Hey all! I have this coming weekend off and my dad and i were gunna go with our portables and try and get a deer bowhunting! does anyone know of any good areas that we could drive to and have a good chance of getting a deer?!

Along 169 east of Belle Plaine there is some state land that can be hunted along the river.

There is also some state land located north northwest of Henderson about 6-8 miles

Thank you! do you know by chance if thats heavily hunted or not? Because louisville is usually pretty busy i have been there a couple of times.

I personally don't know if I would want to bowhunt with all the slug hunters out there but you certainly could have some action with all the other hunters out there moving the deer. Remember that you have to wear blaze when bowhunting this weekend due to deer opener.

Behind Valley Fair is popular, it is kind of a long hike in but it is only open to Achery. it does get hunted alot but there are alot of deer and it is a large area

I've already seen many approaches with campers or tents set up to "save" "their" public land area, heck some have had camp set up for weeks already hoping to be left alone for the upcoming weekend.

Thats just crazy people camping already. that works i guess though. and yes thank you for the reminder, i will wear my orange and all of wear it as well and safe hunting! yea i have been looking for spots ill let you know if i get anything! Good luck fellas!

I wouldn't say people are in all of these tents/campers they are just parked there to hold the spot, been watching this for years now. Some camps have like 1 person to hold down the fort until Friday, often times a retired from work kind of guy to "save" their public land spot/approach. It's great fun to pull into one of these and watch the saddened face of a guy figuring you are going to hunt there or set up right with them. Lots of these approaches are partially blocked so you can't get in. I asked a guy the other night why don't you buy some land ? He said can't afford it. I said but can afford a 40 thousand dollar 09 truck and 20 thousand dollar 5th wheel ? He said it isn't important for him to own land for 9 days a year. I get that. Good Luck hunting 3 moons to go.

Yep i would agree with Musky, you are camping on state land be prepared to have company! just because you are there doesnt mean you have exclusive rights to the spot! besides its always nice to meet new people that you have something in common with.

I hunted public land this weekend for the first time because the land we use to hunt, got sold and no hunting is allowed which is find but, never saw one deer, plenty of hunters which is fine but coming though all hours of day really is bad!!!
Thanks .