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I'll bet if I was there it would have lived. Some how some way most deer i encounter end up living!

What's your affiliation with the outfitter, you own it? This almost looks like an ad for your services, no?

Hello, My name is Dawn. I'm very new to the hunting scene, but not new to using a bow or a fire arm. I'm looking to obtain my NYS hunting license this summer. This way I can start my first hunting season this year. Any websites or help would be greatly appreciated.

Smith Boys dropped the ball...er I mean boat.

2014 Instead of starting a new topic for 2014 bucks, I'll just add them here because I don't know how much time I'll be able to dedicate to this. I shot out last night to try to find some deer across the road. Bumped a few doe with fawns and could only find two bucks. I think there all hiding in the tall grass right now. Caught this guy watching me walk the mowed field edge. I cut through a hedgerow that seperates the hay from the corn when I spotted this guy moseying along.

We are talking about the same thing - junior hunters. From 12-15 you are a junior and need a "mentor." At 16 you are an "adult" and don't. Where I was off is that that for 12-13, the "mentor" is required to have purchased 3 years of hunting licences, where form 14-15 the "mentor" only needs the one prior hunting license. Yes, the hunter safety course is probably better than nothing. My experience definitely jaded me on that course. Some information I have seen given could get someone killed other information could get people arrested. I can only conclude that the course system is broken. I was very disappointed and a little worried at what they "taught." Let's say the course is a "good" one and that getting a license is how to prove you took it. Fine. There is still room to have a "Free" non-hunting license issued. That idea was raised earlier and makes sense. Exactly. Doc's mention of the hunting rules implies a certain interpretation. From what I can see, the DEC interprets them with a little more common sense. From the DEC website - first question in their own FAQ section: **** Q: Can I take my young child (or an unlicensed person) with me while I am deer hunting? A: Yes, and we highly recommend it! Just make sure the child (or unlicensed person) is not hunting or assisting in any aspect of the hunt (like driving deer). Bring an extra pair of binoculars and plenty of snacks. Have a good time! **** They make it clear that an unlicensed, non-hunting person can accompany a hunter. They even "highly" recommend it! Of course they cannot hunt and yes, that means more that simply having a bow/gun. They, however, are actually encouraged to bring snacks and binoculars. So if they are looking through those binoculars and see a deer, is it illegal to tell the hunter about it? Spotting prey would be "assisting" the hunter, yet it seems the activity is actually encouraged by the DEC. A strict reading of "any act of assistance" could mean holding that DEC suggested bag of snacks so the hunter can draw his bow. Of course, this is not the case. I can see a benefit in wanting a responsible adult to supervise a 12-15 year old while hunting. I simply disagree that forcing the adult to pay for 1-3 years of hunting licenses does anything more than generate money for the state. If "safety" is the reason and the word "mentor" is being used, a real qualification process should be in place. As it stands now, it is simply a money grab. -- fat fingers and autocorrect do not work well together.

Drag, gutting gloves, butt out,zip ties, extra Surefire batteries, TP, extra gloves, orange vest ( I wear only camo in and out as it's dark), bottle of water, maybe thermos of coffee, few extra slugs or turkey loads, snacks. sammich, extra warm hat, rain umbrella to strap to tree overhead, Gerber tool in case optics come loose. A lot of stuff but I dark to dark it in my climber a lot. Mine as well have it than not.

My dream is to go out with gun/ bow and a knife, light simple no fuss. Then oh I need a pen to fill out tags,ok a headlamp ,haul rope,harness,binos are nice to have ok some food and water,like to have extra gloves and face mask as I seem to loose them. Never go out with out Atomic Fireballs. Before I know it I got half of Gander Mt in my pack. Which is ok I like to be prepaired .

Well you'll be a hunter and Father for life,the balance shifts as the years go by. I'm at the point I can hunt most days, but when the kids were young and my wife worked m-f I watched them during my off time m-f,,then when she was home week ends ,well I work half the week ends...... Those days you do get out will be sweat,enjoy.

