Im getting back in the game after a couple decades. My hunting experience is limited to a couple does on private land in Mississippi. Ive always been hunting adjacent but never had anyone serious about helping me get started. Anyway I woke up last year and thought to my ownself"ive lived in Ohio for 12 years, why am I not hunting? So I decided to give it a whirl. I dont even own an implemented yet. Im thinking I might grab a crossbow since I dont have enough time to get re-acquanted with a compound this season. Im looking for possible connections, maybe insight as to where to go in SW ohio to just get on a doe or two to get my feet wet again. I was at spring valley last Sunday and suprised by the lack of vehichles but im sure that will change.

Anyway, hi everyone

I just went out at 6pm to hunt around alum creek lake near Polaris and while its my first ever time hunting deer I saw 5, 1 antler and 4 doe.

I was mainly walking around with my bow scouting as it was really late to even get to a spot so slightly hoping I could be sneaky but that failed, obviously, but the first 3 were grouped which was the 2 doe and an antler, they saw a hiker and the antler blew at him and the doe's ran and then when I turned because deer ran passed me he blew at me and then took off. Hiker apologized which its hunting/hiking public land so im not mad and I didnt even see the deer until he blew lol.

Second set was 2 small doe as I was leaving because there was very little light at 7:50pm and they saw me wayyy before I noticed them and blew at me then ran off trail into bushes where I just stood and stared at them and they stared back until I moved then they blew and bolted again.

My PLAN is to show up a few hours earlier and set up where I saw the first group as there was plenty of acorns and walnuts where the buck was standing because i investigated when they were gone plus a bunch of poo, gonna try and hide in the brush before they get there and sit for a few hours but I have no idea if im hunting/scouting right as this is my first year hunting and have never hunted before AND I have no mentor as family hunted but never took me with them when I was younger.

Im now at work way too excited because I only saw them and found an eating area lol

Any tips or reccomendations would be appreciated!!

Summary: I saw deer, they ran, I see more deer, they ran, i have plan to sit tomorrow.

Hey all, I'm brand new to hunting, this is my first season ever. I've been hunting some public land in Delaware County the last few days, and honestly the terrain has kicked my butt. It feels like almost everywhere is choked with vines, thorns, and thick brush, really hard to navigate quietly or even move through at all. Open, walkable woods seem rare.

Is this just how most public land in Ohio is, or am I picking bad spots? Any tips on finding more open hunting ground, or things I should know as a first-timer dealing with this kind of terrain?

Also, I don't have anyone to hunt with right now, and I think having someone show me the ropes would help a ton. If anyone's open to taking a newbie out (or just wants to compare notes), I'd really appreciate it. Happy to meet up, buy gas, whatever works.

Thanks in advance!

I’m curious to hear people’s experiences on public land around NE OH. I recently moved to Cleveland and always had private farms to hunt so public land hunting is new to me. Are there any spots that are preferred for small game (squirrel) that don’t tend to be overcrowded with hunters? Any thoughts about hunting opportunities around the greater Cleveland area would be appreciated. I also deer hunt, and from my scouting so far I’ll likely be looking at traveling 1-2 hours from home to hunt public land.

Im extremely new to hunting for the start, my grandfather hunted and always promised he'd take me when I was younger and he never did so im doing it myself! I finished the hunter education course yesterday and plan in going deer Hunting when season opens but quite honestly I really only have a rough idea of what im doing, if anyone wouldn't mind me tagging along during early bow season id really appreciate it!

Let me know, I just picked it up earlier this year and am pretty used to it but it’d be cool to have an extra safety net having a buddy or 2 out there. I’ve been hunting for awhile I’m just new to the kayak. I guess it’s worthy to note I’m in the NE.

Curious if you are allowed to squirrel hunt during deer rifle season here. I can seem to find a straight answer.

I’m trying to fill my freezer after losing everything this summer when my chest freezer died. This will be my first time hunting there and I was hoping that anyone familiar with the public hunting grounds could recommend any particular areas to focus on or spots to check out. I plan on going during late muzzle loader season in 2026, probably Monday or Tuesday. I’d be more than happy to join up if you intend on being there as well. Thanks in advance!

Okay, I give up. Sunday evening, around 4:30, I shot a doe. The shot was further back than I would have liked, but I watched her go down right about where I put the circle in the first picture. I decided the best thing to do would be to back out and come back in the morning instead of bumping her and prolonging her suffering if my shot placement was less than ideal.

