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what????? it's only two weeks regardless of when the start date is, is it not? I think archery runs a week later this year, which in effect bumps the crossbow to a later start date..........you didn't lose anything.

Think he'll leave the collar on when he mounts the head??

Went gigging for the first time last night with the wife and done friends. Spent about 2 hours actually fishing, and the first hour or so was mostly learning how to hit them. Ended up with 10 fish: 8 sheepshead, 1 sand perch and 1 spadefish.

A few places I would consider based on this arial assuming w-sw predominant wind. Boots on the ground are also key. Good luck

I would not buy any bow for $200. I would absolutely buy a bow over a ladder stand if those were my options.

FSW is looking for someone to say it's the big antlers that a deer hunter wants. Every deer hunter hopes for a buck with a huge rack. But a huge rack on a deer that has lived for many years in the wild, indicates a deer that was an exception among deer. It had to be very wary, wise and even lucky, to grow that big in the wild. Taking such a deer can indicate a great deal of skill on behalf of the hunter who killed it. It could also be a case of pure luck on the hunter's part too. Huge antlered bucks on commercial preserves are not of the same description. Taking such a deer on a preserve requires a great deal of money, and not much else.

Not really. When I didn't find many antlers or dead bucks here this spring it told me they made it off the hill to more suitable wintering grounds before the snow piled up and temps plummeted. The does and fawns are what really took a hit to winterkill. I counted 50+ of those on my hikes. The big buck in the pics is the one I have the last 3 years of left antlers from. He'll be 5.5 this fall. For some reason no matter how bad the winters get, he sticks it out here and amazingly pulls through.

2 years ago i'd agree with you about how easy it is just to walk into the woods. Years of private land hunting has spoiled me. I challenge you to head to some of the public land and norther parts of the state and report back.

I have enough to get through this year. But between maybe hunting the midwest next year or my annual trek to Virginia, i will probably stop to buy at rural king or southern states.

So you only shoot them once they get inside the fence.... or just on the outside looking in? Just wonderin'...

Forgot to say, this is my favorite post from this thread! Curmudgeon gets bashed quite a bit for his stance on yotes, but I honestly believe that he's had more opportunities to observe yote behavior more than most here ever have . (with the exception of those DWOD (downwindoutdoors) guys that knock 'em over like tin cans. If you guys think that eradicating coyotes from the NY landscape entirely will help your beloved deer population on your properties will increase your odds then whack away. There will be another...bigger...better.. less intimidated by humans predator that will take his place. It's hard enough to find an efficient yote killer during the winter months, and I'm sure the novelty would wear off real quick with a swarm of skeeters buzzing around your heads while your sweating your nuts off during the summer months. Some guys here are dedicated to predator hunting, but for the most part, most here aren't driven enough to target them while big game seasons overlap no matter how deep the hatred runs. Another hairy predator will soon step in to take the coyotes place as soon as you think you've got it all under control. Yotes have an appetite for those white footed mice that seem to be the primary carrier of ticks that carry lyme disease. Take your pick of what is more threatening to your woods I guess.

Hey just to let you guys know they’re not getting rid of WMU’s. when you apply for your DMP’s you still would apply for say 8m or 9p all that will be the same. They are just grouping WMU’s from the same geographic area. You may see different reg’s for some zones. If anything they are trying to micro-manage the states deer herd.

...and when food source become too low... coyotes will move the family unit to a new habitat with more plentiful food supply (small game) and easier prey.

Whether or not you have a problem doesn't necessarily relate to how many coyotes you have... there are many many factors that come in to play. Habitat size (not just your property, but total habitat in the area.), amount of small game and rodents in that habitat (ie. available food source), number of good fawning areas, disruption of the family unit... and other factors. Deer may be on the menu depending on the other food sources available... but for the most part coyotes fair well in most habitats on smaller game and USUALLY forego the effort needed to take down larger prey. Having more than one good fawning area in a habitat reduces fawn kill by making it harder for coyotes to pinpoint the birth place of fawns on a regular basis... the myth of coyotes decimating deer on a regular basis is just that a myth... there are only rare isolated cases where they really are a problem, usually in smaller habitats where there are limited other food sources other than deer... or where weather conditions make the deer especially vulnerable.

