I am planning on hunting lbl this year. I have 2 preference points so i figure I will get drawn this year. If and when I do get drawn what are the best areas to put in for. Ive hunted there 2 separate years with no luck. I actually never seen a deer the second year I was there. I dont know if I picked a bad location or a bad area. My first year I walked 2 miles or atleast close to it through the woods and still had hunters walking past me. A hunting buddy of mine sat 10 yards off the main road and didnt see a sole and saw tons of deer. WTF? Both times I put in for area 14 if this helps. I know you guys have your little spots and refuse to indulge me in those areas, but any advise would help. Thanks
LBL Hunters
- Thread starter turf08
- Start date
IMO, there is no "best" area on LBL. There are big bucks scattered throughout the area. And, your experience in hunting pressure away from the road is almost the norm. Due to the extensive road system on LBL, and all of the logging roads off the maintained roads, it is almost impossible to get away from hunters as others are trying the same thing from another direction.
I'd forget about the fields and the sign that you will find around them. They will be hunted, and the deer often aren't there during legal shooting hours. I've done best by concentrating on terrain features that affect the deer travel from hunting pressure.
Just spending some time there in the stand with a bow is a great way to find some of the deer pockets.
I'd forget about the fields and the sign that you will find around them. They will be hunted, and the deer often aren't there during legal shooting hours. I've done best by concentrating on terrain features that affect the deer travel from hunting pressure.
Just spending some time there in the stand with a bow is a great way to find some of the deer pockets.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
IMO, the "best" area on LBL is whichever area you've spent the most time previously. Each hunt compartmented area is more similar than different, and it boils down to which "one" you come to know best. Pick an area that appeals to you personally for whatever reason, then focus on just that one. You cannot learn much about all of them, nor is it necessary.
Those other hunters are not just coming from "another" direction, but often coming in on the same trail as you. There are no "spots" on LBL (other than shoreline areas) that can not be accessed with about an hour or less walk from any direction, and the more remote looking on a map, often the more attractive that spot appears to others. Most guys can easily walk a mile on a trail in about 20 minutes. Almost no part of LBL is not within a mile of vehicle legal road. There are a few spots near 2 miles, but again, that's not a long walk for a guy in decent shape.
I know this may sound crazy, but often the most deer are found (while actually hunting) in the areas with the least deer sign. And there is a very logical reason for it. Often, there is more "pressure" placed on the deer by "scouting" than the actual hunting, and this scouting often precedes that hunting by one day to a week. Wherever the scouters find the most deer sign, that's where they put the most pressure both scouting, and then when they come back to hunt. Meanwhile, most of the older deer (male & female) have quickly gravitated to those "spots" the majority of scouters and hunters have been overlooking, often because of a lack of deer sign, close to a main road, etc.
The deer's primary focus is going to be spending the day where they have recently been and are least disturbed by human intrusion, and/or anything they consider an immediate danger. They do not consider cars driving by 50 yards away of any threat. With any pressure, they will feed, make tracks and other sign ----- mainly at night ----- so they're often no where near those great looking spots during the day. It only takes a deer about 20 minutes of steady nighttime walking to travel a mile, and I've found the LBL deer will often spend their days over a mile away from where they spend their nights feeding. And older deer will often be back to their daytime "undisturbed" bedding areas over an hour before dawn ---- making for very tough hunting.
That's been my experience as well, and not just at LBL, but on most public hunting areas.scn":1hf4z4qc said:
Those other hunters are not just coming from "another" direction, but often coming in on the same trail as you. There are no "spots" on LBL (other than shoreline areas) that can not be accessed with about an hour or less walk from any direction, and the more remote looking on a map, often the more attractive that spot appears to others. Most guys can easily walk a mile on a trail in about 20 minutes. Almost no part of LBL is not within a mile of vehicle legal road. There are a few spots near 2 miles, but again, that's not a long walk for a guy in decent shape.
I know this may sound crazy, but often the most deer are found (while actually hunting) in the areas with the least deer sign. And there is a very logical reason for it. Often, there is more "pressure" placed on the deer by "scouting" than the actual hunting, and this scouting often precedes that hunting by one day to a week. Wherever the scouters find the most deer sign, that's where they put the most pressure both scouting, and then when they come back to hunt. Meanwhile, most of the older deer (male & female) have quickly gravitated to those "spots" the majority of scouters and hunters have been overlooking, often because of a lack of deer sign, close to a main road, etc.
The deer's primary focus is going to be spending the day where they have recently been and are least disturbed by human intrusion, and/or anything they consider an immediate danger. They do not consider cars driving by 50 yards away of any threat. With any pressure, they will feed, make tracks and other sign ----- mainly at night ----- so they're often no where near those great looking spots during the day. It only takes a deer about 20 minutes of steady nighttime walking to travel a mile, and I've found the LBL deer will often spend their days over a mile away from where they spend their nights feeding. And older deer will often be back to their daytime "undisturbed" bedding areas over an hour before dawn ---- making for very tough hunting.
