Arkansas Ouachita Mountain Hunt

[JTHOMP]

I had the pleasure of spending 6 days in the Ouachita Mountains for the opening of rifle season. My ultimate goal was to see a bear by constantly walking new areas looking for sign. I found old bear sign under a few different oak and hickory trees, but never saw anything fresh. Wednesday and Friday I sat and deer hunted. On Wednesday I had a doe walk through mid day. It was really tempting to take the shot, but I let her walk hoping for a buck. At last light 4 came through and I got to pack the biggest one up the mountain back to the truck.

One of the best parts of this experience was I made some new friends up there that graciously let me stay in their camp. The camp had a wood burning stove worth its weight in gold. It was terribly cold. These guys at the camp lived off bologna and hot dogs during their stay. I had extra frozen gumbo and pot roast and I shared that with them. So I secured my bunk for next season as the camp cook.

I first made this hunt last season as a stepping stone to hunting out West. The more I’ve come to understand the landscape and the wildlife, I find it harder not to make this hunt every year.

 

[rwc101]

I have family that live next Ouichita NF. It's a great place.

 

[JTHOMP]

Having trouble loading pics, but will try to put up more. The mountains in my flatlander opinion are rough but the scenery is beautiful.

 

[WildWill]

I grew up in the Ouachita mountains on the Oklahoma side and still live about 40 miles west of them in Antlers Ok. I know I'm a bit bias but I swear those pine covered mountains have a magical quality to them. Let me know if you're interested in checking out the Oklahoma side, plenty of public in McCurtain, Leflore, and Pushmataha counties, and will help if I can.

 

[LCH]

Now that looks like a great time!

 

[rmyoung1]

I backpacked in the Caney Creek Wilderness years ago. Pretty place!

 

[SticksMcKinley]

Congrats on a great trip! Gorgeous pics!

 

[JTHOMP]

A few more photos






I made it back home late Friday night. Spent all day Saturday putting up fire wood with my brother before making a short pig hunt in the back field and cooked a pig gravy for supper. Got the doe in the freezer on Sunday. Sunday night cooked supper for my girl friend, mom, and niece. Fresh backstrap steak and eggs with biscuits grits and the remaining gravy. Delicious.



After being gone and outside for so many days, driving to work this morning seemed foreign.

 

[JTHOMP]

I grew up in the Ouachita mountains on the Oklahoma side and still live about 40 miles west of them in Antlers Ok. I know I'm a bit bias but I swear those pine covered mountains have a magical quality to them. Let me know if you're interested in checking out the Oklahoma side, plenty of public in McCurtain, Leflore, and Pushmataha counties, and will help if I can.

I worked not too far from there in Mcalester a few years ago. Pretty country as well.

I backpacked in the Caney Creek Wilderness years ago. Pretty place!

I was in Dry Creek this year and also spent time in Poteau Wilderness last year. Would like to try to visit more in the future.

 

[pre6422hornet]

Great write up and pics!

I have been looking at doing a few backpack whitetail hunts closer to home and the Ouachita's are on the list. Great job!

 

[elkrchr]

Love the photos. That is some gorgeous country.

 

[R.K.]

Took a weekend to camp on the Oklahoma side when I was in college. Ever since, I always thought the hunting experience there would be second to none, especially for an overlooked backcountry experience.

There is something special about those mountains.