|
Post by davep on Jan 19, 2008 12:26:39 GMT -5
Assateague USED to be much better.We used to do alright,but last 2 or 3 years, with the parking lot hunts and all, numbers are down pretty substantially.They are taking both the sika AND pony numbers way down there, mostly under the guise of protecting habitat for some endangered/threatened shore birds.
Liberal limits? In the late 70s the state was actively tring to eradicate sika. Used to have extra Fr/Sat seasons just on them in Dorchester, after regular firearms seaon ended.Heck I had a cousin in Crapo used to wind up in double digits EVERY year.
Started to see more PA and NY plates there, and leasing started to take off. (we paid $1/acre from mid 70s to early 80s in Church Creek) With the out of state interest, state started to realize that they could turn a buck on sika. Regs have been tightening ever since.And I don't think you COULD wipe them out entirely in the habitat they are in/their habits.
But I have to tell you, it's been over 30 years since I first set in a deer stand in the dark,awaiting that first grey light, when that first bugle made the hair on my neck stand up. And it STILL does!
|
|
|
Post by osprey on Jan 19, 2008 12:47:55 GMT -5
Are they shooters? For you to judge, but on your first sika hunts I would say yes. Many on here would love to see them (howdy Fox! ) but I passed a few that size this year. Of course I haven't filled my bow tags yet, either. That top one would be a shooter most days however, especially this time of year...
|
|
|
Post by osprey on Jan 19, 2008 12:51:52 GMT -5
These two are shooters! And these were this year during gun season ...
|
|
|
Post by papa99 on Jan 19, 2008 19:52:02 GMT -5
now that is just to cool.made a screen saver out of the pushing contest. looks like you have it down. did you get them on public land or do you have a your own place. or is this where you tied him to a tree. very nice very nice indeed. what do the mounts look like. no one has shown me a photo of one after the taxidermast gets done. as i already have a spot picked out between a few of my back yard whitetails. this bugle dave was talking about. do you do much calling? the 7 point i arrowed in nov came to the grunt tube. do i need to find a video on calling. were do i find a video on calling. you men got any recomendations. on whos video is worth watching & what brand of calls do you use. thanks for the photos. love them need more
|
|
|
Post by bowprk on Jan 19, 2008 20:24:31 GMT -5
papa99 If you are still trying to get in touch with muddymarsh try emailing him again.He just went through a divorce you know the drill sell the house lose your butt etc.His computer an phone are hooked up at his new place if you are still intrested
|
|
|
Post by osprey on Jan 20, 2008 9:37:50 GMT -5
Papa, the fight photo was at Assateague State Park, a few years ago before they began hunting it, have a whole series of that fight that I've sold to magazines. The dead ones were public land kills, my land doesn't have sikas on it, just whitetails.
|
|
|
Post by papa99 on Jan 20, 2008 11:00:18 GMT -5
I am betting it was something to see. so you have to spend your sika time on public land to. how hard is it to find privet land. or is it just to costly. i sent another email to muddy marsh. still looking for a response from a guide. the only two that apper to have any kind of a set up are muddymarsh & sikastag. do you know of anyone elas. i am not into staying in a lodge. i would rather put myself up in a decent hotel for a week or two. that way if the little women wants to come out and do what ever. she can! what i have been thinking is i would like to come the first week. before octobers opening day here. plus if i dont get one i have enough time left to plan a week at the end of oct. see were i am going with this. if i do it right i can get two or three trips out in 08. not into gun hunting much but i would be tempted to go for a smokepole hunt.i am sure they have gone nocturnal by jan bow season. but it would still be open if i wanted to come down and look around. what do you think. i am still whating on my public land maps
|
|
|
Post by papa99 on Jan 20, 2008 20:42:48 GMT -5
i am getting tired i posted that last one in the wrong spot. it went to the guids post. i need to get some sleep. thanks for your help. wich one of you folks wants to come to michigan for a swap hunt
|
|
|
Post by osprey on Jan 20, 2008 22:20:51 GMT -5
do you do much calling? the 7 point i arrowed in nov came to the grunt tube. do i need to find a video on calling. were do i find a video on calling. you men got any recomendations. on whos video is worth watching & what brand of calls do you use. thanks for the photos. love them need more Don't know of any videos, but there is a call or two. Look at the top of this page and call the Sika Seducer ad, he has a CD with instructions with the call.
|
|
|
Post by papa99 on Jan 21, 2008 18:41:01 GMT -5
there dose not appear to be to many videos out on the them.unless you want to go to some exotic ranch. and that dose not intrest me. will call on the seducer. and keep looking for info.
|
|
|
Post by papa99 on Jan 25, 2008 5:57:24 GMT -5
it appears these things are part duck. do they all live in the water. or is it just a safe zone for them. souds like a canoe & waders are a must. if i want to hunt blackwater.
|
|
|
Post by BIG FOX on Jan 25, 2008 7:46:57 GMT -5
Osprey I like how you keep getting your digs in at me every chance you get.. But don't you worry my time will come.. did see two this year it can only go up from there..
|
|
|
Post by osprey on Jan 25, 2008 9:20:38 GMT -5
it appears these things are part duck. do they all live in the water. or is it just a safe zone for them. souds like a canoe & waders are a must. if i want to hunt blackwater. They don't live in it, but I've never killed a dry one! Depends on the year, this year was dry enough that calf high boots were fine 90% of the time, but hip waders are the normal minimum. Can't use a boat for Blackwater, either, they only allow walk in or bicycles on the trails there. Can use boats for all the state lands.
|
|
|
Post by papa99 on Jan 25, 2008 20:19:19 GMT -5
the only way around blackwater is on foot ? how big is it. or should i say how much is acsesable on foot? looks like it is all water from here. i have been reading your old post on here.there was l alot of bull getting done by you folks. trying to sort out who done what where. the past few years makes for some pretty good readinso season will be ending for you soon. anyone still hunting. where you hunting what you hunting with. it was 17 below this morning here. i hope you are doing better than that.
|
|
|
Post by osprey on Jan 27, 2008 9:06:48 GMT -5
Yup, Blackwater is walk-in only, about 10,000 acres are open, in something like 10 different sections. 38 outside on my thermometer here. Gonna try and get out this week for the end of the season, mix of Blackwater and state land.
|
|