika page      

  Whitetail and Sika Habitat Use on Assateague Island

Check out Blackwater!

I would like to do this next fall also!

I would like to do this next fall also!

X2 on Blackwater, check it out on Google Earth. This is also a trip I'd love to take in the future.

Are you allowed to camp on any of the public ground, and thanks for everyone's input.

Camped at Taylor Family some years back and hunted Blackwater Fed Refuge.  Have to apply for a permit, but it's a minimal cost.

Lots of places to hunt.

I fortunately, shot a hind the first year there and then 2nd year, a fat spike....buddy shot a nice 5pt stag.

Went another year, saw nothing and it was DRY... no water to speak of.  The Sika are everywhere or anywhere...or nowhere!

Some of those links and some of the guys down there do very, very well...takes time to learn an area, just like other deer, but obviously, a blind hog can find a nut now and again for me to score 2 of 3 years blindfolded!

There are no Sika deer left, stay home.    

I will not lie. It shocked the heck out of me on how many out of state lic plates I saw last time I was at black water

Yep! There no bucks left'n Ohio either....maybe a few spikers!

Anywhere in southern Dorchester is likely to have good sika numbers. You'll have to scout on the fly because densities vary. But really any place that has water and Phragmites will have sika. And they are likely to show up anywhere. Definately get your Blackwater Permit. There's plenty of state land but best to have lots of options. Firearms seasons get crowded. Rut is generally in mid October so that's your best chance for an off the hook crazy rut hunt. But it's easy to miss the action if you don't wind up in an area with a hot hind. November is good too. I like January hunts too. December is for firearms so you'll have more competition. It's thick, flat, monotonous cover so have a good GPS and know how to use it. Peak movement is at the edge of dark, though you will see more mid day movement during colder/wetter weather. Warm windy days stink and can ruin an October hunt. Get yourself a cow elk call and use it sparingly. They can pinpoint you from hundreds of yards away and if they are in the mood to respond, one or two gentle mews will bring them to your tree. Persistence, patience and constant vigilance are virtues. Loblolly pines are custom made for climbing tree stands. As mentioned earlier, hip boots, thermacell, binoculars. I don't generally find them as predictable as WTD so don't overcommit to a spot. I rarely sit in the same spot more than a couple times. Move around and don't put too much stock in a well used trail. They move a lot at night and established trails last forever in this environment. Hunt cover and  pinch points more than specific trails. Google earth will reveal many good spots. Have fun and keep your expectations low! It's a different game than Whitetails.

Terry is right, there aren't any left and they taste like mud.

And Reddogge would never lie!  

Come during the rut and search out Blackwater.  Your have a good time and may gt lucky enough to tag a sika.  Don't forget the thermacell.