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Originally Posted by mcjaredsandwich
First off, let me start this thread by saying that I am completely hunting illiterate! Please excuse any ignorance I may show toward hunting. I have only been dove hunting a couple of times but that was on family land in north Texas. I am really wanting to get involved in all types of hunting, especially deer and duck..primarily deer. I am a college student, so a buying a lease is out of the question.
Where are public lands located? I am not concerned about taking a trophy, shooting a doe would bring me just as much excitement as well as put meat in the freezer. I have been searching google and ldwf website, but I have not been able to find a map detailing public land. I also searched this site, with most public land info going toward duck hunting.
My father will be giving me one of his old rifles. All I know is that it is a .30-30 caliber. I have been doing research and this seems to be a good entry level caliber. It has a scope, but I do not know the dimensions.
Basically I am just looking for somewhere to get out and enjoy the experience of the hunt. I love being outdoors, so a day outside would be a day at school. Taking a deer would be a bonus. Any info on public land, hunting tips, etc would be greatly appreciated!
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hunting illiterate.... First I suggest you read the LDWF Hunting regulation: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/d...nting_regs.pdf
Best place to get a copy of the booklet is at the LDWF office near the I-10 bridge on the south side of I-10. Try to learn all the regulations.
Have you taken the Hunter Safety course? You have to complete this course before you can get a hunting license.
Where are public lands located.... Others have mentioned the nearest WMA's or National Forest. All are good places and probably have about the same amount of Deer [per acre]. As to which place is "the best" to hunt..... that is mosly a matter of what type land you like to hunt. I first hunted the swamp lands of Sherburne and when I moved to Lake Charles, 15 years ago, I started hunting "Pinny Woods" at Clear Creek and West Bay. I still go back to Sherburne several times a year. To be successful, you can either be "Lucky" or put in some time scouting to find a good place to hunt.
find a map detailing public land......
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/d...clearcreek.pdf
The "side" roads marked on the CC map are not very accurate. Many roads are not shown and the roads that are shown, are often much different. The main roads are fairly accurate.
Each WMA has a link to the maps.
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma
All I know is that it is a .30-30 caliber... This is a good gun for most hunting in Louisiana. If you were hunting places where you had shots of say 125+ yards.... other calibers would be better. I have shot Cork-lock bullets in a .243 cal. rifle for 25 years. Lots of hunter consider this to be a "small" gun for Deer hunting..... but I drop most of my Deer so I don't feel the need to change. Your post is written such that I ask..... how much experience do you have shooting a rifle?
Gun hunting season opens at the end of Oct. in area 3 so you don't have much time to get ready. After you read the Hunting regulations and look at the maps.... it will be time to do some scouting. I mostly go during the week because there are very few other people there then. When do you have time to go scouting/hunting?
Opening weekend of either sex hunting can be fairly crowded but after that there usually are not that many hunters.