|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Sept 3, 2015 21:23:56 GMT -5
Not an easy hunt at all. Hopefully you go with someone who has been there. 55K acres, 18mi top to bottom, takes an hour to get to the northern areas from where you enter. They are very hilly, you will be better off in the southern half. Dont go with expectations, that way if you see or get one, it will be a positive. I have seen three in three trips. All three were in 2006, one was a likely booner. No deer since between two trips and four guys. Super neat place though. Definately worth going at least once, especicially during the rut, you never know. When you see the pictures of bucks on the wall when you take your safety meeting, you will drool. Most were from years ago tho. Good luck. Thanks! For me, it will be a blast to be alive sitting in new woods with a gun I've never used before, even not seeing a deer. My first hunt there is Oct 17&18. I've never seen a deer this early, so I have very little expectations. However, I will have fun watching lawrencecounty drag in his limit! I might even take a photo. My second hunt will be opening weekend of firearm, and the hormones will be raging. I'm kind of a 100yd man now; I walk 100yds and this is where I hunt or fish.
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Sept 3, 2015 21:31:07 GMT -5
Hey, is Big Oaks fenced in all the way around?
|
|
|
Post by ukwil on Sept 3, 2015 21:45:39 GMT -5
Yes it is Jon, but deer are able to get in and out. Your best bet would be to stick with the flatter terrain H road and south. Once you get your areas let me know and I'll help if I can. I've killed a bunch of deer outta there. Food sources will be key.
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Sept 3, 2015 22:01:29 GMT -5
Yes it is Jon, but deer are able to get in and out. Your best bet would be to stick with the flatter terrain H road and south. Once you get your areas let me know and I'll help if I can. I've killed a bunch of deer outta there. Food sources will be key. Well, thank you! I appreciate it. I have an area that I'm thinking about, but I don't want anyone to find out my genus plan ...or laugh at it, so I'll PM you. People might start thinking there's a genus behind this simple mad man.
|
|
|
Post by Land Between the Lakes on Sept 4, 2015 11:06:08 GMT -5
Since Big Oaks used to be a military base it has an 8 foot fence on all sides, but the deer can get out in some areas through the creeks. From K Road north is mostly hardwood forest and ridges. From K Road south has some large hardwoods but is mostly thickets, fields, smaller areas of forest, and much flatter terrain.
|
|
|
Post by Land Between the Lakes on Sept 4, 2015 11:15:41 GMT -5
Not an easy hunt at all. Hopefully you go with someone who has been there. 55K acres, 18mi top to bottom, takes an hour to get to the northern areas from where you enter. They are very hilly, you will be better off in the southern half. Dont go with expectations, that way if you see or get one, it will be a positive. I have seen three in three trips. All three were in 2006, one was a likely booner. No deer since between two trips and four guys. Super neat place though. Definately worth going at least once, especicially during the rut, you never know. When you see the pictures of bucks on the wall when you take your safety meeting, you will drool. Most were from years ago tho. Good luck. There was a time back when the area was a military base when you could drive up east perimeter road and see 50 to 100 deer each evening. And many hunters would see 10 to 20 deer per day consistently in a lot of hunting areas. Back in the 1980"s and 1990"s it was probably the best place in Indiana to hunt deer and for overall wildlife diversity. Today it's managed by the USFWS and it has really gotten a tremendous amount of hunting pressure in the last 15 years. The first few years it was a refuge a lot of deer were taken which drastically reduced the deer population. Those who are new to Big Oaks really never got to see just how great the area was 15 plus years ago. There are still some good places to hunt on the refuge and still some big bucks roaming around but you have to scout and have patience in order to be successful there now days.
|
|
|
Post by mkfrench on Sept 4, 2015 12:11:34 GMT -5
NOV 7th and 8th at Big Oaks for me. Just added some vacation days for then.
|
|
corok
Junior Member
Posts: 34
|
Post by corok on Sept 4, 2015 14:07:39 GMT -5
Big Oaks - Archery for me 10/10-11. I have no idea where to hunt there either so who knows how it will go My kids also were drawn for the Muscatatuck Youth Deer hunts on the same day. I believe I can take them both and don't need a second adult, and I just learned that this can be a firearms hunt for them. I bought them a Tenpoint crossbow so we'll be using that. They are both very excited to go on this first hunt with dad and are 10 (daughter) and 8 (son). If anyone knows of a decent spot that we can setup in, that would be awesome! Good luck to everyone in their draws!
|
|
corok
Junior Member
Posts: 34
|
Post by corok on Sept 4, 2015 15:39:54 GMT -5
As an aside: If you aren't married, you can appreciate your freedom during this time of year
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Sept 4, 2015 16:39:01 GMT -5
Since Big Oaks used to be a military base it has an 8 foot fence on all sides, but the deer can get out in some areas through the creeks. From K Road north is mostly hardwood forest and ridges. From K Road south has some large hardwoods but is mostly thickets, fields, smaller areas of forest, and much flatter terrain. If a person could find such a place and corn is across the street, wouldn't this be considered a pinch point?
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Sept 4, 2015 16:41:18 GMT -5
I will probably have to stay on flatter land, so thanks for this tip.
|
|
dakid
Full Member
Posts: 62
|
Post by dakid on Sept 4, 2015 20:03:46 GMT -5
Jon. If you go to the Big Oaks homepage they have a calendar that shows the day use days. It is usually on Fridays and Every other Sat I believe. These areas are accessible on the day use days. All other areas are closed until hunting seasons. You could go down and take your briefing and go squirrel hunting in the day use areas and do some scouting in advance if you would want to.
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Sept 4, 2015 20:28:47 GMT -5
Jon. If you go to the Big Oaks homepage they have a calendar that shows the day use days. It is usually on Fridays and Every other Sat I believe. These areas are accessible on the day use days. All other areas are closed until hunting seasons. You could go down and take your briefing and go squirrel hunting in the day use areas and do some scouting in advance if you would want to. Well this sounds like an excellent suggestion! I thought I read that we would not be able to scout, but I will go on a different day to take the training. If I can squirrel hunt then, I'll be looking for something else. If a squirrel wants to temp me, I'll be his huckleberry. Thanks!!!! I appreciate all your help. It means a lot to me, and even though my memory isn't great, I will not forget this.
|
|
dakid
Full Member
Posts: 62
|
Post by dakid on Sept 4, 2015 21:48:59 GMT -5
Give them a call and they will set you off in the right direction. The number for the office is the same as the one you call on you day to choose. The folks there are very helpful. you will need a partner for squirrel hunting also. It is always the buddy system there. Good luck
|
|