Hello everyone, new member here from AR. Been trying to do a little research about your state and the deer hunting there. I'm a bowhunter, in search of public land with the best chance at a bruiser buck.(and a nice fat doe would be nice) I am looking for large tracts of woods with camping available. I have a pop up for sleeping, and I have a small boat for traveling the rivers. Thanks for any and all input.

Brookville Reservoir In SE Indiana would be your best bet.... Plenty of woods and camping available...

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2961.htm

Another area with big bucks is Camp Atterbury in Southern Johnson County but hunting is by draw hunt only... Now, they use to allow daily bowhunting during the week but it depended on military training... Get a hold of Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area office for further information....

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3100.htm

Camping is available at Johnson County Park which is adjacent to the Fish & Wildlife Area and across the street from the military base...

Hope this helps you and good luck...

Db are you in indiana now or are you planning a visit here?

There is no good public land here, try Ohio.

I can't think of any places either

No, I'm hoping to come up that way in the future bow hunting.Thanks for all your help.

No, I'm hoping to come up that way in the future bow hunting.Thanks for all your help.

You might explore the possibility of someone guiding you in exchange for your guidance in your home state. Perhaps a duck hunt, deer hunt exchange?

Come on up and hunt with us! Indiana has GREAT deer hunting and if you are a bowhunter it is even better...........

And SHAME on any Hoosier who would say "we don't have any deer..... or "go to Ohio". Would you like that attitude if you want to hunt out of State?

Again we welcome you, a big buck is not behind every tree, but....... Every county, every woods, has the potential for a big mature buck.

+1.....

Southern Indiana is pretty good, Harrison-Crawford Forestry, Clark State Frestry, Patoka Lake, and the Hoosier National are all close to each other and produce some good deer. Also those counties that coantain those areas rank high in the state for harvest.

Thanks y'all. I'll check into those areas. I'd love to swap a duck hunt for a deer, hunt, 'cept I ain't duck hunted in years. We got more hunters than we got ducks. We've got some good deer around here, but it sure is fun to go to new areas and see whats there. Again, thanks for the replies.

Well said Joe.... +2

Thanks y'all. I'll check into those areas. I'd love to swap a duck hunt for a deer, hunt, 'cept I ain't duck hunted in years. We got more hunters than we got ducks. We've got some good deer around here, but it sure is fun to go to new areas and see whats there. Again, thanks for the replies.

I hunted Splinters Ridge near Madison, IN for 3 or 4 years before and gave in to leasing and did well and also have a few friends and family that have always done well there. Good deer numbers and trophy potential for sure. I know of 3 P&Y's killed there in the past 2 years. If i had to go back to public hunting this would be my first option

Hoosier national forest is my favorite public land. You can launch in the ohio river and boat up tributaries if you're so inclined. Good camping at tipsaw and indian lakes as well as a buzzards roost for primitive. PM me if you want. I'd be interested in exchange of some AZ public land info. All the prior spots mentioned are good too. Rut peaks in early Nov so plan accordingly. Google earth and study topo maps on the areas you may want to visit or that you're close to Good luck.