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Post by maddog on Jun 3, 2015 18:52:59 GMT -5
I just got back this pm. from the Owen/Putnam State Forest, to check out the Rattlesnake Campground. To say the least, I was very impressed. I'm going to post some pics, get some feedback from you all, then we will set the dates in stone. I drove down by myself this am, to check it out. I didn't know there was a campground in Indiana, that was this remote. I LOVED IT!!  Here are some pics, followed up by some suggestions for things you need to bring.  Going in on the main road, there are 3 streams to cross. There is an alternate route, but it's just a bit farther. I ran both routes. It's so remote back there, that I thought I heard dueling banjos from Deliverence being played.        I've got more pics, that I'll post tomorrow. The campground is PRIMITIVE! No electric, no water, one toilet. You will need to bring your own water, firewood, etc. The place has 11 camp sites. Two tents and up to 6 people, per site. $13/nite. That's not per person, but for the whole site! You can walk out of camp, 400 ft., and go hunting! There is a 2-3 acre pond, right next to the campground, that is stocked with fish. I didn't know there was a campground like this, in the state! I think this camp out is open to anyone that reads this, whether they are in the squirrel contest or not. Anyone that owns a squirrel dog bring it. We can have this hunt/camp out either the second or third weekend of Sept., after labor day and before general archery season. Look this over, and give some input. By June 15, we will set the date in stone. I'm so in love with the place, that I may go down on a Wed., and not leave til Sun. am. It's been a long day, I'll quit for tonight, but will post some more tomorrow, such as maps and directions. maddog |
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Post by dbd870 on Jun 3, 2015 20:02:13 GMT -5
Sound good to me
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jun 3, 2015 22:26:29 GMT -5
Do you know if they allow fire wood to be brought in? In some places, firewood must be purchased through the park.
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Post by nfalls116 on Jun 4, 2015 0:27:41 GMT -5
What would a squirell hunt/camp out be without a squirell skinning contest?
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Post by maddog on Jun 4, 2015 5:43:00 GMT -5
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Post by maddog on Jun 4, 2015 5:45:31 GMT -5
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Post by maddog on Jun 4, 2015 5:49:55 GMT -5
Do you know if they allow fire wood to be brought in? In some places, firewood must be purchased through the park. For the most part, as long as it is state approved[meaning having the bark off the wood], I think it will be ok. Also, pallet type wood, 2x4 pieces of processed lumber is ok. When I talked to one of the people at the forestry office, he sounded pretty easy to deal with. As the time gets closer, I'll double check. Found this web site on general rules, which includes firewood. It supports what I said above. indianastateparks.reserveamerica.com/rules/general/inrules.jspmaddog |
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Post by dadfsr on Jun 4, 2015 5:50:11 GMT -5
Cool! I'm surprised that we never found this campsite when we always looking for places for the Boy Scout Venturing Crew to go camping.
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Post by maddog on Jun 4, 2015 5:58:44 GMT -5
Ok boys, so that people can get their schedules locked down, which weekend? Sept.11,12,13[Fri., Sat., Sun.] Sept. 18,19,20[Fri., Sat., Sun] I'll let this ride for a week, then we'll pick one. I could do either, but prefer the 11, 12, 13. I may go down a day or so earlier. Also, you can't reserve these sites. It's first come first served. Why getting there no later tha Fri. am is probably prudent. Not making an official poll out of this, just post a date and I'll pick one and etch it in stone. maddog |
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Post by dadfsr on Jun 4, 2015 8:47:30 GMT -5
Guess I'm not in favor of the 9/11 weekend....just because there are still some kinds of watches/memorials that take place that weekend. Guess being in the fire service for a couple of decades makes me a little more sensitive to it.
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Post by maddog on Jun 4, 2015 9:44:12 GMT -5
OOPS! I completely forgot about 9/11. Let's skip the debate. The campout/squirrel hunt will take place Sept. 18,19,20. At this point in time, post up if you are coming to the event.
