Controlled Hunt results
- Thread starter Pokes15
- Start date
You will get a paper notification that shows which zone you will be in. I have hunted twice. Incredible hunt whether you score or not. I shot a doe first time in Boggy Area.
I will give you recommendations and updates later. Biggest thing is throw everything you know about hunting , deer haunts, etc. out the window. Next time I go, I may hunt as close to busiest highway/road on base. Deer are everywhere. The size and amount of deer you will see in restricted areas including playgrounds, porches, CO's quarters, parking lots, etc. is worth the trip alone.
I will give you recommendations and updates later. Biggest thing is throw everything you know about hunting , deer haunts, etc. out the window. Next time I go, I may hunt as close to busiest highway/road on base. Deer are everywhere. The size and amount of deer you will see in restricted areas including playgrounds, porches, CO's quarters, parking lots, etc. is worth the trip alone.
Fenced and heavily secured. You will go through a background check prior to your arrival.
Once you get to the outside gate, your vehicle will be thoroughly searched for contraband such as fireworks, ammunition of any kind (including the 22lr that you left in the ashtray). The people that do this are called "white hats" as they are volunteers who work the hunt in exchange for some hunting rights.
You will be given a name tag. Guard that name tag with your life. That is your ticket/id that says you can be on the place where they are making/storing bombs that will be used to blow up the freakin Taliban.
Once through the gate you will arrive at a Lake/campground. This is a safe spot, meaning that you can rest here knowing that you can have an adult beverage , smoke, take a good photo, etc. Many people bring tents , camper trailers, etc. and rent a spot for staying over. I have not done this, we have stayed off base in hotel (got in with badge as it is 24hr come and go from front gate to campsites) and have rented the cabins right across the lake from campground (prefer this).
You can't go near hunting area on your own. You will arrive a day early for briefing at campground. You will look at a map of Deer Creek boundaries and will be asked to put a Pin on the map where your "party" wishes to hunt.
Once all "pins" are up , drivers are selected. I prefer to drive as my stuff is in my truck, I am a little more in control , etc. but driver preference is generally given to those who have 3 or more in party. For example, if you have 3 and another hunter "pins" your area, your party will be given the "driver tag" if you want it. The 4th hunter will have to get in with you each morning. Another way to assure a driver tag is to wait to end and choose a pin spot nowhere near anyone else.
Assuming you are a driver, your briefing will tell you that you cannot go on base grounds in morning unless you are being led in convoy by Whitecap Leader. You will leave EARLY because they do not want anyone on roads during the morning worker hours. You will follow in line after hearing the call of """DEEEEEEERRRRR CREEEEEEK DRRRIVERS REPORT TO STATIONS" or something. You will be given a card with everyone's name and must keep it on dash. You will get vehicle and party and fall in convoy line.
Back to briefing day...Your white cap will escort you out after lunch to scout the area where you pinned. You will choose a spot along a road and put down a cone or something. This is your spot for rest of weekend parking wise. They do not want you to switch this spot but if conditions absolutely warrant, you can ask for a change of scenery but it must be with approval of EVERYONE in your party including any you may not know personally. You will scout out on foot, hang stands, clear lanes, etc.and return to your vehicles at a set time. Convoy leader/profession will come by and you will fall in line.
Hunting morning, you will be instructed where to turn away from convoy procession and you wil go to your cone. You will remain there unless you return for lunch run (I would take lunch to field). That night after hunting you will join procession back to campground.
At any time your vehicle, person, etc. is searchable. You cannot have a cig, lighter, camera (phone is fine but better not have a picture from the field on it), bullet, shell, etc. or it is a $500 or so fine PER THING. Remember you are a guest here. You are lucky, and hope everyone treats the place without incident. On last hunt morning, once done, you can return to campground unattended I think.
Once you park at cone, you can move about hunting as far as you want except for the certain blacklisted areas that will be shown on maps.
I prefer a light one man ladder stand or two and possibly a pop-up ground blind. Don't mess with taking a target as their are some at the campground and you can only shoot at there target area. I would take portable cell phone charger for music, lots of snacks as it is long day in the field. Awesome hunt though and depending on conditions lots of 24hr movement.
You can see deer at any place, don't overthink your spot. I hunted Deer Creek last year and saw lots. One in my party shot one doe but couldn't find till the buzzards circled the next morning. White caps were kind enough to come out, inspect and give him a "quality pass" for shooting a doe so he could return free this coming year on the same dates.
