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Buck, keep posting. I appreciate it and so do many others. Ignoring the situation doesn't solve a thing. If anything you can at least vent...

Was out today and took advice from everyone who messaged me. Yup I got a squirrel. I will post pictures when I get home. Thanks for the advice everyone. Me 1 squirrel 0 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I got out this afternoon with some light snow falling. Some bluebirds flying branch to branch floundering my arrival. It was very nice to visit some spots that I haven't seen since April. I have had a certain buck, that I had 3 encounters with during the 2013 season. Two in archery; the last, the opening afternoon of firearms season which had me at a head on stare down that lasted at least 45 seconds. Staring him in the scope as he, staring up at me in the stand. He turned broadside, and I sent lead his way. No blood sign anywhere. We searched hours, day, weeks, months for this deer in hopes of a recovery, but to no avail. I was sick to my stomach. Many emotions going through me during the rest of the season. Well today, I found him. Thank you God!

So ya all know my stance on xbow...you know the last year, it was legal ...before this...I decided to put up or shut up and bought one....I found it to be a miserable thing the first time I shot it while hunting...had a complete miss on a doe...really wanted it for turkey and small game. So glad it was legalized...but still didn't want it in bow...So the way they eased it in didn't bother me..bow season has several weeks...... Here's they Irony...only took 2 deer this year and both were with the xbow...go figure....lol

gonna post all mine at once, quantity over quality this year but that's fine by me. Oct 5 Oct 25 Dec 16

Frankly, I am getting a little tired of kowtowing to these bunny-huggers. We are a site that discusses all aspects of hunting, warts and all. The day we have to begin censoring our thoughts and words to satisfy those people is the day they have won. Let's stop arranging our forum discussions around what the antis will or won't do with the things that need discussion. I'm not a big fan of taking our sport into the shadows and cowering before these people just because we have some issues that need discussion and correction.

Without the NRA, which has been around a long time, (100 years?) gun ownership in the USA would likely have been already outlawed. Most definitely it would be more restrictive than it already is. However, their expertise is second amendment law / constitutional law. They should stick to that and stop talking about conservation because not only do they know nothing about conservation, they do not care about conservation, and very often advocate for UNWISE practices. They urge or suggest their members support their conservation perspective. Part of this is just the donation game. Create an enemy and the donations roll in. Anti hunting organizations do this as well. So do other pro hunting and pro gun organizations. For all they do to preserve gun ownership, the NRA works against conservation and good public relations. And they are not always sensitive to other cultures. They stick their chin out and go out of their way not to be politically correct. There is a difference between standing with your viewpoint when it is not politically correct and going way out of your way to "pick fights". Picking fights dumbs down their supporters and generates donations. With their attitude toward conservation AND habit of picking fights, they hurt the image of gun owners, hunters, and hunting. Gun ownership is protected by the constitution. However there are few such protections for hunting. And hunter numbers will continue to drop if we have a bad image. The bigger the drop, the more aggressively and creatively will states and the FWS will look toward non hunters to fund their agencies. More emphasis will be put on developing, improving, and USING non lethal wildlife population control methods. The bad image will hinder the broad - based public support that is necessary to pass pro hunting legislation and defeat anti hunting legislation. Confusing hunters about conservation makes them support what they should not, oppose what they should support, or ignore what they should pay attention to. If all this corresponds to less hunting opportunity due to both greater restrictions and less places to hunt, and smaller game populations, then what? Even if hunting was afforded to be a legal right and therefore untouchable, how will conservation be funded if the number of us gets precipitously low? Would such a legal right prevent banning any thing, I don't think so. Where is the public support to block anti hunting proposals if we have a bad image? Likewise does a right to hunt guarantee that new pro hunting proposals will be put into law? No it does not. Where is the public support needed to enact pro hunting proposals if we have a bad image?

Todays morning sit was the last and no deer...rain coming and I need to get the doe taken care of... I hunted pretty hard this season considering the knee and torn calf muscle........ no luck in gun or early bow but late bow( last 2 weeks of early) got me the 6pt and yesterday got me the doe in picture... I heard her come in behind me and was afraid to move...finally I slowly had my head turned to see her and thought crap another fawn...I'd only been in the stand 10 mins and it was 3:40....made scense She was all spooky and on alert...then she walked through brush under my stand and headed straight away from me at a good pace toward the soybean plot...I then realized she was and adult...got the cross hairs on her and prayed for a stop and turn....at 20 yrds she did, but it was a sharp quartering away...I have to release an arrow every night into a 8in. wide target and was confident in the shot placement...squeezed the trigger and she jumped 3ft and ran...5 seconds and 40 yards later..if that.... she was done and still...biggest blood trail I've ever had...went in ribs behind rt shoulder and exited where her neck meets the shoulder on left side...lungs and arteries ...found the bolt 5ft past where she stood...thanks WNYBuck hunter for mentioning G5's so often...took both deer with them and they left short recoveries dropping well in, not only sight but shooting range...lol Correction typed time wrong ...3:40 not 3:10

While you all were thinking about whether you'd shoot it or not... I shot it... I'll post pics later of the mount.