I'd bet if the OP had posted a trail cam pic of two yotes together in that field, he could have kept the same title for this post. The way many of you are talking is that one coyote on your property would be one too many, so my response was directed towards that way of thinking. I spend a ton of time in the woods through all 4 seasons, and I see plenty of coyotes. I also see an abundance of many other species that should be non-existent if I go by some of the responses I see here. Really don't matter to me how you guys handle things in your woods, but I'm here to tell you, until you get out there and really pay attention to what's going on with the big picture, it wont make much sense anyhow. I am not anti-coyote hunting by any means. I think they are beautiful animals, and exciting critters to watch, and challenging animals to hunt.... within the regulations.

The little lady is in the kitchen finishing up pickling 6 jars of garlic dills. She's been doing this for a few years now, but she would buy the cucs. This year she grew them I asked her how it felt to grow the cucs and pickle them. She said it felt great to do it all herself. The look of pride on her face said more then the words though. I will make a country girl out of her yet! All I need is the country. LOL

I'm just surprised that killing something to stick on a wall is worth that kind of cash to somebody.................but by the looks of it, it's gonna probably cost him a lot more when this is done.

To be fair, this video does illustrate some questionable practices. Although the commercial killing of seal and whales would not fit my description of hunting. And on a personal note, I have no interest in hunting large carnivores, or using dogs to do so. I don't find it sporting or necessary. I am a lover of big cats too, and would not get any pleasure from killing one. Other people feel differently, that's OK. I can only speak for myself. Curmudgeon may get a kick out this, but I would have trouble killing a coyote. It would have to become a real problem animal for me. Why are these animals different to deer for me? I can't really say. I think it might have something to do with their reaction to pain and how they manifest suffering. I have a few cats. It tears up me when they are sick and injured. Their reactions are quite pitiful. Deer of course are equally magnificent in their own way, but I eat them, and therein also lies a difference. I personally need to have a practical pay-off to justify taking an animals life. Shooting something for fun or as trophy isn't enough for me. I cannot watch bear hunt videos. Especially over feeders. It just grates with my own personal value system. I hate to see puma's or bobcats killed. Cats and big cats are pretty amazing animals for me. Maybe my ideas are contradictory, it's possible, but some types of hunting just leave a bad taste in my mouth, and I know other Hunters who feel the same way.

So what is your point? The regs are what they are at this point. You would have known that to be the case the very first day the "last two weeks" reg was released because the DEC posts out future season dates publicly.

Let me repeat that I really like this property. It's very huntable. Pressure as noted changes things, so you must take that into consideration. Second, I left out the hedge row based on the fact you said it was a ditch. I summarize my thoughts on it in two words - hunt it. Set-up in between two corn field this fall, this area will have significant deer traffic and will most certainly result in some potential beds. In ag land, nothing beats a swale irrigation ditch or thin hedge row for bedding. The biggest bucks I have ever jumped in ag land have almost always been around wooded points into corn or ditches/hedgerows/breaks between corn fields. Second, this creek provides ultimate access and could serve as a potential hard break with which you could potentially hunt more often and pressure without doing damage. The key is access. In theory, this creek is essentially in a large funnel. On a W or SW wind, which is probably predominant, you can access the creek at the N or S points and never set foot on the ground west of the creek. This would allow you to hunt the heck out of it come rut time. You burn minimal ground, even though the area east of the creek is also part of that funnel. A is overlooked because it is near the road and at a bend of homes. If deer can cross that major road, this adds another dimension to the funneling effect. Either side of the creek needs to be inspected. I, H, J, and E are all the same story, part of the funnel. Both sides of creek need to be inspected. Ideally with a W or SW or even NW wind, you can have a stand on the east side of the creek and shoot across it, or vice versa for other winds. Walk the length of the creek and look for crossings. There are likely crossings around A I and H because they lead to woods either across the street or the bend in the woods. B is a good area funneling deer between the corn, the ditch/hedgerow, and the creek. You may find beds here and in between B and J. F is a little point in the woods where deer will cross the field. If your drawing is accurate, there is no corn directly above F and if so...that area is going to have alot of action similar to the ditch if there is swale or unfarmed ground. If the whole field is corn, meaning that little open area above F is too, it's still going to get some action. C is another similar story only it adds the funneling effect of the ditch/hedgerow. D plays on the cattle being fenced in. Deer are lazy and will take the quickest/easiest route to get to another spot in some situations, which is why funnels kill. Deer will transgress the corn, exiting and entering. The cattle fencing pinches down a spot right where the deer will first have a chance to get to the corn. As a bonus, I'd walk the entire line where the corn meets the cattle fencing. This likely may result in swale grass or travel routes. It might even not get alot of pressure or visibility to hunters, and you may find beds there. G would be better more WSW than it is, but borders are what they are. You have a double inside corner pinching down, creating another prime spot. With SW winds, you might catch bucks moving through that funnel. I would expect if there is hunting on the adjacent property, that there is someone in that pinch, so look out for signs of pressure that might be forcing the deer to one side of the pinch, etc. It might tip you off to making a play on that info based on the pressure from that hunter.

