Getting excited for the MCAAP hunt!!!

[Schmidty3]

Ohhhh buddy. Halloween weekend. Deer Creek. Should be right at the start of the pre-rut.

I've finally settled on a bow/arrow combo, and I'm shooting good.

I've got so many stars on my Google map that McAlester looks like it has it's own constellation. I've never been but I'm doing my best to mark all the likely funnel's... man made or natural... especially with big looking trees (hopefully oaks that are dropping).  

My work is suffering, this single guy is making no time for women (not that I'm any good at that anyway      )  , all of my other hunts seem insignificant, I'm checking McAlester's Facebook page frequently... waiting for the next big boy to be announced, and its what I'm thinking about a good portion of the day....    :rolleyes:  

My internal debates are picking up....

"Do I hunt near the roads??? or hike back in aways???"

Constantly researching "the best" way I can setup my gear...stand, sticks, bow, pack, camo, etc. (since what ive had and used to good effect for the last several years isnt good enough anymore    :rolleyes:  )  

"Do I want to be a driver and pick my area quickly, but have to tend to other people's needs??? or be a passenger, with little responsibility and hope one of my spots isn't picked????"

Maybe its time for a breath and just go hunting??? Stick a doe. Eat good. Calm the shooting nerves down.

Anyway....anyone else going? lol   :p

[TexasTrad]

MCAAP is a fun place to hunt. It has been a very long time since I was there (they were still hunting with compounds if that tells you anything).  I hope you have a chance at one of the big ones!!

[JDunlap]

I'm leaving in the morning. Deer Creek for me too!

[Preston Lay]

Good luck Joe. I wish I was going but struck two years running. Hope you get a big one.

[1kwikstik]

The roads dont bother those deer there at all, hunt wherever you find a good spot! Good luck!

[Tsalt]

I'm in Deer Creek Nov. 4-6.  I was there last year and and in an effort to get away from people we hiked back in a mile... Big mistake!  We couldn't get on deer.  Meanwhile, other guys I knew were hunting 100 yards from their truck between the bunkers and seeing all kinds of deer.  This will be my 4th time to MCAAP and I think I have finally learned my lesson... Just hunt the bunkers... They form natural funnels and as was said, the deer are used to the road noise.  
Good luck Daniel!  Look forward to hearing how it goes for you.

Good luck!

Bisch

[Schmidty3]

Just between this thread it seems that trad gang has deer creek covered for the next 3 out of 4 weekends.

That's what I'm fighting the most. The desire to get back by myself.

There's right near 10,000 acres there I guess. And I'm assuming about 100 hunters? 100 acres per hunter. Obviously I'd prefer to be in a place where other hunters won't affect my hunt.

How crowded does it usually get? I'd like to have a couple hundred yards of space if possible.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Good luck.

[Tsalt]

Originally posted by Schmidty3:
Just between this thread it seems that trad gang has deer creek covered for the next 3 out of 4 weekends.

That's what I'm fighting the most. The desire to get back by myself.

There's right near 10,000 acres there I guess. And I'm assuming about 100 hunters? 100 acres per hunter. Obviously I'd prefer to be in a place where other hunters won't affect my hunt.

How crowded does it usually get? I'd like to have a couple hundred yards of space if possible.

I think it's more like 40,000 acres.  You will have no problem getting far enough from others.  The outlying areas are the most tempting to pursue because it looks like that's the best way to get away from people... Which it is. But, you have to remember that the closer you get to the boundaries of the base, the closer you are getting to deer that are pressured from outside the base.  The awesome thing about this hunt is that these deer only get hunted 6 weekends a year (besides a few special hunts I think).  
I'm certainly no expert and you might hike a mile and kill a giant... This has just been my observation over the past 10 years.

[Schmidty3]

Tsalt, I was just referring to the size of the deer creek portion. But yeah. Lots of space. I spent probably 10 weekends this year scouting 10,000 acres of public land and still don't know half of it. So only having 4-6 hours to do that and hang a stand is daunting.

I guess in the end i'll take whats given as far as areas, trust my instincts and do what I know how to do.

[Schmidty3]

I guess the hope this trip is to learn as much as I can about the area....and stick a doe or pig so I can come back next year!  

[Schmidty3]

Hey, Preston! thanks for the tip. PS. your inbox is full  

[Preston Lay]

Got my box cleared out now. Thanks

[Tsalt]

Originally posted by Schmidty3:
Tsalt, I was just referring to the size of the deer creek portion. But yeah. Lots of space. I spent probably 10 weekends this year scouting 10,000 acres of public land and still don't know half of it. So only having 4-6 hours to do that and hang a stand is daunting.

I guess in the end i'll take whats given as far as areas, trust my instincts and do what I know how to do.

My bad!  Yes, that's right for deer creek.  It is daunting and exhausting but you will have a blast!

[yth-mnstr]

I'll be in Hominy the weekend of November 10-13 and I'm pumped too!  The FB pics have not helped. Haha