2024 MCAAP Controlled Hunt

[dlee56]

Some friends and I drew Nov. 15-17 Boggy section permits for the Oklahoma MCAAP deer hunt, has anyone here been there in the past? This will be my first whitetail hunt and I’m curious what the camping situation and daily protocols are like for hunting on the base.

 

[LostArra]

Nice weekend to draw!
I've been there a few times. Killed a buck in Hominy. I have hunted Boggy too.

I've got a digital copy of the map they gave to the hunters. Send me your email and I'll get it to you. You can match it with Google Earth and do a little screen scouting.

It's a unique hunt that I wouldn't want to do every week but the concentration of free ranging monsters (very smart monsters) is like no where else.

 

[Okie-hunter]

If you have Facebook you can find a lot of useful info and other’s experiences in the group “McAAP Controlled Hunts”. There are some mega giants on McAAP and I’m sure you’ll have an enjoyable hunt. Everyone I talk to that goes there says they have seen really big deer… It’s just a matter of getting them in range.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Congratulations! MCAAP during the rut is a heck of a way to start your whitetail hunting career! Spoiler alert: the whitetail woods typically aren't swarming with Pope & Young bucks; MCAAP is very unique in that regard.

I've hunted MCAAP twice, both times in Hominy. I killed a doe the first time, which earned me a "quality pass" to return the next year. I passed on a few small bucks and had some big ones pass by outside of my comfortable recurve range. It's a unique experience both in terms of the quantity and quality of the bucks and in how the hunt is conducted. My top piece of advice would be to pick a spot on scouting day, stick with that spot, and be in that spot ready for action every minute of available daylight. There is no bad spot to hunt; a monster buck could pass by literally anywhere. Big bucks get killed every year within sight of a road. Look for fresh scrapes and well-used trails when picking a spot and use the forecasted wind direction to inform your setup.

I hunted out of a treestand both times. A lot of folks use ground blinds, but I prefer the better vantage point of an elevated stand. A climbing stand can work but will limit you on tree choice. A hang-on stand with screw-in steps is my preferred option. A battery-powered drill to bore pilot holes in the tree makes it much easier to screw in your steps.

There is a limited number of cabins and campers that can be reserved over the phone at some point closer to the hunt. I'm told they go quick, so if you want one, find out when they start taking reservations and call ASAP. You can also bring your own camper or tent and set up pretty much anywhere around the Murphy's Meadow campground. I was solo both times and young enough to not care much about comfort, so I just slept in my backpacking tent.

Thursday morning you get briefed on the rules and get to pick a parking spot within your hunt area. You can walk anywhere you want (within your assigned area) from your parking spot, but you have to park in that same spot every day. Thursday afternoon you get escorted to your parking spot then get to scout and set stands/blinds until dark (but can't hunt). Friday/Saturday you can hunt all day and Sunday until noon.

 

[LostArra]

Perfect summary by Mighty Mouse.
To emphasize: You don't need to walk to the far reaches of your area to hunt. I shot my buck on last day about 50 yards from major intersection (I'm a slow learner)

You need to go to the traditional 3D shoot in August if possible and see some the the country. They used to do a velvet tour in busses that was fun and very motivating.

I'm guessing they still inspect vehicles when entering. Make sure you have removed any firearms ammo from under seats or glove box.

I'm going to mention this since it's your first deer hunt but drawing that hunt in November (rut) I would plan on staying in your stand or blind from sun up until sun down. Some guys go back to camp for lunch. Don't do it!

 

[dlee56]

Wow thanks for all the info guys. So you get to drive your own vehicle out to your designated parking spot? We have 4 guys in our group, do you think there’s a benefit to bringing a couple trucks so we don’t all have to hunt from the same parking spot?

How do you think it’s best to spend that scouting time on Thursday afternoon? Walking around getting eyeballs on spots or setting up a tree stand in a spot you scout from maps? I heard there are some stands out there already as well.

I seen some folks had good luck hunting from the ground, no blind, and I like the idea of being mobile to get a shot, any thoughts there?

 

[dlee56]

You need to go to the traditional 3D shoot in August if possible and see some the the country. They used to do a velvet tour in busses that was fun and very motivating.

Where can I find info on the 3D shoot and velvet tour? Google isn’t doing me any favors here

 

[LostArra]

In my day we had to consolidate based on where you are hunting within the area. We had four hunters per truck but we went separate directions on scouting day and hunting days. Driving rules may have changed.

I would set a stand on scout day. You can always get down and move as long as you don't go so far you interfere with another hunter. Hunting Nov 14 (rut) I would setup a stand and sit there. Maybe Sunday morning you could try something different but I wouldn't if your original spot is decent.

Velvet tour is part of the 3D shoot assuming they have the tour

I think this is current

Southern Plains Traditional 3D Championship

Event in McAlester, OK by Backwoods Bowhunters of Oklahoma on Saturday, August 3 2024

www.facebook.com

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Wow thanks for all the info guys. So you get to drive your own vehicle out to your designated parking spot? We have 4 guys in our group, do you think there’s a benefit to bringing a couple trucks so we don’t all have to hunt from the same parking spot?

Yes, you drive your own vehicle from the campground to your parking spot in the field. Having 2 trucks for 4 guys could be an advantage. It would give you the ability to spread your hunters further apart with less walking required. The hunt managers typically want at least 2 guys per vehicle to keep the total number of vehicles in the field down. The solo hunters will be asked to buddy up with someone else for the ride to the field.

How do you think it’s best to spend that scouting time on Thursday afternoon? Walking around getting eyeballs on spots or setting up a tree stand in a spot you scout from maps? I heard there are some stands out there already as well.

I would have a few spots picked out from studying maps then spend Thursday afternoon putting eyes on those spots. Pick the one with the best looking sign and set up there. Some years there are food plots, but I haven't heard of stands that are already set up. Even if there were stands already out there, I wouldn't want to bet on being the first guy to get to one and claim it or on it being in a spot with fresh sign and good wind.

I seen some folks had good luck hunting from the ground, no blind, and I like the idea of being mobile to get a shot, any thoughts there?

You may be stealthier than me, but I don't see myself having a legitimate chance of sneaking within 20 yds and getting a shot. The forested areas are pretty brushy; it would be difficult to move quietly and get a clear shooting lane from the ground. IMO an all-day sit in one spot is the way to go, especially during the rut. Bucks will be active all day looking for does. Pack a bunch of snacks, a big bottle to pee in, something to occupy your mind (Louis L'amour paperbacks are my go-to), and settle in for the day.