I never hunted Big Oaks. I have a hunt coming up in there and I'm going to let every deer walk unless its a atleast a descent buck... buying a military/refuge tag so I can hang onto my state buck tag. I'm not going to be as picky as on my state tag... but if its not a buck with atleast a 15inch antler spread I'm not pulling the trigger. Has anyone had any luck in there with nice or big bucks this year or in the passed? If so what area? Thanks in advance for any feedback you guys. I hunted hard last year passing well over 60 deer at bow range with gun and bow/xbow... Passed several bucks and does. I ate my buck tag for first time in 16 years never seeing one big enough. This year I really don't wanna go home empty handed... but at same time I'm only after a nice buck. Any tips for hunting Big Oaks would be helpful or recommended big buck area that you have had success in or know someone that has. I'd love to see pics of bucks harvested in Big Oaks as well:D

Apparently it's not like it used to be but you know with that much ground there is at least 1 good one in there just have to know an area real good or get lucky

Imo it is way overhunted now and most public ground doesn't see the pressure it does. At least they have some sanctuaries I guess. Good luck.

If you are spending the money on a military tag to save your state tag then why doesn't it matter which tag you decide to be picky on?

I don’t pass at BO. They usually post pics on the Facebook page.

BO is deer hunted 14 days a year .... with many areas that are off limits year around!
Your be hard pressed to find public land with that few of Deer hunted days per year!

I hear area 75 is like the holy grail of deer hunting in there

Noooo, Area 51 ;0)

Thanks the replies guys. And unfortunately i didn't realize you could call to reserve an area til a couple days back... so i called yesterday morning like a month late... I had narrowed it down to 12 areas on the top of my list listed in order... I made the call and they still let me reserve my area... But i had to call back cuz the 12 areas I named off were already filled up!! Lol. Thats what I get I guess for not reading the instruction form earlier... oh well. The lady gave me a lost of ones that weren't taken... And I just finally gave in and picked one even though not where I wanted lol. Picked one off the map on edge of sancuary... And no road dividing it or river in between. Hopefully a hot doe pops out with a nice buck! Thats what im hoping for😁

Oh and for the guy who asked why does it matter which buck tag Im picky on, my way of thinking was always my state tag is a one time a year deal.. thats it and I have every day from october first til 1st Sunday in January, excluding 5 days between firearm and muzzleloader, to wait for a really nice buck. So I pass up several when I hunt the hoosier national public woods waiting for a big one. But on the state park and military/refuge hunts I always just wait for a descent one. Doesnt gotta be a monster... I mean they are 1 to 2 day hunts. But i still pass til I see a descent one. I live alone and a deer or two is all the meat I need.. But I love to hunt.. So wanna spend as much time in the woods as I can. For past few years now I've completely stopped shooting does for fact I don't see enough deer anywhere I hunt.. and I believe Indiana doe limits are too liberal.. especially on public land.. and I wish myself theyd cut the limit to 2 does a year a person. I pass does for this reason and I get enough deer meat for myself from just one big buck. And on bucks I always wait for nice ones on draw hunts and a really big one on my state tag. Deer hunting is all about enjoying Gods creation in the outdoors.. having fun.. making good treasured memories.. and stories to tell your grand kids one day. It doesnt matter how ya hunt as long as you do it safe.. legal.. and ethical.. and you eat what you kill.. and your having a good time☺ As for myself I've gotten enough deer in my time.. and living alone.. I don't need a whole lot of meat. But I do love my backstraps!!😁 But at same time I enjoy only shooting a nice big buck.. and I enjoy filming and watching the does and small bucks and disiplining myself and watching them young uns grow!! Anyway yall it don't matter if you're a guy like me whos huntin for meat and big horns... or a guy whos just huntin to fill a freezer.. Or 2... or 3 lol with the mindset that you can't eat antlers.. So why wait for them... hunting is hunting. Do it safe.. do it legal.. do it ethical.. and enjoy your venison!! Do this and any way ya hunt is good huntin!! Good luck to all my fellow hunters out there who will be joining me in Big Oaks this year!! I hope we all get one! Good luck and be safe!!

Big Oaks is a different animal. We have seen some absolute monsters in there, and we have seen a lot of small ones. Never been fortunate enough to take a monster out but have taken several deer home with us. In my opinion it's better than hunting state ground and it is more of an adventure. It isn't for everyone but we enjoy the trips there.

Well what area if you want to share maybe someone can help with just that area

Bowhunter, just enjoy your day or two in BO and make the most of it. True, there are some nice bucks in there. True, it isn't quite what it was a few years ago. But, to me a hunting trip is the most fun part of the season. Pack your truck, a lunch, a compass (you will need it) and have a good time.
You are aware about the mandated safety briefing and pass to hunt, right?

You do know you can bow hunt those five days now. I didn't know if you knew you could do that.

I've turkey hunted that a few times. Always heard birds and my buddy came close years ago.

All jokes aside with Area 51, I did see a 160" class deer in Area 51 a few years ago but unfortunately it never got in bow range. It was the first time I'd ever hunted that area as well so you just never know where the big bucks will show up in there.