You could of bet this was going to happen. I don't trust those tracking companies and don'T want to see NYS go to ****. Look at what is happening now. Oil at 50 bucks a barrel and fracking co's going out of business. It will look like a war zone of unfinished business out there. I don't want that. I think its a good decision.

Maybe the majority of New Yorker don't want fracking and in a democracy majority rules.

I believe it would be nice if I had some steady employment building housing and other commodity structures to support an economic upswing in this state. I guess I'll look into opening a pawn shop wherever they decide to open the new casino instead.

Stepped on my first shed on the way out.

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The anti-gun movement is global, and the intent is to confine any and all firearms ownership and control to nation-states. A quick look at any typical UN meeting agenda should clear that up if you have any doubt. The US is one of the few nation-states on this planet that has managed to retain firearm ownership privileges for its citizens. In this country it is not just a privilege, but a right that was written into the very framework of our nation for a very specific reason: as a means of defending our other rights from any and all who would have us live by some other framework. That we have managed to survive and thrive for the past hundred or so years of global upheaval is a testament to the greatness of what this country is about, due in large part to those founding principals being held dear by every citizen. Some of the citizens of this country, many in fact, would like to see us become more like the rest of the nation-states on the planet, wherein the concept of 'the greater good' holds primacy over any and all individual rights. There are fine points that can be argued here for sure, but at it's most basic level this is not what this country has ever been about. The NRA works to maintain a very basic right in this country: the right of the people to be able to say "no" to those who would change the country in any fundamental way without due process. The NRA doesn't always get it right in the details, but they're fighting against a global surge that will accept every inch that is handed to them. For this, I support them, and us.

The 2nd Amendment! I stand with those who want pistols for open carry not because I want to do it because its their right, I stand for those who want 30 rounder's because its their right, I stand for them and they should respect my rights. When a person says I am progun BUT there is no BUT. The 2nd Amendment is what I go by not personal wants or needs, Its The People's Right to bare arms and anyone trying to change or reword it is against us, even those that own a gun but feel others should not have what they want to shoot. Exercise you 2nd Amendment right anyway you like because its your right to do so. There is no room for those that want to take away part or change part to suit them, My AR brothers/sisters & Single shotgun Brothers/sisters are all right with me. They are protect under the Constitution of the USA and any gun owner wanting to change any part of the 2nd should take long hard look at themselves & their beliefs. The 2nd Amendment how sweet it is, enable's you to hold onto all your others don't forget that.

So, I'm now assuming this thread was posted to illustrate how silly the sunrise/sunset law is? I can't see anything else that would make someone hesitate to shoot that buck...

made it happen for the last day of the season!!! definitely not a trophy but she'll do. hard to pass anything up on the last day.

This site is both. Since the link between guns and hunting is obvious, it would seem equally obvious that both are related themes.

It appears that all we really want to do is nit-pick and find fault with the only gun advocacy organization that has the size, infrastructure, track record, and resources to actually make a difference. I hear all kinds of people here who have found one issue after another to justify their reasons for withholding support but I have yet to hear anyone explain just what it is that they individually do to ensure protection of gun owner's rights. One guy wants to let Ducks unlimited handle gun rights issues. We have another who ran into an obnoxious NRA employee so that justifies withholding support of the whole organization. Another guy thinks that just because he has bought guns and uses them that somehow he is doing something to hold back the tide of anti gun legislation. And most gun owners don't even invest the thinking that it takes to conjure up any kind of reason why they don't support the NRA. They just simply jam their head in the sand, cross their fingers and hope for miracles. Or maybe they comfort themselves in the thought that during their lifetime nothing terrible will happen. Who gives a damn about the rights of future gun owners, hunters, enthusiasts of shooting sports and those concerned with personal and home defense. But the truth is that there is only one organization who really is doing something about 2nd Amendment issues, and everyone is conjuring up their own little reasons for turning their backs and throwing themselves on the mercy of the anti-gun and anti-hunting organizations. It is amazing how these same people will register with a particular political party and ignore all the idiots and goofy and even illegal and immoral activities of the politicians who they represent. And yet will use every little pet peeve under the sun to justify letting those who fight for our 2nd Amendment rights swing in the breeze completely unsupported.

