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Public Hunting Land

I've been getting a group of guys together for the past 5 years to hunt public lands in Ohio. Preferably Dillon, Powelson, Woodbury, and Cones Valley. We've always went out during the rut but, only seen a buck here or there. I would like to see more deer and have a chance at a shooter. Should I plan on going out earlier in the year? Should I try a different area?
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
At this point you can legitimately ask yourself if you should consider a different state. IMO, the overall quality of hunting here in Ohio falls well short of the trophy potential. In other words, sure, we still have a lot of big bucks, but we don't have that many deer these days. Public lands are overrun almost ubiquitously in this state. I hunted southern Missouri with another member last fall and it was an awesome trip despite hunting an area with less than 10 deer per square mile. Other states have lots more to offer in terms of scenery and much better camping, so I'd give some thoughts to hunting elsewhere.

If you're hell bent on Ohio, the rut is still a great time to be out here. Check out Wayne National Forest and Shawnee State Forest. Tougher hunting in regards to topography than what you've hunted, but a change of pace might do you well.

Good luck.
 

Dustinb80

#FACKCANCER
Supporting Member
18,172
187
S.W. Ohio
I've been getting a group of guys together for the past 5 years to hunt public lands in Ohio. Preferably Dillon, Powelson, Woodbury, and Cones Valley. We've always went out during the rut but, only seen a buck here or there. I would like to see more deer and have a chance at a shooter. Should I plan on going out earlier in the year? Should I try a different area?

Welcome aboard. Good luck this year. There is a ton of great information, and great people on this forum. pull up a chair and make yourself at home.
 
I no Dillon, Powelson, woodbury get pressured a lot during the rut. Do you no if wayne and Shawnee get pressured a lot?

At this point you can legitimately ask yourself if you should consider a different state. IMO, the overall quality of hunting here in Ohio falls well short of the trophy potential. In other words, sure, we still have a lot of big bucks, but we don't have that many deer these days. Public lands are overrun almost ubiquitously in this state. I hunted southern Missouri with another member last fall and it was an awesome trip despite hunting an area with less than 10 deer per square mile. Other states have lots more to offer in terms of scenery and much better camping, so I'd give some thoughts to hunting elsewhere.

If you're hell bent on Ohio, the rut is still a great time to be out here. Check out Wayne National Forest and Shawnee State Forest. Tougher hunting in regards to topography than what you've hunted, but a change of pace might do you well.

Good luck.
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
I no Dillon, Powelson, woodbury get pressured a lot during the rut. Do you no if wayne and Shawnee get pressured a lot?

It all gets pressured during the rut. Ohio's a destination whitetail spot and with a lackluster supply of public ground, there's very little that doesn't get hunted. To find those spots, you need to be a little more connected, and covert, than starting the search here. It''s a tough hustle, but I do wish you luck.
 

CritterGitterToo

Junior Member
375
58
Central Ohio
I think BH1023 first post was spot on. You might try to find some big blocks of timber down on the Wayne Natnl Forest. If it's steep, rocky and difficult to get into, then it might be a good area to see some mature bucks during the rut.

Ohio's public land used to be very good for mature bucks, but increasing opportunities and aggressive regulations has decimated the population especially on public land. That's what The Ohio Farm Bureau wanted. They love the higher lease prices.
 
Ohio DNR has a program for anyone that's looking to hunt on private land. What it is is private land owners get a hold of the DNR and tell them that they have deer damage or they have tons of acres that isn't used. The DNR puts there name down and gets a list county by county. Me and my dad called land owners in 15 counties asking for permission and 50% of them didn't pick up the phone or call back. About 40% wanted to lease it to me for days or weeks. Which is stupid. The remaining 10% allowed me to hunt but they only allowed hunting during certain times. In the end, this does not work at all. I just wanted to take my dad and my father in law out to hunt something different at a reasonable price.
 
Wayne is the first place all the 'other' national forums send people. Fact is public land in Ohio is being stomped and them some these days. The thought of a shooter buck behind every tree is what has brought on the onslaught. Find a good area that isn't loaded with people and keep it to yourself. Learn the land and move often.
 

Boarhead

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
And once the Amish kill everything on their own land and their neighbors land they just get guys to drive them to public land and decimate the deer there. Nothing like 30 or 40 amish tromping around.
 

Bigslam51

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
25,778
127
Stark County
The amish in PA is ridiculously killing the deer population and grabbing all the open land. Its pretty bad when they get all there family members together and buy a piece of land with cash.
Ain't no different here. I caught two of the stinking bastards on our property after they poached a doe.
 

Murphy31

Junior Member
54
22
Western Mass
A group of guys from work have been going down to Shawnee for a few years now, and have seen a few deer, but have only killed one doe. They said where they stay people there have killed few decent bucks, but nothing overly impressive. I really don't understand why they keep making the trip down every year from Mass. Think it's like a 12 hr ride or something like that. I don't know your money situation, but we've had a lease in Ohio for 4 years now and between the 3 of us it costs 530 a piece. In that time we've taken 8 deer off of it, and passed up a bunch does and smaller bucks. I'm sure not gonna drive 10 hrs to deal with the public land hassles, and hang out with some dudes for a week. While not really seeing any deer. If that was the plan. I'd just stay around here.
 
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giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Yup, same shit happening here buddy. We hate to be the guys that are being real, but it is what it is anymore. We more then welcome you and wish you the best of luck! Just don't expect to do more then learn some more and enjoy nature. It really is a beautiful state and new hunting ground is always exciting!
 

teej89

Senior Member
2,288
48
NE PA
lol I have a hoot on public land in OH. Yeah I gotta start hiking into my spot well before sunrise and don't get back till way after dark and I sweat my ass off the entire time but in 4 sits last year (gun and muzzy weekends) on a new piece of public i saw 30ish deer, maybe 5 different bucks and one of which being a real nice buck, had to be round 140". And never saw a single hunter, granted I was so far in and so far off a trail of any sort that I accidentally got turned around in the brush, pitch black, and pouring rain one night during gun season. My theory for public is walk till the main trail ends then hike ridges as far as you can until it looks good.

I wouldn't hate on Ohio public, I've never had a bad experience and that's all I've hunted since 2010 but maybe I came in at it's worst and I'm just used to it. However I've only ever hunted private ground 2 falls in my entire hunting career of 16 years...