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Sycamore State Park

Aaron97

Aaron97

Member
13
27
Wood County
Has anyone here ever hunted Sycamore state park near Trotwood/Brookville? It's pretty close to me and seems promising. Looks like a good mix of habitat-low pines and tall grass in some spots, more old growth woods in others. Very thick in a lot of places.

I'm considering bow hunting there. I'm sure it gets crowded quick but with how thick it is, I imagine there are a lot of places people aren't getting to.

Does anyone have any experiences there? Is it even worth trying?

Thanks
 
I’m guessing after first week of the bow opener until late October, then after gun week you would have lots of opportunity. Especially late season
 
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Just finding somewhere in SW Ohio that's not choked off with bush honeysuckle is a challenge. Like Giles said everywhere is worth checking out. I know there will be more people but Rush Run and Hueston woods may have some good opportunity for you also
 
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if there is a lake/pond there, hunting the swampy stuff close to the water maybe a good idea, first week of October about 80 degrees, get in the swamp around 3. Right now and through the summer sign and deer presence will be different than what it will look like once the season starts, pressure will change their behavior. I would also look at all the sets, if you see a bunch and all the sets look similar (like use the same duct tape to cover the ladder pins) it’s probably the same local trying deter others from hunting. This is the exact reason I hunt next to or sit in peoples sets on public.
 
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Wiley E Coyote said:
Near Trotwood I would pack my sidearm and not leave anything in my truck which is not really possible when bowhunting! A lot of crime in that area.
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For sure! Luckily it's a few miles west of Trotwood proper (it's basically half way between Trotwood and brookville). Definitely not taking any chances regardless lol
 
Bigcountry40 said:
if there is a lake/pond there, hunting the swampy stuff close to the water maybe a good idea, first week of October about 80 degrees, get in the swamp around 3. Right now and through the summer sign and deer presence will be different than what it will look like once the season starts, pressure will change their behavior. I would also look at all the sets, if you see a bunch and all the sets look similar (like use the same duct tape to cover the ladder pins) it’s probably the same local trying deter others from hunting. This is the exact reason I hunt next to or sit in peoples sets on public.
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No ponds but there's a couple creeks going through different sections of the park. There are a few spots close to the creeks that look like textbook bedding area I plan on scouting soon. Friend told me when he went to check the place out a few years back he found stands everywhere right before rifle season - I suspect you're right that its locals trying to discourage. Thanks for the pointers!
 
Bigcountry40 said:
if there is a lake/pond there, hunting the swampy stuff close to the water maybe a good idea, first week of October about 80 degrees, get in the swamp around 3. Right now and through the summer sign and deer presence will be different than what it will look like once the season starts, pressure will change their behavior. I would also look at all the sets, if you see a bunch and all the sets look similar (like use the same duct tape to cover the ladder pins) it’s probably the same local trying deter others from hunting. This is the exact reason I hunt next to or sit in peoples sets on public.
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Have you ever had someone come in and claim it back if you are sitting in it? I have often considered sitting in a stand I find on public but I'll be honest, I try to be non-confrontational when weapons are involved. My mindset though is if it's there on public, it's for the public to use lol. I've just never had the balls to do it.
 
Johnny44 said:
Have you ever had someone come in and claim it back if you are sitting in it? I have often considered sitting in a stand I find on public but I'll be honest, I try to be non-confrontational when weapons are involved. My mindset though is if it's there on public, it's for the public to use lol. I've just never had the balls to do it.
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When I hunt public it’s typically in really rough hard to get to areas with limited traffic and hunters. Here’s my system, bow hunting I’ll bring my climber and typically only sit in someone’s set in the afternoon. Morning gun I’ll wait till about 30 minutes after first light and climb in. If they show up I already have a plan b picked with my climber or they wave and turn around. I have had one issue ever in 20 plus years. It was a father-son (50s and 20s) last year who had double digit stands and cameras up. I was set up in a climber near dads shitty stand, following day my buddy killed a doe next to one their cameras, we posed with the deer in multiple cameras dragging it out, son showed up mad as hell, didn’t like what I had to say, but I was calm, polite and offered to get GW involved, they leave their stands up year round. I’ll continue to hunt those spots as I I’m not being bullied by white trash
 
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Also most public stands are archery hunters, I’ve hunted places completely deserted after opening day of gun, many people are afraid to hunt public because they have heard the horror stories, i personally like some pressure when I’m hunting big tracks in Eastern or southern ohio
 
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