I guess it would depend on the person... although I agree that VJP can get a bit overboard at times, I am not the type that coddles anyone eiher... if you want to play in the game with the big boys, you need to be able to handle how they play. I am however for making a strong point without having to include childish name calling... not everyone is going to like what I say, especially those that talk about things they know nothing about... misinformation and hearsay as a basis for someone's "opinion" should always be outted, yet done respectfully. But there will always be those that take offense to being proven wrong... if calling out someone's BS is to be considered "bullying" then I suppose sometimes I am going to be considered a bully... I'm okay with that... if new hunters or young women are going to get involved in a blood sport like hunting and the people involved in it they may want to consider getting a thicker skin... they may need it.

Wow. Now we are talking about bullying. It is a forum on the internet. There are tons of them. If people don't like what is said, all you have to do is go to another site, or turn it off. I can never understand the logic of thinking you have to debate every subject back and forth for days, and then get mad about it. I think the moderators do a good job here with not shutting people or posts down except for very extreme rule breaking. What the heck, now some are calling for censorship? Give me a break. I don't agree with a lot of posts on here. Guess what I do? I don't feel the overwhelming urge to comment, I ignore it. Any forum is full of people that think they are always right, and there is no way you are going to change that fact. Hunting is full of people from all walks of life. Some like to talk about it, some like to debate about it, and some like to flat out argue about it. Some of our debaters are newer members, and some have been around for years. Some of them stay civil and actually read what others posts, and some just post and post some more. The main thing is to try and agree to disagree on some subjects and stay civil. Hell, Belo and Bubba argue back and forth all the time, sometimes getting a little heated, but they always seem to get back to one another when it seems they hate each other most of the time. They have just learned take their shots and receive some in return without getting too mad most of the time. Guarantee neither of them want this site censored. Last year Bubba had had enough, and he took a break from the site. He was welcomed back like a long lost friend because he is a valuable asset to the forum. I guess all I'm trying to say in this long winded speech is, if you are going to dish it out, you better be prepared to take it in return. I consider almost anyone that takes the time to post ideas, thoughts, pictures, or stories a valuable member to this forum. As a matter of fact, this is one of the best forums for our state I have found. Keep the debates going, and I welcome the moderators to participate all they want because they are hunters too.

From the looks of the deer it was a healthy doe. Was it a mercy kill... possibly, but doubtful. I am comfortable in posting this crap because maybe, just maybe, someone who views this post will do a little more follow up in the field. Also antis can tell from this conversation that many of us do care about the crap that happens out there and not all of us are bad... antis know there are some bad apples regardless of a post on a site, what they might not know is that it pisses legit hunters off to high heaven .

It appears that way. My first season hunting as a 22 year old former Marine I was at my father in laws cabin with his 13 friends from work. My brother in law and I were with a couple of guys on our trail when one pulled up. We saw the buck and he shot and the deer took off. He said, "damn, I missed" Not knowing any better I started walking away when my brother in law grabbed my arm and said, "Hang on, I want to make sure that deer wasn't hit." We waited 10 minutes and went to where the deer was and there was a bunch of hair and little blood, but he'd hit the deer. We tracked for about 200 yards finding more blood and where it laid down. We went about 30-40 yards and the deer stood up and my brother in law, who was in front of me shot it killing it. By the time we got it field dressed and dragged to a trail it was well past dark. The old guys were eating dinner when we got back for the bike and my father in law asked where we'd been. I took out the heart from my pocket (in a baggie) and put it on the guys plate that shot it telling him that the liver would be in there too but that was where he'd hit it. He never came back. I was fine with that

Took this doe sunday AM... poked my way up a pine knob suspecting a deer to be bedded down. Sure enough I saw a head looking at me. She stood up and I pulled the trigger. Took out heart and both lungs and still ran 50 yards. I thought it was perfectly broadside but she had an exit wound under the front shoulder. I had one day to muzzleload hunt and it paid off.

