The downfall of hunting public land

4039 Views 61 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Gabowman, Jan 3, 2020

GDog-Rick

Discussion Starter · Dec 16, 2019

I have not seen any deer or turkeys on my trail cameras these past couple of days. Found out why the other evening. I sitting and enjoying the woods, a little breeze. All of a sudden it sounded like WORLD WAR III started. A shotgun went off three times, then a automatic 22 rifle and also another 22. It still sounded about 200 yards behind so maybe they will chase a deer my way. The shooting continued and kept getting closer and closer. Then all of a sudden I hear shots ringing above my blind and voices. Yep, three young kids were out squirrel hunting. I came out of my blind as they were looking in my direction and yelled, " Someone is over her hunting also." I just chalked it up to its public land and they have aright to it also, but from what I could tell they are from the large farms adjacent to Mark Twain. They walked off mumbling and then the shooting started again. Ok, they are going away. So it quiets down for about 2 hours and I think, good it is about 4:15pm and I still have a chance to see a deer. Nope all of a sudden they let loose again for the next 30 minutes. I called it quits and head back to my vehicle. I am guessing they have been in the woods the past couple of days shooting them up because I have not seen any deer on the trail cameras for three days. I guess I am going to have to wait till January when alternative, black powder, hand guns are allowed and my week of vacation

No, I am still hunting with my crossbow the alternative season but might have to go to my friends place to hunt.

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Gabowman

· #2 · Dec 16, 2019

Unfortunately, that's what happens when hunting on public lands. I'd start riding, looking, and knocking on some doors for permission to bowhunt. You gotta start somewhere if you want your very own place to hunt and you might just be surprised. Another option is trying to join a hunting club.

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TomOnTheRun

· #3 · Dec 16, 2019 (Edited)

On my WMA there are two archery only areas and truth be told doesn't get pounded and these areas far from the gun range noise and gun hunters. What I like about it you have to literally walk .75 to .9 miles past road access points to hunt hardwoods and pines. There are no access roads so you have to hike your but off. I just started doing this because of similar but not as bad pressure. I like it actually. I look at like a cardio workout and walk the pine laden firebreaks with tree climber on my back, fanny pack and my crossbow in my arm.

You might want to check your public land area to see if there are archery only zones to hunt. You might be surprised.

Good luck!

Reactions: 1

GDog-Rick

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 16, 2019

I would but this will probably be the last year I hunt. I had a late start of enjoying crossbow hunting and hunting at all. I started when I was 16 and stopped when I joined the military. Started back five years ago with the rifle and then to crossbow.
My future plans go in a different direction as long as all goes as plan but we all know things do not always go as planned.

GDog-Rick

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 16, 2019

TomOnTheRun said:
On my WMA there are two archery only areas and truth be told doesn't get pounded and these areas far from the gun range noise and gun hunters. What I like about it you have to literally walk .75 to .9 miles past road access hunt hardwoods and pines. There are no access roads so you have to hike your but off. I just started doing this because of similar but not as bad pressure. I like it actually. I look at like a cardio workout and walk the pine laden firebreaks with tree climber on my back, fanny pack and my crossbow in my arm.

You might want to check your public land area to see if there are archery only zones to hunt. You might be surprised.

Good luck!

I will have to check it out but like my previous post I might be having other plans that do not allow hunting.

Huntersthompson

· #6 · Dec 16, 2019

G dog I hunt around the lake . core land,have not seen another Hunter in 2 years. Access by boat

Reactions: 1

KTownKiller

· #7 · Dec 16, 2019

Yup. I like private land for deer, and floatplanes and looong hikes for sheep!

Reactions: 3

GDog-Rick

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 16, 2019

Huntersthompson said:
G dog I hunt around the lake . core land,have not seen another Hunter in 2 years. Access by boat

Are talking Fellows lake or Springfield Lake? or another one?

Huntersthompson

· #9 · Dec 16, 2019

GDog-Rick said:
Are talking Fellows lake or Springfield Lake? or another one?

