Question for Ohio Trad Gangers

[sam barrett]

Hey guys, I know this has been asked a lot, but I plan to try a little out of state hunting in Ohio this year.  I usually go to KS, but it is such a long drive!  I may still go, but could do some weekend hunts in Ohio.  I'm looking at Egypt Valley/Jockey Hollow and Salt Fork, because of their size and proximity to where I live in PA.  Which would you choose out of those two.  I'm sure they get lots of pressure, but just about anywhere does these days.  Not asking for any honey holes, just which would you hunt if you had to choose.  Plan on getting down there this spring to do some scouting at both.  Open to any other suggestions as well.  You can PM me if you'd rather.  Thanks! Sam

[billy dryden]

Pm sent.

[Jeff D. Holchin]

I am a PA native and lived in Ohio for some years before moving south.  I've hunted both and eventually found better public areas; of the two I think Salt Fork is better, especially if you have a boat.  Mostly mature woods with some crop fields.  Egypt Valley is generally thicker habitat that was great years ago but is maturing out.  If you are definitely going to hunt OH this fall, get your license and turkey tag now (license year starts March 1) and get over there during turkey season.  PM me and I can provide more suggestions.

[Gil Verwey]

I am not from Ohio, but have hunted there several times. I would go to Vinton county, stay at Lake Hope and hunt the Waterloo Walk In area. One year I called in 13 bucks in 3 days with the Premos Buck Roar (Nov 10, 11, 12). Best three days whitetail hunting I ever had. Passed a few small eights, missed a giant 8, the rest were all giant 8s and 10s. Had another 8 come in that was a good buck right under my stand. I was looking down through the stand at his head. I was going to take him. He started to get nervous and walk fast then he shot out of there. A big 10 came off the nob behind me and chased him like he was going to kill him.

You may be too late to book cabins on state camp grounds, since the weekends get booked up right away by local hunters. You probably will be able to get days during the week.

Good luck. Ohio manages their herd correctly. Lots of good bucks there.

Gil

[the rifleman]

I really would not waste the money on an out of state license for Ohio.  The DOW has done a miserable job decimating the herd.  A number of years allowing 9 deer limits and handing out nuisance permits left and right has drastically changed deer hunting in this state for the worse.

[GLP]

Look at the new Jessie Owens state park ( the old AEP wildlife area in morgen and noble counties) lots of nice deer there. May still be in sale transition fase. But huntable. 

[David Mitchell]

For years a group of us from Ohio hunted Zaleski State Forest (Lake Hope area).  We had some fine hunting for a long time--saw lots of dandy bucks--but then the over harvest and hunting pressure totally changed the experience.  That and some stories were published in an out of state sports magazine about all of the big bucks at Zaleski and man did it ever get overrun with folks from everywhere.  The hunting there deteriorated so much that we basically have seen very little success for a number of years now and have pretty much given up on the area.  Not nearly what it used to be.  I guess my buddies and I would differ on the idea that Ohio manages its herd properly.  Some changes have been made recently.  Now only bucks can be taken after the gun season.

[Jeff D. Holchin]

I lived in Ohio from 96-02 and experienced some excellent hunting, and even for some year afterwards.  Agree that the quality has dropped a lot in recent years.  Ironic that the state is significantly raising their NR fees at same time their hunting quality, while still good and even great compared to some states like where I now live (NC), is declining.  But with some serious scouting effort and hard work, you can experience very good bowhunting for deer, just ask Dalton Lewis! 

I used to go to the annual deer and turkey show each march in Columbus and just could not believe the quality and quantity of big bucks killed each year in Ohio, many that are never listed in any record book.  You just can't show up in October or November and expect to shoot a big buck - NOW is the time to wear out a pair of boots finding that perfect funnel like Dalton did last year on public land.  Might as well kill a turkey or two while you are at it!!!

[Gil Verwey]

I am surprised to hear the comments about Ohio. Nothing like what me and my friends experienced and still experience. Ohio used to only allow one buck per hunter whether it was taken in bow, muzzleloader or shotgun. Has that changed? It also allows some bucks to get some age. That makes for a big buck to doe ratio and a rut to remember. Friends that go every year score on 130 class or better every year. I guess one man's poison is another man's meat and potatoes. When I hunted Zaleski I would hunt the walk in only area. Saw lots of good bucks every year and no hunters.

I hunted other areas too. Woodbury and Shawnee. Shawnee was also great, Woodbury was loaded with hunters.

We had a cabin rented for two weeks this year in Shawnee, but just cancelled this week due to my hunting partner no longer being able to go. Two other groups of friends are still going.

I guess coming from NJ what you Ohio guys think is bad, is heaven to us. Here you are allowed so many bucks it is ridiculous. There is a trickle rut that lasts for months.

I can't wait to go again. This year got cancelled and next year is Elk again, so my next trip to Ohio will be 2020.

If you do decide to go with bow check the areas that allow the early muzzleloader season. I believe that Salt Fork does. Those areas can get pretty crowded.

Good luck if you go.

Gil   

[Slickhead]

I live in SE Ohio. I am not a trophy hunter. Ive seen some nice bucks on public land. I cant speak for those areas as I hunt close to home in SE Ohio.

If I was traveling to Ohio (if not already a resident) I would go the last week of Oct thru Nov 11th.
You will up you odds greatly as I see more nice bucks those weeks.
Feel free to reach out to me

[sam barrett]

Thanks for the responses, I really appreciate everyone's input.  Remember, I'm doing this because it's close to home, that's the main point.  I'm looking at doing mostly weekend hunts that don't require me to drive more than a few hours.  Also a huge point to this is that my home state of PA closes its archery season several weeks before gun season and this leaves me with several weeks of primetime hunting that I can't do at home.  After PA closes I'll have a couple weeks in November to chase whitetails in Ohio.  Even hunting that isn't great is better than no hunting at all.  I'm keeping things in perspective and think I will enjoy my time no matter what.  Thanks again and keep the replies coming!

[bucknut]

I've not hunted the areas in question but I do hunt probably 90% Public land and I do still see plenty of deer. We have been spoiled over the years with populations that were quite huntable for the average guy to just get in the woods nearly anywhere and be successful. Now it requires a little more work to get away from the crowds but the deer can still be found. I do know the Egypt valley/Piedmont area produces some whoppers. As you said any hunting is better than no hunting.

John