Info. On The Manistee National Forest

[DEERHUNTER14]

I AM LOOKING FOR ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEER POPULATION IN THE MANISTEE NAT. FOREST AREA. ALSO THE SIZE OF THE BUCKS IN THAT AREA. I HAVE ACCESS TO SOME PRIVATE LAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NATIONAL FOREST AND WAS WONDERING WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THAT AREA. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL ME AT DEERHUNTER14@BELLSOUTH.NET. ANY AND ALL INFO. WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

[gunrod]

I've hunted the Manistee National Forest in one specific area for over 10 years. We've had good years where we've taken lots of bucks but small racks. Other years we've taken few bucks with bigger racks (a few 8's and at least one 9). It really depends on the year and the area. Our area has very little food but acorns but that will change in a few years because of the cutting in the area. The cutting has cut down on our deer sitings somewhat because the area is too open (including my blind and are being completely clear cut).

We also receive heavy pressure because of the amount of access roads and trails through the forest. We've found that climbing steep hills and getting off the beaten track put us out of the traffic from the lazy hunters. We've also been hunting for such a long time that we have the deer pretty much patterned. If they change their patterns we figure them out pretty quickly from knowing the area and experience.

Spend some time in the area. If it is private land in the National Forest you may not see many deer now but once the season starts you will see more pressured into the area. Scouting will tell you how well the land is better than any of us. Good Luck.

[Pinefarm]

The Huron/Manistee National Forest is huge. However, also heavily hunted in many area's. Mostly 1 1/2 year old small bucks. But, if you can find some private land that's deep in a large, swampy section of NF land, it can be good. I know some people that have private land deep in the Baldwin/Luther swamp and they get some pretty decent bucks. Basically, other than their private 2 track, there's no way to get back there and they're about 5 miles back. But still, most of the private land that borders public land, at least in Lake/Newaygo counties offers nothing buck small bucks. There used to be decent numbers of those small bucks, but things are much tougher in recent years. If you see a fork or basket 6pt, I'd be happy with that.

[One Eye]

This is a very large, spread out National Forest with many broekn tracts of land. I have hunted various sections of the Forest throughout my life with varying levels of success. I agree with Bob that the hunting used to be much better, before the "whitetail deer are pests" management philosophy present in this state.

I would concentrate in areas with larger swamps and fewer access roads. There are also some good areas that border agriculture that grow some decent bucks!

Good luck.

Dan