Hunting From A Boat

[TheMMAn]

I moved to Old Hickory this pas year, and plan to take advantage of the thick deer population in my vicinity.

Since i don't have any idea of the hunting pressure to expect, i plan to anchor up in the "V" of an island that would permit back shots <30 yds. on either side. My plan is to do this until about 10:00 and then go scout some other WMA-marked islands and peninsulas in the area, and try to get a sense of how much company i can expect if i try to stand hunt any of these spots.

Do any of you guys have any experience hunting from a boat, especially @ Old Hickory? Also any shared experience/tips about the areas around the Cairo Bend area would be really appreciated.

 

[Diehard Hunter]

Tip: make sure they are dead before loading them in the boat. Had a buddy get in a hurry one day because he was going to be late for class. Loaded the deer without field dressing it, raced to the dock and loaded the boat and headed for the checking station. Looked in the mirror going down the road and the deer was standing up in the boat.

Let's just say killing a deer in a boat on the side of the road will get you a visit from several law enforcement officers. It does not do much for the inside of the boat either.

 

[Football Hunter]

From 231 up,very little pressure during bow,I wouldnt hunt it anymore during gun myself.Just be sure where you are,rules have changed some since I hunted it.But its full of deer and crops,pretty easy to tell how to set up.

 

[TheMMAn]

Let's just say killing a deer in a boat on the side of the road will get you a visit from several law enforcement officers. It does not do much for the inside of the boat either.

I would have paid good money to be driving by and see that happening in person

Fortunately, i will be riding back to my own dock to unload. I DO NOT however want to discover a deer coming to life as i am cruising down the lake at 50mph....

 

[TheMMAn]

From 231 up,very little pressure during bow,I wouldnt hunt it anymore during gun myself.Just be sure where you are,rules have changed some since I hunted it.But its full of deer and crops,pretty easy to tell how to set up.

Thanks for the info. I will hunt only hunt here sporadically during gun season, as i have another property to hunt that is not public.

 

[Football Hunter]

From 231 up,very little pressure during bow,I wouldnt hunt it anymore during gun myself.Just be sure where you are,rules have changed some since I hunted it.But its full of deer and crops,pretty easy to tell how to set up.

Thanks for the info. I will hunt only hunt here sporadically during gun season, as i have another property to hunt that is not public.

If you can go during the week,gun may be ok,Hunters point bridge at 231 is a good place to put in,but like I said,some of lock5 is now closed,or really special rules.Need to check it out.

 

[TheMMAn]

If you can go during the week,gun may be ok,Hunters point bridge at 231 is a good place to put in,but like I said,some of lock5 is now closed,or really special rules.Need to check it out.

I actually live on the lake at Hidden Cove (just downriver from Cairo boat ramp), and have a boat docked behind the house. I will probably be too lazy to load the boat and trailer somewhere else.

 

[JGreg]

If you go ride through hidden cove you will find your answers. It's full of deer. Just got to find the right spot still on corp property.

 

[TheMMAn]

If you go ride through hidden cove you will find your answers. It's full of deer. Just got to find the right spot still on corp property.

No doubt. I fish it every week. There are always deer on the banks watching me cast. Without fail. According to the map, a small strip around the entire shoreline is WMA, but it is really narrow in most places, and there is someone's yard on the other side (including mine). I just don't relish the idea of retrieving a dead or dying deer from someone's driveway or front yard. That's why i am planning to concentrate on the small islands and peninsulas in the immediate area.

I had 7 deer cross thru my yard about 20 minutes ago.