spook12
New member
If you find yourself wanting to warm your bones in the South, let me know. I know where a guy can buy cheap OTC tags,a 5 month bow season and around 4 million acres of accessible public ground.
Public Land Whitetails
- Thread starter rmyoung1
- Start date
Both were USFS.
JohnCushman
Well-known member
Gerald Martin
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rmyoung1,
If you decide to do NW Montana, I know a few spots.
If you decide to do NW Montana, I know a few spots.
spook12
New member
What in the hell does a man gotta do for an invite?
Load up and come on down John your welcome any time. Stop and pickup your Boys I'd bet we could find something to get into.
JohnCushman
Well-known member
I might just have to take you up on that sometime
There was a thread about this a while back on this site or another. But the general consensus was that MO and WI are going to be your best options for public land whitetail. The main reasons were both states have plenty of public land, both can produce some very large public land bucks, and both have cheap OTC tags for NR(around $200 I believe).
B
big28hunter
Guest
Plenty here in PA. Your welcome to stay and hunt with me. I'm a Columbia from completing my slam and would love to see you get one more towards yours.
It was several years ago but I got two nice 5 point whitetails; one on a west river deer tag in SD next too MT and another along the Musselshell River in Region 5 MT. I haven't hunted them since 08 too know how the winters or diseases have effected the deer.
greatwhitebuffalo
Active member
Any of ya'll can hit me up if you feel like trekking south.
GA's a favorite of many; since it has mountains, barrier islands, low country, and most anything in between. All hold whitetails, and many will also offer a chance at black bear & wild pigs on the same, inexpensive tag.
This was somewhat of a mixed to off year in terms of whitetail harvests across the state. Most of which was credited to a poor mast crop. That said, the next year or two might offer better potential. Depends on the areas and interests of the hunter. But, there are definitely some very nice bucks out there. Good population too.
rmyoung1
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Hey, guys, I really appreciate all the responses. This has given me a ton to think about. Thank you. And, of course, if anyone else has another idea I'd love to hear about it.
rmyoung1
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Big28, thanks so much for the offer. I wish I would have reached out back when I lived in PA (moved in 2008).
Do you have pictures with the 4 completed legs of your deer slam?
LCH
Well-known member
Land Between the Lakes in western Kentucky would be worth a look if you are a bowhunter. Gun hunts are by drawing. I've done some camping and predator hunting down there, lots of deer sign.
bonedogg
Well-known member
what about Canada? need a guide in AB or Sasky, lots of Public land, just need the right outfitter
I've been blown away by the size of bucks coming out of NE Washington the last couple years. Pretty sure a lot of those are coming off NF land but I might be wrong.
NW MT and N ID have a lot of whitetail on public, but it's not going to be what most would consider a traditional whitetail hunt if that's what you're after.
Lots of riverbottom public access across MT too, if you're willing to jump around and hit small sections.
NW MT and N ID have a lot of whitetail on public, but it's not going to be what most would consider a traditional whitetail hunt if that's what you're after.
Lots of riverbottom public access across MT too, if you're willing to jump around and hit small sections.
drahthaar
Active member
This year in R1, I felt like I was back in Trego and Fortine in the late 80s and early 90s. So many deer you couldn't follow 1 single track if your life depended on it. Easily passed near 20 shots at racked bucks, and blew a GIANT out of the middle of a logging unit at 1 pm, on my way into my spot to sit for the afternoon. And I mean a true book whitetail. My friend, who sits in a blind across the drainage from me, was surrounded by bucks the morning he shot his. Just a great year, if you like to hunt whitetails.
This is said with a caveat that there are areas in R1 that I wouldn't give a nickle for or waste a day even looking, places with just too many roads, too many predators, with not enough cover, the whitetails have become like elk, pushed back into the farthest reaches to hide.
Our last 3 winters have been really easy, and fawn recruitment has been phenomenal. That is why, at least in the area I hunt, the deer are really back! And this winter is shaping up just the same. Should be great again next year.
This is said with a caveat that there are areas in R1 that I wouldn't give a nickle for or waste a day even looking, places with just too many roads, too many predators, with not enough cover, the whitetails have become like elk, pushed back into the farthest reaches to hide.
Our last 3 winters have been really easy, and fawn recruitment has been phenomenal. That is why, at least in the area I hunt, the deer are really back! And this winter is shaping up just the same. Should be great again next year.
Joe Hulburt
Well-known member
Public land Idaho 2013.
My sons public land whitetail from Idaho in 2012.
My first whitetail from public accessible land in Idaho in 2011.
It's not easy hunting but it's a great opportunity.
My sons public land whitetail from Idaho in 2012.
My first whitetail from public accessible land in Idaho in 2011.
It's not easy hunting but it's a great opportunity.
rmyoung1
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Thanks for sharing the pictures, Joe. Those are great. Your son's buck is a monster!
CampRipleyLF
Active member
If you are serious about a BWCA hunt then I'd make sure you planned your hunt near the rut but before the lakes freeze over. I've been chasing whitetails for 15 years and three in the BWCA and the Superior National Forest. Overall, hunting in the Superior National Forest is a more productive way of hunting that inside the BWCA. Mature timber (poor brows) makes for a lower deer density in the BWCA, but bucks tend to survive longer the farther you get away from any access point. The age structure and sex ratio tend to be near its natural state. Expect to see one deer ever one to two days stand hunting. Best way to hunt them in the BWCA is by still hunting with a gun near the rut. Takes some practice but works very well in windy conditions. Stu Osthoff writes some good articles about hunting in the SNF and BWCA in the Boundary Waters Journal and on bigwoodsbucks.com
Also,
http://forums.bowhunting.com/bowhunting-talk/51226-fitzs-2013-season-journal-thread-*semi-live*.html
BBwheelgunner
Member
I agree! especially with a fall like 2013, I know a lot of the rivers and smaller bodies of water had frozen pretty good by rifle opener.
Stu writes some of the best articles I have seen on the topic. awesome area, I want to get back up there and hunt the BWCAW some time soon.
a lot of public land around the Chippewa NF where I hunt also, but it is more accessible so a person has to work harder to find spots off the beaten path. bow hunting would probably be good though
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