Once you get to the outside gate, your vehicle will be thoroughly searched for contraband such as fireworks, ammunition of any kind (including the 22lr that you left in the ashtray). The people that do this are called "white hats" as they are volunteers who work the hunt in exchange for some hunting rights.
You will be given a name tag. Guard that name tag with your life. That is your ticket/id that says you can be on the place where they are making/storing bombs that will be used to blow up the freakin Taliban.
Once through the gate you will arrive at a Lake/campground. This is a safe spot, meaning that you can rest here knowing that you can have an adult beverage , smoke, take a good photo, etc. Many people bring tents , camper trailers, etc. and rent a spot for staying over. I have not done this, we have stayed off base in hotel (got in with badge as it is 24hr come and go from front gate to campsites) and have rented the cabins right across the lake from campground (prefer this).
You can't go near hunting area on your own. You will arrive a day early for briefing at campground. You will look at a map of Deer Creek boundaries and will be asked to put a Pin on the map where your "party" wishes to hunt.
Once all "pins" are up , drivers are selected. I prefer to drive as my stuff is in my truck, I am a little more in control , etc. but driver preference is generally given to those who have 3 or more in party. For example, if you have 3 and another hunter "pins" your area, your party will be given the "driver tag" if you want it. The 4th hunter will have to get in with you each morning. Another way to assure a driver tag is to wait to end and choose a pin spot nowhere near anyone else.
Assuming you are a driver, your briefing will tell you that you cannot go on base grounds in morning unless you are being led in convoy by Whitecap Leader. You will leave EARLY because they do not want anyone on roads during the morning worker hours. You will follow in line after hearing the call of """DEEEEEEERRRRR CREEEEEEK DRRRIVERS REPORT TO STATIONS" or something. You will be given a card with everyone's name and must keep it on dash. You will get vehicle and party and fall in convoy line.
Back to briefing day...Your white cap will escort you out after lunch to scout the area where you pinned. You will choose a spot along a road and put down a cone or something. This is your spot for rest of weekend parking wise. They do not want you to switch this spot but if conditions absolutely warrant, you can ask for a change of scenery but it must be with approval of EVERYONE in your party including any you may not know personally. You will scout out on foot, hang stands, clear lanes, etc.and return to your vehicles at a set time. Convoy leader/profession will come by and you will fall in line.
Hunting morning, you will be instructed where to turn away from convoy procession and you wil go to your cone. You will remain there unless you return for lunch run (I would take lunch to field). That night after hunting you will join procession back to campground.
At any time your vehicle, person, etc. is searchable. You cannot have a cig, lighter, camera (phone is fine but better not have a picture from the field on it), bullet, shell, etc. or it is a $500 or so fine PER THING. Remember you are a guest here. You are lucky, and hope everyone treats the place without incident. On last hunt morning, once done, you can return to campground unattended I think.
Once you park at cone, you can move about hunting as far as you want except for the certain blacklisted areas that will be shown on maps.
I prefer a light one man ladder stand or two and possibly a pop-up ground blind. Don't mess with taking a target as their are some at the campground and you can only shoot at there target area. I would take portable cell phone charger for music, lots of snacks as it is long day in the field. Awesome hunt though and depending on conditions lots of 24hr movement.
You can see deer at any place, don't overthink your spot. I hunted Deer Creek last year and saw lots. One in my party shot one doe but couldn't find till the buzzards circled the next morning. White caps were kind enough to come out, inspect and give him a "quality pass" for shooting a doe so he could return free this coming year on the same dates.
Congrats!!! That is the best weekend to go IMHO.
I got skunked this year, but only put in for big mac.
Do you know what area yet?
tcp
I got skunked this year, but only put in for big mac.
Do you know what area yet?
tcp
I hate when I look a post, no other responses to it, so then respond, and next time I pull it up, I'm way behind on the conversation. Then look like idiot!
I second the amazing part of McAlester is just the ride back and forth is worth the price of admission, the big book and Crocket deer walking around is mind boggling. I can talk to generalities about Mac, but I've never hunted Deer Creek.
I'm sure someone on here has.
I second the amazing part of McAlester is just the ride back and forth is worth the price of admission, the big book and Crocket deer walking around is mind boggling. I can talk to generalities about Mac, but I've never hunted Deer Creek.
I'm sure someone on here has.
