Hi, me and my mom hunt bull creek since my dads not around and my mom won't let me hunt solo since Im 16. We are currently having a super hard time seeing anything. I killed a button buck on a stalk the first weekend of archery havent seen a deer since then. I was taught how to hunt up north but always lived in fl my whole.life. its so different hunting here. I have no idea on what areas to key in on. If anyone could help us maybe show us the ropes or.tell us spots. I'm trying to get my mom her first deer but have no idea on where to go in bull creek. Can you please help thanks.
If anyone could give me any info like if.I need to be in swamps,hardwoods,oaks,pines,thickets,fields stuff like that Id appreciate it a lot thanks.
I'm not familiar with Bull Creek, but I'll give you some generic advice.
Find places that look like pinch points or funnels that deer would follow going to and from feeding areas. Right now, in most places, I think acorns are dropping and the deer will be feeding heavy on them. If there's cover in the oaks, they may just bed down nearby and eat, so you might have to get up in there with them. If the acorns aren't around when you hunt, they will be moving more when they feed, so you have to find the routes they use. That's where the pinch points and funnels come in. Check out a satellite view of the area on Google Maps or Google Earth. Maybe someone here can give you idea of what to look for on the satellite views. I have a hard time looking at satellite pictures and picking out good locations when it's an area I've never been in, but I can usually get an idea of where to start.
When it comes to hunting, nothing beats knowing the area you hunt - scouting it, looking for signs of activity, trails, rubs, scrapes, etc. Scrapes may not be the best place to set up, but they do provide an indication of a deer's territory and where they could be traveling. Even a seasoned hunter has to spend time in an area to have a good chance at getting a deer. Very few people can just walk in to a place the first time and make a kill. There are some that get lucky, but when it comes to hunting, preparation beats luck every time.
Be safe, respect the other hunters, and good luck. Hopefully some others here can give you more concrete advice, and better tips for hunting on the WMAs.
I second what GoodOyster says above. Also, nothing beats doing some footwork. Get out and walk the roads (if they have roads), trails, fire guards, what have you to find where the game is moving to and from - once you find a good crossing set up off of it and put in as much time as you can observing their movements. Find the does and you'll find the bucks. Just don't get too discouraged! Since you're on public land you will be at the mercy of other folks as well. Use other hunters to your advantage. Their movement can push something to you as well. I think its great that you are putting others ahead of yourself and trying to get your mom on a deer! Good luck!
Thanks guys yeah I know where there are a lot of acorns I just seemed like they stopped dropping. I know there's a monster rub like on a 7inch pine and two scrapes near bye with heavy palmettos on the edges. Ive tried everything grunts,bleats,rattling, the only thing I havent done is a evening hunt so I'm going to give it a try I took s buck there opening day of archery. Just a lil button buck 40lbs deer. There's a lot of thick baby oak with some palmettos in the middle of this hammock the problem is its all dry oak leafs so its noisy getting in there and I have this hammock to myslef. I don't know if I should put a dripper his scrapes will that make him come out more with like a mock scrape in between his with the scent of another buck in the area and other people told me I'm hunting. wrong i need to be in cypress heads. Well I was taught how to hunt in ny so I'm used to hunting hard woods and moving out to field edges and creek edges during rut. Thanks for the advice guys.
