I would love to buy a chunk of land....but not in CT. The perceived value of the land and taxes will be your doom here. But I like your dream. Maybe if you are successful, you can help a young hunter one day.
But as far as state land goes in CT, if you do some homework you can find some good spots. And from what I'm hearing even the private land in FF county honey holes are having their problems.
I tagged out so I am speaking up for the young guy down the road who is discourage and probably won't go back next yeAr, the state has plenty of land they could open up for more opportunities and we would not hunt on top of each other.
This is not about success this about opportunities for new folks to have access and get into hunting.
Don't know how many deer that means (bow + gun + ??). I really don't know what your beef is. Maybe try not to tag out and "the young guy down the road" will have the opportunity to kill one....if that's what you're really upset about.
I'm not trying to get on you (so read this in a pleasant voice). I just don't understand fully why you are posting about a person hunting their own land with a rifle. Are you seeking to open up all state land with a rifle so that it mirrors a land-owner's season...OR...do you want the land-owner to follow the same season and restrictions as state land enjoys?
Thanks for sharing.
Rememberi not every one lives in zone 11 with 5 gallon buckets of bait and then say they are hunters
Wish you much success on getting your own private property and Merry Chrismas to you and your family.
If you search the CT forum and read some of the posts from some of the consistently successful bowhunters on State Land the common theme will be these people go much farther into the woods. When I started scouting State Land around me (Paugnut SF, Nepaug SF for example) I examined topos and looked for saddles and other funnels well off the beaten path. By and large the spots I scouted were a good 45 minutes or more of a walk from the parking area.
In almost 20 years of hunting in Paugnut SF for example I can count on one hand the number of days where I've seen another bowhunter. When I used to gun hunt there contrary to cursing the legion of orange I felt more like thanking them. Why? Because in studying topos I also look for "escape routes" and when the pumpkin crowd pushed deer I knew likely escape routes and was already set up waiting.
I will agree with you on the designated bowhunting only areas getting crowded at times, especially the small parcels. I took a look at the one that opened a few years ago (name escapes me at the moment but if I recall correctly it was something like 34 acres or so). I scouted one day and concluded it would be a complete waste of time to bowhunt as I spotted 3 ladder stands and 4 hangs on stands. Obviously you can't conclude all the hunters will be there the same day but you can't rule it out either and in any case I'm not interested in over-hunted properties.
Bottom line; if you're not shy about a good stretch of the legs there are plenty of quality bowhunting opportunities on state land.
I couldn't agree with you more! Homework and hard work have worked for me over the years. Find a back door to state land by asking a private land owner if you can simply CROSS their property to enter the state land from the opposite side that most hunters enter the woods, and then sit and wait for them to push the deer your way.
The post on Roraback, I mentioned that the bird hunters would enter the woods off of RT 72, so I would enter from the DEP office side. Yeah, it was a bit of hike, but I was seeing deer consistently.
Even though it's been 16 yrs between my last deer and this year's buck, I've had plenty of shot opportunities at doe and small bucks, even some decent bucks.
Like everyone says, it's hunting, not shooting fishing in a barrel.
"the inequality between private land owner and state land"
Progressive politics at it's best. So, your parents stole all that wealth from poor people and you feel guilty? You want the poor to rise up and take back what is rightfully theirs?
"I get the luxury of going out there for 60 days with a bow, rifle or muzzle loader to get my tags filled"
So deny yourself for awhile, and live like the rest of us, before you tell us how things should be.
"This is not about success this about opportunities for new folks to have access and get into hunting."
IMHO, this thread is all about you, and your guilt of having a luxurious hunt on your parents dime.
The state is just created a program to kill deer in highy populated areas, does a bow hunter really need 4 tags? If I filled all my tags it would be about 14 deer with all seasons that's ridiculous
I am talking about quality deer hunting here. Limiting tags and uniform seasons makes sense to me.
I think everyone understands your point Brian, we just do not agree with it.
You seem to be suggesting that rules should be the same for everyone. They have tried things like what you suggest in some places; but most of us still choose to live in a society where Land Owners rights are respected.
The principal thing you seem to have a problem with is the free and extended season for landowners with 10+ acres. The deer killed in this category represent a tiny percentage of the total take, hardy worth worrying about.
Not sure about your background or perspective but you may have noticed that sometimes people come on Bowsite just to agitate and start trouble. Many of these people use fake names or register with only a First name against Bowsite rules.
If you're merely young and or inexperienced, stick around, pay attention and you might even learn something here. If you are here to cause trouble or stir the pot, you won't last very long.
