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Post by 10point on Nov 2, 2015 20:53:29 GMT -5
Just returned from hunting big oaks the last 2 days. We stayed at the best way inn in Madison. They lowered our rate to $59 when they found out we were there hunting. I didn't have high hopes as I've heard the population is way down. We hunted in 34 the first day. I'm not used to hunting non farm country and was tough figuring out where to go. There were 10 hunters in our area and I'm quite sure no shots in our area. It's hard to hunt till ending time as you have to get back to check out by 7. If you got something late you would have to get it out quick especially if hunting more north. Today we were in the popular spot of 75. We thought it was going to be a real short drive but they make you go way around via the west access road which doesn't open back up until 5:30. When we left at 3 we had to drive 25 miles around to get to a shot that is less than a mile I believe from the hunt headquarters. We had no sightings in 75 either. I'm in no hurry to go back. It was good in that it allowed me to hunt with my Dad but it's a lot of extra hassle when I can hunt at home and see no deer without driving 3 hours. It was nice to see though and I did find an unexploded bomb. We also got to see some jets today.
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Post by deadeer on Nov 2, 2015 21:29:33 GMT -5
It is definately worth going at least once or twice. I went in 2006 on Nov 6, and blew out some does and took a shot at a giant in area 14. We drove north, even though not supposed to, just to see the view. My partner saw nothing. Then we went back in 09 or 10 on the last weekend of gun and saw zero. That was the end for us. Yes, the potential is there for a big one. Yes the view and history are fascinating. Yes the video is cool, the intetnet history search is cool. Yes the pics of all the big bucks from years past is unbelievable! But for us we cant get over the 5 hr drive from the South Bend area to be worth it. For a local guy, I would hunt it every day, for us, no more.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2015 21:40:36 GMT -5
You certainly don't go to Big Oaks to see a bunch of deer. You go because there is always a slight chance that a really nice buck could show up...they are in there.
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Post by hooterhunter on Nov 2, 2015 21:42:58 GMT -5
I was excited for my first experience. Between the two of us we saw a small buck and doe that were pushed by other hunters, possibly the only two deer in unit 38. Got down to scout and found literally no deer sign. But I too found 3 tail fins to what looked like a missile or something. Good time, but no hurry to go back.
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dakid
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Post by dakid on Nov 3, 2015 8:30:37 GMT -5
Hunted Saturday with my grandson on the youth hunt in area 7. Saw 1 doe no shot. Hunted with my dad yesterday on the second gun hunt in area 33. Saw a small 10 pointer which my dad missed with his handgun. 10point, we never heard any shots from 34. We hunted till 6:00pm
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Post by hoosierhunter34 on Nov 3, 2015 10:32:28 GMT -5
Just returned from hunting big oaks the last 2 days. We stayed at the best way inn in Madison. They lowered our rate to $59 when they found out we were there hunting. I didn't have high hopes as I've heard the population is way down. We hunted in 34 the first day. I'm not used to hunting non farm country and was tough figuring out where to go. There were 10 hunters in our area and I'm quite sure no shots in our area. It's hard to hunt till ending time as you have to get back to check out by 7. If you got something late you would have to get it out quick especially if hunting more north. Today we were in the popular spot of 75. We thought it was going to be a real short drive but they make you go way around via the west access road which doesn't open back up until 5:30. When we left at 3 we had to drive 25 miles around to get to a shot that is less than a mile I believe from the hunt headquarters. We had no sightings in 75 either. I'm in no hurry to go back. It was good in that it allowed me to hunt with my Dad but it's a lot of extra hassle when I can hunt at home and see no deer without driving 3 hours. It was nice to see though and I did find an unexploded bomb. We also got to see some jets today. I am in area 75 this coming Saturday. Going in blind....Any good spots you would recommend or is it all heave forest like it appears to be on Google? Didn't realize they will make us go around both going there and coming back....pretty silly.
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Nov 3, 2015 11:07:48 GMT -5
I really enjoyed my Big Oaks experience. They had me in a good spot for me; it was flat and I could walk 200yds.
I didn't see any deer either, but this is not a new experience for me that early(mid Oct). I still had a blast! If I'd been 20 mins from my house I would have left mid day, but it was easy to sit there all day knowing that it was a special hunt 2hr from home.
