Gratiot-Saginaw State Game area--Feedback

[D_Hunter]

Howdy, I recently moved into Gratiot County. Has anyone had any experience hunting in the Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area?? I am looking at bow hunting this area. I am not brave enough to firearm hunt on public land.

Any good tips/tricks for this area? Hunting Pressure? Access points? Ect.

Thanks in advance.

[Treestand]

I have been hunting this area off and on since 1973. lots of hunters, poor acess in some places. Opening day in mid week is not so bad. Try any of the Game area edges that are close to crops and farmland. Stay away form the denseer forest areas, as this is where 90% of the hunters are. this is the same for gun and bow. Good luck.

[Backwoods-Savage]

Used to be good hunting in spots but I haven't hunted there for many years. The best spot we found requires some walking and wading.

Ransom Road to Buchanan. East less than a mile you'll see a drive going into the south. After parking, try to go straight south as much as possible. When you get past the water, hunt!

Another area would be off Meridian road. The DNR has a barn on the west side of the road (1 1/2 miles south of Buchanan?). Swampy close by but probably more hunters too.

Only one more area and that would be off Ransom road. Two miles north off M-57 and a mile east. Hunt either to the SW or SE from there used to be good hunting. Good squirrel hunting also.

Hope this gives you a good starting point. Good luck.

[English]

Savage the area behind the DNR barn has been logged heavily. Still some fine deer hunting in there but beware it won't look like it used to! Used to be one of my favorite squirrel hunting spots. If any of you all find some dense populations of squirrels in your wanderings I'd appreciate some scouting reports. Seems to be a good crop of deer, turkeys, squirrels and rabbits around here this year.

Mike

[Backwoods-Savage]

Mike, I had thought of you when I mentioned that one area by Ashley. Not far from you there used to be great squirrel hunting. Ransom road, a mile north of M-57 and that whole section on the NE. Most of that is now state land and there used to be lots of squirrels in there. Not sure if that has been logged or not.

[English]

Dennis, that is one area of the state land up there I haven't been in much. I'll give it a try soon though! Thanks for the heads up.

Mike

[mrblugil]

any birds out there? pats,longface,pheasants?:( :fish:

[Backwoods-Savage]

Not many left anymore. Used to be fantastic, but that was back in the 1950's.

[English]

Ditto on what the bird situation. I spend many, many hours in those woods and see very few birds. I think last year i saw 2 grouse and 1 woodcock. I know I see quite a few guys early pheasant hunting but I don't see many pheasants at all. Now if you want a turkey that's a different story!

Mike