WMU 56 Antlerless tag. Any takers?

So, I've been told this is bad form but, what the heck. I'm going to say it anyway. Anyone out there feel like helping out a new hunter bag his first deer? I just got my antlerless tag in the mail for WMU 56. I chose that WMU because there's a lot of crown land up there and being new I don't have access to ANY private land at all yet. If there's anyone in the area that feels like going up during the gun season (Nov 2 - 15) and showing me the ropes when it comes to whitetail hunting, I'd be much obliged. The way I read the regs you can party hunt for whitetail in that area so I'd be happy to share my tag with whomever decided to help me out. Anyway, there it is. Any takers? Like I said, I've been told before that it can be bad form to ask for help in a thread but I have to learn from someone. Starting out as a hunter a little later in life and living in the city can present it's challenges.

Nothing wrong with asking, could help to also mention what gear you have to help with the hunt. Also keep an eye on the big game and hunting threads, soon members will post if they want someone new.

Good idea about the gear. I don't have a whole lot of stuff. I'm assuming you mean firearm? Tree stands? Blinds? Well, basically all I have is some camo, orange cap and vest, and a Mossberg 500 12ga with a rifled barrel. My hunting budget isn't exactly huge so I'm hoping to build up my gear slowly over the years.

Best of luck to you. I haven't ever hunted that WMU. While it isn't bad form to ask for help getting your first deer, just be prepared not to have guys rushing to help you too much. Most of us have stories where we share the results of our hard work (sweet spots, crown land which hold a certain species) only to find the next year the guy you helped brought his four buddies with him and now your sweet spot has been overrun. I am not saying you would do something like this but it has happened in the past.

While you are waiting for a response, maybe be a little proactive. Go up for a weekend or two in the area you want to hunt and find crown land with good deer sign. Pick out stand spots. Look into motels/places to stay while you are up there. Don't wait until the last minute where you don't have a response from anyone on the forums and you are scrambling to get set up. You have a tag which will let you shoot any deer which happens to come across your path so you don't have to be set up perfectly. Doing your own legwork will help you learn the area more if you plan to hunt WMU 56 in the future.

Dyth

There is nothing wrong with asking. Next year you might have better luck making arrangements with a group before you buy tags, but you are here now.

I would continue doing what you are doing and hope to find some guys. At the same time I would prepare yourself in case you don't get a response.

By that I mean I would make a scouting trip out there and find a camping spot and some areas to setup. I would also spend some time reviewing all the post-shot stuff in articles and you tube. It is totally realistic to imagine going out there on your own, and dropping one. If you by chance have that happen, you need to know what to do to harvest the animal. Sure it is better to have help and instruction, but you can do it on your own.

Sometimes with all the drama and politics of my group, I honestly think seriously about going out on my own...

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Originally Posted by Dythbringer

... Most of us have stories where we share the results of our hard work (sweet spots, crown land which hold a certain species) only to find the next year the guy you helped brought his four buddies...

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Yeah, I can see how that would be a concern. I think that's the reason that I've been told that it can be bad form. I personally would never betray someone's trust like that but you don't know that. I have some time off coming up. I'm hoping to spend a night or two out there just getting a feel for a nice spot.

Sorry I don't hunt in your WMU, but you got all you need as long as you also have a knife, a rope and have a good idea on how to gut a deer.
The first deer I shot in Ontario was alone, on crown land and seated on a stump so all you need is to start going in the bush now to find deer sign. Go there at the opening and wait. Just be aware that a group might already hunting this area, so make sure you have a clear view of what you shot before squeezing the trigger, and make sure other see you too. Who knows you might find who you are looking for while hunting....
Good luck

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Originally Posted by LeakyBoots

It is totally realistic to imagine going out there on your own, and dropping one. If you by chance have that happen, you need to know what to do to harvest the animal. Sure it is better to have help and instruction, but you can do it on your own.

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Very true. Last year was my first season and I was too late for the draw. So I had only a buck tag. I had at least 5 opportunities to take a decent sized doe.

By opportunities, I mean I drew my bow and aimed off to one side to practice the real deal if a buck came along.

Something I wish I knew earlier, the best hunting time is first light and last light. If you're making the effort to go out there, make sure you stay until the last legal time. Almost all my opportunities were within 30 minutes of last light.

I'll think about it

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Originally Posted by Karl Marques

Yeah, I can see how that would be a concern. I think that's the reason that I've been told that it can be bad form. I personally would never betray someone's trust like that but you don't know that. I have some time off coming up. I'm hoping to spend a night or two out there just getting a feel for a nice spot.