"We are here to confiscate your late wife's guns." "Yeah, I don't know what you're talking about." "Her guns, give them to us!" "I don't know anything about those, if my wife had them they were her property, not sure what she did with them." "We have a warrant to search this house!" "Come right in and take a look." ... "We didn't find any guns...but we might be back! Anytime!" "Thank you and come again."

When you've got $200,000 for a Mercedes, what's a mere $50,000 for an African "Safari"?

Phenomenal property to hunt! Wow...does that ever lay out nice. Some good advice here so far.

I guess Rob and I had similar thoughts. lol

The worst part is when they come in and bed down just out of range...then I have to sit there and wait a very long time...only to have them stand stretch and walk the other way

Oh boy! let me just step right in it here....I remember a couple of years ago when a certain famous hunter with a guide got caught doing something illegal...and holy Cow guys here and on a half dozen other hunting sites all but crucified him...I really find the reactions funny...guess it pays to be a not so famous guy than a famous one when getting caught in something.

can't tell if this is a really big fawn or maybe a piebald. Thoughts??? I don't think this is the same one, this looks like a normal sized fawn for this time of year to me Troy/Brunswick area in Rensselaer county

axis deer for sure - are you in sri lanka

The sweet garlic relish and pickles are good on venson burger.

I had a lot of fun with the hornet on my contender many years ago, but I switched to the .221 fireball and never looked back.

actually it looks like he crippled it with an arrow and 40 hours later they killed it with a gun...........but, the whole story stinks, from the hunt itself to the guy being crucified and attacked by the antis.

1 was taken on the NYC land off of Horsepond...no AR there 2 were taken off the NYC property off rt 301. One the year before they went to AR, the other the year they went to AR. now that property is over run with spikes and fork horns. all the 8 point genes have been taken out...the only breeding bucks left are rang horns...the property is not as good as it was 10 years ago...it used to be a big buck paradise..now its a fork horn oasis

yep, unless you normally store your guns stuffed in a barrel with 50 other guns......

As far as the DMP allocations, they can offer 88 million tags in some units, but if hunters are grabbing them up it means nothing....that's what the DEC is dealing with in some units, notably in Region 8.....they've all but air-dropped DMPS but they aren't "selling" them all.....so they are looking at other means of getting the kind of antlerless harvest they want.....along the way they are overlooking – or maybe just realizing they can't control – the issue of access.....they're basically trying to manage something they have no control over.....if hunter can't get to the deer they are powerless....

Maybe contact Scope. They may have a list

Well they aren't my #1..but what makes hunting them thrilling and exciting? The game of it all...the prepping..... My doing things on the land to see how many I can get to see. The deciding which of dozens and dozens of stands and blinds to choose to get them in close enough...whether I can trick their noses...when spotted still fool them into staying....figuring out the best times to move or not and once in a while being right....That's it in a nut shell

Lol. Pretty simple question really. Now if the truth is told will be the next thing!

Wooly, on a serious note now; are you surprised to see that many bucks in your area? The winter kill numbers looked to be pretty high there. Of coarse' only the strong survive.

This aught to be good, LOL.

Lots of nice shotguns are collecting dust with all the new rifle legal counties! I hope I NEVER use mine again!

Rather than heading up to camp this weekend where it's going to be in the 90's and no AC, I will be finishing my project. Will post pics when done.

I have to make some qualifications... I LOVE wingshooting...There is no better wingshooting IMHO than waterfowl hunting...Upland game such as pheasants, grouse and woodcock also rate high on my list... However, where I live, opportunities for good wingshooting are very limited..I get maybe a day or two of good duck shooting, then it's over...Upland shooting is also very limited here.. SO, considering the hunting that is available to me, here is my list... I have been a passionate spring turkey hunter over 40 years, and I have good gobbler hunting right at my doorstep, so I'd have to rate spring turkey hunting as #1.. I love to hunt squirrels and they are my favorite small game meat...Hunting pressure for them is very light and I can easily put 30 to 40 of them in the freezer per season, making for many tasty meals... I also love to hunt rabbits with beagles, and although I don't have any dogs myself, a couple of my friends have them and welcome me to hunt with them..Rabbits are also high on my list as table fare..I'd have to rate squirrels and rabbits as a tie for # 2... Deer are a distant #3 place....If I didn't love venison and were not accustomed to have 2 or 3 deer in the freezer each year, I'd probably spend deer season doing something more fun, like hunting small game or fishing...

