ADK Big Woods Hunt

[BKhunter]

Hello All,

I was interested in doing an ADK big woods back country hunt and was wondering if anyone has any experience planning one of these? I read the below article and seems like this is a hunt I definitely want to do:

http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/deer-hunting/finding-deer-hunt/2013/10/whitetail-empire

I want to enter from the south as I am located in NYC and am looking for a 3-4 day trip, so don't want to spend a lot of travel time driving there. How would I go about planning entry and understanding where I can camp and hunt. This is all very new to me so appreciate any tips you can offer. I am looking to go around the Nov 11th if anyone has any interest as well.

BK

[Buckmaster7600]

There are tons of spots to camp in the ADKS. I would look around blue mountain lake, Indian lake, long lake, Perkins clearing. All these have designated spots for camping.


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[DirtTime]

Are you looking to do a DIY hike in camping and hunting or rent a cabin? 

[BKhunter]

36 minutes ago, ....rob said:

Are you looking to do a DIY hike in camping and hunting or rent a cabin? 

Rob,

 

DIY hike in camping and hunt. 

[DirtTime]

There are a lot of people here with experience in the ADK's. A DIY trip is always fun. I would check with a few sites in the area's Buckmaster mentioned. Most of the state campgrounds close up 10/10 for the season. Lewey Lake might allow access to hunters for hunting that late. This might be a good option as it would only be about a 4-5 hour drive.

If you are going full DIY, prep well. Just figure out where, research, and check maps. Most state land allows you to stay for 3 nights without a permit, but longer then that you need one ( they used to be free ). Not all are the same and I would check to make sure.

Gear is a huge factor. I would get a good 4 season tent, cold weather sleeping bag, really good sleeping pad, and a small propane stove, two compasses, maps of the area, just to name a few things. 

Edited September 13, 2016 by ....rob

[NFA-ADK]

I do not usually back pack in, I set up a base camp then hike in and out.  I am planning on going up to Moose River around the same time.  Check out Moose River Recreational area and let me know if this area interests you.  If it does I can help out.  Things to bring:  This list is large, this is why I do not hike everything in, setting up the camp alone and unpacking all my gear is about 6 hours of work. 

Compass, bring 2!  GPS VIP know how to use it and how to get out if it brakes!  Map

Flashlights, minimum 2 with spare batteries and bulbs.  Drag rope, knife, deer calls.  Extra clothes if going in late, really good sleeping bag.  Bino's.  Phones do not work in most of this area, be prepared for anything!  Bring as much food as you can carry!  After getting back a few miles you will need it to recoup all the energy you lost.  

It is about 3-4 miles back to Indian lake on a old road that is now closed.  Good area to check out and would be a decent spot to try your luck.  Couple of guys missed a 6 pt back by the lake, he should be a really nice 10 if he is still around.

More things to add, I will come back to this post.   

[DirtTime]

The list of gear is almost endless. First aid kit, a good one! Duct tape, I always a keep some with me in the woods. Extra ammo, spare gloves at least 3 or 4 pairs. A good book as nights are long. Axe or hatchet, saw, plenty of water proof matches.

This list of gear will grow as more people chime in. 

[BKhunter]

36 minutes ago, NFA-ADK said:

I do not usually back pack in, I set up a base camp then hike in and out.  I am planning on going up to Moose River around the same time.  Check out Moose River Recreational area and let me know if this area interests you.  If it does I can help out.  Things to bring:  This list is large, this is why I do not hike everything in, setting up the camp alone and unpacking all my gear is about 6 hours of work. 

Compass, bring 2!  GPS VIP know how to use it and how to get out if it brakes!  Map

Flashlights, minimum 2 with spare batteries and bulbs.  Drag rope, knife, deer calls.  Extra clothes if going in late, really good sleeping bag.  Bino's.  Phones do not work in most of this area, be prepared for anything!  Bring as much food as you can carry!  After getting back a few miles you will need it to recoup all the energy you lost.  

It is about 3-4 miles back to Indian lake on a old road that is now closed.  Good area to check out and would be a decent spot to try your luck.  Couple of guys missed a 6 pt back by the lake, he should be a really nice 10 if he is still around.

More things to add, I will come back to this post.   

ADK,

That area works. I was looking for something no more than 5-6 hrs and that seems to be about a 5 hour drive. 

[Buckmaster7600]

If this is something that you have never done I highly recommend you hold of and do a dry run in the spring or even in the next few weeks! It would be a lot better to be 4-5 miles of the road and say darn I wish instead of oh my god I...


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[DirtTime]

7 minutes ago, Buckmaster7600 said:

If this is something that you have never done I highly recommend you hold of and do a dry run in the spring or even in the next few weeks! It would be a lot better to be 4-5 miles of the road and say darn I wish instead of oh my god I...


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I was thinking that as well. That's why I suggested an actual campground if possible. Lotta gear to buy ( if you don't have it already ) and set up to find out it's not for you.

[NFA-ADK]

Water purifier would be the way to go that deep. 

What type of outdoors experience do you have and how many years have you been hunting?   While this type of trip sounds great in theory sometimes setting up a base camp is an easer route especially for the beginner.   Setting up a few miles back solo so you can get one full day to hunt will be very hard.  Most of the guys I know that do this prep for months in advance with food and gear stowed away.

It would be smart, as stated above, to do a dry run before you go to basically test the waters.  These are remote woods that just like the ocean you need to respect!   

 

[Daveboone]

There is no shortage of public land available, but it is mixed with public....In theory, any of the state owned land you can hunt and camp on, but without getting zeroed in more, it is tough to say.....The state has a lot of free information available as to huntable land and where you can camp. If you contact a regional dec office and explain what you want to do, they can probably supply you with a lot of information.

