Ohio public

[Volbuck777]

So I'm looking at heading up to Ohio now that season is over. I'm trying to find a good piece of public ground that I can do some scouting for next season. I've hunted up there once before but I was a teen and couldn't even tell you exactly where it was but I'm pretty sure it was Woodbury. I'm not trying to get anyones honey hole nor am I needing coordinates to a certain area. I would just like to get ideas on certain pieces of ground, from those that have hunted public up that way. I'm very much a diy hunter but thought I'd ask for opinions. To be honest I've had a tough year and didn't get to hunt near as much i usually do, I did kill a nice buck here in these East Tennessee mountains but I need a good trip away and revamp my obsession. I just don't have the desire as I used to, and I feel like if I get away on a good public hunt with a little camp it may be just what I need.

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

So I'm looking at heading up to Ohio now that season is over. I'm trying to find a good piece of public ground that I can do some scouting for next season. I've hunted up there once before but I was a teen and couldn't even tell you exactly where it was but I'm pretty sure it was Woodbury. I'm not trying to get anyones honey hole nor am I needing coordinates to a certain area. I would just like to get ideas on certain pieces of ground, from those that have hunted public up that way. I'm very much a diy hunter but thought I'd ask for opinions. To be honest I've had a tough year and didn't get to hunt near as much i usually do, I did kill a nice buck here in these East Tennessee mountains but I need a good trip away and revamp my obsession. I just don't have the desire as I used to, and I feel like if I get away on a good public hunt with a little camp it may be just what I need.

does ohio have just over the counter tags for deer out of staters? just buy a tag and good to go hunt?

 

[TX300mag]

does ohio have just over the counter tags for deer out of staters? just buy a tag and good to go hunt?

Yes, although they've gotten expensive. You buy the license and then purchase the permits you want separately.

I quit going when it cost me over $400 to hunt three deer. I'm not saying it isn't worth it, but for me it's too much for me personally to cough up every year on top of the TN NR license and fees.

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

Yes, although they've gotten expensive. You buy the license and then purchase the permits you want separately.

I quit going when it cost me over $400 to hunt three deer. I'm not saying it isn't worth it, but for me it's too much for me personally to cough up every year on top of the TN NR license and fees.

Agreed, that is too expensive

 

[Bone Collector]

Yes, although they've gotten expensive. You buy the license and then purchase the permits you want separately.

I quit going when it cost me over $400 to hunt three deer. I'm not saying it isn't worth it, but for me it's too much for me personally to cough up every year on top of the TN NR license and fees.

the way I understand it is you can buy the license for $285 and then a tag for like $60 and shoot 1 buck. My brother is there now. Wish I could have went, but work...

wanted to go next year, but his daughter is getting married in October and we may not be able to swing it.
I do plan to go up one day, but don't know anything about it so I will follow.

I can tell you they have a list of WMAs on their DNR site and my brother called and the DNR folks did give him info. He also just knocked on a door and got permission on 115 acres, but it is January so most people are done and the deer are scarce. Despite that they have laid eyes on a couple of good ones.

 

[Bone Collector]

So I'm looking at heading up to Ohio now that season is over.

I don't know when you are going up, but theirs is open into February I think. so if you go scout, you may walk in on someone's hunt. Just an FYI.

 

[TX300mag]

the way I understand it is you can buy the license for $285 and then a tag for like $60 and shoot 1 buck. My brother is there now. Wish I could have went, but work...

wanted to go next year, but his daughter is getting married in October and we may not be able to swing it.
I do plan to go up one day, but don't know anything about it so I will follow.

I can tell you they have a list of WMAs on their DNR site and my brother called and the DNR folks did give him info. He also just knocked on a door and got permission on 115 acres, but it is January so most people are done and the deer are scarce. Despite that they have laid eyes on a couple of good ones.

$180.96 NR license
$76.96 NR either sex deer permit

 

[Buzzard Breath]

 

[Bone Collector]

$180.96 NR license
$76.96 NR either sex deer permit

I like what you said, better than what I said.

 

[TX300mag]

I like what you said, better than what I said.

If I had a free place I would go. I think everybody should experience it for themselves at least once.

 

[Ski]

Ohio is full of public land and every bit of it has good hunting. I grew up bow hunting southern Ohio public land. I'd say choose a few public spots and go scout. One isn't going to be better than another in my experience.

 

[Rackseeker]

I have hunted Tranquility Wildlife Area, East Fork Lake State Park, and done some scouting in parts of the Shawnee State forest. Most of the bigger public land tracts get hammered pretty hard. If I were to go back I would go alittle further north. And find a area that had water access.