spend some money and set up some trail cams. look for pinch points and funnels. and existing runs from the bedding zones to food. STAY THE HELL OUT OF THE BEDS. can't stress that enough. Understand the wind and understand you need them under 30 yards. you can actually modify runs so you can get a good stand in if necessary. the deer will end up using the path of least resistance.

#1- shed antlers

Yup coffee in the morning, then beers and the pool all day Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rob - That is so 19th century. So simple. I've read a number of your posts. This is extreme - even for you. They aren't hell dogs, they are God's dogs. Have you ever taken the time to watch them, or do you just shoot first and not ask questions later? The deer are eating grouse and turkey eggs. The squirrels are famous nest predators. Should we annihilate them too to save those birds? The coyotes are killing mesopredators, esp. foxes, which eat more rabbits, game birds and squirrels than the coyotes do. You get a net increase in ground nesting birds from more coyotes. This still ignore the obvious. It is impossible in the real world to reduce coyote population. So why do this? You have a bunch of angry guys killing coyotes with no net gain. This is just emotional release. Work a heavy bag. It is healthier. The photo is from Columbia County. I don't have the 2014 numbers at my fingertips but in 2013, 50% of the harvested deer were antlerless. Anyone who thinks they can get more deer by killing coyotes when DEC is working so hard to reduce numbers is not making any sense. It's a fools errand.

Thanks for the comments everyone! Glad you enjoyed the pics. Danno- these were all shot between 10 and 60yds with my 55-300mm. You can see in this series, the light was changing rapidly when that group appeared so I went through a variety of ISO settings and focal lengths in a short time. I'm finally getting better at that. I forgot to mention there was another bachelor group of 5 bucks on the far side of the field roughly 1/2 mile away but they looked like runts compared to these guys. Papist- this field has been a shed hunting grounds for me for almost 20yrs. It's off limits to me now for ANY kind of hunting, but photographing from the edge is cool. A lot has changed in this area over that time, but the last 5 or 6 years the drop off in deer numbers is easily seen here. It's always been a "community gathering area" of sorts for the bucks come July, and a great place to inventory them as they'd cross from one woodlot to the next. When I say there were 30+ bucks using the field nightly, I mean there were 30+ bucks out there all at once, so I know I wasn't counting any twice,lol

It sure is sweet when you find a gun (especially a slug gun) that you like. My question is where did those two shots hit on the deer? People often talk about "knock down power" but it's usually a function of hitting certain bone or parts of the body such as the scapula which I believe in the shoulder drops them, but other shoulder shots at times are not as deadly. I aim to miss shoulder but to get both lungs and only once in my life have I knocked a deer over with this shot (oddly enough it was this year ML using a new Parker Ballistic Extreme); but they all die quickly with a double lung obviously. It will be interesting to see if these Ballistic Extreme continue to transfer energy such that it knocks pure lung shot deer over which has been contrary to my experience.

Looking for a candidate in Wildlife Removal for the queens area in New York, As a wildlife removal tech we remove animals such as bat, snake, squirrel, raccoon and ect. Must be willing to be lisenced in Animal Damage Control. Must have truck or van, ladders, traps, and equipment. Experienced trappers, ex military and retired law enforcement do well in this setting. Call 304-395-1400 ask for Jim for more details. Or visit us at www.thewildlifeprofessionals.com/ or apestremoval.com/

One of my good hunting and fishing buddies ( another old fat guy) and I decided to fish Keuka this morning for lake trout. The lake is frozen except for the southern end..It's still open water from Hammondsport up to Two Mile Point. We launched my buddy's 16 foot Tracker at the Motel in Hammondsport and started checking spots on the depth finder that had produced fish in the past. After about an hour of searching, we hit the mother lode...Fish stacked up near bottom in about 135 feet of water near the east side. We started vertical jigging , using 1 ounce diamond jigs and light spinning gear. The fish climbed all over them... From 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, we boated 45 legal size lakers, the biggest being around 5 pounds...It was almost nonstop action. We kept our legal limit of 10 fish, and quit simply because our arms got tired from jigging and playing fish... Awesome morning...