Woody, could you make this thread a sticky for a while, so that everybody gets a chance to reply?
maddog
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Post by Russ Koon on Jun 4, 2015 9:51:30 GMT -5
I respect that. I personally would favor the earlier weekend because the second one is usually one of the two that are scheduled for the most big season finale club shoots at local archery clubs and ranges, and also conflicts with more people's schedules if they are headed west for archery elk or deer. And many bowhunters who aren't 3D shooters or western hunters will be busy with hanging stands, checking cams, etc., on the last couple weekends before season.
But I will likely be there for either date, at least part of the time, even if I might leave early to attend a shoot in the area.
I've enjoyed that area for a couple of generations. Used to walk the surrounding area for miles while camped there during archery bow seasons. Haven't been there as much during the last decade or so. That secondary access route surprised me when I visited the area again a month or so ago. When I had last hunted there, that road only went a short way and then became an unusable trace closed to vehicles. Went out that way and it's higher ground all the way and also good gravel road, should be open even during high water that sometimes briefly closes access by the primary route.
Most of it looks the same as it did back when I used it a lot. Back then, the camping was free, and small amount of casual firewood could be gathered from the vicinity as long as nothing standing was cut. The outhouse was a more primitive model then, but in about the same place.
Sounds like fun. It will be good to see some old friends again and meet some people who have been only names on a computer screen.
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Post by Russ Koon on Jun 4, 2015 9:52:17 GMT -5
I respect that. I personally would favor the earlier weekend because the second one is usually one of the two that are scheduled for the most big season finale club shoots at local archery clubs and ranges, and also conflicts with more people's schedules if they are headed west for archery elk or deer. And many bowhunters who aren't 3D shooters or western hunters will be busy with hanging stands, checking cams, etc., on the last couple weekends before season.
But I will likely be there for either date, at least part of the time, even if I might leave early to attend a shoot in the area.
I've enjoyed that area for a couple of generations. Used to walk the surrounding area for miles while camped there during archery bow seasons. Haven't been there as much during the last decade or so. That secondary access route surprised me when I visited the area again a month or so ago. When I had last hunted there, that road only went a short way and then became an unusable trace closed to vehicles. Went out that way and it's higher ground all the way and also good gravel road, should be open even during high water that sometimes briefly closes access by the primary route.
Most of it looks the same as it did back when I used it a lot. Back then, the camping was free, and small amount of casual firewood could be gathered from the vicinity as long as nothing standing was cut. The outhouse was a more primitive model then, but in about the same place.
Sounds like fun. It will be good to see some old friends again and meet some people who have been only names on a computer screen.
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Post by dbd870 on Jun 4, 2015 9:55:30 GMT -5
OK it is stuck! JDUB & I will come. Good point on the 3D shoots - the earlier weekend would have been a problem for me.
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jun 4, 2015 10:02:22 GMT -5
Not sure if I'll be able to stay that weekend, but will come over to spend one day for sure.
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Post by HighCotton on Jun 4, 2015 16:22:21 GMT -5
Good job maddog! Ought to be a good time. I will be there but won't get in until Friday evening.
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Post by HillBillyJeff on Jun 5, 2015 19:57:58 GMT -5
If I can get it off, count me in.
If someone can bring a generator and something like a turkey blind (to keep the rain off) I can bring a small freezer and a dorm fridge down.
One thing we did at Monroe (looking at those fire rings) was to cover them in foil and heat up some pulled pork. Just a thought.
If someone is going down before Friday, I will more than likely head down Thursday late afternoon.
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Post by firstwd on Jun 5, 2015 22:42:22 GMT -5
It looks like parking is right on the site so choosing what to shack up in will be the thing.
I'll put in for that weekend on Monday. If it is open I should be there.
I have found that rodent control isn't that high on the priority list, but I do enjoy the "camp" atmosphere and spending time in the woods with friends is always a good idea.
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Post by maddog on Jun 6, 2015 4:56:46 GMT -5
Tents, pop up camper, truck camper, all would work. Don't think I'd try a fifth wheel or big camper. Spots on both ways in are kinda narrow, if something happened.
maddog
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Post by maddog on Jun 6, 2015 6:06:17 GMT -5
If someone is going down before Friday, I will more than likely head down Thursday late afternoon. There is a good chance I'm going down on thurs. and stay til Sunday am. maddog |
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Here are some pics, followed up by some suggestions for things you need to bring.
