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Camping out in public land prior to hunt

Posted on 7/23/22 at 1:46 pm
Posted by Rubberbandman21
Member since Aug 2021
92 posts
Posted on 7/23/22 at 1:46 pm
Anybody ever make a hunt on public land in LA, camp out in a tent, then get up the next morning and make another hunt? Is that even legal? My buddy has done that elk hunting on public land out west and was curious if anybody does that here for whitetail.
Posted by Tangineck
Mandeville
Member since Nov 2017
1797 posts
Posted on 7/23/22 at 1:56 pm to
State WMA's have some rules and restrictions but it is generally allowed. Its listed every year in the hunting regulation pamphlet from the ldwf. Not all WMA's rules are alike.
Posted by REB BEER
Laffy Yet
Member since Dec 2010
16170 posts
Posted on 7/23/22 at 2:15 pm to
We’ve done it plenty of times at Wax Lake Outlet. I know Sherburne has a campground that people camp on and hunt.

You can only camp at designated camping areas. But yeah, it can be done.
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
45797 posts
Posted on 7/23/22 at 2:53 pm to
I think you can camp most placed in Kisatchie National Forest. On WMAs you must camp in the camp grounds.
Posted by TigerOnTheMountain
Higher Elevation
Member since Oct 2014
41773 posts
Posted on 7/23/22 at 2:54 pm to
quote:

On WMAs you must camp in the camp grounds.


Stealth camp. The green jeans will never find you. You hear that, green jeans? You’ll never find me.
Posted by dpier16
Member since Aug 2016
194 posts
Posted on 7/23/22 at 5:02 pm to
Bogue Chitto NWR ppl camp out all the time. Great group of guys camp where I park to go in to my spot and hunt.

They come every year for thanksgiving. Get there in morning, have coffee with them, walk 60 yards to my stand and still see same amount of deer they do—0
Posted by dpier16
Member since Aug 2016
194 posts
Posted on 7/23/22 at 5:03 pm to
Some NWR’s don’t allow camping—such as Delta in Venice.

Pass a Loutre wma has a very nice csmp ground tho
Posted by A_bear
baton rouge
Member since Sep 2013
1960 posts
Posted on 7/23/22 at 5:22 pm to
I’ve been doing it every year in Sherburne with my family since I was a teenager. I always take a week of vacation and go. Last year I took 2 weeks and spent 14 straight nights out there. A couple years ago I started branching out to different wma’s and camping/hunting for a couple days.
You have to camp in the designated campgrounds. You’re not legally allowed to pack in your camping equipment and just set up camp in the middle of the woods.
Posted by oldskule
Down South
Member since Mar 2016
15476 posts
Posted on 7/23/22 at 5:23 pm to
Depends on the state rules, they all differ.
This post was edited on 7/23/22 at 5:24 pm
Posted by calcotron
Member since Nov 2007
8228 posts
Posted on 7/23/22 at 8:01 pm to
I'm glad my WMA is 40 minutes from my house. I do want to try a few farther east, and camping nearby would make sense for those.
Posted by rattlebucket
SELA
Member since Feb 2009
11426 posts
Posted on 7/23/22 at 10:10 pm to
Tunica WMA 5 yrs ago. First come
first serve. Pitched a tent. Campfire. Bow only at the time. Saw deer and people walking the trails. Difficult terrain. Ate good. Drank a few beers. Cant imagine dragging a deer up them hills. But it can be done as you describe. I suggest hitting the elliptical weeks prior if you want to succeed. The terrain is aggressive.

Map
Posted by Rubberbandman21
Member since Aug 2021
92 posts
Posted on 7/24/22 at 7:36 am to
Thank you. I knew there were designated camping spots in most, if not all WMAs. Just wasn’t sure if those were your only legal option. I’ve heard your best chance hunting public lands are getting away from the main thoroughfares, getting deep into the woods. Would make it easier if you could penetrate far and stay for a day or two.

Appreciate all the answers
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
19583 posts
Posted on 7/24/22 at 7:52 am to
I am convinced PR and Bogue Chitto hide brutes. Just too much thick gnarled cover. Bucks die of old age in there more than hunters.

If Joyce can produce monsters so can those two.
Posted by Cowboyfan89
Member since Sep 2015
12706 posts
Posted on 7/24/22 at 8:06 am to
quote:

Would make it easier if you could penetrate far and stay for a day or two.

The only place you could do this in Louisiana is Kisatchie, and you can't really get more than a mile away from a road in there, anyway. At least not in the units I hunt, and a mile is being very generous.

Unfortunately, to get far away from people on public in LA means you are walking a good bit.
Posted by WPsportsman
In a van down by the river
Member since Jun 2015
2408 posts
Posted on 7/24/22 at 4:33 pm to
I would not want to be lost on that place for sure there are probably deer in there that die that’s never seen a human.
Posted by dpier16
Member since Aug 2016
194 posts
Posted on 7/24/22 at 5:59 pm to
Oh they’re in there. Seen them brought out plenty of times. Swamp is getting more open thankfully.
Posted by A_bear
baton rouge
Member since Sep 2013
1960 posts
Posted on 7/24/22 at 6:25 pm to
quote:

Would make it easier if you could penetrate far and stay for a day or two


It would make it easier for you, but inevitably, someone will set up camp right where someone else is planning on setting up his stand the next morning.
Posted by EF Hutton
Member since Jan 2018
2366 posts
Posted on 7/24/22 at 6:42 pm to
quote:

I am convinced PR and Bogue Chitto hide brutes. Just too much thick gnarled cover. Bucks die of old age in there more than hunters


Not any more. Just after Katrina that was very true. But soon as some of that timber mess began to rot,locals started penetrating. For quite a few years, certain locals were taking out 140's to 160's every year. It was very hush hush. But because there is no serious law enforcement in there, credible stories of over limit bucks same day, killing past tag limit, and spot preserving , all ran that place down bad. The Federal guys did catch one bunch real good. There are a few dedicated locals that get a fine buck every year, but its very hush hush. And the quality & quantity is down real bad. You either have to be extremely dedicated , right boat, top quality camp equipment, or don't go at all. Casual hunts there just won't bring home what few 140's are left. The ones that do well, i know that they are on the ground, slipping.
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
19583 posts
Posted on 7/24/22 at 11:04 pm to
The outlawing on BC especially is very bad.
Posted by HomeGrown70
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2011
24 posts
Posted on 7/24/22 at 11:14 pm to
Most WMA have some type of designated campground, but starting this year you have to have a permit and the cost will be $7 per night. each permit is good for up to five people at each campsite. i have no clue how this will be done from a payment or a policing standpoint.
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