WMU 5C Public Hunting areas?

[PA Highlander]

Ok, so I'm new to the area as of this year and will be hunting some small game and deer here in early muzzleloader and shotgun regular season. (I'm used to rifles!) My scoped slug barrel for my Mossberg should arrive this week to cover me for regular season. Suggestions for a good rifled slug in 12 gauge would be appreciated. I'll be between my .300WM and .45-70 for the few days I get back in 2C.

Where are decent public areas to hunt? I'd prefer not having folks sitting in my lap and I'm willing to hike a bit to make that happen. (used to hiking .5-1 mile in 2C) I'm between Chester Springs and Pottstown so French Creek State Park and SGL #43 look to be the closest, but are they any good?

Now I know no one wants to give away their favorite spots so I'm just looking for some suggestions to get me started being new to the area.

If you don't want to reply in an open forum, PM's are good! Many thanks, y'all!

[soup]

I'm in the same boat except I'm new not only to the area but to hunting as well. So I'll be watching this thread as well.

Side note: what small game did you plan on going for? Also would/could you offer any advice for a newby like myself?

[PA Highlander]

Originally Posted by soup

I'm in the same boat except I'm new not only to the area but to hunting as well. So I'll be watching this thread as well.

Side note: what small game did you plan on going for? Also would/could you offer any advice for a newby like myself?

When I get the chance to head out for small game it's normally rabbit, squirrel, grouse, and pheasant I'm after. I'm not a that good of a wing shot so the birds are normally pretty safe. As for advise, the biggest issue is finding an area to hunt then it's flushing the game and making a safe shot. I'm sure this area will has much tighter lanes of fire so you'll really need to keep in mind what is behind what you want to shoot. I plan to use my Mossberg 12 ga for all small game although a .22 LR is excellent on squirrels if you have a safe area for rifle use.

[ihunt49]

Evansburg State Park is a good place to hunt also.

[sureshot43]

I hunted both French creek and #43 the last 2 years...Lots of sign,but I havent seen a lot of deer.

[PA Highlander]

Originally Posted by sureshot43

I hunted both French creek and #43 the last 2 years...Lots of sign,but I havent seen a lot of deer.

Is there a lot of hunting pressure? Or is it like a lot of areas in the western part of the state - a ton of guys within 200 yards of the roads but no one further in the woods to actually move the deer?

I guess I need to grab some maps and take the GPS for a walk and see what's out there. The closer to 'home' I find a spot the better ... I'm second shift at least through October so I'll be able to hunt mornings in early muzzleloader.

[sureshot43]

It seems to be busier on the weekends. I hunted during the week,and in late season, and a lot of days I was the only car in the parking lot.

[PA Highlander]

Does anyone have any intel on SGL 52? From the maps it looks like it's just inside WMU 5C and further out into "farm county". I've been out to Good's Store several times and know where Churchtown is and see on the maps that SGL 52 is just north of there.

I'll be taking the muzzleloader for a trip into the woods of SGL 43 on Saturday. I'm still 2nd shift so I've got mornings all next week too.

[JIMMYC308]

I use 20ga. lightfields in my slug gun they are very accurate and put the deer down no problem, give them a try in 12ga. The areas you speak of are great for hunting but you have to do your homework. Knock up on homes, a good number of people will let you on if you are polite and assure them you are safe. I have three spots in 5C & 5D that produce multiple deer for me every season. Good luck with the muzzle loader this weekend, I'll be out with the TC myself. The big thing in special regs is that a lot of landowners want the deer thinned out so they don't want to hear that you just want to harvest bucks!

[sureshot43]

I also like the Lightfields, I use 12 guage. I am going to try the Remington core lok ultras though.