You are correct. There was a bumper crop of apples last fall. This particular cam was set up on the Apple tree and there were apples on the ground through November. I may have accidentally grabbed a few branches and shook them a bit to accelerate the drop age...

this doesn't surprise me at all. not sure at this point it really makes that great of an impact because the biggest part of the boom has slowed down because of market saturation. far more of the econut's claims are greatly exaggerated and even completely false. my honest feeling on most of the bs associated with this is that most of those opposed to it wouldn't be eligible for ogmr's ( oil,gas mineral rights) so they wouldn't make money on it and they don't want others too either, and some people just are not happy unless they can cause other people issues. there are local people here that have the no fracking signs in their yards some I have asked about the signs and if they knew what fracking was and what all the hoopla was about and most of them said they didn't know and someone they knew gave them the signs. all I said was do some real research on the subject and make your own informed decision to support it or not. these gas companies are heavily regulated and are for the most part closely monitored by both state and federal agencies. as far as the fracking operations go those are even more closely monitored. the gas company does water testing routinely, and prior to and following any testing they do. the well roads in pa have to meet pa dot standards, most of the well roads are in better shape than the state roads! the well sites are taken care of and are not that unsightly. the miles of gas line right of ways give wildlife another place to forage for food, all of ours are planted with food plot mix and are a great attractor for turkeys in the summer and fall when the grasshoppers are out in full force. all of the well roads have gates on them at the gas companies expense if the landowner chooses which most do to try and keep the 4 wheelers out. I do know for a fact that our local gas boom down home has saved numerous family homesteads from bankruptcy or having to be sold off. some people even got a nice retirement nest egg from it. I do know that its put a lot of money into the local economy something thats been missing for quite some time. over the years I have heard of very few problems, i am not new to the oil and gas business since my great grandfather and grandfather had oil/gas wells that we still have and are still producing. even as independent oil/gas producers we are heavily regulated and inspected by state agencies. sometimes they are a PITA but I can understand they have jobs to do and some people are always cutting corners. we run a pretty tight ship and keep our sights clean, neat and well kept so our inspections are typically just looking over our records, looking at our well sites and its a looks good and have a nice day visit. as always your mileage may vary.

Saw deer every day, couldn't shoot Doe in the Northern WMU I was in. No bother as just seeing a Deer while still hunting or setting on watch or participating in a drive always makes my day. Southern Zone was the same but no shooting opportunities except for one on a drive but wasn't sure where the other hunter was as two Deer ran in his general direction downhill. Best part of the season was spending a ton of time with my 15 yr old son who is hooked on this time honored tradition. I love every minute of it and watched him become a valued member of a hunting party. Merry Christmas everyone!

I've yet to see a report that argued with how it benefits the economy and creates jobs though.

I can't even comment on this Fracking thing. It seems that for every piece of scientific evidence one side comes up with, the other side comes up with off-setting scientific evidence. I honestly have not seen a preponderance evidence for one side or the other. Most of the people that have a 100% intransigent position on this issue don't really know any more than I do.

If it's a Gray, pan fry it like chicken. Simmer it after you brown it to make it tender, adding some mushrooms & a little onion if that suits your taste. If it's a Fox Squirrel make stew or pie out of it. If it's an OLD Fox Squirrel, make boot heels out of it.

Just what I need more traffic headed up north….

Well if you can tell the diffeence between a wht. oak and a red...go in any time there is a melt and walk the area...you can tell what produced acorns by caps in the trees and all the ones on the ground...if they produced heavy last year they probably won't next year...same with wild apples...if they look like cattle yards under them they had apples...many,not all, are bi-annual in production...next check size of briar patches and the buds in the canes...if none and or all dried up ...not going to produce. Next look where they are scratching up woodland grases...if you find an area where they have dug a lot...it's a favorite snow on ground feeding area

I'm a member of the NRA. They are one of the few organizations that stand up for my gun rights and defend the 2nd amenment. I love my guns and gun owners need to remember we are a minority. I know NRA is similar to a corporation and understand they are about marketing and raising money, but they are on my side. The NRA is not perfect, but they fight for my right. The NRA supports my rights, not the NFL, NBA, NHL, or all these other organizations that we so willing support with our dollars.

I agree. That's where common sense and safety as priority one come into play. Considering that judgment call must be made now at times, there is no reason it can't be made under extended hours.

Went out last night for the last chance deer,The deer didnt cooperate but I have been seeing great sign.I saw 20+ turkeys in a field the other day.One had a big body and a beard to match and then I saw all these tracks where I was set up in my climber.These are half deer half turkey.Hopefully the winter isn't to bad and this spring the turkeys will still be around!!

Way to get it done so late in the season. Size shouldn't matter if your happy with what you harvested, meat is meat. Congrats!!