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Just to add a little to this post; I've met up with people through this forum before and I've been taken to some other favorite hunting spots. I've never gone back to those places and hunted those grounds without permission. A major part of hunting for me is the interaction with people. The camaraderie and making new friends. Showing up on someone's land or favorite hunting spot without permission goes completely against that in my opinion.

Any time you think about scouting a new area, use GoogleEarth to narrow down your spots for scouting, then get a topo map for that immediate area. You can transfer any info seen on GoogleEarth to the topo map (or buy a newer GPS unit, but having the map and a compass in your pocket and know how to use them is still advised).

A couple things;

I cant help with your hunt, but I can offer some advice

- Its never bad form to ask for advice and help on this forum as long as you are offering something in return. In thsi case you;re offering the chance to party hunt with a legal doe tag. Thats significant. You get in trouble around here when you just say "Does anyone have a place I can hunt on?"

- Dont worry about having fancy doodads . The key thing is staying warm and dry. Warm and dry while hunting and warm and dry at night (and a place to hang and dry gear). This doesnt mean you need the fanciest camo clothing you can buy. Wear whatever you already have thats warm and dry and put an orange vest over it. Layer your clothes.

- Dont worry about a treestand. You know what works just as well? A hill. Get elevated on a rock outcrop or steep hillside and watch the lowlands. If you find that the choke point is used by deer, youve taken a major step towards getting a deer.

you may get lucky and be able to join a group that already hunts that area ,that would be a great way to learn ,,,have you every been to this area before ,,I find a ton of places are leased to hunt camps and it is very hard to tell were crown land ends and private leases begin..You may want to put a add in the local paper in that area saying you have a doe tag and are looking to join a group ..just a though as doe tags seem to be hard to come by ,,,you may not get to shoot the deer yourself well hunting with a group but that's party hunting you just never know ,I would go and walk a few places up there well before the season .....Dutch

Hey Karl,
I have a camp in 56 and know of a few other camps. I'm sure that I can find you a spot with us or perhaps with one of the other camps.
We run dogs so its different then just still hunting. If your interested in this kind of hunting send me a pm and maybe we can meet or have a phone conversation and see if we can figure something out. If you have already found a spot no worries.

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Originally Posted by tiptoe3006

Hey Karl,
I have a camp in 56 and know of a few other camps. I'm sure that I can find you a spot with us or perhaps with one of the other camps.
We run dogs so its different then just still hunting. If your interested in this kind of hunting send me a pm and maybe we can meet or have a phone conversation and see if we can figure something out. If you have already found a spot no worries.

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That's a very generous offer. B525

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Originally Posted by Karl Marques

Good idea about the gear. I don't have a whole lot of stuff. I'm assuming you mean firearm? Tree stands? Blinds? Well, basically all I have is some camo, orange cap and vest, and a Mossberg 500 12ga with a rifled barrel. My hunting budget isn't exactly huge so I'm hoping to build up my gear slowly over the years.

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You have all you need for gear Karl. Gadgets, doodads and fancy clothes will not necessarily improve your odds.

The best secret to success is time in the woods and patience. Find some good sign and sit like a statue as long as you can, and you will be suprised at what you will learn.

Stands,scents, calls and rattling etcetera are, imo " overrated. I have taken numerous deer with gun and bow sitting right on the ground.

Time in the woods, in an area with good sign will start you on the right path towards filling that tag. Best of luck!!

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Originally Posted by Karl Marques

Just to add a little to this post; I've met up with people through this forum before and I've been taken to some other favorite hunting spots. I've never gone back to those places and hunted those grounds without permission. A major part of hunting for me is the interaction with people. The camaraderie and making new friends. Showing up on someone's land or favorite hunting spot without permission goes completely against that in my opinion.

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Kudos to you Karl, need more people with your attitude re backstabbing. And I agree wholeheartedly, while success is nice, it should be secondary to camaraderie, fellowship and enjoying the time spent afield !!

I find hunt camp is as much about games, friends, stories and mostly food. The hunt is secondary to me in enjoyment. Last year I had to the chance to join a camp (invite). I posted a question about etiquette on the invite and got some outstanding advice on this forum. The elder at the end of deer season gave me permission to hunt on his 254 acres anytime. I have cut wood, rebuilt the outhouse and did lots of work, this all from advice here on this forum. I am going back up next week to cut some wood his son. You have a very generous offer so far, do your part and show up when asked, help out and you will do fine. P.S. I am the coffee master at camp and get up early to ensure it made for everyone…

Thanks to all for the advice, offer to help, and encouragement. I'll be spending the next couple of months reading as many articles and watching as many videos as I can about field dressing and post shot stuff. Again, thanks folks.

Keep us posted with a trip report... I'll bet a lot of people will be fired up to hear about how this pans out for you.