Pomme de terre

Reactions: 1

deerhawk

· #10 · Dec 18, 2019

Go to Mcdonalds in Bolivar in the mornings. Get some coffee and sit around. Lots of older folms come and go in there. A lot of them have land. Strike up conversations with them. Talk about helping them around their place.
Youd be surprised how many turkeys ive killed on land i got permission to hunt doing this very thing. Captain Ds was a good place around lunch before they closed it down.

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GDog-Rick

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 18, 2019

deerhawk said:
Go to Mcdonalds in Bolivar in the mornings. Get some coffee and sit around. Lots of older folms come and go in there. A lot of them have land. Strike up conversations with them. Talk about helping them around their place.
Youd be surprised how many turkeys ive killed on land i got permission to hunt doing this very thing. Captain Ds was a good place around lunch before they closed it down.

Thanks for the info. Like I said earlier, this will be the last year I hunt. Going to warm tropical places

KTownKiller

· #12 · Dec 19, 2019

deerhawk said:
Go to Mcdonalds in Bolivar in the mornings. Get some coffee and sit around. Lots of older folms come and go in there. A lot of them have land. Strike up conversations with them. Talk about helping them around their place.
Youd be surprised how many turkeys ive killed on land i got permission to hunt doing this very thing. Captain Ds was a good place around lunch before they closed it down.

Or just go knock on doors...

WickedRidge400

· #13 · Dec 27, 2019

Knocking on doors has been my got to for a while now. Jersey is FILLED with weekend warriors who watch a couple of outdoor channel hunting shows and show up with shiney new gear and a stand 40 yards from yours climbing a tree at 6:45 in the morning!!! #%@&%[email protected] I got so sick and tired of being disturbed, guys placing stands close to yours after you've spent weeks and weeks scouting, picking the right tree, pruning shooting lanes, the camera has a nice buck or two on it and then whallah...here comes Johnny new bow with his face painted up like Duck Dynasty characters with his new climber making enough racket when sunrise was 25 minutes ago because he's new to the area and afraid to come into the woods in the pitch black darkness!!! Yup... Jersey is full of those types.

I gave up hunting public land after two incidents that PI$$ED me off so much I had to walk to my truck and leave.
One guy during shotgun week for deer puts a slug 10 feet over my head! I'm wearing an orange hat and vest and still here comes the lead! Second...hunting pheasants with my bud...bird gets up behind me a bit...3 WW's ( weekend warriors) level off on this cockbird and proceed to shower my buddy and I with birdshot and it stung like an SOB when it hit. I was finished, done tuti finuti !!!

I started knocking on doors and asking around. I even typed up a short resume about who I am, what truck I drive, my phone number and hunting license number plus and emergency contact in case of something serious. You'd be amazed how many land owners can't believe you're coming with a resume and they truly appreciate that. They know you're serious and obviously on the up and up if you're willing to reveal yourself on paper for the privilege to hunt on their property! It works most of the time.

Start knocking...some really wonderful people do answer the door!

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ko4nrbs

· #14 · Dec 27, 2019

The vast majority of good hunting grounds here are leased by Hunting clubs or hunted by the family. Smaller spots in and around some of the rural subdivisions have deer but getting permission is very difficult. The home owners for the most part are not really rural people. Most are city folks just wanting to live in the country. I just got lucky getting on the Church Buddy’s place. He is my fishing partner and I have the boat.

I do plan on looking for another spot so I can hunt more without burning out this spot. I’ve already been turned down on a spot near here and have grown used to being told no. It is discouraging but you must not let the disappointment stop you from continuing the search.

Dress causally and always be polite even when the owner is gruff with you. Don’t show up dressed like Rambo!! Some people do not like visitors so be prepared to have a door or two slammed in your face. It’s their loss not getting to know someone as nice as we all are!!

