Public Land - Hoosier National Forest/Charles Deam

[hoosierhunter34]

Hi all - new to this forum and glad to have found it! I am somewhat new to central Indiana, having grown up in Northwest Indiana and hunted deer up there most of my life on private ground. Finding private ground to hunt in central Indiana has been tough and not successful unfortunately over the past 1.5 years.

I think I am going to give some public land a shot this year during archery season. I've been researching land and am looking at the HNF/Charles Deam Wilderness area. I didn't see any recent threads on this so wanted to check if anyone has any tips for a first timer? Anyone find much success there? I'm focused on Charles Deam because it is much closer for me than the southern HNF. I'm mostly worried about it being too crowded. I also don't really have a clue on what area to start with as well, but I understand there are only a few parking options and then up to the hunter on walking in and finding a good spot.

Any input is appreciated.

[HuntMeister]

Welcome aboard!
I have no firsthand experience or advice to offer but, I have always thought that taking a boat or canoe trip via Lake monroe to the Deam would be a really cool experience. I could be wrong but I think you would have a fair amount of the area to yourself that way, especially during the early archery season. I would want someone I could trust to take care of my vehicle and return to pick me up when needed.
Good luck and keep us posted if you do succeed on making the trip.

[hoosierhunter34]

Yeah, I have read that accessing the more remote areas by water is the best way to go. That would be a pretty fun overnight trip....canoe/kayak, camp, and hunt the next day. I unfortunately don't have access to a boat at the moment so probably will end up hiking a good amount to get far in, but will look into doing the water access route someday.

Was just planning on leaving my truck, but good point and making me think twice about leaving it out there unattended....

[36fan]

I've never been to Deam; however, it is a wilderness area, which means no "mechanized" devices. i.e. - no wheels. Game carts area no-no. You have to either check it in and then quarter it out, or drag it out.

[hoosierhunter34]

I did read that. Assuming I'll be hiking a good way in there, that might be rough. I'm confident I can drag it out a good distance, though it might take a while. I'm also going to look into bring a sled, that should make it a lot easier.

[span870]

Lots of good areas in deam. There is very little parking therefore if you hike in you'll have very little competition. The areas close to parking areas get hammered. There are, in my opinion, better options in the hnf that are easier to hunt than deam. Hnf covers a whole bunch of the state and many are within the same driving distance, if not closer than deam. If you want I can give you some pointers on spots to go. If you have your heart set on deam, I've done a fair amount of turkey hunting there, I could point you in the right direction.

[lawrencecountyhunter]

Canoeing in is a lot of fun. Haven't done it during deer season yet, but do some sort of canoe overnight there most summers. Not a lot of deer in there, but there are a few..

[hoosierhunter34]

Aug 27, 2015 16:53:19 GMT -5 span870 said:

Lots of good areas in deam. There is very little parking therefore if you hike in you'll have very little competition. The areas close to parking areas get hammered. There are, in my opinion, better options in the hnf that are easier to hunt than deam. Hnf covers a whole bunch of the state and many are within the same driving distance, if not closer than deam. If you want I can give you some pointers on spots to go. If you have your heart set on deam, I've done a fair amount of turkey hunting there, I could point you in the right direction.

I'm coming from the Indianapolis area, so figured Dream would be closest at a 2 hr drive. Would love to hear some recommended spots on both other areas you had hunted and Dream. Appreciate it!

I see there are 3 main parking spots for Dream I think....I will need to park and don't have the ability to get dropped off so will have to hike in from there. Don't mind hiking at least a mile to get away from everyone though.

[corok]

I'll take any free advice on public locations from anyone who wants to share it with me privately Sorry for the hijack but I haven't ever hunted that area and do not know and information that would help. I too am always on the lookout for public land locations anywhere in the state and I feel your pain on trying to not waste my valuable time

[hoosierhunter34]

Aug 28, 2015 8:44:08 GMT -5 corok said:

I'll take any free advice on public locations from anyone who wants to share it with me privately Sorry for the hijack but I haven't ever hunted that area and do not know and information that would help. I too am always on the lookout for public land locations anywhere in the state and I feel your pain on trying to not waste my valuable time

You can hijack as long as you share any knowledge received

Have you hunted any Indiana public locations? What part of the state are you in?

