MdBowBender

How has the Sika deer hunting been treating everyone this year?

I have not had the chance to make my way over to the eastern shore this year, as we just purchased our first home.

Anyone take any nice stags? How is the hunting in Blackwater.

Update from any Sika hunters?

BarnesX.308

I don't see much about sika deer on this site. My in-laws live on the Eastern Shore (near Crisfield) so I see these mini-elk sometimes but I haven't hunted them yet. Some day.

Scott Meier
White Oak Lodge

MdBowBender

Thanks for the response Scott.

I am glad you responded to the post before you have ever been sika deer hunting.

Don't do it !!!! it's addictive, worse than any drug out there!

I remember my first Sika deer hunt, Happened on Blackwater NWR, I trudged out in the middle of a swamp with every 3rd step leaving me up to my waist when I hit a nutria hole. You could almost hear the mosquito's fighting over the fresh blood as soon as you get out of your truck! I finally make it to where I want to put my stand, climb up the tree and get ready. Off in the distance a sika stag bugle's and my heart starts pounding. Then out of nowhere up come 2 sika stags a six point and a ragged 4 point. They have a battle royale 10 yards from the base on my stand. I sit in my stand with a grin from ear to ear just knowing that I am going to be draggin out 2 stags because they are battling so hard! Finally the six point chases of the 4 point and gives me a good shot. I took the shot hit him perfect taking out both lungs and the top of his heart and he takes of like a shot!. I get down from my stand and track the stag for 250 yards, wondering the whole time if the shot was as good as I thought, Sure enough I find him and the shot is perfect. I start dragging him back through the swap, thank god that was the exact time my hunting buddy shows up and helps me with the drag. Got back to the truck with my first ever sika deer, on my first ever sika hunt, covered from head to toe in swamp muck and mosquito bites and could not possibly have been happier! He was a real nice stag, right horn was 19" tall and the left 18" only thing wrong on his rack was the mid tine on the left horn was slightly broken (probably happened during the fight).

In any case I have been addicted since then, If my previous employement hadn't taken me out of state (mississippi) then I would have been there every year since then. But I am back now!

DougMD

I went once and the mosquitoes ate me up something awful. I didn't see any (probably for the motion of smackin skeeters), but heard quite a few bugles...

BarnesX.308

I have a buddy with a place south of Cambridge who hunts them a lot. He says they are very nocturnal so you have to hit the rut. I've also seen them around Chincoteague and down on Deal Island. I'll get to it some day. A shoulder mount would look good in the cabin.

Scott Meier
White Oak Lodge

6ptsika

My family does a lot of sika hunting, I went after sikas more than whitetails this year. Probably my favorite place to be is deep in a swamp in Dorchester county.
It's been a wierd year, I've seen a ton of spikes and 4pts, but every 6pt I've seen wouldn't slow down for a shot, or stayed in the thick stuff. I have two weeks off over Christmas, so I'll be hunting them for that whole time, or until I get one.

MdBowBender

6Pt, have you had success in the past with late season sika hunting? Was thinking of trying to get down to the eastern shore after christmas as well but have never been after sika that late in the year. How does it stack up to hunting in the earlier months.

Oh by the way if you need any company let me know, would be more than will to split expenses with you!

Bionicrooster

I have seen 1 spike and a bunch of does but nothing worth shooting yet on my lease. I also will be down there during the late ML season and bow season, aside from the rut, I think that is the best time to hunt them. Maybe because theres less misquitos though!

Shaky

Is there decent public land hunting for Sika down there?

Bionicrooster

Shaky, try the MD DNR web page, or do some searches on Taylors Island Wildlife management area, or Fishing Bay Wildlife management area. Your best chance may be to get a permit through the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge, they have hunts on certain days and are probably your best chance to kill one, especially a big buck. The other public lands have plenty of deer too but are harder to access, very wet marsh areas.