I have been an Indiana public land deer hunter for the last 30 years or so. After several years of limited harvest success and many failed attempts to acquire private land to hunt on without a lease, I came to a conclusion there might be a more scientific approach to hunting the already adequate public land available.
Topographic maps and aerial photo's;
Though these are very valuable for a hunter to use to check terrain features, elevation changes and assisting in determining thick cover areas, they are certainly not the only means available. What about the internet, what about GPS technology and, and, good old field leg work or detailed terrain scouting.
My method's:
GPS - I started using a GPS around June of 2000 and never looked back.
My fisrt GPS was a Magellan 210. I managed to lose that handy device while deer hunting in Nov. 2005, never to be found after intense searching. Scanning the internet and GPS store wholesaler's, I found the Lowrance IFinderHunt GPS. This unit is specifically made with the game hunter in mind.
http://www.lowrance.com/products/outdoo ... erhunt.asp
GPS mapping software - Searching the internet back in 2003, I managed to locate exactly what I was looking for. Software that could access USGS topographic maps and USGS aerial photo's. One without the other is absolutely useless for serious scouting, especially when coupled with the ability to overlay GPS marked field locations or waypoints.The software name is ExpertGPS and I have used it exclusively since 2003 for all scouting, map creation and printed maps/photos to use in the field.
http://www.expertgps.com
To make a long detailed story as short as possible, I have included some photo's of deer I have taken since 2003. The three deer shown were all taken on Indiana public land using my scouting method's and maps. Proper stand placement, body cleanliness and willingness to sit on stand for all day periods are also employed by me.
Taken 2003, Knight MK85, net score 168 5/8, gross 181
By corvair, shot with Unknown at 2007-08-15
In 2004, hit a huge 10 point that would have scored in the 150 category. Hit a limb, bullet deflected. Deer was hit, but never saw it the rest of the season.
Taken 2005, Savage 10MLII
By corvair, shot with E4300 at 2007-08-15
Taken 2006, Savage 10MLII
Topographic maps and aerial photo's;
Though these are very valuable for a hunter to use to check terrain features, elevation changes and assisting in determining thick cover areas, they are certainly not the only means available. What about the internet, what about GPS technology and, and, good old field leg work or detailed terrain scouting.
My method's:
GPS - I started using a GPS around June of 2000 and never looked back.
My fisrt GPS was a Magellan 210. I managed to lose that handy device while deer hunting in Nov. 2005, never to be found after intense searching. Scanning the internet and GPS store wholesaler's, I found the Lowrance IFinderHunt GPS. This unit is specifically made with the game hunter in mind.
http://www.lowrance.com/products/outdoo ... erhunt.asp
GPS mapping software - Searching the internet back in 2003, I managed to locate exactly what I was looking for. Software that could access USGS topographic maps and USGS aerial photo's. One without the other is absolutely useless for serious scouting, especially when coupled with the ability to overlay GPS marked field locations or waypoints.The software name is ExpertGPS and I have used it exclusively since 2003 for all scouting, map creation and printed maps/photos to use in the field.
http://www.expertgps.com
To make a long detailed story as short as possible, I have included some photo's of deer I have taken since 2003. The three deer shown were all taken on Indiana public land using my scouting method's and maps. Proper stand placement, body cleanliness and willingness to sit on stand for all day periods are also employed by me.
Taken 2003, Knight MK85, net score 168 5/8, gross 181
By corvair, shot with Unknown at 2007-08-15
In 2004, hit a huge 10 point that would have scored in the 150 category. Hit a limb, bullet deflected. Deer was hit, but never saw it the rest of the season.
Taken 2005, Savage 10MLII
By corvair, shot with E4300 at 2007-08-15
Taken 2006, Savage 10MLII