Deer Hunting at USA Military Bases

[t.r.]

Currently, there are many opportunities for deer hunting at USA Military Bases. The hunts tend to be heavily regulated with many paperwork hoops to jump through, but the patient and determined hunter will be rewarded with amazing hunting grounds. Some bases have more restrictions for civilians than for active duty and retired veterans.

Each Base is like a small state in terms of bureaucracy. Typically the best place to start the search is phoning the MWR Facility. (Morale Welfare Recreation). Other bases have an Outdoor Recreation Office.

Good hunting to you.

TR

[jeepnik]

Way back when, I was stationed at Eglin AFB in Florida. Huntiing was allowed with certain restrictions. One obviously being no shooting aroung runways and such. Well the darned deer knew this as well. Come the season, they would bunch up in the open areas adjacent to the runway complex. Darned smart deer. Except for the stupid ones that would run out onto the runway, then we'd have to go chase them off. At least one didn't quite make it's crossing, and you can't stop a Phantom on take off roll that quick.

[Combat Diver]

I've hunted on many military istallations. Each is different on their regs, some follow state seasons, others set their own. Did most of my hunting on Ft Campbell Ky and they have a long 3.5 month deer season and allow bow hunting near built up areas (ie post housing, airfield). Usually you are required to have a post permit along with state hunting licenses and hunter education certificate. Just be aware that the area that you may want to hunt in closed the day before due to military training as it has proirity. And never hunt in the impact areas!

CD

[El Chivo]

I heard in CA you have to be active or retired military to get permission. Although Hunter Liggett and the other one south of it (Camp Roberts?) allow hunting on certain weekends for the general public.

I was going to go for it but it's a drive and I heard there's a lot of unexploded ordnance lying around from WWII training.

[Hobie]

Lots has changed since 1977 but we never had problems on Fort Hunter-Liggett with duds/UXO. They told us where to hunt and impact areas were NOT included. Dittos Fort A.P. Hill. I don't know if Camp Pickett has hunting now. It is state run. There are a lot of deer on some of these posts. They cost the government in damage. White Sands used to have hunts for oryx or some such. BUT, some commanders are dead set against hunting, privately owned weapons on post (even for service members), even civilans unnecessary to post ops. The Provost Marshall for the post can always give you guidance for that post and they are always listed in the phone book (unlike some other post admin positions).

[bdhold]

One of the better lottery hunts I know of is Camp Bullis, TX. I would think Ft. Hood would have some great hunting available, also.
The TX state Wildlife Management Areas also have lottery hunts. My dad won one at Chaparral WMA and got a very nice south TX buck.

[SFRanger7GP]

I used to hunt Fort Bragg, NC and Camp MacKall, NC. Never saw anything to hang on the wall but I did keep the freezer filled easily enough. They always gave out plenty of doe slots. I think for packing the freezer its hard to beat hunting on southern military installations. Plenty of game and all the "command and control measures" make it safer than most public land.

[fisheadgib]

Way back when, I was stationed at Eglin AFB in Florida. Huntiing was allowed with certain restrictions. One obviously being no shooting aroung runways and such. Well the darned deer knew this as well. Come the season, they would bunch up in the open areas adjacent to the runway complex. Darned smart deer. Except for the stupid ones that would run out onto the runway, then we'd have to go chase them off. At least one didn't quite make it's crossing, and you can't stop a Phantom on take off roll that quick.

"Way back when" also, I was the expediter on the hot gun pad for a while in the 33rd and I used to have to call the tower several times a night to warn them of deer on the runway. The SP's had to chase them off on a regular basis. The deer were so thick that they allowed bow hunting in the woods around the TAC area. I still live here and will probably hunt the Eglin reservation this year.

