Brush Creek and Highlandtown Wildlife Areas

[Limbhanger]

I know I posted this same question back in the Spring, although never did get much response, and now can't locate the original, so will try again?

As a N.R. I'll be keeping my hunts within an hours drive due to time restraints, which leaves me 3 Wildlife Areas. One just out side of Calcutta, and the other two as mentioned. I mainly hunt the Calcutta area due to it's closer proximity, but my question is more with Highlandtown and Brush Creek?

As with bowhunting Highlandtown and Brush Creek, are the oppurtunities that great for a good buck? As with something 130in. or better?

Never really hunted Highlandtown, although have turkey hunted Brushcreek many of times. Which leaves me to really question Brushcreek, due to the fact all the years I've turkey hunted I really never saw that many deer there or the sign? I realize Spring Turkey isn't a good time for inturpeting deer sign, although still question it? Just does not seem that good for deer, but really don't know? But on the other hand, I do see plenty of deer on the way there on posted grounds outside the Wildlife Area, which would lead me to believe gun season may produce, when deer are pushed off these bordering areas?

I realize big bucks can be taken anywhere, but is Brushcreek or Highlandtown good big buck producers in archery, or a low precentage area?

As with the Calcutta area I know it's potential to put out a few good ones, although very tough with all the pressure. And still would only rate this area as below average to average for taking a good bow buck, but need opinions on the other two areas? Thanks

[Frank in the Laurel]

THERE both overrun with disgruntled PA hunters...the deer have been slaughtered for the most part and the turkey are soon to follow...you must go below I-70 or above I-80 for the most part..you can't even find a parking spot anymore at either of those two, I remember the good ole' days when no one was at either, those days are gone forever...anyplace is better than these two for the most part...don't even think about the first day of any season at them, unless your selling hot dogs and cold drinks...

[Limbhanger]

THERE both overrun with disgruntled PA hunters...

Looks as is I'll be joining my fellow disgruntled PA hunters?:D Really have no other options in Ohio, within reason as I stated. Don't get me wrong, really do not care to hunt areas with a lot of pressure, but it's basically all I know, as it can't be any worse then what I hunt in PA? That's just something I always have to deal with when hunting, but wanted to put most of my time in the area that has the best potential for a good buck?

[Dissident]

Limbhanger, sometimes u have to swallow your pride and go knocking on doors. I know its tough, but if u can manage some kind of permission it would be better than the frustration associated with the aformentioned hunting areas. Ive discovered 1 out of 15 or so inquires has provided me partial or full hunting privileges. Good luck

[Limbhanger]

Limbhanger, sometimes u have to swallow your pride and go knocking on doors. I know its tough, but if u can manage some kind of permission it would be better than the frustration associated with the aformentioned hunting areas. Ive discovered 1 out of 15 or so inquires has provided me partial or full hunting privileges. Good luck

That would be nice, but not that easy nowadays. Over the years the few pieces of property I had permission to hunt, are all lost to new land owners or companies that aquired the land.

Basically anymore around my area in PA, if you do not own the land, or have a close friend or relative that does, you are pretty much out of luck hunting private areas that give exclusive rights just to a few hunters. Believe me, I knocked on many doors in PA in my time, and like I said, the private areas with only a select few hunters are a thing of the past.

As of now around the area I live, 90% of the hunters have Gamelands, and what I call Private Public Land. Which is basically a few good people that grant you permission and everyone knows this and they also aquire permission as these few land owners let anyone, wher I actually find Gamelands having less pressure than these areas nowadays, just the way it is around here.

As for Ohio, I have not kncked on many doors, although on of my first years hunting out there I did make a gallant effort and went to many doors. Always got the same two replies, We do not allow hunting, or once I tell them I'am from PA, they claimed they gave enough permission to those from Ohio. Basically saying you're not from Ohio or we might, is the way I took it, which makes it tough for a N.R.. And since then have never knocked on another Ohio landowners door.

What it comes down to nowadays, is most owners do not want you on their land, for many various reasons. And the biggest is, most landowners hunt themselves, or have realatives and close friends that hunt there and do not want more competition on their land. That's what it has come to with most landowners that do hunt, they do not want you possibly shooting their buck, I know and have been there, after losing permission, because a landowners son, did not want me there, I see this all too much, and similiar incedences with other Private that took on new hunters, which eliminated others, basically for the same reason.

Just my opinion, and wonder is it really worth it to knock on doors with what I expiernced over the years? In other words, if someone grants me permission, will it only be a select few, so I'am hunting an area with very little pressure? Not going to happen, I can gaurantee, if I get permission, so has everyone else that asked has also, which is sometimes worse than Gamelands like I stated.

[Frank in the Laurel]

LIMBHANGER speaks the absolute truth...period !!!!!! Very difficult to obtainthing once the PA gets spoken, especially near the border areas..

[Limbhanger]

Frank, hope you didn't take my previous post the wrong way? Wasn't trying to be a smart a$$, or act like a disgruntled PA'er:D It's the way I view most of it nowadays around here, and like you mentioned just over the border.

The big buck craze is the main culprit in todays hunting world, which slims the average Joe's chance of hunting some prime land with only a few others, which also leads to the more and ongoing leasing. That's the main reason behind leasing, limit hunters, to limit competition, and increase their chances they'll harvest the good bucks.

A couple good examples I have recently expierenced, give me no reason to think otherwise. At work i got a friend who owns land, which him and his Brother hunt. Always asked for permission, but he will not let me, and blames it on his Brother, I personally do not know. Anyways, he knows I'am a decent person, who would respect his land, and do nothing illegal or invite others to hunt. So why doesn't he let me bowhunt there. Without a doubt him and his Brother fear I might take the Big buck they often see and talk about, ther's no other reason in my mind?

Another example, had permission on a Private piece, although lost it with a gas Co. buying it. Now they only let a few of their workers hunt it. Over the years at this property I got to know a neigboring farmer where his posted land butted up against this piece. And at the time I was hunting this piece, I really wanted to hunt the farmers land. So my mission was to stop and get to know this guy better without asking to see if he would invite me to hunt it? After a couple years of stopping and BSing to him about hunting and such, we became friends to where, when I go by and see him out, I'll stop. At this point he never did invite me, even after knowing I lost permission at the place next to his. So last year, I just plan out asked him for permission, figuring at this point he knows me well enough and knows I'am a decent person. He replies, me and my grandsons hunt, and he didn't want others in there because they are hunting it. We are still friends even today, hoping he might change his mind, but not a chance. Because in all our conversations, he always spook of the big buck at times with excitement when he would see him. Bottom line he does not want me in there in fear I might get his or his Grandsons big buck. Now he or others do not tell me this, but ther is really no other explanation?

Like I said the only landowners you basically get permission from around here are those who do not hunt and want ever deer shot if it was up to them because they eat their crops, so in turn they let everyone hunt and these places are worse than Public.

The BIG BUCK craze has created many stingy hunters, where leasing will soon rule everywhere, leaving the average Joe's at Public only, so atleast I'am prepaired.:biggrin:

The BIG BUCK craze cause most other hunters to be untruthful also when it comes to certain areas? A good example, your first post, don't go there unless you plan on selling drinks and hotdogs. As far as I know, you might be chasing a BIG BUCK in one of these ares, and do not want others there? Don't take this the wrong way Frank, not saying you are being untruthful, but many hunters are with certain info, for the better of them.

And I only say this for a fact, as I personally know there is a BIG BUCK over 180in. running the Brushcreek or Highlandtown area, just not sure what area, it's a long story, and I'll leave it at that.:biggrin: