Anybody interested in a eastern bear hunt OTC with deer tags and a turkey tag for under 350 dollars?

[OleRedbeard]

I feel like I have gained a ton of knowledge from folks on this forum both before and after I set up an account. I have had dreams realized and made future plans based on many of the things read on here. I also feel like I have not really given much compared to what I have taken so this is in some way my contribution.
If you want some fantastic views and what can be really good hunting at times come hunt the western area of Virginia. We have tons of bear and tons of public land. I'm not giving out any hot locations or anything since with bear its a crap shoot on where the food will be from year to year but feel like its something many people don't know about. A non res. bear tag is 151 dollars. A sportsman's package license is 171 which includes deer tags and turkey tags. I'm not trying to plug anything for anybody but we should really start to share some of the things we are constantly bugging some of our western brethren about.
In my neck of the woods your just as apt to see a really good mountain buck as you are a really good black bear and depending on what your looking for you can get about as backcountry as you care. You can hike in several miles in something that reminds you of the pacific northwest (its the Appalachian mountains so its deciduous hardwood forest on the mountains with pine, spruce and such on top of the higher ones. As far as guns go.. a good fast and short nimble rifle that you can shoulder fast and shoot accurately out to around 200 at most. Watch the weather. Its not uncommon around these parts to trudge through snow at 5am and be shedding layers in 50 degree weather by noon. We have timber cuts, burns, big woods and about everything in between. You can camp anywhere you choose on public as long as your not there more than a few weeks. Lots of trout streams if you want to catch a few trout.

 

[np307]

That's right, send them to VA and don't tell them that we have similar opportunities in NC.

In all seriousness, as much as I have enjoyed my time in the West and look forward to more, I kind of hate to hear people who live here dog on our hunting. I appreciate how accessible hunting can be here, even on public land. I'm currently planning some multi-day hunts up in Pisgah for the fall and can't wait. But I'm also looking forward to being back at the lease with everyone and joking around the skinning pole on some cool fall mornings and evenings.

 

[OleRedbeard]

That's right, send them to VA and don't tell them that we have similar opportunities in NC.

In all seriousness, as much as I have enjoyed my time in the West and look forward to more, I kind of hate to hear people who live here dog on our hunting. I appreciate how accessible hunting can be here, even on public land. I'm currently planning some multi-day hunts up in Pisgah for the fall and can't wait. But I'm also looking forward to being back at the lease with everyone and joking around the skinning pole on some cool fall mornings and evenings.

LOL... yeah.. I wont tell them about the bruisers from your neck of the woods and the similar terrain and public land. I feel you on the people talking about the lack of hunting around these parts. However if you will notice its usually those that don't like to leave a 4 wheeler or a truck. Don't get me wrong. I have a few places that are private land I have permission to hunt and love it. Its nice sometimes to get off work and go hunt a few hours in them but it doesn't hold a candle to the sheer volume of places we have available at our disposal.
I love/hate seeing the lack of hunters in the woods and making camps these days compared to when I was a kid. Its disheartening.

 

[LCH]

You make a pretty compelling argument for heading east instead of west! Pretty country there that I've only driven through, way too fast.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Pretty sure I walked through or saw some of the same areas in your pics during my younger years. Lots of great memories from those areas.

There certainly is plenty of area to roam there. I actually think there’s more off-road areas now where I grew up than it was when I left. Some places you can get as far from roads as most places in the Rockies. Not many people do though.

Was that Staunton Dam in one of those pics?

 

[brownbear932008]

Nothing to see here folks move along
That bear is a nice one by the way

 

[OleRedbeard]

Pretty sure I walked through or saw some of the same areas in your pics during my younger years. Lots of great memories from those areas.

There certainly is plenty of area to roam there. I actually think there’s more off-road areas now where I grew up than it was when I left. Some places you can get as far from roads as most places in the Rockies. Not many people do though.

Was that Staunton Dam in one of those pics?

Not Staunton dam but I do know the area you are talking about. That photo is one of a lake in Jefferson National Forest. Yes, it's really an anomaly I think when many people from other areas drive up into the heart of the mountains and see just how remote it can get.
I brought a buddy out here to turkey hunt one year from Wyoming he couldn't get over how different it was. He ended up coming out several years in a row till his twins were born.
I guess the reasons he loved it here were probably the same reasons I later on started loving his neck of the woods.
Yes the whole off-road ATV deal has really blown up with the Hatfield and McCoy trails and Spearhead trails opening up and getting bigger. It's becoming a big business around here with the coal jobs leaving.

 

[brownbear932008]

Yes the whole off-road ATV deal has really blown up with the Hatfield and McCoy trails and Spearhead trails opening up and getting bigger. It's becoming a big business around here with the coal jobs leaving.
[/QUOTE]

That is true on the ATV trails. I'm not so sure it's a good thing or bad thing yet. I know of the area your roaming there can be good deer in there. My neighbors wife took a giant over there on a small spread they have 165" ten point two years ago.

 

[Elliot1987]

Beautiful area there! You may just have me sold sir! If any of you folks ever get an itch to come up to minnesota for hunting and fishing I'd be happy to lend a hand on some general info. Ive crawled around most of the state for critters and fished 52 of the 87 counties.

 

[Pucky Freak]

Beautiful country - and love the pics. I’ve spent a lot of time down there and it’s always a treat.

 

[Red Fox]

It does look like beautiful country to get lost in for a week or so, may have to give it some thought in the future

 

[JTHOMP]

Beautiful country. I think a lot of places get over looked by both locals and people looking for a new adventure. Arkansas ain’t bad either. Similar price and opportunity for OTC tags.
Just guessing from the photos I’m assuming you are still hunting for bears. Is there ever any issues with trying to hunt around other hunters running hounds? Seems like the extra pressure could be good or bad.

 

[mdunc8]

Been thinking about making a trip back home for some fishing or hunting. Can’t decide between a fall fishing trip or spring turkey.

 

[TN_Rifle_Junkie]

There are no bears, turkeys, or white-tail deer in Eastern Tennessee... LOL

 

[glass eye]

Never killed a whitetail ( I've killed Coues ) and never been back east. Went to S. Florida for ducks and although it's east of CA I don't think it's considered the east. Been planning a duck hunt on Cape Cod, might have to start looking into an eastern combo hunt.

 

[brownbear932008]

Beautiful country. I think a lot of places get over looked by both locals and people looking for a new adventure. Arkansas ain’t bad either. Similar price and opportunity for OTC tags.
Just guessing from the photos I’m assuming you are still hunting for bears. Is there ever any issues with trying to hunt around other hunters running hounds? Seems like the extra pressure could be good or bad.

The hound hunters normally don't begin hunting bear until after general deer season which would be Dec or Jan time frame. So you shouldn't have much of an issue with that.