[Land Between the Lakes]

Most of HNF is big hardwoods and ridges. Typically big mature hardwoods do not support a high deer density. If you hunt the designated wilderness area or HNF you are likely to be hunting big woods. So find natural food sources, funnels, pinchpoints etc.


HNF is the kind of place where you can hunt for 2 days and never see a single deer, then all of the sudden a deer can come past you. You have to have patience and a good amount of time to be successful in HNF consistently.

[span870]

Give me a couple of days guys and let me look at my maps and I'll get back with you. It is definitely big woods hunting. You aren't hunting 20 acre woodlots. You can easily get lost. GPS is awesome because you will find spots and never be able to find them again once you get way back. Never had an issue seeing deer down here. Yes there are days you'll see one or two but my best day I counted 23 before 10am. Once you find a good area it tends to stay good.

[jimstc]

I have hunted HNF in Clark County many times. I live 30 miles north of Indy and it takes me exactly 2 hours to get to exit 19 on I 65. You should research that area. Thousands of acres and no hunting pressure except on opening day. I avoid it then.

[hoosierhunter34]

Aug 29, 2015 14:27:47 GMT -5 jimstc said:

I have hunted HNF in Clark County many times. I live 30 miles north of Indy and it takes me exactly 2 hours to get to exit 19 on I 65. You should research that area. Thousands of acres and no hunting pressure except on opening day. I avoid it then.

Thanks, I'll check that area out. I'm coming from Noblesville so probably not too far from you. Definitely avoiding opening day....and probably gun season in general there.

[hoosierhunter34]

Aug 29, 2015 9:44:50 GMT -5 span870 said:

Give me a couple of days guys and let me look at my maps and I'll get back with you. It is definitely big woods hunting. You aren't hunting 20 acre woodlots. You can easily get lost. GPS is awesome because you will find spots and never be able to find them again once you get way back. Never had an issue seeing deer down here. Yes there are days you'll see one or two but my best day I counted 23 before 10am. Once you find a good area it tends to stay good.

I'll be using a GPS for sure....I plan on avoiding making the newspaper about being the one hunter who gets lost in HNF this year  Glad to know you have seen lots of action there. thanks for looking at your maps further!

[jimstc]

Aug 29, 2015 18:27:21 GMT -5 hoosierhunter34 said:

Aug 29, 2015 14:27:47 GMT -5 jimstc said:

I have hunted HNF in Clark County many times. I live 30 miles north of Indy and it takes me exactly 2 hours to get to exit 19 on I 65. You should research that area. Thousands of acres and no hunting pressure except on opening day. I avoid it then.

Thanks, I'll check that area out. I'm coming from Noblesville so probably not too far from you. Definitely avoiding opening day....and probably gun season in general there.

Yep. I am southwest of Arcadia. It will be an easy trip for you.  I am just 9 miles north of Noblesville so your travel time should be similar.

[duff]

Watch out for the rattlesnakes and copperheads :-)

[hoosierhunter34]

Aug 29, 2015 20:05:20 GMT -5 duff said:

Watch out for the rattlesnakes and copperheads :-)

Come on now, no need to freak me out with talk of snakes!!! Sometimes I think I'd rather be face to face with a grizzly than a snake.

But seriously, are there lots of snakes down there?

[duff]

Just a couple that my wife saw this year in Deam wilderness area :-)

[Jamie Brooks 1John5:13]

Aug 28, 2015 7:55:51 GMT -5 hoosierhunter34 said:

Aug 27, 2015 16:53:19 GMT -5 span870 said:

Lots of good areas in deam. There is very little parking therefore if you hike in you'll have very little competition. The areas close to parking areas get hammered. There are, in my opinion, better options in the hnf that are easier to hunt than deam. Hnf covers a whole bunch of the state and many are within the same driving distance, if not closer than deam. If you want I can give you some pointers on spots to go. If you have your heart set on deam, I've done a fair amount of turkey hunting there, I could point you in the right direction.

I'm coming from the Indianapolis area, so figured Dream would be closest at a 2 hr drive. Would love to hear some recommended spots on both other areas you had hunted and Dream. Appreciate it!

I see there are 3 main parking spots for Dream I think....I will need to park and don't have the ability to get dropped off so will have to hike in from there. Don't mind hiking at least a mile to get away from everyone though.

If you're in Indianapolis, I have a boat you can use.  I'm in Greenwood.