Boats for the public land deer hunter

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BackWoodsHunter
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Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby BackWoodsHunter » Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:11 am

Does anyone on the site use boats for access to public land hunting? I know spysar uses a zodiak and uncle lou painted up his canoe. Anyone else? I got a pair of working trolling motors last week for 10 bucks and I got a free canoe last fall. I'm hoping to set something up to access some better public spots off the beaten path. Will it be more of a hassle than its worth? Does anyone else use boats to get to their spots?


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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby Brad » Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:01 pm

I have often thought of that being a valuable tool as well, now with that said, where on earth did you get a free canoe, I want a free canoe too!
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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby BackWoodsHunter » Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:07 pm

Brad Lamont wrote:I have often thought of that being a valuable tool as well, now with that said, where on earth did you get a free canoe, I want a free canoe too!


My grandpa has like 3 girlfriends and one of them had a canoe laying around she didn't use so she hooked me up. I also bought a wood duck skiff in November for $25 bucks and I have a 12ft flat bottom vnose boat I got from a high school teacher that he was going to scrap. I've got a small fleet I just don't know which will be best for public land deer hunting. I think the wooden skiff would be the quietest and it's only 9ft long so easy to navigate...no room for a dead deer though, at least not the river bottom monster I plan to shoot next fall ;) The canoe is most practical I guess because I don't want to be banging around in the aluminum boat.
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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby utica19 » Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:15 pm

Where does your grandpa find the time for THREE girlfriends? Obviously he doesn't hunt deer :o
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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby Spysar » Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:22 pm

Can't tell ya how much I love my boat. I used it again this year for a public land kill.

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A buck will see you three times, and hear you twice, but he's only gonna smell you once.
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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby BackWoodsHunter » Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:24 pm

He really slacked this year...in his defense they are all in different zip codes so he's rarely entertaining all 3 at the same time ;)

Also he had a knee replaced this year so he didn't hunt very hard, last year he got his first bowkill ever, at age 74. I drag him a long with me, next year he's going to stick a big one. Probably not from any hardcore aquatic entrance hunt though!
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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby BackWoodsHunter » Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:25 pm

Hey spy are these spots your hunting solely accessible by boat or does it just take a lot of the leg work out hunting those spots? Does the boat access really set you apart from the other hunters or is there still sign of others in those spots?

When using the "aquatic approach" what are some things you are looking for? Are you hunting close to the water?
"The history of the bow and arrow is the history of mankind." Fred Bear
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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby Tadmdad » Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:26 pm

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The short answer is Yes. We probably use a boat of some sort on 50% of our wilderness hunts. Probably one of the best ways to access less pressured hunting areas.
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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby Spysar » Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:30 pm

Sometimes it takes a lot of legwork out, and sometimes it's cause it's the sole way other than cross private. Most of the time you don't have to go far to get to a good spot. It's like a back entry.
A buck will see you three times, and hear you twice, but he's only gonna smell you once.
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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby BackWoodsHunter » Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:34 pm

man this has me fired up to get hunting out of a boat can't wait to get out scouting for fall!! I can see how those zodiaks must be nice being rubber and all. Do you see much pressure on these landlocked pieces from the neighboring private lands spysar? I have 4 spots like this I want to check out this spring and hunt in fall. I expect good hunting on them.
"The history of the bow and arrow is the history of mankind." Fred Bear
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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby Spysar » Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:38 pm

There will always be someone as hardcore as you. So yes, I do see evidence of other people. Not much though, and way far less than road accessable land. Weekdays on a boated in spot is usually all mine.
A buck will see you three times, and hear you twice, but he's only gonna smell you once.
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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby BigHunt » Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:51 pm

this is a cool thread ...i was looking at some of these inflatble boots or this purpose ...under 1000 some under 500 $$
and the wieght limit is good to up 800 pounds
found them at cabelas


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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby DEERSLAYER » Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:12 pm

BackWoodsHunter wrote:My grandpa has like 3 girlfriends...

Tell your grandpa he is my hero. :bow-blue: :lol:
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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby BackWoodsHunter » Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:21 pm

DEERSLAYER wrote:
BackWoodsHunter wrote:My grandpa has like 3 girlfriends...

Tell your grandpa he is my hero. :bow-blue: :lol:


He could have even more but he knows better ;) Everywhere we go these old women are always after him its kind of funny
"The history of the bow and arrow is the history of mankind." Fred Bear
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Re: Boats for the public land deer hunter

Unread postby BigHunt » Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:22 pm

BackWoodsHunter wrote:
DEERSLAYER wrote:
BackWoodsHunter wrote:My grandpa has like 3 girlfriends...

Tell your grandpa he is my hero. :bow-blue: :lol:


He could have even more but he knows better ;) Everywhere we go these old women are always after him its kind of funny

:P good ol boy
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