Monday morning, on my way back to the property, my Jeep pops up with a warning light saying "Service 4x4" and I lost all power to the wheels. Turns out, one of my transmission lines blew and I had no transmission fluid. Towed it to a shop, the guy said he could have a new line on before the end of the day, which of course didn't happen, and he's telling me thebwhole cooler needs to be replaced. So now all I have is my wife's little 2 wheel drive Toyota that will never make it up the road to this property with the snow last night.

TL/DR: Shot a doe, backed out to let her die, on the way to get her the next day my transmission died. So if anyone is hunting that property today, and if the coyotes haven't found her, you property have a free doe frozen under the snow if you want to go find her.

I just recently picked up waterfowl hunting this season and was looking for more people to hunt with I’m in the tiffin area

Hello,

I am trying to get some advice on decent public land around Summit County to Whitetail hunt. I’m somewhat of a beginner hunter. I’ve went out a few times on my own. But I’m trying to find more places that actually have decent amounts of deer around. I went to public area at Wingfoot a few times now and have yet to even hear a deer. I know it’s not as easy to say “go here and you’ll find one. “ Just trying to figure out if there’s better populated areas. It doesn’t need to be a giant buck I’m just mainly looking for meat to fill the freezer for my family.

Any advice would be appreciated.

I’m looking for ideas on how hunters are attaching their confirmation codes and/or landowner tags to deer. Over the years, I’ve used paper tags and string or some other ties, but they inevitably get wet, torn, etc.

Does anyone here have a waterproof method that’s working well?

Second question: is there any record of tag numbers from years past? After metal tags ended, I have a few mounts that I’d like to label with their info and what years I harvested, mostly for my own satisfaction.

Pic of last year’s mount for fun.

I just moved to the Dayton area of Ohio from Columbus (i grew up in hilliard most my life and recent moved from northern columbus to dayton)

So I've been hunting before once when i lived in Georgia for about 2 years at 18 (im 36 now) with my older brother. Deer hunting but i didn't shoot the deer. Just went with him and watched him clean it.

I was looking into getting into waterfowl (Duck hunting) or deer hunting. I got a good scope on thing that i need to do for the most part. But haven't been to any areas and mind of starting this probably looking foolish hahaha 😆

I have a 4 yr old son and he loves fishing (he hasn't caught anything yet lol) but i would also like to bring him with me eventually.

All meat will be saved and used. I love duck meat i think it's great. And the same for deer meat (doe mostly) but all meat will be harvested. Would like to stick a prized buck on my wall and maybe taxidermi my first duck as well.

If anyone has any input or would be willing to buddy up or something id appreciate everything you guys can do.

Thank you, Chase

My wife and I will be bow hunting this season for the first time. I’m looking for advice on finding a good hunting location, what we might find useful (i.e. any extra gear we should take out with us) and any suggestions on a good entry level bow. My budget for the bow is going to be $500, so I’m hoping I can get something decent. Any pointers or “wish I knew before I started” moments would be great. Thanks in advance!

I’ve hunted for most of my life, and only just now am getting into waterfowl. I scouted out at Killbuck marsh and found some birds Saturday. What advice do you have for someone who is just starting. I’ll be starting with my dad and two friends, no dog.

I’m very much an inexperienced deer hunter and currently can only hunt public land I have found an area with acorns and have when I found it 2 weeks ago to the day I was busted by a doe I had no idea was there came back this morning and one ridge over from where I was sitting watched as doe come up the hill and disappeared way to far for a shot even with my crossbow and was wondering if anyone has any good tips/information on getting in a good spot? I’m tempted to set up mid day off the trail I seen her come up but also don’t want to scare them out of the area any help is greatly appreciated and I’m really just after meat so I would be more than happy just shooting one or two doe’s

I’m new to the Toledo and new to duck and goose hunting. I’m looking to see if anyone is willing to let me tag along with them, or join me in a hunt. I’ve been looking to hit mallard club wildlife area.

I am trying to learn how to hunt but have found it hard to find anyone to go with. I would like to try dove hunting if anyone would be willing to show me the ropes.

I am part of a shotgun club and shoot skeet weekly so I am hopeful my marksman skills are up to par. I live in the Cincinnati area and look forward to anyone who would be willing to help out!