Presidents Island ?
- Thread starter yamaha200
- Start date
Crosshairy
Well-Known Member
Shelby County generally sees most of the rut action late this week and the first week of December.
Did you get drawn? If so, good luck!
Find some black locust trees that have dropped bean pods (that aren't rotted out) in close proximity to a thicket, and scout hard around there.
There will be virtually zero oak trees, and the persimmons should be gone by then.
Did you get drawn? If so, good luck!
Find some black locust trees that have dropped bean pods (that aren't rotted out) in close proximity to a thicket, and scout hard around there.
There will be virtually zero oak trees, and the persimmons should be gone by then.
Crosshairy
Well-Known Member
Cool deal, man. Best of luck to ya.
I was on the island for the 2nd doe hunt, and I've hunted the doe hunts twice before.
I will warn you ahead of time - in years past, deer sign was absolutely nuts, to the point that it was actually hard to decipher where a good spot was versus just "any ole spot where deer wandered through".
The island experienced a massive flooding event last year that changed some things since the last time I was there. Deer sign was down substantially. The side benefit was that it appears to have driven off all those stupid armadillos (I never saw one, for once).
The population reduction mainly meant (for me) that finding decent amounts of fresh sign was actually meaningful (whereas before it was just commonplace). I ended shooting my first doe on this hunt - the other times I just botched the job and didn't get an arrow let loose.
Do you have a 4-wheeler? The island is absolutely gigantic, and there are many nooks and crannies that will only be accessible by riding for a while. Since so much of the island is farmed, it spreads the huntable timber strips out quite a lot (but actually makes it a bit easier to hunt, by funneling them down some). There are some spots that are OK to hunt within walking distance of the road, you're just going to have to watch for other hunters moving in on you.
After hunting it for three different weekends, I can only claim modest knowledge of about 15 percent of the timbered portions, if that's any indication.
The buck hunt will have lower numbers of hunters, however, so at least you will have less problems of fighting for spots. It hasn't been raining that much here, so your chances seem OK for having the roads open all the way to the end (better for you if you lack a 4-wheeler).
I was on the island for the 2nd doe hunt, and I've hunted the doe hunts twice before.
I will warn you ahead of time - in years past, deer sign was absolutely nuts, to the point that it was actually hard to decipher where a good spot was versus just "any ole spot where deer wandered through".
The island experienced a massive flooding event last year that changed some things since the last time I was there. Deer sign was down substantially. The side benefit was that it appears to have driven off all those stupid armadillos (I never saw one, for once).
The population reduction mainly meant (for me) that finding decent amounts of fresh sign was actually meaningful (whereas before it was just commonplace). I ended shooting my first doe on this hunt - the other times I just botched the job and didn't get an arrow let loose.
Do you have a 4-wheeler? The island is absolutely gigantic, and there are many nooks and crannies that will only be accessible by riding for a while. Since so much of the island is farmed, it spreads the huntable timber strips out quite a lot (but actually makes it a bit easier to hunt, by funneling them down some). There are some spots that are OK to hunt within walking distance of the road, you're just going to have to watch for other hunters moving in on you.
After hunting it for three different weekends, I can only claim modest knowledge of about 15 percent of the timbered portions, if that's any indication.
The buck hunt will have lower numbers of hunters, however, so at least you will have less problems of fighting for spots. It hasn't been raining that much here, so your chances seem OK for having the roads open all the way to the end (better for you if you lack a 4-wheeler).
Rickym
Well-Known Member
Ready to get down there myself!
high country
Well-Known Member
Stay alert, your chances of seeing a giant at 2:00pm is as good as seeing one at 9:00am. I also noticed that the deer sightings fell off on the 2nd day. If you have a chance the 1st day take it. I think they feel the pressure by the 2nd day and lock down a bit more. I loved my hunt there and look forward to my return in the next 100-yeras!!! lol :D
Crosshairy
Well-Known Member
There is one spot where you MUST check in at upon arrival. It's on a gravel road, and the road splits into two dead-ends where 80% of the ATV owners park and depart from.
Riding is only allowed on the field edges or existing trails, so don't expect to go barreling off across those huge fields in any direction you please.
I have more experience hunting the East, South, and middle parts of the island than the North and West.
If I get some time, I will mark up a map with some basic information. Since I have only been on the doe hunts, I don't really have any priceless info about buck spots. There was very little buck sign when I was on the island this year, since it was too early.
Riding is only allowed on the field edges or existing trails, so don't expect to go barreling off across those huge fields in any direction you please.
I have more experience hunting the East, South, and middle parts of the island than the North and West.
If I get some time, I will mark up a map with some basic information. Since I have only been on the doe hunts, I don't really have any priceless info about buck spots. There was very little buck sign when I was on the island this year, since it was too early.
i sell structural steel and have many customers on the island.
lots og big deer but as said before, they lost a TON of deer in the flood. big bucks were found floating dead in the channel and you could drive down Harbor and Cannel drive and just smell it in the air.
still should have a great chance and punching a tag on a giant though.... good luck!
lots og big deer but as said before, they lost a TON of deer in the flood. big bucks were found floating dead in the channel and you could drive down Harbor and Cannel drive and just smell it in the air.
still should have a great chance and punching a tag on a giant though.... good luck!
