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January Hunting - SE Michigan Public (Ghost Town)

Marshal

New Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2020
Messages
5
I'm new to the forum, so I wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone that has made my saddle hunting transition smooth (mostly) with all the informative posts. This is my first year in a saddle and I am really enjoying it. I've been hunting for a while but this is the first year that I've really 'caught the bug' if you guys know what I mean.

Anyway, I'm here in South East Michigan and desperately trying to do my part for the Urban Deer Management of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties. :) The extended archery season goes through January 31st here and I really could use another deer in the freezer. The thing is, I'm hunting public and seeing very, very little activity. In the past two weeks or so, I've been out about 6 times and the only time I've even seen deer was yesterday when I had 4 does come blazing past my tree. Clearly spooked by what I can only guess was another hunter walking to their stand. I didn't even have time to grab my bow off my hanger before they were past me and out of range. It was windy (16mph) so I didn't have the audible heads up that accompanies fast-moving deer.

Given all this, I would usually conclude that there are just no deer left in the public areas I am hunting (I've heard numbers up to 80% of bucks are killed each season here) but I am seeing loads of sign. Fresh tracks, droppings, rubs, and scrapes. All this is leaving me thinking that either I am really smelly and loud... or these highly pressured deer are completely 100% nocturnal.

Does anyone have any experience in SE Michigan public? Is this normal? I would also be happy to hear any late-season tactics you guys think I should be using.
I am not giving up yet!
 
I also hunt SE MI public. This time of year I drag a .22 around and shoot squirrels, all an excuse to scout deer hunting locations for next year.

Good luck!
 
Hello! I I live in Oakland county. And yes the deer are primarily nocturnal now. I can 100% echo the same results you have been having. all of my trail cams are showing middle of the night movement. I have a few hunts left hopefully can get something done myself
 
I also hunt SE MI public. This time of year I drag a .22 around and shoot squirrels, all an excuse to scout deer hunting locations for next year.

Good luck!
Good idea! My small game opener is set for February 1st! I can't wait to get some payback (and tasty meat) at all the damn squirrels that have been chirping at me all season.
 
Hello! I I live in Oakland county. And yes the deer are primarily nocturnal now. I can 100% echo the same results you have been having. all of my trail cams are showing middle of the night movement. I have a few hunts left hopefully can get something done myself
Good to know. After my hunt yesterday (spooked does) I am taking my medicine. I consider that a lesson learned. From here on out, I will be in my tree and ready when other hunters are moving. That means showing up early and staying late... if not all day. That is a glass half full situation with public land and we have to take our advantages where we can. Good luck to you @mball1684 !
 
I don't know why they bothered including Wayne county in the extended season... I can't think of a single public piece there. I work in Livonia and thought several times about taking a half day off to do an urban sit, but couldn't find a spot.


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I hunt SE michigan and confirm it was nearly a ghost town even after gun season. Can imagine another month of archery clean up turned the last few to hermits. You may have to get down and stalk a little.

Tell you what though couldn't ask for better weather to sit in for a January hunt. Not too helpful for deer movement but more bearable to the extremities. Good luck and keep at it!

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk
 
Good to know. After my hunt yesterday (spooked does) I am taking my medicine. I consider that a lesson learned. From here on out, I will be in my tree and ready when other hunters are moving. That means showing up early and staying late... if not all day. That is a glass half full situation with public land and we have to take our advantages where we can. Good luck to you @mball1684 !
Yea, I have been scouting/stalking in the am-mid day and hanging at night. A few occasions I have kicked up going in and coming out... just tough this time a year
 
I'm new to the forum, so I wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone that has made my saddle hunting transition smooth (mostly) with all the informative posts. This is my first year in a saddle and I am really enjoying it. I've been hunting for a while but this is the first year that I've really 'caught the bug' if you guys know what I mean.

Anyway, I'm here in South East Michigan and desperately trying to do my part for the Urban Deer Management of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties. :) The extended archery season goes through January 31st here and I really could use another deer in the freezer. The thing is, I'm hunting public and seeing very, very little activity. In the past two weeks or so, I've been out about 6 times and the only time I've even seen deer was yesterday when I had 4 does come blazing past my tree. Clearly spooked by what I can only guess was another hunter walking to their stand. I didn't even have time to grab my bow off my hanger before they were past me and out of range. It was windy (16mph) so I didn't have the audible heads up that accompanies fast-moving deer.

