New Hunter - Mass Deer Guide

[PappyM3]

Devens is loaded with deer. Just sit somewhere they'll come around eventually.

Do they assign areas for each hunter, or do they just release the 25 hunters onto south post to pick wherever they want?

 

[whacko]

Do they assign areas for each hunter, or do they just release the 25 hunters onto south post to pick wherever they want?

You get in line....first come first serve. They assign you a "training area" that you ask for. Get ahold of a fort devens map from range control and all the boundaries of the training areas will be on that map. Try to get it ahead of time so you can look at the map/satellite imagery and decide which area you want. Once you are assigned that training area in the morning they give you a placard to put on the dash of your vehicle. Range control and the dod police WILL drive around and check your vehicle to make sure you are hunting the assigned area only.

They do allow a few hunters to sign up for the same areas so you can set up deer drives. But you can only hunt the area they give you. That's so they make sure everyone is spread out for safety. The areas are very large so you'll have plenty of room don't worry.

Remember no buckshot allowed at devens that's the range control rules. Also they make you plug your shotgun to only hold 3. That's not a f and w rule it's a fort devens range control rules.

A word of advice do what your told and if range control or dod police ask you to do something just say ok. They are nice folks......but it's their responsibility to make sure everyone is acting safe and they will kick you out if you argue. I've seen it happen.

 

[Mark from MA]

That is a depressing stat...... Upland here I come!

Yeah...you cant have that attitude.

There is also the stat that 10% of the hunters get 50% of the deer. The rest are either dumb luck or educated guess. The guys that shoot good bucks with a bow EVERY YEAR. Its because they work hard at it year round and know where they are, work hard at getting good unhunted private land, and go to states where the herd is way higher than MA and there is one buck tag only. It makes those hunters way more selective.

MA has two tags and in the rut little bucks are pushed out and running around like 15 year olds on Viagra trying to get a hot chick. MA hunters end up wacking some little buck its easy, then maybe waiting for a big buck with their last tag. More little bucks that walk, more big bucks later. MA doesn't have that.

There are little unhunted pockets in MA that are honey holes, but they are that for a reason. Untapping them is hard, or they are surrounded by anti's.

There are other hunters that go to big buck states and pretty much pay for them, tags are expensive and fully guided hunts run into the 3-5K Door to Door.

You'll also find in other states with a higher deer population that hunters don't generally have some crazy attraction to shoot any deer they see, because they see a bunch of them and shooting a doe is not considered a big deal. They take one for meat, and wait for their buck. MA, not so much, people buy all these doe tags and want to fill everyone and seem to can't help themselves because bragging about numbers is their game.

 

[Fixxah]

Check every inch of yourself for tics. They are everywhere.

 

[Dpeg3]

where have you scouted in zone 10? PM me I’d be happy to show you Some spots near me

I’d like sum new areas in zone 10, I’m in Methuen and I gave up on Harold Parker too many people