Post by ncboman on Oct 31, 2006 22:21:26 GMT -5
Dillon abounds in bowhunting opportunities
By Robert Loewendick
ZANESVILLE, Ohio — Ohio's archery season opens Sept 30. This is one of the most anticipated archery season openers in many years for bow hunters who plan to hunt Muskingum County.
The statewide deer harvest last year was 209,513, and Muskingum County ranked as the second highest of 88 counties with 6,793 deer. Of these, bow hunters took 819 and may do even better this season.
Two qualities
Muskingum County is an attraction for bow hunters for two primary reasons: the quality of the deer herd, and the quality of the public hunting land, led by the likes of Dillon State Park and Wildlife Area (DSPWA).
DSPWA offers 4,550 acres of archery deer hunting opportunity. The main entrance is located on SR 146, 4 miles northwest of Zanesville, Ohio. The property is rich in agriculture land that skirts many of the park's public hunting areas.
"Although Dillon is a public hunting area, the hunting opportunities are like that of a private and non-pressured property," suggests frequent Dillon bow hunter Larry Moore.
"My bow hunting partner took the biggest buck of his hunting career in Dillon's boundaries last year."
Best of the best
The most productive section is one mile northwest of the park office on SR 146. Even with public access on both sides of the road and plenty of parking, this section never sees a crowd.
Just off SR 146 at this point are park roads 7, 8 and 9. These roads are ideal for getting into the heart of Dillon's tough-to-reach areas.
This part of DSPWA sees frequent water back-ups from the lake during heavy rains, and the pockets of water left behind create swamp-like habitat. This makes for near-perfect conditions for bow hunters. Further northwest on SR 146 and then left on CR 408 will lead to park roads 10 and 19. These roads lead hunters along agricultural "edges" with plenty of woodlots harboring mature bucks.
The trees and underbrush along these woodlots are ideal blind sites for rattling or grunting a buck into range, or for simple deer-stand hunting.
Down the road
Back to CR 408 and traveling southeast will bring hunters to park road 17 and the Dillon Sportsman Area (firearm shooting range).
Public hunting is available on both sides of 17. This section offers lake edges, woodlands and small field openings.
Big buck campaign support
Lodging, restaurants, stores and hospitals can be found in Zanesville.
Archery supplies are 8 miles away at T & K Guns & Archery, 3375 Thompson Run Road in Zanesville. Phone is (740) 849-2653.
Twenty-nine cabins, 195 campsites (183 with electric), toilets and showers are available in the park.
Call (866) 644-6727 for reservations.
For more info contact Dillon State Park at (740) 453-4377.
link with map
for the record, I have seen two 150class typicals on Dillon and my son saw two other bucks of trophy caliber.
By Robert Loewendick
ZANESVILLE, Ohio — Ohio's archery season opens Sept 30. This is one of the most anticipated archery season openers in many years for bow hunters who plan to hunt Muskingum County.
The statewide deer harvest last year was 209,513, and Muskingum County ranked as the second highest of 88 counties with 6,793 deer. Of these, bow hunters took 819 and may do even better this season.
Two qualities
Muskingum County is an attraction for bow hunters for two primary reasons: the quality of the deer herd, and the quality of the public hunting land, led by the likes of Dillon State Park and Wildlife Area (DSPWA).
DSPWA offers 4,550 acres of archery deer hunting opportunity. The main entrance is located on SR 146, 4 miles northwest of Zanesville, Ohio. The property is rich in agriculture land that skirts many of the park's public hunting areas.
"Although Dillon is a public hunting area, the hunting opportunities are like that of a private and non-pressured property," suggests frequent Dillon bow hunter Larry Moore.
"My bow hunting partner took the biggest buck of his hunting career in Dillon's boundaries last year."
Best of the best
The most productive section is one mile northwest of the park office on SR 146. Even with public access on both sides of the road and plenty of parking, this section never sees a crowd.
Just off SR 146 at this point are park roads 7, 8 and 9. These roads are ideal for getting into the heart of Dillon's tough-to-reach areas.
This part of DSPWA sees frequent water back-ups from the lake during heavy rains, and the pockets of water left behind create swamp-like habitat. This makes for near-perfect conditions for bow hunters. Further northwest on SR 146 and then left on CR 408 will lead to park roads 10 and 19. These roads lead hunters along agricultural "edges" with plenty of woodlots harboring mature bucks.
The trees and underbrush along these woodlots are ideal blind sites for rattling or grunting a buck into range, or for simple deer-stand hunting.
Down the road
Back to CR 408 and traveling southeast will bring hunters to park road 17 and the Dillon Sportsman Area (firearm shooting range).
Public hunting is available on both sides of 17. This section offers lake edges, woodlands and small field openings.
Big buck campaign support
Lodging, restaurants, stores and hospitals can be found in Zanesville.
Archery supplies are 8 miles away at T & K Guns & Archery, 3375 Thompson Run Road in Zanesville. Phone is (740) 849-2653.
Twenty-nine cabins, 195 campsites (183 with electric), toilets and showers are available in the park.
Call (866) 644-6727 for reservations.
For more info contact Dillon State Park at (740) 453-4377.
link with map
for the record, I have seen two 150class typicals on Dillon and my son saw two other bucks of trophy caliber.
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