Wayne National Forest

[mandolinsuperstar]

"I am planning a trip to Wayne National Forest this fall, hoping to land a big buck with my bow (so not gun week). I've never been. Can someone who's familar please help me focus my preparation? I'm curious: What are the general difference between the areas (Ironton, Marietta and Athens/Nelsonville)? Wondering if there are significant differences in hunting pressure, predominate food sources, terrain, etc.

I want to get in a couple spring scouting trips, but I need to commit to a general area first. No way I'll be able to scout more than 3-4 days before season, so need to make the most of it."

I posted this on another site, and was referred to a fella named 'Coonskinner' on this board. Apparently, his buck stalking skills and knowledge of the Wayne are renowned across the internet. I'm new to the site, but hope someone doesn't mind helping me out. I'll gladly return the favor once I make a few scouting trips

[Yeley0437]

yep u definatley wanna talk to coonskinner he also has deer camp at the wayne you may wanna look through the past threads he has a lot of info on it.:mischeif:

[rhino2726]

From Mississippi. Came up to Athens county last year to hunt, first week in Nov. at the wayne national forrest. First of all be ready to do some walking. From my experence, getting off a well used trail a good bit seemed to work for me. Have a good comfortable treestand because if your going to be hunting at the end of Oct. and the first of Nov. during the rut sitting all day definatly betters the odds of getting a shot at one of the big boys. Never hurts to have a good back pack also.

[Fish-n-Fool]

I don't hunt the Wayne and Coonskinner is definately the man to talk with. But, I can tell you I have seen some good bucks come from the Ironton District. The Athens area is hunted pretty hard from what I hear also. I'm sure you can escape pressure if you are willing to pack in long distances, but I would check out the maps of Ironton.

And of course, talk with Coonskinner.

Also, Coonskinner runs a deer camp in the Wayne each year and everybody is welcome. They had a pretty good turnout last year and several deer were taken including a few good bucks. I am positive you would be welcomed in the camp to enjoy the BS'ing and hunting.

Do a search for the Wayne camp threads and check it out.

[bowhunter4evr]

hey if u want to ride down and scout i can go down just about any weekend.i live in kent so maybe we can meet up and split gas.i went down last yr got a nice buck and my son took a nice doe and i probably passed on more deer than i have in the past 3 yrs before i got my buck.sitting all day down there is the way to go and BE PREPARED TO WALK SOME BIG HILLS AND GO AS DEEP IN AS YOU CAN GO.im going down in the next couple of wks.if u want to tag along shoot me a pm phil

[coonskinner]

not a lot of pressure when you add up all the area to hunt...most the pressure is findin a place to pull off on the road...once you get in the woods theres plenty of space for a lot of people...bowhunters unlike gunhunters tend to pick a spot and sit...so pressure during bow season isnt what many here say it is...and that can be said for gunseason too if one hunts away from the sight of the road...most gun hunters dont go very far...
i do not know of any poor public hunting in ohio...state or federal...aep or coal company lands like sunday creek...its all good...as for pressure,its non xistant if you do your homework...i see more pressure on the private land i hunt(actually i dont hunt them anymore)...

the deer camp has a very big advantage for any hunter...me...i have hunted these woods since 1964...i was born about a mile from our campsite...:D i grew up in these woods so thats why i prefer this area...there is no charge to scout or to come to the camp...not from me or the forest service...we have a lot of miles of forest to hunt thats full of all kinds of wildlife...deer,turks,squirrels,rabbits and even grouse,also coyotes and fox and an occaisional bear...its got all kinds of features from big steep hills to low rolling hills...actually it has it all...you dont have to be in perfect shape to hunt in some areas...others you do...:biggrin:
now is the best time to scout to learn the lay of the land...and the rutting signs are still evident and the trails very easy to see...i am always available on weekends to scout...deer camp(wn)is really a good time...hope you can make it...big bucks are available at just the cost of a hunting license...:D