Monday I went to a public land area that I have never been to before.  I spent the afternoon walking around and getting a feel of what was there and what the deer were doing.  

The deer were eating acorns so I found a good oak ridge with lots of tracks and set up my treestand before daylight on Tuesday morning.  About an hour after it was light enough to see I heard a deer coming.  I stood up and not one but 9 deer came withing shooting distance.  There was a big doe that I really wanted and it took a good twenty minutes before I had a 10 yard shot.  just as I was drawing one of the other eight deer saw me and spooked taking the lead doe with them.  

9 deer under my stand was outstanding and I didn't think it would get any better but I was wrong.  I never saw more than two together after that but deer came through the oaks all day long.  I saw 19 deer that were either does or non legal buks.  Here a legal buck must have at least 3 points on one side.  I did see one bruiser eight point but he never got close to 20 yards.

Twenty deer in one day on public land and all while sitting in the same tree.  I couldn't belive it.

That evening I moved my stand over about thirty yards to cover the area where the big eight was munching acorns.  I hopped he would show up again the next morning.  

This morning was my last hunt before I had to go back home.  I really wanted the big boy to show up again but he must have slept in.  I did see eleven deer and got this tender doe before I had to break camp and head home.

My first year hunting with trad gear and I have tagged two does on public land. I think it is safe to say I'm hooked.

 

   

Congrats Pac, hunting public grounds is not always that easy but it can be done.  I'm just down the road from you out from Conway. Although I'm lucky to have my own land to hunt, I still hunt public ground from time to time, and understand your pride from taking 2 from public grounds.  It's not that easy with all of the traffic in and out of the areas to see so many deer.  Good job and good luck the rest of the season.  BOB

Congratulations, I am also back to public land this year, but it is in Minnesota, different story, but I'll keep trying.

Nice deer !


Carl

   

Good!

great job Pac            

Very nice! Well done!  

atta boy!!

Congrats  

Pac, I used to live in Vilonia, AR and hunted quite a bit on Holland Bottoms and it was Archery ony lots of deer and lot of walking too.  Also Camp Robinson demonstration area another good Archery only area. Beautiful state with lot's good public hunting, Wattensaw sp? Big deer!

Pac, read your profile and see you are retire Air Force, were you station at LRAFB?

QuoteOriginally posted by South MS Bowhunter:
Pac, read your profile and see you are retire Air Force, were you station at LRAFB?

Yes I'm retired AF and LRAFB was my last base before I punched out in 2005.  I'm not from AR but I decided to call it home and I have no complaints.   I liked Alaska better when I was younger but you can't catch a bass there no matter how good you are.

   

good deal
Chris Kiefner

Congrats Pac!!        

Stackem like cord wood!! Keep that up and you"ll be buying a bigger freezer. Congrats  

Pac, Yea i also retired from LRAFB back in 2001 and stayed a couple of years afterwards before a job change directed me back to south Ms. I really enjoyed the state and would have stayed...but God had other idea... and he knows best. Great story and deer!

Well Done! Congrats!