3 things....find a better spot of public ground, buy your own land or get permission....it really is that simple
Maybe I'll come knocking on your parents door and ask for permission to hunt, would I receive it? How about if I only wanted to take my nephew or son to hunt? Would you help this poor guy out?
I am not the oldest on this site by far. I hear complaining here all the time, but some of the younger guys dont realize that you have it better now than ever as far as seasons go. Archery used to be only 2 tags, the season started in October and archery was closed in most of the state when gun season came around then reopened in later December to the end of the year. Now guys can take advantage of archery hunting somewhere in this state from mid September through the end of January. Not bad if you ask me.
I agree 100% Plenty of places to get away from other hunters on state land and find deer, IF you're willing to put in the effort. I also NEVER considered private land as a great advantage. In fact, I turned it down several times because people were asking me to kill problem deer, not hunt them. "Just sit on our deck, they come out every evening right around 4pm." No thanks! But if that's what you want ask around, there are people who just want the deer to stop eating their shrubs.
I also remember that the bow season went into January when it first opened in the mid-late 70's didn't it?
Here's what I think. Young or inexperienced hunters are frustrated because they want to see deer every time out, and they're not. I have 3-4 spots I hunt on state land and I'm confident that I will see deer, maybe not EVERY time out, but enough sightings to keep me interested year after year. Keep in mind that I've been doing this for 46 years, and I've covered lots of ground in that time.
My first 3 years out, I saw nothing! Then I tried a different spot and I was into deer every time out for the next several years. As one spot tappered off I did my research and found other spots. I can't tell you how much ground I covered where there was very little deer sign until I found the areas where the deer were more plentiful. Patience and hard work, and the rest EASY :)
If you are willing to put in the work you will get rewarded.
You wanna talk "Rich man's Game"?
Let's talk African safari. I would love to go on one but never will so I just hunt Connecticut... for now.
I think what Brian is saying is that anyone with access to private land can hunt with a rifle AND hunt on state land as well, more opportunities and better odds with the rifle. Since the state land hunters tend to push the deer onto the safer private land, the system favors people with private land permission.
Sounds like he's also taking a shot at people who are allowed to bait, and while it's legal, it's not as "sporting" as trying to get close to a deer with a bow on state land WITHOUT the bait to attract them.
I agree with these points,if in fact this is what he's saying.
While I know this is mostly a bow forum we do touch on all aspects of hunting. I just feel like most things the state runs poorly the hunting program is no different. I just feel like with all the tags given the focus is on quantity instead of quality. I heard comments on here like "if it's brown its down"
I see for 2015 the state has removed the lottery that limited hunters in some areas, while this equalizes opportunity for all hunters this will allow even more hunters into already crowded areas for a short 8 day hunt.
I know while connecticut is small all the issues I am talking about may not pertain to you. I am in the northeast area and I can tell you state most areas get hammered by hunters during bow and rifle season. We also have a lot of land owner hunters so access to land is harder because most land owners don't want to taint their land with other hunters.
In the end I guess it's what kind of deer inventory we want to have in this state, but I don't think you can blanket the whole state with the same regulations. some areas cant support up to 1 hunter taking up to 10 to 14 deer unless the state has certain areas that demand it, I run through some state areas and I can tell you the theme is the same. I saw a lot less deer this year than in previous years. mean while most land owners I know have had good success with rifle this season.
"any place can be a good place to hunt for you"
I will have to disagree with you on that. Have you hunted baiting before?
The only reason that beople bait in 11 & 12 is because we hunt small parcells. Hunting in the big woods, you scout find trails and set your stand. After a couple of hunts, you adjust your stand and move it 100-200 yards either direction to be on deer.
in Z11, you don't have the luxury of moving too far. If you move your stand 200 yards, you are 2 streets over and on someone else's property. If you can't move you try to make the deer move.
I rather hunt 300-500 acres but good luck finding that and getting permission is .... let's not even talk about that.
$0.02
when I lived in the nw corner I hunted peoples , american legion , menetto ,housatonic. it took me 3 yrs for my first deer. now ive been down in zone 11 for 3 yrs and sure I trip over toy,step in poop ,pics with a swing set in it , but I still haven't shot one over a corn pile . like Crow said,move 200 yrds your in your neighbors yard.after all , the shows and books tell me to pull deer off someone else's land. the state says theyre behind every tree. the 2 I did get were on water company property . the same chances as anybody else who went for the permits.
Getting acces to hunt and invited to their dinners are completley different things.
