2020 is my 3rd year of whitetails and first with saddle. Season was unsuccessful but I fully enjoyed the saddle method and am fully converted. Due to a blessing of another baby girl, I was only able to spend 3 days in the wood. But that's ok because I got to spend time with little Mabel who sleeps in 3 hours interval at night....
Since my opportunity was extremely limited, I decided to only tag a 6 points or more until last hour of the last day when everything is open game. This wasn't the year to shoot the first deer that I see. I dont regret the decision even after passing on a few doe and spike, just being in the wood was enough.
Anyway, I sticked to never before hunted local public lands within 25 minutes drive just because I just didnt have time to scout large area, basically scouted all 3 location in one day. So the 3 places I hunted and encountered:
Hanover Watershed CWMA- 1 spike and 2 doe
Maring CWMA- Nothing....
Sawmill CWMA- 2 doe
I should have a lot more time next season as things will be more managable at home. But enough with the whining, I just wanted to reach out to the more experienced Maryland public lands hunters. How has your season been? Is there any place you would recommend? I'm not asking for your hidden gems or oasis, just if you know of good whitetail population in an area and how far from the parking lot I would need to go. I'm going to expand my range and thinking of going in deep, not spend the night but a good walk. I heard Pretty Boy and Soldier Delight were good, just dont have any experience going that far in, but if that's where the deer are, that's where I'm willing to go. Thank you for your time!
Since my opportunity was extremely limited, I decided to only tag a 6 points or more until last hour of the last day when everything is open game. This wasn't the year to shoot the first deer that I see. I dont regret the decision even after passing on a few doe and spike, just being in the wood was enough.
Anyway, I sticked to never before hunted local public lands within 25 minutes drive just because I just didnt have time to scout large area, basically scouted all 3 location in one day. So the 3 places I hunted and encountered:
Hanover Watershed CWMA- 1 spike and 2 doe
Maring CWMA- Nothing....
Sawmill CWMA- 2 doe
I should have a lot more time next season as things will be more managable at home. But enough with the whining, I just wanted to reach out to the more experienced Maryland public lands hunters. How has your season been? Is there any place you would recommend? I'm not asking for your hidden gems or oasis, just if you know of good whitetail population in an area and how far from the parking lot I would need to go. I'm going to expand my range and thinking of going in deep, not spend the night but a good walk. I heard Pretty Boy and Soldier Delight were good, just dont have any experience going that far in, but if that's where the deer are, that's where I'm willing to go. Thank you for your time!