rob
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by rob on Aug 30, 2009 16:31:13 GMT -5
So after doing a little reasearch on where to hunt I have narrowed it down to a couple a places. I know most people hunt whitetails from a ground blind or tree stand while bow hunting but I'm from the west and like the challenge of spot and stalk. I know its not going to be as effective as sitting in a stand but its the way I like to hunt. I was wondering if anyone had any experience hunting whitetails like this? Another question is, since I'm going to be hunting on public land and would like to do spot and stalk, is it possible to do it without screwing up guys hunting in stands cause I don't want to mess up anyone's hunt? I guess what I'm asking is can you hike far enough to get away from people? I'm thinking of hunting Kingsbury or Willow Slough. Sorry it was so long and thanks for your input.
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Post by HuntMeister on Aug 30, 2009 17:15:16 GMT -5
rob,
In my experience around Indiana, its more stillhunting than spot & stalk. Everything is up close here, I think you are maybe more used to spotting the critter from afar then sneaking in on him, at least that is what I have experienced when hunting parts of the western states.
It can be done but you have to r-e-a-l-l-y s-l-o-w d-o-w-n in order to get the best results. I cannot stress this enough. In todays fast paced world this is very hard for most to do.
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Post by bookert on Aug 30, 2009 18:40:07 GMT -5
BE CAREFUL!!!
Spot & stalk is possible but very difficult. You just don't have the visibility here that you do out west.
Did I say to be careful, because I really meant to say be careful. Hunting public land can be scary, especially around opening day. You might want to let things settle down before doing much stalking. There are some public lands that are big enough to get away from most other hunters. Fairbanks Landing comes to mind right away depending on where you live.
Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
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Post by swilk on Aug 30, 2009 19:05:42 GMT -5
BE CAREFUL!!! Spot & stalk is possible but very difficult. You just don't have the visibility here that you do out west. Did I say to be careful, because I really meant to say be careful. Hunting public land can be scary, especially around opening day. You might want to let things settle down before doing much stalking. There are some public lands that are big enough to get away from most other hunters. Fairbanks Landing comes to mind right away depending on where you live. Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. Couldnt agree more. I cant say how much success you will have killing deer but you will defenitly have some interesting experiances with other hunters. |
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Post by rackkiller on Aug 30, 2009 20:16:36 GMT -5
if you want to spot and stalk on willows slough you would probably be better of hunting on the nature concrvacy or kakakee sands area where you basicly get the hole area to your self and its more open we have guys walking around the woods enough srewing up hunts all the time let alone all the bird hunters aiming at you in the stand it is a very hunted property meaning there is a lot of people hunting there
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Post by steiny on Aug 30, 2009 20:16:40 GMT -5
Don't know where you are hunting, but I have had success a number of occassions spotting bucks way out in open agricultural areas, then putting the sneak on them with a firearm. Haven't been successful yet doing it w/ a bow.
It is common for bucks to run a hot doe way out in the middle of a big harvested field and stay out there breeding her for a day or two. They feel pretty safe out there where they can see severalm hundred yards in any direction, and are out of range of most weapons.
They can bed down alongside a fence, rockpile, or in a small clump of weeds, and most hunters will never see them, or even think about looking for them in such areas. Fun hunting !
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Post by bowhunt01 on Aug 30, 2009 20:19:12 GMT -5
Rob
I will stress this also BE CAREFUL. If you decide to still hunt public land do it between 9 and 3 when 90% of the hunters are out of the woods. Not only will you reduce the risk of some trigger happy person seeing movement in the brush and taking a shot but most of the big bucks will move at this time. I have some friends out east by Ft Wayne who only hunt in the middle of the day on public land and they kill some fine bucks.
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rob
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by rob on Aug 30, 2009 20:48:48 GMT -5
I'm not thinking of doing this during any gun season, only brought the bow and left my rifles, shotguns, and muzzle loader back in Washington. I was told by a couple of guys that willow slough was big enough you could hike far enough to get away from people. I know its a decent sized area from the research I've done. I defiantly don't want to screw anyone else's hunt up thats why I was hoping to try and get to an area that was semi-open and large but if its not doable then I might try something else.
