This was the first year I've ever put in for public hunt draws. I drew Gun deer either sex for the OSB for early November. I chose this place due to the chance of success of a draw, not for success of harvest. Harvest rates for the drawn hunts here looked generally poor in the Tpwd booklet for last year. Im looking forward to a challenging but hopefully successful hunt. I've never been here. I did notice that it is open to archers at any time it's not closed for drawn hunts, so I'm presuming pretty skittish deer/hogs. For those that hunt or have hunted here, could you fill me in on any tips, pointers, or opinions for the place? Or atleast what to expect? I won't be using an atv, so I'll be in my truck or on my own 2 feet. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

I dont think your alowed to drive into the brush with your truck, only atv's, so that limits you to your feet. We hunted hogs out there a couple years ago, walked over 30 miles in a 4 day hunt, but pretty much had the place to ourselves.(this was during summer hog hunting) We saw deer and did get some hogs, but we put our time and effort in too, that is for sure.

matt

I have been there on the draw hunts 2 times. There were a few nice deer killed and lots of hogs. They do close the area during the draw hunts to other hunters. It will be hard hunting, especially if you're walking in. There are some nice deer there though. I have never seen a buck while hunting there and only a few does but some pretty good ones were killed while I was there.

If I could give you some advice it would be this... Don't waste your GDE draw on this place. They will not turn you away if you show up as a standby. The guy told me they have NEVER turned anybody away that shows up to hunt. This is why it can get pretty crowded there during the drawn hunts. The last time I went there were 25 drawn hunters and 25 standby hunters and everybody hunted. Put your name in for a better place next time and if you want to hunt at OSB just show up there the day of the hunt and pay them.

As far as the truck goes, redchevy is correct. They will make you park your truck in a designated parking area and if you have an atv you ride it from there. The better hunting areas are at the back of the property so the ones that bring atv's will get those as there is no way you would be able to walk to them and hunt.

Good luck on your hunt.

I fished the river there back in the early 90's. A good flat bottom/outboard would be a handy tool if the river had some water in it. A big flat bottom and a small atv would be even better! You can launch there at the hwy bridge. I've not been there in a really long time

yep...having an atv to get towards the back of the park will put you on some nice bucks. when i had my atv it was great hunting for hogs and seen plenty of nice bucks. but its still possible to get on some deer within hiking range if you do your scouting. ive seen plenty of deer off the side of the road during first light and last light. but ive hunted this place for a long time and know what to look for when it comes to deer vs hogs

I would say you got about 10% chance of seeing a deer...

That place is waaaaaayyyyyyy over hunted....

Yakblue,

With your luck this year, I believe your chances are better than most!!! I just hope your luck rubs off on your hunting partner at Richland Creek!

To back up scooterg's idea, here's a buck that came out of there last year. Thinking outside of the box paid off for my buddy last year.


This buck was taken with a bow. Two of my buddies hunt there every year, and at least one of them usually gets a decent buck.

Don't think you will be useing that boat this year.....

That's a great buck, even more so considering using a bow. Hopeful to see something like that when I'm rifle hunting for the GDE, but I'm not getting my hopes up too much.

I was on that lease for 7 years before the state bought it,If you go to the turn off just before the y that goes to the river,Take that trail to the pipe line,If your walking you are in for a walk,you will go past the quonson hut that was the camp i was in,Keep going you will pass the the bus camp[old school bus],Keep going you are nearly there,You will know it when you get there,That is where most of the really big buck's come from,there might still be some of the old stand's still there.It used to be a great lease.If you don't what a hour walk go past the y that goes to the river,go past the oil pumps to the end of road,Favor your right to towards the river,I have took a nice 8 and a heavy 6 point in that area and back towards long lake.Good luck you should see pigs to if you stay close to the river.