Does anyone on here hunt restone arsenal? Is there anything I need to know as far as does and donts?

Start with contacting outdoor rec and attend their safety orientation meeting.

After you get your permit, get up with a friend or coworker to show you the ropes. It is more fun hunting out there with a partner.

Deer hunting can be tough out there. You'll need skill, patience, and luck.

I know all of the requirements and have already started the process. I guess I was just wondering about the things that may not be obvious to someone who has never hunted there.

VERY well said. It will require ALL THREE to be successful on RSA.

Some thoughts on RSA hunting:

1. You can't outwalk someone to the back 40 because the place ain't big enough for that.
2. You can do everything right, and then someone will walk in on you (even if they know you are there).
3. There are soooo many areas you can't hunt, and the older bucks know it. Restricted areas on RSA = buck sanctuaries, and those bucks usually NEVER come out until after dark.
4. RSA is OVERRUN with coyotes. Seriously. You need to kill every coyote you get in your crosshairs.
5. This year alone we are losing four hunting areas... but hey, it's an active Army installation and not a game preserve, so that's just the way it is.
6. Get a game cart. No 4 wheelers or trucks off-road. Game carts will be your best friend out there. Trust me on this one.
7. Best thing you can do is get out there and start walking, figure out where you want to hunt, and learn those areas. It'll take time (like any place will), but you'll figure it out.

Unfortunately, you are about 10 years too late to the RSA hunting scene, but to add to what has been said -

1. Have a backup place to hunt that is not on RSA because at some point during the season you will probably need it.
2. There are folks that have been hunting out there for 40+ years; there are no secret places out there.
3. Map reading is apparently a lost art.
4. If the rumors are true, they are losing probably 8-10 areas with half of those being bow-only areas.
5. There are a lot of bow-only (or bow-preferred) hunters on RSA so losing the bow-only areas will really hurt.
6. The previous Garrison Commander was an advocate for hunters and hunting on post; I guess we will soon learn how the new Garrison Commander feels about hunting and how he will impact the quality of the hunting experience on post.
7. Less than 100 deer were killed out there last year which is the lowest number that I have seen killed since I started hunting out there in 2006 (probably the lowest number killed in the last 30 or more years).
8. If you are active-duty you can sign in to areas before the rest of us commoners, but beyond that it won't mitigate the issues that come with hunting on post. If they keep losing areas and adding soldiers on RSA, I would not be surprised if it eventually goes to something like Rucker where non-military only get to hunt a limited number/specific days during the season.

Deer hunting can be hit or miss on post. Most deer are killed in Jan or Feb when the rut comes in.

When you park, mark your expected location on your map and put it where it can be seen. That way people will know where you are and will be less likely to walk in on you.

Most people will be helpful. But expect pressure in the hunting areas.

I couldn't agree more with all of them, but these two require special attention. I truly feel sorry for people who love hunting and this screwed up place is the only place they have to hunt. These latest lost areas are a JOKE. Period.

$50 dollars is cheap for so many acres, but trust me, it isn't worth the $50.
I've been here for 17 yrs, know almost every tree, and I don't buy the permit if that tells you anything.

Mission controls the availability of hunting areas, and the mission has evolved so much, there just isn't much available land to hunt. It's called progress, as we get more money and missions to keep this place a leader in the DOD, the availability of land decreases.

New garrison commander, so hunting isn't as much of a priority. Col Marks was a deer hunter who tried to keep the areas open.

RSA is not what it was when I moved here in 08, but decent deer still come are killed every year out there.

It is not worth the trouble unless it is the only place you have to hunt. I have hunted out there since back in the late 70's when civilians could only hunt certain weekends and back then it was nothing to see up to 40 deer a day especially in the ranges. A lot has changed since then but there are still some really good deer out there if you know where and how to hunt it. I haven't hunted out there in over 10 years and most of the people that I know don't hunt out there any more either. If you do hunt out there let everyone go in the woods and hunt the escape routes which is usually toward the restricted areas. If you hunt around the swampy areas keep an eye out for Cottonmouths because there are a bunch of them and some big ones even in December and January.

Crew I am working with just found a 26 point from what i am told. Still in velvet. Don't know how it died.

Don't do it Claims Rep. DON'T DO IT!!!!

And it was found in a hunting zone too. I haven't seen the pictures yet but will work with the guy the rest of the week so we will see.

All dead or sick deer should be reported to us at the Garrison or the GW Kelly.
That wouldn't be the first one this summer.

Pics or it didn't happen!

Another 7pt was found this morning dead as a hammer in his bed.
If you find one, please report it!

Sounds like it is shaping up to be another banner year on RSA ...

Have any of y’all hunted out there in the last 2 years? Wondering if it has improved.

Driving on 565 Tuesday past the new road dev at Zierdt, I'll bet there were 20 deer out in that dirt eating the new growth. Didn't detect any antlers but that's hard to do at 78 mph.

Dead deer right now sounds weird. IMO it's probably EHD but with both being bucks (and possibly older ones) that's not good.