Big Oaks Hunt II

[Decatur]

Well we went on our hunt to Big Oaks, I didn't see a deer but my buddy saw 4, 3 of which were bucks. He stuck the biggest one a decent 8 pointer, but it got close to check out time so we had to split. We went back the next morning, but it started raining at 4:30am. Long story short, we didn't find his deer. What a bummer! I wish they would allow you to track a deer even after close if you could prove you hit one. He was pretty confident of his hit and we more than likely would have found it. It just seems silly to allow that deer to go to waste. Oh well, maybe next year.

[cambygsp]

You did the right thing, they tell you to be back at the office by 7:00...AND THEY MEAN IT!!!!!

Everyone trips over themselves to get into there and hunt....if you ask me, it's no better hunting than anywhere else I have hunted.

Lot's of RED TAPE and your chances are not really any better than anywhere else!!!!

[Woody Williams]

That is tough..

I guess for security and liability reasons they don't want folks out there all night.

Tell your buddy we all said better luck next time.

[Decatur]

I agree Cam, but it was nice to hunt some new ground.

[Woody Williams]

decatur said:

I agree Cam, but it was nice to hunt some new ground.

Is that an extra buck hunt too?

[cambygsp]

admin said:

decatur said:

I agree Cam, but it was nice to hunt some new ground.

Is that an extra buck hunt too?

Woody,

It's a possibe TWO extra bucks!

Everyone that hunts there gets an "opportunity" for a buck, outside of the regular state bag. If you shoot a "ANTLERLESS" in there, they give you an EXTRA buck opportunity....and you can carry that extra opportunity over to gun season if you are hunting in there then.

[shootsa410]

Camby, you said "and you can carry that extra opportunity over to gun season if you are hunting in there then". I don't believe that is correct. The Big Oaks 2005 Special Hunt Information states, You will be issued one (1) military/refuge license request certificate per hunt (1 or 2-day hunt). Hunters who harvest and check-in an antlerless deer will receive an additional license request certificate. Purchase and use of this additional military/refuge license would be valid for a deer of either sex. There will be a limit of 2 bucks/hunter with the harvest and check-in of an antlerless deer for each type of hunt (2 for archery and 2 for gun). Without the check-in of an antlerless deer, the limit is 1 buck/hunter with all archery licenses and 1 buck/hunter with all firearms. Note: An extra buck earned during the archery hunt does not carry over to the firearm hunt. Also new for 2005 is, deer hunters must possess and carry a compass to hunt at Big Oaks. Hunters can call the refuge office 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM EST (812-273-0783) and I'm sure they would answer any questions you may have.

[cambygsp]

Yes! your right...I mis- read.

It looks like the big oaks hunt offers hunters who hunt in there with both archery & firearms the POSSIBLE opportunity at a TOTAL of ****4**** buck deer.

But you would have to tag an ANTLERLESS in both type (Archery & Firearm) of hunts.

Side Note:

Am I reading it right?

Does it say that a "General Firearm" license is good for **EITHER SEX** at Big Oaks?


www.fws.gov/midwest/BigOaks/deer.htm

General Deer Hunt Information
You can participate in multiple state-drawn hunts if chosen as a partner in addition to being selected in a drawing. There is no limit on how many times you can participate as a partner or participate in local drawings. If you are chosen as a partner by more than one person, you can use the partner license request certificate from each selected hunter to obtain multiple licenses. You may not exceed the daily bag limit on Big Oaks NWR of 2 deer. You will initially be issued 1 military/refuge license request certificate per hunt (1 or 2-day hunt). Hunters who harvest and check-in antlerless deer will receive additional license request certificates for each antlerless deer harvested. Purchase and use of this additional military/refuge license would be valid for a deer of either sex. There will be a limit of 2 bucks/hunter with the harvest and check-in of an antlerless deer for each type of hunt (2 for archery and 2 for gun). Without the check-in of an antlerless deer, the limit is 1 buck/hunter with all archery licenses and 1 buck/hunter with all firearms licenses. The number of antlerless deer is only limited by the daily bag limit and the hunter's availability of licenses.



If you were selected for an archery hunt you have the option of purchasing a military/refuge archery license. Archers can take deer of either sex using 1 or 2 of the following licenses: regular archery, extra archery, and/or one military/refuge archery license. See bold above for buck bag limits.

If you were selected for a firearm hunt you have the option of purchasing a military/refuge firearm license. You may use a firearm license, a military/refuge firearm license or both to take deer of either sex on the special hunt area. See bold above for buck bag limits

[shootsa410]

Camby, as for your side note, I would say that is correct, it has always been that way in the past and I don't see anything in the 2005 Special Hunt Information that states different. But, to be safe I would call the refuge office and let them answer.

[cambygsp]

Oh, I aint hunting in there. I hunted it several times in 2002 and 2001 and don't feel thats its worth all the red tape for me. I didn't find the hunt to be anymore satisfying than any of the other spots I hunt. Many think the hunt in there is going to be a "gimmie"....and thats just not the case.

I have a hard time making it around to all my other spots.....so much hunting to be done and so little time!

[dlawrence]

I've hunted there. I do better at home. A lot of red tape