I think SCN hit it on the head. It's very hard to walk far enough in to get away from people. Like he said, a lot of others will have the same idea...coming at you from the opposite direction and you both meet in the middle, LOL.
Usually the bucks are moving well, and I've found the best thing to do is position yourself in the place that looks best to you, and just stay all day.
Poser, there is some big open water on the west side of LBL, ( the Kentucky Lake side ) and if the weather is calm, you might be okay in a canoe, but if its windy, it'll beat you up pretty bad in a canoe. The east side (Barkley side) might not catch as much wind prowling the shoreline, but the problems you might encounter will be the relatively easy road access near most of the water, on either side of LBL.
Hope everybody that goes has great luck.
Usually the bucks are moving well, and I've found the best thing to do is position yourself in the place that looks best to you, and just stay all day.
Poser, there is some big open water on the west side of LBL, ( the Kentucky Lake side ) and if the weather is calm, you might be okay in a canoe, but if its windy, it'll beat you up pretty bad in a canoe. The east side (Barkley side) might not catch as much wind prowling the shoreline, but the problems you might encounter will be the relatively easy road access near most of the water, on either side of LBL.
Hope everybody that goes has great luck.
landman
Well-Known Member
I don't hunt it anymore, started at 13 when they had the second gun hunt ever, PM me and I can give you a spot or two to look at
Good Luck
Good Luck
I have a few places I can go and get away from the crowd, but there is no "backpacking" style to it. Only during turkey season could you do that when they close some of the roads.
Study the map hard enough and you will find a "few" places to get close to a mile away. Most people you see that far in are later in the morning and they are walking, which is good if you get in early and wait for them to push deer your way.
I have never had trouble getting away from people in LBL, just the thought of having to drag a deer 1/4 mile scares enough people away. Plus your hunting the rut and if you can tough it out all day your ahead of most hunters.
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Study the map hard enough and you will find a "few" places to get close to a mile away. Most people you see that far in are later in the morning and they are walking, which is good if you get in early and wait for them to push deer your way.
I have never had trouble getting away from people in LBL, just the thought of having to drag a deer 1/4 mile scares enough people away. Plus your hunting the rut and if you can tough it out all day your ahead of most hunters.
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TLRanger
Well-Known Member
If you draw a quota hunt, you will be assigned a certain area to hunt. You can request a specific area when you apply with the option of any area. If the area you selected is full when your number is drawn and decline the any available area option and get a PP.
Bone Collector
Well-Known Member
I went a few years ago. I am contemplating going this year. I have like 3-4 PP. I just keep putting it off. I will get drawn if I put in, i know that, but I had plans to hunt with my brother at his pace the second weekend of ML and that is when the Gun hunt is.
I can't go to the Thanksgiving weekend hunt. My wife has to work around TG (retail), so that is out. I will make my mind up by July 31st.
I hunted area 13 and several on here helped me with some spots. I ended up walking about a mile in and set my stand the night before. I went back the next morning and past 2 hunters on the way in got on a logging road and looked down it and here comes a headlamp. I went to my stand. I think he past were I was and positioned himself between me and where I assumed (he must have also) the deer would come from. I was about a mile from some fields, up a draw on a saddle. about 9 am i heard a shot, and about 2 minutes later a doe came by panting and peed on her hocks... No buck ever made it. I saw deer every sit, but they were all does and small. I didn't fill my tag.
I was thinking If i went i may do 13 again, but may try something different.
I can't go to the Thanksgiving weekend hunt. My wife has to work around TG (retail), so that is out. I will make my mind up by July 31st.
I hunted area 13 and several on here helped me with some spots. I ended up walking about a mile in and set my stand the night before. I went back the next morning and past 2 hunters on the way in got on a logging road and looked down it and here comes a headlamp. I went to my stand. I think he past were I was and positioned himself between me and where I assumed (he must have also) the deer would come from. I was about a mile from some fields, up a draw on a saddle. about 9 am i heard a shot, and about 2 minutes later a doe came by panting and peed on her hocks... No buck ever made it. I saw deer every sit, but they were all does and small. I didn't fill my tag.
I was thinking If i went i may do 13 again, but may try something different.
Last two draws hunter drew and I dragged bucks out. The last one took until almost 11:30 at night to get out, but it was well worth it.
TX300mag":o928oatb said:
Lets see some pics....... :tu:
Roost 1":3vluggbb said:
2011
2013
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KPH
Well-Known Member
I learnt a long time ago in LBL find the best spot with all the tails and not to go there go the worse place. Less people and that is where they will drive the deer to.
Nice pics!! Thnx for sharing.
hunter drew
Well-Known Member
TX300mag":t9prk9ke said:Roost 1":t9prk9ke said:
2011
2013
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It should have been two bucks the last time
