New to site & hunting

Hello Nick!

Welcome to the site. Lots of guys on here live in the south or north, not too many in the middle like me.

Most likely you'll have to find some public land, but these guys can tell you the best way to do this. Satellite viewing can help a lot to find a funneled patch of woods or even a patch of pines. Apply for some draws through the DNR page.

I was new to hunting when I joined this site.

I plan to hunt in Sullivan, Greene, and Clay counties. I don't have any access to private land, and leasing could be an option perhaps. I'm possibly looking for someone I could go into the field with around my area. 

This is not a busy time for the site, so it may take a while before someone can help you.

I've been looking for a new place to hunt turkey, so today I went to a public land office and talked with them. They were very helpful. Sometimes a land manager will have different rules too, so it's best to go talk with them or call them, but if you go, they'll give you a map.

At the place where I went today, a doe cannot be taken with a firearm, just a bow, and only turkey with a bow in the fall, so it's important to know the rules of the land you'll be hunting. Also it's draw only for waterfowl and turkey at this place.

I don't know anything about land down south, but Hoosier National Forest will be good to check.

Welcome and glad to see you on the board. Where about in southern Indiana are you located? I see the counties you plan on hunting and am not too far south of you in Pike. Anything in particular you plan on hunting?

Welcome to the site. Enjoy.

Welcome.

There's some decent public land in the counties you mentioned.

Nick, I was in your position, but add 25 years.   I think it's tough to start hunting when one didn't have a family mentor or land to hunt, but the effort is very rewarding. 

What you'll find is that most of these guys have family that they help and are committed already; however, they will be more than willing to share their knowledge and this is how I learned.   

Ask specific questions, and someone will answer the best they can.  Often there are differing opinions, and you'll get your own too.

While I didn't have someone mentor me out in the field, the fellas on this site helped me greatly and were very supportive.   No matter what you read, getting out in the field and learning on your own is very valuable and rewarding.     Oh, you'll get frustrated after sitting weeks in the woods without seeing anything, but a squirrel, but when you do, it's so exciting.

Even though I've read a lot and been in the woods a couple years now, my field knowledge is weak.   I don't recognize things that would stick out to an experienced hunter.  

So, where do you start? 

Decide where you want to hunt.  Sure, private land is best, but there are great opportunities on public land.    A lot of these guys hunt land that is not theirs, like me.    I hunt 10 acres of woods, but it's connected to many other acres with corn and bean fields close by.    Deer sleep, eat and breed.      Once you find the land, determine where they eat and sleep and find you a spot between the two. 

For me, deer do not eat or bed on my land, but they pass through it.  I will see them in the morning and evening, but rarely in between.  Around the rut, anything is possible.     So, how did I figure this out?   I got cameras and put up a blind.   I would sit in my blind and watch their behavior.   This is fascinating!  You can learn so much by watching them.     The cameras would show me when they would come through and which direction.  This helped me figure out a pattern.    However, their pattern will change!

Harvesting any deer can be tough enough, but the mature buck will be the most elusive creature you will ever encounter if you are ever lucky enough to encounter one.   This is why they are so prized.    I have two bucks, one a little better than average and one little 6 pointer; they are both special to me!   The reason is the story that went behind them.   When I see them, I relive the experience, the hours sitting in the woods, and what I learned.   My strategy has changed each year, and will probably continue. 

A lot of these guys on this site are amazing, and not with what they harvest, but the dedication in which they pursue the beast of their dreams.   Even in my young and healthy days, I could not have done what they do.   No matter what you think of these people, you'll always admire  and respect their ability to push through the physical and mental challenges of participating in this wonderful activity.

Keep this in mind.  If anyone ever offers to take you hunting or offers to let you hunt their land, value this as the most kind and sacrificial act short of Jesus shedding his blood.    You will learn what I'm talking about.   Land, experience, knowledge are precious commodities held tightly by bearer.     No one wants to just give away what they have worked so hard to get. 

Digest this and there will be plenty more.  I'll help you in anyway that I can.



 

Thanks so much for all the great advice and tips. I'm going to take what you said and apply it.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using proboards

I will be more than glad to answer any question you have that I can answer I am only 27 but have spent a little time in the woods