Looking good :)

[RollTide88]

Shoulder feels much better than a week ago, shot my bow about 30 times yesterday with no issues. Totally sighted in at 30 yards now (which is plenty for me, bowhunting from the ground). Gonna be hunting the Percy Priest WMA for most of the season but also have a buddy thats gonna take me out to his spot once or twice. So excited for my first deer hunt, just wish I hadn't waited till I was 27 to finally get the ball rolling on something I've wanted to do for 17 years. The old 'deer hunter' games are really what started my obsession and its just crazy to think that within the next couple weeks I'll be hunting for real. Won't make opening day to due funds and I'm working every weekend until Oct. 8 so that should be my first day in the woods. Already have 3 locations looked at, happy with areas in all three. Just hoping I can atleast see something, that'll be plenty of excitement for me the first time :)

 

[Ril0]

Best of luck on your first hunt. Sounds like you are doing some good prep and getting expectations right. It's a huge rush when that first deer gets within range!

 

[RollTide88]

Haha in range? I'd be happy watching through my binocs at 100 yards. But seriously, I've already deemed this year as a 'learning experience'. Just nervous about doing most of my hunting on public land. Don't wanna sit down in some one's normal spot and get run off. Haven't seen anyone else when I was out taking a walk at 2 locations, but I'm worried that I'll sit down in the dark one morning to see the sun rise with a tree stand 15 yards infront of me and a pissed off guy sitting in it lol.

 

[ImThere]

Haha in range? I'd be happy watching through my binocs at 100 yards. But seriously, I've already deemed this year as a 'learning experience'. Just nervous about doing most of my hunting on public land. Don't wanna sit down in some one's normal spot and get run off. Haven't seen anyone else when I was out taking a walk at 2 locations, but I'm worried that I'll sit down in the dark one morning to see the sun rise with a tree stand 15 yards infront of me and a pissed off guy sitting in it lol.

They will get over it! Nobody has personal "spots" on public land thay don't get hunted by others

the one and only "ImThere"

 

[bucksolo]

Good luck man

 

[tree_ghost]

Haha in range? I'd be happy watching through my binocs at 100 yards. But seriously, I've already deemed this year as a 'learning experience'. Just nervous about doing most of my hunting on public land. Don't wanna sit down in some one's normal spot and get run off. Haven't seen anyone else when I was out taking a walk at 2 locations, but I'm worried that I'll sit down in the dark one morning to see the sun rise with a tree stand 15 yards infront of me and a pissed off guy sitting in it lol.

They will get over it! Nobody has personal "spots" on public land thay don't get hunted by others

the one and only "ImThere"

True dat! Hunt on Tide, and good luck!

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[THEdonkey0515]

Haha in range? I'd be happy watching through my binocs at 100 yards. But seriously, I've already deemed this year as a 'learning experience'. Just nervous about doing most of my hunting on public land. Don't wanna sit down in some one's normal spot and get run off. Haven't seen anyone else when I was out taking a walk at 2 locations, but I'm worried that I'll sit down in the dark one morning to see the sun rise with a tree stand 15 yards infront of me and a pissed off guy sitting in it lol.

They will get over it! Nobody has personal "spots" on public land thay don't get hunted by others

the one and only "ImThere"

^^^^^This, its PUBLIC land as much as people try to claim "Spots", And get mad if someone even gets close to them. There is nothing they can do about it YOU have just as much right to hunt that public land as them.

That's part of hunting public land, I can't count the times I've been walked up on right at DAYLIGHT!! right when the hunt is getting good. But o well I can do 1 of 2 things. Get mad throw a tantrum stomp outta the woods and go home, or wave them on And keep trying. I always take choice #2 :tu: Everyone should, But everyone don't.

There is a good chance that the guy you (if it happens) walk up on or set up against. has done the same thing to someone else at some point during his hunting career. hunt public long enough it happens.

 

[ADR]

Like everyone has eluded to, there are no secret spots on priest wma. I applaud your conscientious thinking though. I wish more had your same way of thinking.

JPP can get hit pretty hard and I've noticed over the last ten years that southern hospitality is out the window on that place. Just have several back up plans in case someone beats you to your first spot. Get there early also. Best of luck to you!

 

[mcolem13]

Good luck! There's nothing like bow hunting. I plan on hunting public land this year too in west Tennessee. I'm trying to prepare myself for WHEN someone walks up on my spot too. Truth is if a guy has done the work to figure out the same thing I did then touché my friend! If I beat him there I'll wave him in with a flashlight or vice versa go to my plan B spot. I plan on getting there super early when I do hunt public. Who knows maybe an experience like this could lead to a good hunting friendship. Sure makes it easier to get on a mature buck when you can spread a group out rather than here one day there the next.

 

[RollTide88]

If all goes the way I plan it, I'll be in the woods sitting in my spot by 3am in the mornings. Hoping work slows down a little bit so I can have a few weekends off, but my paid time off becomes available to me Nov. 1st, and I have no problem getting paid to go hunt lol.

 

[Headhunter]

If you are there first hunt. If someone beats you there, find another spot. I have several places on Priest I almost never see anybody else hunting. One of my best spots was found a couple years ago and if he is there first I go somewhere else. Pretty easy to deal with.

 

[Winchester]

Congrats and good luck!

 

[RollTide88]

Well, got a set back. Was looking to get out in the woods this saturday after work, but of course as I'm turning into walmart to look at a backpack, I blow a brake hose. Brake pedal to the floor, no stopping. Had to get a tow home. So now I'm not sure when I'll be able to go.

 

[bucksolo]

Good luck out there...

 

[jrbookingtn]

Good luck! I hunt 99% of the time on public land and it can get frustrating at times but that's why people pay the big bucks to hunt big bucks on private land. Have several spots picked out. Not 2 or 3, more like 10 or 12. Also if you plan on hunting priest look at some of the other public areas that are close. Cedar forest, yanali isn't too far, and cheatham isn't too terribly far. Good luck with the truck too, hopefully it'll be a cheap fix.

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[RollTide88]

Cost me 20$ and got it done in an hour. Was afraid the caliper had cracked but it was just the hose.