Need Oklahoma hunting advice!

[Dirty_Digger]

I am about to head West to visit the in-laws....... I think I might have to get out of the house for a while.... So maybe an arrowhead hunt is in order. Problem is, I dont know where to go. I will be staying in Northern Grady County, OK and cant travel for hours. But there has to be a place near by. Does anyone have any suggestions?????? PLEASE!!!!!

[ClearCreekBeauty]

There's quite a few Okie hunters around here but even fewer willing to give up spots where you can hunt. Good luck!

[Dirty_Digger]

Thanks CCB, I'm not looking for the exact spot or the "top secret spots". Just something to look into before I leave AR and get to OK. Its really flat in the area and I was hoping for some info on looking at GE or a topo. Guidelines really. Atleast I havent gotten the "hate mail" style replies on this forum like I did on another. They act like I wanted to steal the best spot they have. Hell, I'm just looking for a little assistance. Maybe someone wants to have a huntin buddy this weekend? IDK.... But the folks on arrowheads dot com are rude as hell. So thanks for the polite reply CCB.

[ClearCreekBeauty]

We're on our way to camp for the night on the Illinois River in Tahlequah Oklahoma. I think that's still a few hours from you though. You would be more than welcome to meet us down there and hunt with us. That is, if we can find anything worth keeping. We will be at Diamondhead Resort with the camper and then we will drive to No Head Hollow (No Head Holler for us Okies) and see what we can find there as well.

[Tdog]

Originally Posted by Dirty_Digger

Thanks CCB, I'm not looking for the exact spot or the "top secret spots". Just something to look into before I leave AR and get to OK. Its really flat in the area and I was hoping for some info on looking at GE or a topo. Guidelines really. Atleast I havent gotten the "hate mail" style replies on this forum like I did on another. They act like I wanted to steal the best spot they have. Hell, I'm just looking for a little assistance. Maybe someone wants to have a huntin buddy this weekend? IDK.... But the folks on arrowheads dot com are rude as hell. So thanks for the polite reply CCB.

Coming up in here raising hell with an attitude won't get you anywhere either DD!

[Dirty_Digger]

I didnt raise hell. I just notice how people on this site seem to be kinder to the new guys trying to figure out learn what all the old timers with the huge collections know. I do apologize if it came out wrong.

[Neanderthal]

Same people, different site. I'm still an asshole, here and there. S'ok, I don't expect to win any popularity contests. I'll post the exact same thing over here as there

" I'm sorry, I get a chuckle at posts like these. Asking an arrowhead hunter to turn someone else onto one of their spots is the lateral equivalent to asking them if you can borrow their girlfriend..or worse yet, their truck.

ETA: I'm talking about a seasoned artifact hunter giving up a spot. New hunters will often not only give you GPS coordinates, they'll pick em up for you if you ask nicely. "

I don't think you will find an old die-hard hunter anywhere who won't agree with what I said.

You have to understand where we're coming from on this. We've been screwed over WAY too many times and seen good spots go to crap by new collectors who just want to "go hunting with you once, or tell me where to go". It's never a fun feeling to take someone hunting, only to have them out there the next day with with their whole family, neighbors and half the town. And every single one of them start out with the same "innocent intents".

I did notice on the "other site" in your profile how you will frequently be in the OKC area, this isn't a one-time venture for you.

I'm more than happy to help a person educated themselves on artifacts...once they've found them. I'm always willing to share what little information I have accumulated on relics....but I damn sure ain't giving you any sites. Do the leg-work, you'll feel better about it anyways.

I don't know who sent you the "hate mail", but I assume they shared the same sentiments. I'm sure you don't mean any harm with your post...nor do I.


Signed,
A$$hole

[Dirty_Digger]

Neanderthal...... I dont expect anyone to tell me exactly where to go or the GPS coords for the good spot. Just how to find one. Everyone says creeks/rivers. Thats great info. But how do you pick one? Is there something that tells you there might be stuff in the area?

Say I look at topo maps or GE..... Its not hard to find water. Indians needed water. But do some land features help you more knowledgeable people pick a spot? Not many hills or bluffs in central OK. So what can you tell me Neanderthal? Is it random? Or is there something that tells you a waterway prolly did/didn't hold a camp? General info is all I'm seeking here man.

[Neanderthal]

OK..I'll play.

Justin, you have to use logic when looking for points. Humans need three things to survive: food, water, shelter. When you find those three things in abundance, you will find signs of habitation.

When looking for sites you also have to know the people that were in the immediate area. For instance, earlier people were smaller, nomadic tendencies and didn't need as much to thrive on. They often followed the big game and you will find smaller encampments along old game trails, also at springs. Often, the sites are VERY small and thus they are often harder to spot.

Archaic people were more substantial. While they still practiced hunting, agriculture came into play to help sustain the larger groups. Their villages were larger and required more space, you will find them set back at elevations often overlooking waterways.

Mississippian groups were more sedentary and agriculture was now a mainstay of life. Much water was needed to provide for the people and their crops, for this reason you will usually find them at large areas right on a substantial waterway. The villages were immense and they are usually the easiest to find on topo maps.

It's easiest to start with a waterway, any topo map will work. Then study the areas surrounding the waterways. Whenever you find a water source that has a somewhat large area that could hold a village and it's backed by hills (shelter from the winds / elements), you will almost always find signs of prehistoric habitation. Add in an abundant game population in the area and you are golden. As far as the hills go, keep in mind that most all of the harshest weather in Oklahoma comes from the west.

It also helps to have a little knowledge of hydro-mechanics, how water works. For instance, why a river bends and where it will erode the most. Again, it all comes down to common sense. For water to turn back it has to meet an opposition, usually higher elevation or a more dense substance. When the water floods, it's always the inside bend (the outside is usually higher, that's why the bend is there). Natives were smart enough to know not to build a village (if they are sendentary, this matters) in a flood plain...take that into account.

Anyways, you get the idea....it all comes down to common sense. Where would YOU want to plant your feet to ensure the best chance of survival?

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by ClearCreekBeauty

We're on our way to camp for the night on the Illinois River in Tahlequah Oklahoma. I think that's still a few hours from you though. You would be more than welcome to meet us down there and hunt with us. That is, if we can find anything worth keeping. We will be at Diamondhead Resort with the camper and then we will drive to No Head Hollow (No Head Holler for us Okies) and see what we can find there as well.

You're going to be almost in my back yard. Less than 10 miles from me.