Ok,I am fairly new to hunting. I started hunting 5 years ago on private land with a rifle and so far to date I have taken just a puney little spike that I am not very proud of with the rifle. Last year I began bow hunting on public land down in Jackson, MI in the Waterloo Recreation Area but my stalking skills are not very good, yet. I need to get out now that it is already August and start scouting but my problem is that I really do not know where to look on my own because I have a very hard time driving around and finding the state lands to hunt on around here unless like I said, it is a recreational area. However, I am not a big fan of the recreational areas because of the high pressure and the well beaten paths and of course, hardly ever seeing a deer puts a damper on things..
What should I do? What can I do? Anyone familiar with Michigan enough to point me in the right direction? I am not looking for a high fenced, basically buy myself a deer sort of thing. I was thinking about going and knocking on doors, but I don't really even know of any hot spots to do that either. I guess I am looking for some real good direction here. I need to get going now that the countdown has begun it is only two months away and I really REALLY want a great successful hunt since I will be venturing out on my own!
About the only place I ever hunted Michigan was on my uncles farm, and in Hiawatha (probably spelled that wrong). Call the DNR...wildlife agency..whatever, and tell them you are looking for public land to hunt. They will probably sell you a book full of public lands with maps. Pick out a couple of areas, get a topo map of those areas and study them for areas likely to hold deer. Then walk the spots you have picked out.
Good luck.
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What are you doing for scent control???? Using a scent-free soap and shampoo??? Scent-free deodorant??? Washing clothes in scent free detergent, using scent-free softener??? Just these simple things alone can make a big difference.
Wear a facemask??? 85-90% of your "SCENT" is emmitted from above your neck!!! Try a Silver Ion Anti-microbial base layer, that also helps, and you can pick them up at Wal-Mart for around $30-40 per set, and IMHO very well worth it.
If you're stalking move SLOW, use ridges and saddles, move a little, listen a LOT!!! If you think you're moving slow enough, slow down. Look for "natural" funnels, areas of narrowing strips of woods, low spots in ridges that are heavily used, draws up hillsides, a shelf on a ridge just below the crest, etc.
Lots of things that you can do and focus on to try to improve your likelihood of getting one.
Ok,I am fairly new to hunting. I started hunting 5 years ago on private land with a rifle and so far to date I have taken just a puney little spike that I am not very proud of with the rifle. Last year I began bow hunting on public land down in Jackson, MI in the Waterloo Recreation Area but my stalking skills are not very good, yet. I need to get out now that it is already August and start scouting but my problem is that I really do not know where to look on my own because I have a very hard time driving around and finding the state lands to hunt on around here unless like I said, it is a recreational area. However, I am not a big fan of the recreational areas because of the high pressure and the well beaten paths and of course, hardly ever seeing a deer puts a damper on things..
What should I do? What can I do? Anyone familiar with Michigan enough to point me in the right direction? I am not looking for a high fenced, basically buy myself a deer sort of thing. I was thinking about going and knocking on doors, but I don't really even know of any hot spots to do that either. I guess I am looking for some real good direction here. I need to get going now that the countdown has begun it is only two months away and I really REALLY want a great successful hunt since I will be venturing out on my own!
Thanks in advance..
It shouldn't matter the size of your first buck or how you killed it, Its you first buck. Be proud of the thing.
How did you like the Hiawatha area Hurricane? Is there plenty of deer and what about farms, are there a few farms that would be worth the trip to go knock on doors? I will also check with DNR and let you know what they say. Sometimes their site can be confusing, hopefully I will get through to the right phone number for the information..
Tempting, but I do not have that kind of money just to satisfy my blood lust. He does have plenty of land to have a blast though PLUS the chance to hang with Uncle Ted too..
What are you doing for scent control???? Using a scent-free soap and shampoo??? Scent-free deodorant??? Washing clothes in scent free detergent, using scent-free softener??? Just these simple things alone can make a big difference.
Wear a facemask??? 85-90% of your "SCENT" is emmitted from above your neck!!! Try a Silver Ion Anti-microbial base layer, that also helps, and you can pick them up at Wal-Mart for around $30-40 per set, and IMHO very well worth it.
If you're stalking move SLOW, use ridges and saddles, move a little, listen a LOT!!! If you think you're moving slow enough, slow down. Look for "natural" funnels, areas of narrowing strips of woods, low spots in ridges that are heavily used, draws up hillsides, a shelf on a ridge just below the crest, etc.
Lots of things that you can do and focus on to try to improve your likelihood of getting one.
Very good response, I am going to pick up a scent control package that includes all of that stuff but no, I did not try that yet. Thank you for the spot and stalk information as well.
I know, I know, but it does to me. I am tapping at the crest in my arm for a mature buck or doe on a well acheived hunt. It's been a while since I felt this motivated and I need to go all out. Shooting a robin hood on my bday has got me believing again..
I need some help!
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