Good luck! Work is demanding I take some time off so I will try to help the east end farmers by culling some doe and hopefully stop the sharp shooters.

My wife and I almost went last night. A new bottle of gin brought that idea to a screeching halt...................I had a couple stiff G&T's and we decided to go to the local pizza joint instead. (she drove!) We go every few years to Canal Fest. Good local food is the draw for us as rides and stuff don't spin my crank......... I could tell you stories about those deer in North Tonawanda! Wow........and the turkeys that look ancient!

Keep it up Stopped awhile ago with the patch it is worth it... good luck..

Started 7/8. Tobacco-free for ten days now! It feels like a whole new world for me. The coffee-can fund has me thinking about a used d90 body, wooly. I've been bitten hard again! Thanks, or damn you, I'm not sure. But thanks anyway.

Folks, There are people who want to see us divided. Let's not let them win. The fact that there is political venting is normal considering the bad actors who are presently in charge of the country. Let's hang together, we represent something that is at the core of being American. It was the free hunters and trappers who stepped up and made this vagabond bunch of colonies a Nation. God Bless us all.

Sorry, didn't mean to sound spoiled...lol. The big ones are on the neighbors a half mile up the road.

Wow!!! That was fast. One step down. Now I need to work on obtaining a valid New York State hunting license. Thanks again.

WNY Bowhunter...lordy you make me laugh!...''.Finally decent bucks " for you...bucks of a life time for most of us...Nice! Best of luck with them this season and keep on posting... Love it!

UPDATE Pics from this week of 'My Boy". Finally got the right feed block in the woods, I had 430 pics in 6 days. A few smaller bucks, and a few does. But its this guy that Im after. Got some daytime pics this week. The tines are growing and hes a few inches wider than last year. I took the advice of NFA-ADK and watched the video. Today I put the camera up to 7 feet and put it on video for the week. Im gonna do like last year, try to only change chips once a week to try and stay out of there. Enjoy.

Welcome Dawn, We need new blood! Good luck in all your outdoor adventures. A few nice sites: http://www.adkhunter.com/ http://www.adksportsman.com/ http://www.nyantler-outdoors.com/ http://www.deerhuntingbasics.com/ http://www.deerhuntersdirectory.com/

then using their definition birders and wildlife photographers should need a licence as well.. i've seen birders chase them for miles to get a pic. There i hope the state charges them for a hunting licence...non hunters watching and photographing bird being forced to buy a hunting licence...that would make my year.....

Few more up and comers: This two year old looks like he could be a stud in a couple of years...

You don't want me to get out the door today with an empty email inbox. How is my post silly? I think the rules are silly. If I am in the field supervising an experienced, safe, licensed 15 year old, I am "hunting" and need a license. If I am in the field with a licensed 16 year old who knows nothing about hunting or guns, then I am not hunting and don't need a license. Sorry if I don't "see the light" on that one. "Mentoring" is also not properly used in the context of this discussion (or the DEC). All it means according to the rules is "adult supervision." It allows a completely unqualified individual to "mentor" a kid. No training, No qualification. Pay $22 and you too can be a "mentor." At least have the honesty to call it "babysitter" rather than throw around a false title like "mentor." Edited to correct: A "mentor" needs "3 years hunting experience" according to DEC. SO actually it is $66 to be a mentor. Again, no real experience or knowledge is needed. You just have to purchase a hunting license for at least 3 years. That is why we don't see eye to eye. I think the above rules do not make sense and have much room for improvement. You think the above rules make sense and that your position somehow makes me look "silly." I can live with that. I do not represent anyone. The OP question was answered a while back. This is now just you and I disagreeing. We are not going to change each other's position, no less the rules, so its nothing more than an amusing way to fill time between answering client emails.