 

[killingtime 41]

Alabama,Kentucky,Ohio in no particular order I would like to check out someday. I just spend a fortune it seems on quota hunts trips 2.5 hours from the house. Go out of state and expense picks up drastically. Good luck on your trip whenever that's is. Man has to experience things in life. If he can afford it.

 

[Rackseeker]

If your not set on Ohio, I think you get more for your money in Missouri. Tons of public land, cheaper tags, and the people are alot more friendly in Missouri. I always felt uneasy in Ohio for some reason the couple years I was hunting up there.

 

[Volbuck777]

Alabama,Kentucky,Ohio in no particular order I would like to check out someday. I just spend a fortune it seems on quota hunts trips 2.5 hours from the house. Go out of state and expense picks up drastically. Good luck on your trip whenever that's is. Man has to experience things in life. If he can afford it.

I've killed good bucks in Alabama and Kentucky. I've hunted Ohio once and I've always wanted to go back. I'm hoping this next year I can get it all put together.

 

[Volbuck777]

If your not set on Ohio, I think you get more for your money in Missouri. Tons of public land, cheaper tags, and the people are alot more friendly in Missouri. I always felt uneasy in Ohio for some reason the couple years I was hunting up there.

Never hunted Missouri but it's on my list. I've pretty well got my sights set on Ohio.

 

[Shed Hunter]

I've only had time to go on two walks since moving up here for a few hours each walk, but I've already walked up on a 150-160" deer and found some very impressive sign

 

[Ski]

I've only had time to go on two walks since moving up here for a few hours each walk, but I've already walked up on a 150-160" deer and found some very impressive sign

I knew you'd like it up there. When they start dropping I'm gona bribe you with a cheeseburger & beer to take me out shed hunting.

 

[Shed Hunter]

I knew you'd like it up there. When they start dropping I'm gona bribe you with a cheeseburger & beer to take me out shed hunting.

I don't really drink anymore but we'll definitely get out and look for some sheds. I've been slow about looking at the moment but will hit it full swing this upcoming weekend or next weekend. Some nice bones been picked up in Ohio but Saturday I tried a place that was giant hardwoods ridges and some thick clearcuts. Not enough bone on the ground to spend all day walking that yet lol

 

[Ski]

I don't really drink anymore but we'll definitely get out and look for some sheds. I've been slow about looking at the moment but will hit it full swing this upcoming weekend or next weekend. Some nice bones been picked up in Ohio but Saturday I tried a place that was giant hardwoods ridges and some thick clearcuts. Not enough bone on the ground to spend all day walking that yet lol

Those are the only places I know, so wear your comfy boots!!!

 

[Shed Hunter]

Those are the only places I know, so wear your comfy boots!!!

I like it. The place where all of the pics I added except the beech tree rub are from a heavily hunted area.. even though it's a safety zone LOL! I walked up on two guys hunting it and a game warden was at my truck hoping I was them. He had a cell camera in there and let me know the 150-160" deer wasn't really a big deer comparable to a couple in there. Unfortunately he said I'm far from the only shed hunted going in there as well

 

[Ski]

I like it. The place where all of the pics I added except the beech tree rub are from a heavily hunted area.. even though it's a safety zone LOL! I walked up on two guys hunting it and a game warden was at my truck hoping I was them. He had a cell camera in there and let me know the 150-160" deer wasn't really a big deer comparable to a couple in there. Unfortunately he said I'm far from the only shed hunted going in there as well

I'd suspect he's right, and I bet I know where you were at. First couple years it was opened to bow hunting it was a gem you could have to yourself. I'm sure covid changed that.

My brother & I came across a scrape line along a ridge one year with scrapes every 10-15yds for nearly 1/4 mile. It was late September. I swore it had to be an inexperienced hunter getting overzealous with mock scrapes but my brother hung a camera anyway. Good lord you should've seen it. He caught half a dozen bucks in a bachelor group and none were under 140". The biggest pushed world class. I went back up the week of Thanksgiving and on my second sit shot the biggest one. A few days later my brother shot another one. It was a busy piece of public, too.

So when the warden tells you that 150-160 is NOT a big guy on campus, he's telling you the truth. It's not an exaggeration. Ever since covid and Youtube public hunting shows, it's gotten more challenging because there are lots of people hunting from out of state. But the tough terrain, very short gun season post rut, and one buck tag make it all but impossible to put too much dent in the big buck population. Most people focus on the big public like Wayne National & Shawnee. Lots of the smaller areas get completely overlooked even though they hold the same quality deer.