I thought that there were no firearms allowed in Auburn Marsh, small game or otherwise. The way the signs read to me the whole area is archery only for all game. I've been wrong before and may be again.

You guys should check out West Branch in Portage County. Not that the place is over ran with deer, but there is a huntable population there. Lots of acreage and diverse habitats.

But, why hunt on public property? Get out and find a few farms in Portage or Stark County and knock on a few doors. With a little luck you will find a few places to hunt.

I've found most of my hunting spots on private land by hunting woodchucks. Hunt chucks in the summer and by fall many times the farmer will invite you to deer hunt his property. Best bet is to hunt with a rimfire rifle to keep the noise level down and not disturb the livestock or family members.

My dad and I just picked up a new property last week. My dad was setting in a lawn chair near a country road shooting chucks for a property owner that allows us to deer hunt. A car came by and saw him. The car stopped and a younger lady approched him with this question. "Are you shooting groundhogs"? My dad said yes and she asked if he would shoot some on her property. She was starting an organic farming operation and wanted the chuck population thinned. My dad told her that him and I would be glad to shoot a bunch for her. She offered to pay us to do it. My dad said he would not take her money but would like to have permission for him and I to archery hunt for deer on the property. Another done deal, she agreed immediately. So sometimes places to hunt literally fall in your lap.