For ease of access, open hunting and camping, I also would suggest the Moose River Recreation area. It is a huge area further north than what you were thinking, but it has established secluded camping areas (usually just a picnic table and an outhouse), that offers big woods hunting in a setting that sounds made to order for your first try. You can get info from the state, and I would strongly suggest obtaining the appropriate topographical maps to help you plan out trip.Know how to use your compass, No cell phone service back there. Plan simple meals to optimize your hunting time (Dinty Moore, ,MMMMMMM.

You will work hard and long for any deer up there, but they tend to run big, and the area is known for bear. We used to do well on grouse and Snowshoe  bunnies too.

[BKhunter]

Thank you all for the tips greatly appreciated. Would love to have them keep coming. 

[Fletch]

I am currently planning a trip as well. I have hunted different areas of the Dacks before but never a spike camp. I have the area I want to go to picked out and talked to the local Ranger a couple weeks ago. I am planning on doing an overnight this weekend or next to scout and get a layout of things. My sons soccer schedule is killing me since he is my partner on the trip. The spot I picked I can park and drop in the canoe loaded up and paddle to where I want to go to a primitive camp site for base camp. As my first camp for hunting this gives me the safety net of bringing more gear easier than packing in. I hope I can actually make the time and my sons to make this this work. It has always been something I wanted to do. Robin and his Lowes Lake trips has inspired me to just do it!!

 

I have a nice new topo of the area ordered and should get to me in a day or two, have been brushing up on my compass work and improving my survival kit as well as making a second for my son. I will be popping up the tent in the backyard this week to make sure it is fine since last used and run a dry run on the gear.

Edited September 14, 2016 by Fletch

[Buckmaster7600]

I am currently planning a trip as well. I have hunted different areas of the Dacks before but never a spike camp. I have the area I want to go to picked out and talked to the local Ranger a couple weeks ago. I am planning on doing an overnight this weekend or next to scout and get a layout of things. My sons soccer schedule is killing me since he is my partner on the trip. The spot I picked I can park and drop in the canoe loaded up and paddle to where I want to go to a primitive camp site for base camp. As my first camp for hunting this gives me the safety net of bringing more gear easier than packing in. I hope I can actually make the time and my sons to make this this work. It has always been something I wanted to do. Robin and his Lowes Lake trips has inspired me to just do it!!

 

I have a nice new topo of the area ordered and should get to me in a day or two, have been brushing up on my compass work and improving my survival kit as well as making a second for my son. I will be popping up the tent in the backyard this week to make sure it is fine since last used and run a dry run on the gear.

My senior year in high school 3 of my buddies and I decided to do this same thing over thanksgiving break. Everything went awesome we even saw a buck but Sunday morning on our way out about 2 miles of our stream that was a beaver flow was frozen with too much ice to break and not enough to stand on. It was absolute hell dragging 2 canoes and a ton of crap through the woods around the beaver dam to get back to the running water.

Not trying to scare you just something to think about. Had we not all been teenage boys that were all athletes and in good shape I don't know if we would have been able to do it.


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[300 marlin]

I am new to this forum.  

I hunt two different areas in the Dacks.  Absolutely beautiful place!   I agree with all the previous comments. You must be prepared for all potential situations. Safety first.  I hunt a remote camp near Big Moose Junction. 4.5 miles in on a one lane dirt road then 1.5 miles on ATV. Nearest fire department is 40 mins away. Nearest hospital is 80 miles away! Cell phone does not work I think that puts things in perspective. 

Rugged country.  I encourage you to go but maybe with a guide or at least a local who has experience and willing to teach and share experience and knowledge. Half the fun is in the preparation. Good luck and enjoy

[Fletch]

1 hour ago, Buckmaster7600 said:

 

 

My senior year in high school 3 of my buddies and I decided to do this same thing over thanksgiving break. Everything went awesome we even saw a buck but Sunday morning on our way out about 2 miles of our stream that was a beaver flow was frozen with too much ice to break and not enough to stand on. It was absolute hell dragging 2 canoes and a ton of crap through the woods around the beaver dam to get back to the running water.

Not trying to scare you just something to think about. Had we not all been teenage boys that were all athletes and in good shape I don't know if we would have been able to do it.


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I will be going in for bow season before the ice, and this is a flow that freezes early. And if it did I would pack up the camp pack it under the canoe till spring or a thaw and hike out. I'm not scared of the woods or a hike. While unfortunate it could be handled. It would be more of an ass pain if we got a deer and that happened but I guess I would have my first field quartering job!! lol May have to stay an extra couple of days to eat what I can't carry!!

[Buckmaster7600]

I will be going in for bow season before the ice, and this is a flow that freezes early. And if it did I would pack up the camp pack it under the canoe till spring or a thaw and hike out. I'm not scared of the woods or a hike. While unfortunate it could be handled. It would be more of an ass pain if we got a deer and that happened but I guess I would have my first field quartering job!! lol May have to stay an extra couple of days to eat what I can't carry!!

It was a blast but the ending sucked,some lessons are learned the hard way. I can guarantee I won't let it happen again!


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[NFA-ADK]

If you are still interested in this trip I might have an open spot for you at my campsite next year.  Think about it and let me know.  You would have a base camp to hunt out of and would only need your hunting gear food and a sleeping bag, I have an extra cot to sleep on and one bunk bed.  Trip would be around November 8th -21st. 

We would need to meet before this happened so I can go over the rules in camp and talk a bit more before I allow it.  I am in charge of safety at camp and take the job seriously, basically you would have to pass the interview to go. 

I shoot at Suffolk Archers with bow and Ridge rifle range with the gun.  Maybe we could have some other members meet us up their and try to teach and learn from each other.  I would love to have a HuntingNY.com hunting trip!