Principle being violated: Not hunting but being forced to purchase a license with deer tag. After 15 years old, the "mentor" doesn't need a license. At 15 he does. Aside from a required corse, neither party needs to be qualified at anything nor needs to be an experienced hunter. There is no real "safety" goal being achieved by the licensing process. It is a valid point to question. Some may agree with this setup, some may not. I see it as arbitrary, you do not. I already pointed out some avenues for affecting a change in the rules. This forum is not a direct line to the DEC or legislative process, so I guess your point is that any question or comment posted here is a "gripe." When trying to change something, asking others about it, finding out if others support your position or rallying others to your cause is all complaining? I don't agree, but that's one way to look at it. The OP mistakenly assumed that this forum would be a good place to get information about a rule for which he didn't understand the reasoning. He thought that folks more experienced with the rule making process could provide some insight or justification. Instead, he got bashed for it. Seems par for the course around here. "Why" is not a dirty word - especially when it is applied to the government. Fortunately for me, I am stopping work early today. That means I do not have to sit in front of my computer any longer to be tempted by email alerts for this thread. I really, really surrender this time. You win.

scheme...what a garbage word Start taking a closer look at the European situation over the last decade...then follow those dots to the UN....when you finish there, look at the Democratic parties crazy need to be liked and included in anything...follow those dots to the UN...Now finally take a peek behind the curtain and listen to the UN and Europe saying...It's about damn time those upstarts get a taste of what we have been dealing with..... Not a scheme just power,politics and money pushed by a huge distain for Americans...

Once the kids are established , the next thing will be .... we can't have the kids here without their parents . Let the parents come to the USA also .

Knife, small saw, extra ammo, water, toilet paper,paper towel, candy bars, toilet paper, granola bars, toilet paper, utility knife (leatherman) toilet paper, sandwiches (some times) toilet paper, cell phone, toilet paper, rope & toilet paper. You can't be too prepared.

I'd rather leave a young buck with 8 pts or more than a spike... they 8 plus will be 8 plus the next year, a spike well you never know what it will develop into.. that is the problem with just point restrictions in heavy pressured areas you remove the best ( potential) and leave the rest.....

Hopefully I can express my opinion without delving into this with you or others. Bipartisan support is what is needed to preserve what hunting opportunities are remaining and/or to expand them. Most politically-charged sportsmen are very eager to attack people who disagree with them, but very few do what actually makes a difference by forming partnerships emphasizing common ground. This was important decades ago, when the sporting community had a louder voice, and presently more important then ever, now that we are one of the smallest minorities on planet Earth, yet many of you carry on like sportsmen have all this political strength. When non hunters who are neither pro or anti hunting encounter hunting issues, they most often ignore them. However, depending on how much media coverage an issue is given, a percentage of these neutral people become interested and engaged in the issue. These are often somewhat intelligent people, and the most rational arguments usually persuade them. Sportsmen (think) they always have science on their side, but they often do not. Or, they misrepresent science. Either scenario costs us friends and potential new friends; and hunters have very few friends in the world. The only better way to lose friends is to stereotype and criticize others, especially on the occasions when they have the more factual argument. Going off on partisan rants does nothing conductive and everything non-conducive to a pro hunting agenda.

It probably knew it only had a few short years before it would be on your dinner table. Decided to go out on its terms.

You, an ex NYer - and who are the other 3?

The age does matter. They are considered Junior hunters and need a licensed mentor with them. You asked a question, I answered it. What you think of the answer is up to you. As a junior hunter, if you take him out without a license yourself, you risk his future hunting as he could be ticketed for hunting without supervision, and you can be ticketed for hunting without a license. and his privileges could be suspended. If I had the chance to take my grandson hunting, the cost of the license would be immaterial. Your call.

There's really just 2 knuckle heads that drive the political crap to death. Best to try to avoid it... Or as I've said, keep all their "news stories" in 1 thread.

Instead of going to the Recent Topics list , I , personally go to View New Content . It has the New Topics plus threads that have been added to .... much simpler .

LOL. I saw THAT coming from a mile away................................ Funny thing is that a 12ga does a ton of damage too. You guys that are all choked up about meat loss ever use one?