[BerksCoflinter]

I decided to leave the crossbow in the trunk and hike up to the North Lookout this morning. Rather than staring off through the laurel and beech brush for deer movement, I stared instead to the northeast watching for big raptors migrating along the Kittitinny Ridge. Fifty plus redtails and three golden eagles made my hike worthwhile.

To complete the day, I drove over to Dixon's Muzzleloader Shop for some unnecessary necessities, and then headed back west on Rt. 78 to Hamburg and Cabela's. A cold, windy day on Hawk Mt. necessitates the need for a hot bowl of ******'s Chili!

Tomorrow will be another day of hunkering down to await Mr. Big with Kate and the family.

 

[Hiamovi]

Sounds like you had fun.I enjoy seeing birds of prey do thier thing myself.My wife and I were fishing in Tionesta and a Hawk was circling.I told her to watch he sees something.He took a dive into the river and came out with a large fish.It took a little while for it to break the water though.

 

[BerksCoflinter]

Diablo, It is a great spot to witness the Fall migration of raptors. The migration is slowing down quite a bit now, but if you enjoy seeing the big raptors; redtails, golden eagles, goshawks, red-shouldered hawks, harriers, and a rare glimpse of a rough-legged hawk, now's the time to go.

Hunters aren't in great numbers among the patrons, so I always make sure to wear something camoflage, an NRA hat, etc. Something to signify that I shoot and eat wild things. You tend to get an area of rocks to yourself to enjoy your day in peaceful disharmony.

 

[Hiamovi]

If you have any pics I would love to see them.I would like to see the migration from that spot but it is quite a drive for me.I like seeing the Turkey Vultures fly around here.One time while Turkey hunting a Great Horned owl came in for a meal.He was disappointed.He heard my calls but the turkeys didn't do thier part.Lol.Kind of a bummer.Would have been nice to see an Owl complete a kill.

 

[jimsdad]

I love that place there. Ever go to the Weiser State Forrest off Rt 61 at Port Clinton and hike there? You can stroll on over to HM and to the AT - Dan's Pulpit - and The Lookout all at one time and just by following a map and the trails there. You know what? I just may head out there tomorrow. edit - 'YA, I just put it on my "must do" list for this Sunday!

 

[BerksCoflinter]

I've often thought about driving up the Weiser State Forest road, but my old Neon was complainin' by the time I got to the Hawk Mt. parking lot yesterday! It wouldn't be worth much (not worth much now), by the time I climbed that road.

I was just out on the deck watching for stray migrants, and turned in time to see a handsome six pointer meandering his way through the soybean field behind the house. I suppose I should have been out there this morning with the crossbow! But, then you have to field dress 'em, drag 'em, hang 'em, butcher 'em, and wrap 'em!

Actually, the wife has my day planned from beginning to end.

 

[jimsdad]

Well Berks, we all need a plan, even if it ain't exactly our own! I just cleand out my rain gutters, winterized my car and truck and my daughter's car too. Now for a bit of painting and Sunday is free and clear. My daughter is going to join me tomorrow. She won't go in the summer because of the snakes (none of which I have ever seen).

 

[Birch812]

We use to hunt up that way all the time and it was beautiful in the fall with the leaves changing and all the birds passing through. I missed several shots because I was watching hawks circle over head and not paying attention to what I was there for.
Before, you could drive thru the visitors parking area and park where SGL 106 butted up to the sanctuary. We took a lot of deer from that area, especially Monks Bog. Then they stopped you from driving across and you had to use the visitors parking area and walk back. The walk never bothered me but guys getting out of their vehicles wearing hunting clothes and carrying guns leaving the trucks in parking lots full of nature people sounded like a good way to be replacing windshields, so we started coming in to Weiser/SGL 106 from the Port Clinton side and parking at the fire tower and walking down. Down was easy, coming out with deer was a haul.
It was/is a great area to hunt or spend the day admiring nature

 

[BerksCoflinter]

My newsletter stated that the trails on the Sanctuary would be closed the first two days of rifle season. Probably for the reason you state.

I've never hunted up there, but know that at one time you could get a permit to hunt antlerless deer on the Sanctuary's property. Climbing to the North Lookout is enough climbing for me these days!

You are correct. It would be difficult to concentrate on deer watching when the hawk migration is in full swing.

 

[jimsdad]

That's whre I park, at the fire tower, and go down that old road to the junction where it splits and you can go to Dreshville and HM and down to the AT. I started going there this past Spring looking for new hunting grounds but I have not seen a single deer there. Also - I haven't a clue how I would drag it up that last hill to the fire tower lot! Even as a young man, that would be a challenge. I plan on doing some camping there this coming summer. You can easily find places for that just of the trail / road before you get to the cross trail area.

 

[jimsdad]

They used to have a program where you could ask permission to hunt there. Apparently they had an over abbundance of deer. My previous hunting buddy, who now has parkinsons, and I applied once and did not get a reply so we let it go. I don't know if they still have it or not.

 

[BerksCoflinter]

I've been a member up there for years, and thought that might give me an in to getting a permit to hunt there with the flintlock. I stopped in the Visitor's Center and inquired about the procedure for getting a permit. I got the feeling I must have resembled an alien, and was firmly informed that permits were not available. I think you need to know someone.

 

[Birch812]

For the permits to hunt in the sanctuary area they were a lottery draw, I think Albany and Windsor residences got first crack. I applied 2 or 3 times but never even heard back.

Jim, if your going to the top and walking down try walking down the road that goes towards the reservoir over in Hamburg. It is about a half mile before you get to the tower lot on the right hand side. There is a fair amount of deer we took from there and also about 300 Ft from the gated road on the left is worth a look too.
It is a big gouged out area and that was where we parked when we hunted that area for doe. There were log roads that run all through there and I always saw deer and turkey.
One of my hunting buddies is a Phila fireman and he hunts there often and except for Saturday does not get much pressure at all.

 

[icemole]

i also wonder around up there. last year walked all those trails. the only deer activity i saw was in the timbered areas going down to dreshville. they did timber the top of trail going over to hawk mt. if you look at game lands map they timbered the private land between the two patches of gamelands. did see bear tracks on the trail before fire tower just about where it meets up with a.t.

 

[jimsdad]

Would this be around the area where the observatories are? That road there is a steep one for sure.

 

[jimsdad]

I thought thoes were areas that were being tested for grond cover options and such. Right now one of them (I think it's the first one on the left going down the hill) is an overgrown turnip field. I can't figure out why they would plant turnips and then just let them go. Some sort of experiment I suppose. The logged area goin to HM is a great place to sit and take ina nice view. I'll be headed there about 1100 today and I am looking forward to it greatly.