Big Woods Bowhunting

[paleoman]

#6374

Any “big woods” bowhunters out there? Meaning those of you that enjoy the frustrations and joys of hunting low density whitetails in the heavy timber of the east and midwest – i.e. Maine, northern Minnesota, etc.? I’ve toyed with the idea of a bowhunt in northwestern Wi. on ground I’m familiar with but never bowhunted. I’m making it happen this year the first full week of Nov. I’m not new to this type of hunting – all my life really – but would be interested to hear what others have to say and what works for them. I sure don’t expect success but would love to pull a heavy, mahogany racked northern buck out of there with my bow.

[WyoStillhunter]

#50694

Not for whitetail but I hunt “big woods” for elk. It is rough country above 8000′ elev. in the Snowy Range west of Laramie, WY. This is all national forest land with lots of timber, clear cuts of various ages, and in the last few years, lots of standing timber killed by pine bark beetle infestation. Now the blow downs are beginning to really complicate travel in the woods.

My season for antelope, deer and elk started Sept. 1 and I have not even managed to get out of the city limits yet. Hunters that travel cross country to spend a week or two weeks in big woods far from home almost have an advantage. Once they arrive at the hunt site they are there. With only 40 miles to drive from home to be in good hunting territory I keep getting sucked in by the distractions of work and family.

The good news is that once I get up into the forest I can park the truck and walk off the road into wonderful wild country. Two miles off the road might as well be 20 in terms of the wilderness quality of the habitat. But even after dark it is only an hour’s walk to reach the truck and head for the cabin.

Good luck with your adventure.

[rwbowman]

#53541

I wish you good luck in your hunting. I may never get the chance to hut any Big Woods here in Kansas, as for the most part, they don’t exist. I have however read a book that may be of interest to you on the topic. Aggressive Whitetail Hunting, by Greg Miller. Chapter 7 in this book is titled Solving the big woods riddle. In this 13 page chapter, Greg gives instruction on how to handle scouting, finding forage and locating deer in an area where there are few. One of the topics he covers is how fewer deer may translate to a better hunt. It is an excellent read if you get a chance to get ahold of this book.

[Author]

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