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Post by osprey on Oct 16, 2006 9:55:08 GMT -5
Anybody coming down for blackpowder season for sika? Can be a hot three days, and a bit more range than the bows... I'm going to be after them hard, but my nerves are already fried trying to figure out which spot I'm going to hit and when.
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Post by THE DEER HUNTER on Oct 16, 2006 10:01:50 GMT -5
Didn't get the permit. Thought it would be too crowded at Blackwater NWR. Not being from the eastern shore, I am stuck with public land.
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Post by BuckMaster on Oct 16, 2006 10:11:57 GMT -5
Same here. I might try my hand at a big whitetail this weekend. Went to Assateague last year for Sika Blackpowder hunt and I felt like I was in a pumpkin patch! They had close the beach to off road vehicles due to high winds and TONS of over wash. It was foot access only. All day long everywhere I looked all I saw was another orange vest, and no SIKAs.
I think..(Know) that next year we are going to get BP permits and take a few days of vacation time to hunt these little swamp rabbits.
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Post by osprey on Oct 16, 2006 10:13:29 GMT -5
Heck, I live here and every bit of sika hunting I've done has been on public land, just got to do your scouting. They limit the # of hunters in each section of the refuge for the BP and shotgun hunts, too. Should always put in for those hunts if you are starting to know an area, you'll be able to find a spot. Usually just enough hunters to keep 'em moving those days, too. If all else fails, hunt 50 yards from the parking area and let everybody else hike in deep. I've set up within sight of the cars and seen sika walk between them after everybody has gone in hunting!!
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Post by osprey on Oct 16, 2006 10:16:16 GMT -5
Same here. I might try my hand at a big whitetail this weekend. Went to Assateague last year for Sika Blackpowder hunt and I felt like I was in a pumpkin patch! They had close the beach to off road vehicles due to high winds and TONS of over wash. It was foot access only. All day long everywhere I looked all I saw was another orange vest, and no SIKAs. Yeah, I was there that day, what a fiasco! Walked in for 20 minutes and said heck with it. Way out was when I got those sika fighting photos, though, so it wasn't a wasted trip. Not sure if I'm going down next week or not, may hit it for a day, depends on weather and what I've got going on.
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Post by THE DEER HUNTER on Oct 16, 2006 10:18:17 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice. I'll have to get my permits next year!
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Post by Hardcorehunter on Oct 16, 2006 15:22:34 GMT -5
If you ever want company on your public spot just let me know. I have a canoe and won't tell a soul where it is. You know, if you fill your bag limit and want to try your hand in a public guide service. Lunch would be on me of course. LOL
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Post by osprey on Oct 16, 2006 19:31:07 GMT -5
Guests must wear a blindfold, be searched for GPS and tracking chips, and have a remote castration chip implanted before hunting! Had a couple spots get out from guys that promised to never tell a soul, I'm verrryyyy careful now.
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Post by Hardcorehunter on Oct 17, 2006 14:29:39 GMT -5
I would be the same way! Honey holes are great spots for a reason. I was onboard right up until the castration chip. How did you do with the young hunter at Blackwater? Were the deer being pushed around like crazy?
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Post by osprey on Oct 17, 2006 15:29:59 GMT -5
He has a new nickname - Fidget Boy!! Kid can't sit still, forgot to take a book to keep him occupied, even the pop-up blind wasn't enough to hide him. No sightings, left early (his choice) heard one bugle in the distance. Not much pressure, we were the only hunters in our area. Allen said about 25 hunters in the morning total for youth day, 3 deer tagged. Don't know about the rest of the afternoon, we didn't go back to the check station.
Gonna take him down to my place one afternoon for blackpowder, should still be able to get a whitetail in front of him. I hope!!
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Post by osprey on Oct 18, 2006 8:15:20 GMT -5
Forecast for opening day is thick fog until 9am, low in the upper 50's, high upper 70's, calm air and high tides. Could be very good, but the skeeters are going to get righteous!!!
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Post by osprey on Oct 20, 2006 8:11:21 GMT -5
Funny how when you sit in the truck and listen to the rain hit the roof and watch the skeeters bounce off the window you start to rationalize how much you like hunting during the late winter BP season. Boy, those scrambled eggs and venison suasage were good for breakfast today!!!
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Post by THE DEER HUNTER on Oct 20, 2006 8:13:17 GMT -5
Suprised your not in the woods!! I'm sure the mosquitos are HORRIBLE right now though. Can't wait to leave work this afternoon for a short hunt.
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Post by osprey on Oct 21, 2006 13:39:29 GMT -5
Last shot at 'em for this split this morning. Kayaked into the spot I bowkilled the 6 point, figured I'd try it in the morning. Had 12 go around and under the stand in the 30 minutes before shooting light, splish splish splish in the phrag and water. At 7:30 doe and fawn, 30 yards, passed because had 2 stags bugling above me just before that, hoped they'd come by on their way to the marsh, but never saw another deer. Sat until 11 then paddled out. Know what this means?!?!? I get to chase them during late blackpowder!!!! Bring on some snow!!!
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Post by Hardcorehunter on Oct 21, 2006 19:49:51 GMT -5
I really hope I get another chance to hunt sika. For any whitetail hunter, it is hard to explain how different sika can be. Similiar animals, but different habits and habitats. Osprey would you consider writing a short article on the basics of sika hunting. Not to get into too much detail, maybe just to get the excitement level up to where mine is. I could write down what I have read, but since I havn't harvested one I feel like I have no clue what to write. It could go in the article section and since you write a weekly report maybe you already have an article you can recycle. Anyways, let me know if you have the time.
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