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Post by bowhunt01 on Aug 30, 2009 21:16:26 GMT -5
Yes Willow Slough is big but there are alot of hunters there and there is alot of refuge area and water. Like I said try it during the middle of the day or like Rackkiller suggested draw for the nature conservancy which is just a couple of miles north of the slough ( you sign up for a daily draw at willow slough headquarters) and you will have the whole area to yourself for the entire day
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Post by Sasquatch on Aug 30, 2009 21:29:25 GMT -5
BE CAREFUL!!! Spot & stalk is possible but very difficult. You just don't have the visibility here that you do out west. Did I say to be careful, because I really meant to say be careful. Hunting public land can be scary, especially around opening day. You might want to let things settle down before doing much stalking. There are some public lands that are big enough to get away from most other hunters. Fairbanks Landing comes to mind right away depending on where you live. Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. +1000! Another thing, you can walk right up a deer's butt right after a rain. I have never killed one this way, but I have come mighty close a few times, and I have no doubt if a guy consistently went out during a light drizzle or right thereafter he could get some deer that way. (I'm usually too lazy) Also, since moving here down in the south, I have noticed you can walk right up to the edge of these steep ravines and spot deer. Try it, you never know. We all have been plodding around, not expecting anything, and walked right up on a deer that we could have killed had we been ready. Several years ago I walked up on deer about 10 yards away that was so stretched out with it's head out of view that I thought it was dead! I was looking at it when it's partner spotted me and blew my cover. |
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Post by cambygsp on Aug 31, 2009 3:46:36 GMT -5
I'm from the west and like the challenge of spot and stalk. I'm thinking of hunting Kingsbury or Willow Slough. THANK YOU! |
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Post by dadfsr on Aug 31, 2009 15:31:31 GMT -5
Rob-sent you a pm.
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Post by ridgerunner on Aug 31, 2009 16:49:21 GMT -5
I say there's a good chance you'll get shot, or shot at...That's not a very effective way to hunt Whitetail unless you have a good wind, rain and or Wind and rain..I've killed deer " still hunting private land where I don;t ahve to worry about some 13 yr old kid sticking a arrow in my thigh cause he " seen something moving on the bushes...Guy was killed here in Indiana a few years ago like that...newphew stuck him in the femoral artery in his upper thigh while he "walking around"....I seriously advise against it especially on public land....I know it's hard to sit for more than five minutes in a tree with ADD or ADHD....but practice makes perfect.
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rob
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by rob on Aug 31, 2009 19:06:10 GMT -5
No add or adhd I think  . I just like to be able to move around and cover lots of ground. I know its hard and not going to be as effective as sitting in a stand or groundblind just whether or not it would be relatively safe and wouldn't interfere with other hunters but it doesn't sound like it. Thanks for all the input, sounds kinda like I need to go buy a stand or blind. |
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Post by ridgerunner on Sept 1, 2009 6:12:02 GMT -5
Where about you at in Indiana..? If you need a safe place to hunt I could probably fix ya up.
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Post by dadfsr on Sept 1, 2009 6:20:53 GMT -5
He's in Valpo RR. I'm trying to hook him up too but he's looking a 1 1/2 hour drive to get to my woods. Since Danf flew the coop there isn't going to be a lot of archery pressure in my woods until I can get my left thumb fixed all the way.
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Post by featherduster on Sept 1, 2009 6:35:45 GMT -5
Rob: I would stay away from WILLOW SLOUGH & KINGSBURY if your planning to hunt as you described.Those 2 proprties are heavly hunted by alot of city folks and they will not like someone walking about no matter what time of the day it is.The state properties in Indiana are heavily hunted and 99% of it is from a blind of sorts.
The state has alot of small pieces of ground that have been donated to them to be managed for hunting and alot of these folks are not aware of these.Most are small but on the right day you could have it all to yourself.
I don't mean to tell you how to enjoy the outdoors but.......WHEN IN ROME DO AS THE ROMANS DO!!!!!!
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. I just like to be able to move around and cover lots of ground. I know its hard and not going to be as effective as sitting in a stand or groundblind just whether or not it would be relatively safe and wouldn't interfere with other hunters but it doesn't sound like it. Thanks for all the input, sounds kinda like I need to go buy a stand or blind. 