Bill

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KTownKiller

· #15 · Dec 27, 2019

I also show up with a resume! Plus I carry a city firearms permit with 5 mil liability ins, which really helps also. I get people calling me now to come hunt their property!!!

Reactions: 3

ko4nrbs

· #16 · Dec 28, 2019

One of my friends just got kicked off his best spot. The guy that had given him permission died. After the funeral the grandson told him to pack up and get out even though the deceased guy’s wife told him he could stay. He left not wanting to be in the middle of a family quarrel.

The grandson was a real A?$! Hole!! Where was he when the old man needed help on the farm? My friend was there feeding cows and putting up hay!! He handled it very politely. I don’t think I could have.

The crap you sometimes have to put up with to hunt!! My spot on the river is my private sanctuary. Accessible only by boat and rubber boots. Lot’s of deer and no a$&? Holes to deal with. The steep banks and mud do make it a challenge to hunt. Across the river from my spot is another spot that is hunted because it is easier to access. Only 2 or 3 hunters there though. When it gets cold they quit hunting. I stick it out and love the solitude.

Look for Corps if Engineers land along the lakes and rivers. The spot you want to hunt is the one you think is way too much work to access!! The best spots are the ones you wonder why anyone would go into.

Bill

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SEW

· #17 · Dec 28, 2019

I’ve been to New Jersey only once in my life. From all that I’ve read on various forums, I wonder why people live in New Jersey.

ko4nrbs

· #18 · Dec 28, 2019

SEW said:
I’ve been to New Jersey only once in my life. From all that I’ve read on various forums, I wonder why people live in New Jersey.

If you are born and raised there it is home. I've heard the same thing about Oklahoma. I was born here but raised in Texas. Have lived all over the US when I was working. Many think we are just a bunch of knuckle dragging ********. I've had to correct a few stuck up morons over the years. I probably hurt their feelings!!

I lived in South Jersey for a couple of years. Lived in Swedesboro and Woodstown. Lot's of farming there though the new subdivisions springing up are pushing it slowly out. Pretty country but getting crowded. Met some real nice people there. We were near the #1 Toll Booth for the New Jersey turnpike. On holidays I've seen traffic backed up from there all the way across the Delaware Memorial Bridge into Delaware. The traffic and the crowds were not for me but to each their own.

Woodstown had great schools and Swedesboro had a great barbecue place. Some of the best barbecued ribs I have ever had.

Was surprised at how many rabbit hunters there were. Saw them turn out the beagles a few times.

Bill

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KTownKiller

· #19 · Dec 29, 2019

ko4nrbs said:
One of my friends just got kicked off his best spot. The guy that had given him permission died. After the funeral the grandson told him to pack up and get out even though the deceased guy’s wife told him he could stay. He left not wanting to be in the middle of a family quarrel.

The grandson was a real A?$! Hole!! Where was he when the old man needed help on the farm? My friend was there feeding cows and putting up hay!! He handled it very politely. I don’t think I could have.

The crap you sometimes have to put up with to hunt!! My spot on the river is my private sanctuary. Accessible only by boat and rubber boots. Lot’s of deer and no a$&? Holes to deal with. The steep banks and mud do make it a challenge to hunt. Across the river from my spot is another spot that is hunted because it is easier to access. Only 2 or 3 hunters there though. When it gets cold they quit hunting. I stick it out and love the solitude.

Look for Corps if Engineers land along the lakes and rivers. The spot you want to hunt is the one you think is way too much work to access!! The best spots are the ones you wonder why anyone would go into.

Bill

You're lucky I'm not there! LOL! I'd give ya some competition, buddy!! Sounds like ya got an awesome spot along that river!!!

ko4nrbs

· #20 · Dec 29, 2019

KTownKiller said:
You're lucky I'm not there! LOL! I'd give ya some competition, buddy!! Sounds like ya got an awesome spot along that river!!!

I’d make room for you. Do you own a pair of hip waders and brush chaps? I do have spares if you don’t!!

Bill

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