Given all this, I would usually conclude that there are just no deer left in the public areas I am hunting (I've heard numbers up to 80% of bucks are killed each season here) but I am seeing loads of sign. Fresh tracks, droppings, rubs, and scrapes. All this is leaving me thinking that either I am really smelly and loud... or these highly pressured deer are completely 100% nocturnal.

Does anyone have any experience in SE Michigan public? Is this normal? I would also be happy to hear any late-season tactics you guys think I should be using.
I am not giving up yet!

Welcome to the forum! I am in Toledo and hunt NW Ohio and I'm running into the same issues.
 
I don't know why they bothered including Wayne county in the extended season... I can't think of a single public piece there. I work in Livonia and thought several times about taking a half day off to do an urban sit, but couldn't find a spot.


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
There are two state game areas in Wayne if you want to give them a look see. I’ve not been to either place. Brownstown Prairie State Wildlife Area and Pointe Mouillee State Game Area. They are both pretty damn small. I would appreciate your notes if you check them out as I’m primarily focused on Oakland county for the rest of the season.
 
I hunt SE michigan and confirm it was nearly a ghost town even after gun season. Can imagine another month of archery clean up turned the last few to hermits. You may have to get down and stalk a little.

Tell you what though couldn't ask for better weather to sit in for a January hunt. Not too helpful for deer movement but more bearable to the extremities. Good luck and keep at it!

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk
I think stalking is a good idea as well. As I mentioned, the deer that went flying by me the other day may have set up right over a ridge. I was nearly sure I heard movement and some quiet blowing the rest of the afternoon like they were set up right there just out of sight. Who knows if I could have stalked close enough to get a shot but hell, this time of the season it’s pretty much all Hail Mary’s anyway.
 
There are two state game areas in Wayne if you want to give them a look see. I’ve not been to either place. Brownstown Prairie State Wildlife Area and Pointe Mouillee State Game Area. They are both pretty damn small. I would appreciate your notes if you check them out as I’m primarily focused on Oakland county for the rest of the season.
I hunted PMSG in Wayne the last two years prior to this season. If it's not frozen, you will need to get wet. If it is frozen, the deer have likely moved on to harder to reach spots. There is a chunk of standing timber that sees a ton of pressure. The rest of the spots you would do well to set up on the ground.
 
I'm new to the forum, so I wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone that has made my saddle hunting transition smooth (mostly) with all the informative posts. This is my first year in a saddle and I am really enjoying it. I've been hunting for a while but this is the first year that I've really 'caught the bug' if you guys know what I mean.

Anyway, I'm here in South East Michigan and desperately trying to do my part for the Urban Deer Management of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties. :) The extended archery season goes through January 31st here and I really could use another deer in the freezer. The thing is, I'm hunting public and seeing very, very little activity. In the past two weeks or so, I've been out about 6 times and the only time I've even seen deer was yesterday when I had 4 does come blazing past my tree. Clearly spooked by what I can only guess was another hunter walking to their stand. I didn't even have time to grab my bow off my hanger before they were past me and out of range. It was windy (16mph) so I didn't have the audible heads up that accompanies fast-moving deer.

Given all this, I would usually conclude that there are just no deer left in the public areas I am hunting (I've heard numbers up to 80% of bucks are killed each season here) but I am seeing loads of sign. Fresh tracks, droppings, rubs, and scrapes. All this is leaving me thinking that either I am really smelly and loud... or these highly pressured deer are completely 100% nocturnal.

Does anyone have any experience in SE Michigan public? Is this normal? I would also be happy to hear any late-season tactics you guys think I should be using.
I am not giving up yet!

It’s normal for highly pressured areas. After gun opener, mature deer immediately go nocturnal and dive to the thickest brush they can find, I would too. Experts would suggest setting up next to food sources for late winter hunting. Bucks need to replenish all the fat they burnt off during the rut and food sources get fewer and fewer as the season goes on.
 
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