Really enjoyed hunting with lawrencecounty too.
I would highly recommend one taking lunch as it's a long way out after they close that west gate. Oh, some toilet paper too.
I will apply for this hunt every year; I just have nothing better to do.
I'm hunting it opening weekend of firearm with a buddy one day and then I'll get to meet dakid for the second day. I'm thrilled and will be even if I don't see a thing.
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Post by duff on Nov 3, 2015 11:30:55 GMT -5
I hunted it several years ago, maybe 10-15 yrs ago. It was cool but not one that I would rush back to. I climbed a tree before daylight as a guess and couldn't see anything. Got down and looked for a better spot and when I got ready to walk I was less than 10 foot from an old cistern. Kind of freaked me out! Not to mention the potential for UXOs but I believe it is very safe, regardless.
Some great deer in there but I think it would take a few times to figure out the areas as opposed to dumb luck.
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Post by M4Madness on Nov 3, 2015 18:28:03 GMT -5
I am in area 75 this coming Saturday. Going in blind....Any good spots you would recommend or is it all heave forest like it appears to be on Google? Didn't realize they will make us go around both going there and coming back....pretty silly. Check your messages.
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Post by Land Between the Lakes on Nov 5, 2015 13:09:47 GMT -5
Back when the area was known as Jefferson Proving Ground the place was amazing. It was possible to see 10 to 20 deer in one day in any hunting area. I had days when I saw over 20 deer in one day. It was fairly common to talk to other hunters and have them speak of seeing 10 to 20 deer from their treestand. I remember speaking to two hunters once that claimed to have seen over 40 deer on a two day hunt.
Since the area has been managed by the USFWS they have really put an emphasis on lowering the deer population. And it really seems the deer numbers are down drastically from what they used to be.
The other issue with Big Oaks is while the overall refuge is large, the actual hunting areas/units are not large. So the deer get pressured easily and often go find sanctuary in the large restricted areas in the refuge, or they become mostly nocturnal making them very hard to hunt.
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Post by parrothead on Nov 6, 2015 7:25:37 GMT -5
Anyone hear how that guy selling guided hunts in there is doing?
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dakid
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Post by dakid on Nov 6, 2015 7:42:22 GMT -5
The hunts are on the property South of the main entrance. Not in the refuge itself.
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Post by parrothead on Nov 6, 2015 7:49:05 GMT -5
Yes I knew that. Just wondering how the guy was doing.
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dakid
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Post by dakid on Nov 6, 2015 20:15:31 GMT -5
Not sure, but I did see someone hunting it the weekend of the youth hunt.
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Post by Land Between the Lakes on Nov 11, 2015 10:06:01 GMT -5
The hunts are on the property South of the main entrance. Not in the refuge itself. The area south of the Main Gate used to be absolutely amazing. I am referring to the area near all the old military buildings and railroad tracks. There are soybean and corn fields that are planted around the old military buildings near the Big Oaks NWR office. During the summers those fields would be filled with giant bucks. You could drive around that area and literally see dozens of giant bucks every evening. Some people claim to have seen bucks that would go over 200 inches standing in the fields around the old military buildings. Several years ago a business man who actually lives in central Indiana either bought or leased several thousand acres around the old military buildings. I believe this same guy owns and/or leases several other properties in Indiana and in other states.
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Post by parrothead on Nov 11, 2015 10:32:55 GMT -5
Dean Ford bought a boat load of land in there
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dakid
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Posts: 62
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Post by dakid on Nov 11, 2015 17:21:56 GMT -5
Dean Ford still owns it. Kevin Presnell was leasing it but isn't any longer. Someone else started leasing it this year and was/is offering hunts on that property. That is what I heard.
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Post by parrothead on Nov 12, 2015 7:29:25 GMT -5
Called Faktor Farms outfitting I believe.
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Post by greghopper on Nov 12, 2015 8:06:43 GMT -5
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Post by Land Between the Lakes on Nov 13, 2015 13:57:51 GMT -5
The area is now called Triple O Outfitters or Old Oaks Outfitters I believe. They have a website.
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