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.      

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?