I know many "gun owners" who have a rifle and shotgun or 2. They could care less about pistols and assault rifles. These people I know are not anti-gun, but what bugs me about some of the lets call them "gun nuts" is the level they take it to and the will they impose upon those who don't believe it's appropriate to need a 30 round magazine in what is essentially a military rifle. Personally I recognize and support the right to own these guns, but as an organization you have to be very careful you don't go over the deep end and sway those in the middle. Remember the idiots in Arizona walking through the store with ARs on their backs? It builds a stereotype that for some turns into a perception of reality. I think with hunting most americans do not mind us shooting deer and duck and turkey etc. But yes a tournament of killing crows or a bloody deer carcass strapped across the roof a civic can turn people off. Again, I'm not advocating taking away any rights, but some of the extremist on this board need to recognize that sometimes their crusades can go to far and turn people off.

says the guy who has called me and a few other members some pretty choice words. internet bullying... good lord never thought I'd see that statement on this site.

Curmudgeon I believe the simple answer to your question is that the government's infringement on 2d amendment rights is a slippery slope. Once it starts (and it has) there is no telling where it will end. If you believe in and value that right, even if only for hunting purposes, then the right should be defended in total - not only when it impacts you or hunting.

Live from the stand oh crap season over. Sitting in airport since 6am. On way to Nashville. Couple nice does here!

Good final day of the season ended it with a big doe right before dark. Got 3 does and a big body 6 on the year best season so far as meat hunting goes.

Dog gone it, we had 27 deer come in after 4:50 this afternoon, then lost count. Not an antler among them. Some of the body sizes suggested we start looking for sheds.

Met a friend at my in laws this morning at 730am. My FIL came out and the 3 of us headed into the honey hole area. As we were walking in, a shot rang out above us. I think we may have bumped some deer to someone, just not sure who or where exactly. Hunted til 1130am with my friend. My FIL was walking around near us and at 10 am he shot a doe. At 1145, my friend and I hit a 100 acre spot he has hunted this year and I hunted last year. He bumped 2 going in. We both walked and I bumped one around 130. I saw him below me and he had a spike in his sights but the shot wasn't a clear one so he erred on the side of caution. We headed back to the honey hole for the afternoon hunt. Got settled in and started watching the area. At 4 pm I went to squat down to look at another area and I heard a twig snap. Busted! I got a quick look through the scope and it was a nice buck, at least a six, but he was out at least 110 to 120yds. Can't believe he saw me through the little opening. All is not lost. My streak continues in the honey hole, and that is the second nice buck I have seen down there on the last day of ML season. Next year will be a different story, now that I have a better idea where they are coming from. I will get there earlier in the afternoon and down farther from where I was to run into anything that may come by. Was a good day with good company, and an end to another good season.

Well, it's all over till Oct 1 15' . My best year ever has come to a close ! Treeguy is one thankful hunter. NOW, on to killin dogs, then she'd hunting, then spring gobblers, then fishin, the scouting, then food plots, then.... well, we will see !

I would hope there are no sissy's that would cry "bullying" on a hunting forum... yeah I said it.. SISSY!

Going home to fry up some spam and 5 tags for dinner

We got him! We hunted him several days last week with no sightings. Saturday morning, I went to hunt a different property with my son, & my girlfriend hunted the stand at my uncle's. On her way out after the morning hunt, she noticed fresh tracks in the snow with an obvious drag mark, leading up into the bedding area. She called me, & we decided to go after him. The plan was that she would post at the end of the thicket, and I would ease through, trying to gently push him to her. My son went with her because it's illegal for a kid to drive, and I wanted to be as sneaky as possible. I slowly worked into the thicket, zig zagging back and forth toward her. The snow was soft, and I made very little noise. About 1/3 of the way through, I looked up to see him watching me from his bed, 20 yards from me. I cocked the hammer and killed him with a neck shot. He never got out of the bed. Walking up to him, I realized what a mess he was. I'm pretty sure it was a gunshot wound on his shoulder. I could smell his wound from 15 feet downwind, it was full of gangrene. His neck was nothing but skin and bone, His shoulders & hips were thin and his spine was sticking out. It was sad to see such an animal in that shape. When I went to pull him out, the antlers both pulled off with very little force. She said that a stressed or injured deer will lose their antlers early. It definitely wasn't any kind of hunt to be proud of, but I know we did the right thing. I'm glad he's not out there like that anymore. This was a real reminder for me of what can happen when we make a poor shot. Obviously the meat is no good, but that's not important on this one. He's definitely not a 10 point like I thought, but like I said, he was in very thick brush when I first saw him. I don't care at all about the rack anyway. Thankful my killer girlfriend was paying attention, and that our efforts paid off.

Me left moog5050 right.

A holes ain't fooling anyone or least not me with the shotgun in these hills. Single shots are kabooms and not ml. And the multiple shots says it all