New Hunter

Hello, I'm new to this sport and this forum. I've read many posts and learned a lot of useful information, but I have a few questions. I bought a property in area 46, on the shore of Georgain Bay west of Killbear Park. I have a couple acres and crown land behind me. I spent the summer hiking in the woods, identifying deer trails and looking at droppings. I never see any deer though. I see lots in the winter, 5 to 10 a day, on the ice and around my place but none in the summer. Do they migrate inland during tourist season, or are they still around but just hiding?
I've talked to a number of old time hunters in the area, looking for a mentor or group to go out with, but they all have established groups and no one seems to want to take on a new guy, so it looks like I'll be going solo first time. Should I be concerned about that?
From reading these posts I realize I should have built a hide months ago. Is it too late now or should I buy or build one now anyway?
There's a tree stand on crown land about 300m behind my house. No idea whose it is, maybe the guy who had my property before me. What's the proper protocol for staying out of the way of someone else who may be hunting behind my place?
Thanks

ps I took the course this summer and got a doe tag.

The deer are still there they just know how to hide....
Crown land....that's a tough one....
Crown land is suppose to be first come first rights....Meaning you arrive at the site/place first you get the right to hunt it... but.................................. first to some doesn't mean the same thing to all...
First to some might mean, I came here first (10 years I have been hunting this spot)....so in their mind they own or have rights to it..... But ..............
First is suppose to mean, day of the hunt... ( I got here this morning or afternoon first.....so the spot belongs to me for the morning or afternoon/day)....because...................
Crown land is to belong to all of us but............................................... ................. some think they are more entitled to it than others....
Permanent tree stands on crown land are illegal....So this always seems to be a sticky area....
Best of luck with your hunt.... Be safe (be seen)

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Originally Posted by dms

Hello, I'm new to this sport and this forum. I've read many posts and learned a lot of useful information, but I have a few questions. I bought a property in area 46, on the shore of Georgain Bay west of Killbear Park. I have a couple acres and crown land behind me. I spent the summer hiking in the woods, identifying deer trails and looking at droppings. I never see any deer though. I see lots in the winter, 5 to 10 a day, on the ice and around my place but none in the summer. Do they migrate inland during tourist season, or are they still around but just hiding?
I've talked to a number of old time hunters in the area, looking for a mentor or group to go out with, but they all have established groups and no one seems to want to take on a new guy, so it looks like I'll be going solo first time. Should I be concerned about that?
From reading these posts I realize I should have built a hide months ago. Is it too late now or should I buy or build one now anyway?
There's a tree stand on crown land about 300m behind my house. No idea whose it is, maybe the guy who had my property before me. What's the proper protocol for staying out of the way of someone else who may be hunting behind my place?
Thanks

ps I took the course this summer and got a doe tag.

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I think if I were you I would purchase a ladder stand and set it up where you have found the most activity.If you are in a yarding area so much the better as the deer might come to you when the snow falls.The Crown land stand might be ok to try,it could be in a bad spot and has already been abandoned,the only way to find out is to
hunt it,if somebody already uses it you can move back to your ladder stand and even move it if you have to.You should not be concerned about going solo hunting,just
be prepared,flagging tape,flash lights,compass.Remember how far you have to pull an animal out,the usual common sense stuff.You can still drop down bait near your stand,apples,corn, good luck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dms

Hello, I'm new to this sport and this forum. I've read many posts and learned a lot of useful information, but I have a few questions. I bought a property in area 46, on the shore of Georgain Bay west of Killbear Park. I have a couple acres and crown land behind me. I spent the summer hiking in the woods, identifying deer trails and looking at droppings. I never see any deer though. I see lots in the winter, 5 to 10 a day, on the ice and around my place but none in the summer. Do they migrate inland during tourist season, or are they still around but just hiding?
I've talked to a number of old time hunters in the area, looking for a mentor or group to go out with, but they all have established groups and no one seems to want to take on a new guy, so it looks like I'll be going solo first time. Should I be concerned about that?
From reading these posts I realize I should have built a hide months ago. Is it too late now or should I buy or build one now anyway?
There's a tree stand on crown land about 300m behind my house. No idea whose it is, maybe the guy who had my property before me. What's the proper protocol for staying out of the way of someone else who may be hunting behind my place?
Thanks

ps I took the course this summer and got a doe tag.

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If you see 5-10 deer in the winter,AND the season is open while you saw them-you have a honey hole to hunt.Perhaps In December.Pick the area you saw them the most,and hunt it.Whichever way you want.Ground -treestand-blind-etc.If they are not there NOW,you can put your blind,treestand up now,no worries for the Dec.hunt.When you hunt Just stay downwind ,be"somewhat"hidden-if you break up your outline is a good start-and do not move a lot.For the old boys not taking you in-it may be the best thing happening to you-if you learn on your own,hunt alone,you will be a self reliant hunter all your life. I am confused about the statement-got a doe tag-did you get a "doe tag "as the antler less deer draw result,or your area issues only doe tags(i do not thinks so)so you likely have a tag which is good for buck+you got an option to harvest an antler less deer on it as well(only one of the two).Check it out once more.AND read the regulations what you can do.
For the guy's stand behind You-you will need to figure out if it is hunted at all.If not-no worries.If it is-firts come,.first sevred-BUT only on crown land.You can hunt your land any time without obligation towards the guy even if he is lets say 100 yards from your property.
Maybe not the nicest thing-but what you are going to do?Not hunt your property because else has a tree stand close by on Crown?If you go there when he is there(and really close)then you make decisions to stay or leave for the day.But if he is 300 yards,unless the wind carries his smell towards You,should not matter.

Thanks for all the advice. This is a great community to be a part of.
I'm heading out on Monday for my first hunt.

Welcome to the forums dms.
Here you will learn quite a few useful things, but to be successful in your quest, you will need to get out more often and study the environment first hand.
We look forward to reading your future stories and seeing photos of your harvested game animals.
Play safe, and good luck!