When I knock on doors I'm not asking for a dinner invitation. I offer help with deer damage to their gardens.
my grandfather was a farmer in upstate ny. When we hunted rifle or bow there the season was longer but uniform there. It's also a much more open place and land owner permission is easy to get.
I can't criticize confusing posts, because I've been there several times myself. I think the comments were correct about the private land advantages, and I while I wouldn't hunt the backyards I say to each his own. Some guys like muzzleloaders and others like rifles. Give me a sharp stick, a bow and lots of woods and I'm happy.
CTCrow's Link
You don't have to be rich to buy this.
CTCrow's Link
25+ acres for 39K. Don't have to be rich to afford it.
Taxes will kill you faster than the cigarrets.
And I'm calling you out.
Hey, there's a few openings at White Buffalo if your into that stuff. Bozo.
I was then attacked and said I was some rich kid and a jerk I did not take this post off topic others did.
The first post where this claim might have validity would be the one made by Wild Bill. Personally I don't see it that way; I see Bill expressing his opinion on the motivations for your post.
That being said let's look at something you posted before Bill's post:
Then I even get a free permit while the rest of you pay
Now this may have been a perfectly innocent remark just phrased poorly but it would not be unreasonable to see this as a bit of a snarky comment directed at the "have nots" as far as private land availability.
Here's a few that are less innocuous:
I See how much all you guys fight and complain and carry on about all your state land misery.
I've read many "how to make new friends" books that recommend your introduction come with a good talking down to (that was sarcasm in case you're not sure.)
Rememberi not every one lives in zone 11 with 5 gallon buckets of bait and then say they are hunters
Now there's a nice blanket insult made without a shred of insight into any of the people you just insulted. (FYI, I've never baited, so I'm merely speaking for those you just painted with a very broad brush.)
Only after these offerings did Bill offer his opinion, so please don't expect anyone here to fire up the violins and play "Hearts and Flowers" for you.
Additionally, as Ace pointed out very politely to you it is a Bowsite registration requirement to post under your full name; you have yet to do so which kind of vacates your right to claim the high moral ground.
Now, as I recognize that your feelings seem to bruise easily, this entire post is merely a summation of the facts at hand. If you construe them to be an attack I would respectfully offer that perhaps your conscience might be pointing out that you have not been the best "guest" nor offered a passable rendition of a polite introduction.
Lastly, I find it ironic that you lament the fate of "the young guy down the road who is discourage" yet never seem to have mulled over the thought of getting such a person on your land of plenty.
Of course you are more than willing to call on others to address the issue. Now that's hypocrisy served up with a large ladle.
Like I said before if you are all happy with the current system then stop bitching about your stands being stolen because if you are in all these state land secret spots then no would find them anyway.
Stop complaining that you are not seeing deer or that the deer herd is declining.
Get out there and get-em boys
Open mouth, insert foot, chew well. You may want to go back and re-read a number of the threads that speak of stolen stands, game cameras, etc. A good many of them refer to hunting equipment (property) that was stolen from private property, not just from state land.
Regardless of where the property is situated theft is theft and one does not forfeit the right to report it merely by geographical or ownership relativity.
FYI, I wish to amend my earlier comment about the potential innocence of a comment versus being snarky; your obvious mocking comment of "secret spots" on state land removes all doubt. If you want to have your posts taken seriously you might want to scale back on such immature outbursts in future positings. Many of the valued posters on this forum feel no need to deal with childish outbursts. Grow up.
Stop complaining that you are not seeing deer or that the deer herd is declining.
Are you putting forth the concept that the right to complain about hunting conditions/regulations begins and ends with you? You may want to have some oxygen sent your way; that high horse you're on could lead to altitude sickness.
For someone who starts a whine-fest about the need to address hunting conditions it is the height of hypocrisy to rail against good stewards pointing out the failings of the state DEEP to fulfill their prime mission; maintain quality hunting opportunities through sound management policies. Again, your penchant for pouting doesn't lend weight to your arguments.
By the way I notice you are still posting under a first name only despite this being contrary to Bowsite registration rules and despite this being kindly pointed out to you twice.
In case you are as slow on the uptake as some of your retorts paint you, this was another, and a last friendly warning to address this.
I stand corrected as you pointed out. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt because I don't always type what's in my hear, always seems to come out different. I like to argue the facts or opinions, but emotions and personal attacks turn the discussion nasty.
I need a long walk in the woods, 12/26/14 hurry up.
I loved playing that with my kids.
I never knew this would turn so sour. Just because I fill and use land owner tags does not mean I agree with it. Thanks for all your feed back and insight.
killing a deer is not the measure of a man, or a hunter.