[jeepnik]

Way back when, I was stationed at Eglin AFB in Florida. Huntiing was allowed with certain restrictions. One obviously being no shooting aroung runways and such. Well the darned deer knew this as well. Come the season, they would bunch up in the open areas adjacent to the runway complex. Darned smart deer. Except for the stupid ones that would run out onto the runway, then we'd have to go chase them off. At least one didn't quite make it's crossing, and you can't stop a Phantom on take off roll that quick.

"Way back when" also, I was the expediter on the hot gun pad for a while in the 33rd and I used to have to call the tower several times a night to warn them of deer on the runway. The SP's had to chase them off on a regular basis. The deer were so thick that they allowed bow hunting in the woods around the TAC area. I still live here and will probably hunt the Eglin reservation this year.

Spent my time at the fire station in the TAC area. We had Phantoms as alert birds back then. Hey, do they still use the runway for the country airport as well as the alert birds? It was kind finny to see a puddle jumper pulled off the runway to get out of the alert birds way. Wonder if that big ole gator is still alive, we chased him off the road more than once, but they were still protected back then.

[txpete]

One of the better lottery hunts I know of is Camp Bullis, TX. I would think Ft. Hood would have some great hunting available, also.
The TX state Wildlife Management Areas also have lottery hunts. My dad won one at Chaparral WMA and got a very nice south TX buck.

you have to reg your guns with the MP's/fed's/big brother "before" you can bring them on post.I know a guy that reg his uncles sako 243 the MP's said it is hot and took it.they check every sn# by computer to see if it is hot or not.his uncle bought that rifle down in SA in the 60's.
remember once your on a fed property they are the boss civi or G.I.


http://www.hoodmwr.com/sportsmenscenter.htm

[dr walker]

I never got to hunt there, but Camp Peary in Virginia has some of the healthiest deer I have ever seen. My father was a teacher and lived on base for a number of years. My brother and I spent weekends and summers visiting him there. We would explore the base. We found bedding areas and hiding spots of a few big bucks. It has been a long while since the last time I was there, but at that time they allowed 100 hunters per year. All hunting was from freestanding stands. There were two telephone poles stuck in the ground about 20 feet infront of the stand, maybe about 20 feet apart. All shooting was to be done between those poles. I cant remember all the rules, but I still dream of the deer.......

[RIHMFIRE]

I use to deer hunt Camp Blanding here in north central Florida....
National Guard training facility.....before 911....

Just before the gulf war started
I remember sitting in my climber about 25' in the air
right smack in the middle of camp blanding....
and we were warned that the troops may be coming in that weekend....
and they did....by trucks convoy and by helicopters.....
That afternoon 2 apache helicopters decided the were going to practice
over the section I was hunting...They were flying in circles, shooting
at each other with lazers....they kept gettin closer and closer....
Finally I had to get down....there was just too much noise...and I
just didnt think I was going to see anything with this going on...
So I turn my camo vest inside out so the blaze orange would show...
and thats when they spotted me....and let the games begin....
I walked out to the old logging road and of course.....there was a deer
standing next to my truck. ..and about that time I heard one of the apache
choppers coming up from behind me, down the road.... and here he comes
at tree top level.....maybe ten miles an hour or so...He was so close ....
maybe 30 yards away......and when he looked directly at me....
the gatlin' gun swung around and pointed right at me.....we both smile...
gave him a wave and off he went.....What an awesome chopper
That was one of the best hunts I have ever been on.....

[txpete]

when I was in B trp 7/17 cav my CO was a bow hunter.we did alot of test flights around the lake spotting deer before the season opened.I guess just one of our perks .
pete

[JReed]

I hunt alot on bases. In Ca there are quite a few Hunter Liggett is nice also look into Vandenberg (sp?) AFB. Camp Pendleton is Active or Retired only. Each base has their own rules and regs. Most are not that hard to get on to for hunting you just need to do the home work just like any hunting trip.

[gunner69]

I used to hunt both Fort Benning, GA. and Fort Rucker, Alabama. Moved out in the country and have hunted my own land since. If you get the chance to hunt Fort Rucker you may get a good sized hog as a bonus...... they have plenty.