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I don't know about you, but I am not getting any younger. And loading a 150 lb., dressed deer is a challenge, after hauling it through the woods, fields and whatever...So this works for me. I cut a piece of plywood the length of my truck bed. I use a pulley..from Cabelas or whatever system. I use the plywood as a ramp, get the beast up pretty high on the plywood, then lift the plywood. Slide the buck in. Saves this old back!

It's been a long hard season for me been hunting every single chance I got to this year. I've missed 2 does cleanly and had a couple close encounters that just didn't pan out. Been bow hunting for 3 years and have learned a lot in that time. Prior to this year I've only taken one shot at a deer and missed cleanly. But today I finally connected. It was super foggy for me today but at 8:15 the sun came out and the fog lifted at about 8:30 had a doe moving quickly behind me and to my right I grab my bow knowing a buck be behind her sure enough there was a small buck chasing her they were out of range. I grunted at them but they wanted nothing to do with it. I texted my buddy saying deer where moving and then tried a snort weeze just to see within 30 seconds I hear movement and see another deer coming down the hill towards me it get to be about 40 yards in front of my and turns and is heading straight to me I draw and he gives me a slight quartering to shot. I hit him right above the shoulder and he takes off. He broke my arrow after about 40 yards then I hear him crash he's not one of the big boys I've seen on camera but this was my last day to bow hunt and I couldn't be happier with him. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bottom of the ninth, two out...a big rutting buck comes trotting in, directly at me. I grunted at him at 20 yards. The leaves were so noisy, he didn't hear me. So I grunted very loud to stop him. It worked at 15 yards. Of course at full draw I settled the pin low, but he dropped and I spin-ed him. Took two more arrows to quickly finish him. Weighed #155 on a scale dressed out. What a haul dragging him out of the wood and getting him in the truck. But how fulfilling to hunt the entire season and scoring in the end on a rutting buck! Some times it doesn't end that way. And you hold out...and it doesn't happen. What a season with so many small bucks passed! Not able to close the deal on a lot of the alphas I had on cam, and some of those would bring me on the edge of divorce...again. I really don't need another mount! but what a great ending to the archery season. Couldn't be happier. Earlier, I watched this guy chase a tiny doe, two scrub bucks were with him. A buck with both antlers broke off was munching acorns beneath me. When the Whitetail Breeding Unit ran by, he took off after them. But he came back soon to pig out on the acorns. That was in the morning, about 9 am. So I decided to spend the afternoon sit in the same stand. He came in about 4:30. I think I have him on a trail cam shot from earlier this month. His right tip of the main beam is broken off. What a blessing.

Told you bow season was too warm...

Came back early from my ADK trip to work, joy! Great time with the guys. Congratulations to Dominick for getting his first ADK buck, the only one taken out of Moose River so far this year, according to the Ranger. Stories of a brute 12 point roaming the area had us in high hopes but I never found his tracks. No snow again makes this area very hard to hunt as usual. This was Dominick's 2nd year with us and he took the deer around noon and it was his first day! Awesome trip! My buddy Mike with his red war pain looks like a bad tan job, and my green war paint make me look like a horrible hulk, lol. Meet some old friends and had lots of fun! Buddy Shawn was the lucky hunter who got to help with the drag, left side of picture with me.

Is it a spot you've used many times? Is it somewhere you never hunted before? Perhaps just set up on fresh sign or a recent sighting? Private or public land? Do you expect other hunters to push deer to you? Or is other hunters tha last thing you want? Will you just walk in the woods, find a good looking spot and sit down? Maybe even still hunt? I'd like to hear what everyones "opening day spot" is like! My opening day spot will be in a ladder stand overlooking, buckthorn and overgrown pasture field, that borders a hemlock swamp. After post season scouting, last winter, I found this spot. Moved the stand a couple months ago and will be hunting it for the first time on Saturday . It's on the very back of our property and State land is not far away. So hoping for maybe a bonus deer or two, to be pushed my way as well. Some of the best bucks we have on camera, this year, have been frequenting this area. Will just have to see how it all plays out. No matter where you will be on opening morning, best of luck to you all!

Bringing my son. Only one double ladder as an option but it's in a decent spot. Killed a doe there last year on opener. As the doe approached last year, I could hear my son whispering "oh my God, oh my God". Good times

People tell themselves a lot of stories. I see no exception in this thread to that generality. You hunt long enough, a bad hit will happen. Inferring intent based on a post on an online forum and judging as to the moral/ethical character of that hunter without clearcut words from the poster to go by is telling yourself a story, period. Sometimes people want to share experiences, both successes and learning opportunities, with people who share the same passion and who can at the very least, understand what that hunter is going through. I'm not saying there aren't some moronic threads on this topic, but the law of averages dictate there will be some bad eggs mixed in the bunch, but the majority mean well. Let's not rush to judgment. You can own a mistake - but it doesn't mean you need to flog yourself and cannot share the experience with others. When I make a bad shot (I have), I tell my hunting partners and we do what we need to do to exhaust the search. When it doesn't work in my favor, I'm not happy, but I certainly prefer to talk about it to my hunting partners. They offer insight, things to consider that I may not have, and I have takeaways from that interaction. There is a reason why there is truth in the "you learn more from your losses than you do your victories" in sports. This applies to hunting, too. People who may post online might not have a hunting partner and may be looking for factors they should have considered that they might not have. Who knows.

Spent last night helping my nephew track his first buck. At 3:45 he had 2 doe with 4 bucks chasing surround his stand. He shot the largest, a small racked 8 point at about 4 yards. On way in we moved a doe and a buck. He hit very high and the track was difficult. Took 3 hours and we lost blood a few times but we persevered and a few times I went ahead because it was high grass and think brush and we needed leaves. Finally, his lungs filled and we had good blood. The buck weighed 135. Cant get a pick off phone or I'd post it. Bottom line- they're still chasing in southern Oswego County

I decided after a long season of spikes and only one encounter with a mature buck that hung up on me and didn't allow me a shot. That I was going to fill my tag so this buck came by this morning at around 7:05 and it was game on, he came into my grunt call then got hung up with my scent wick and was going to go the other way and I grunted again at thirty yards and he swayed and offered me a shot ,, he ran 50 yards and dropped within sight ..

Was packed up and unhooking my harness when i saw him coming in. quickly got my bow back up the line and knocked and arrow and drew back. 15 yd shot at most went 30 yards and piled up. double lung with the grim reaper wts and FMJs. Biggest archery buck so far. Shot him in 8A

I can't brag because I lowered what I normally look for..that said 5pt down gutted and waiting for me to return with the Gator...5yrds double lung and he went 100 yrds, after a mule kick ,short run then walked away tail down and wagging like mad.......small 5 but the size of a nice doe..which I was hoping were the ones that ran and stopped 10 yrds in front of me . It was the triplets ,yet again ,but then I heard his steady crunch....crunch...crunch coming in directly behind me...I knew it to be a buck but not the size. I said don't even look it's going to be bigger than those fawns..went in a bit back for he was in a stride, and I had to be quick not to spook the fawns shouldering the bow...... but it came out behind his elbow. Well the work begins ...he was just loaded with engorged ticks... I'm back ..like I said a little guy but it's meat in the freezer and doe just don't want to show...he actually has 6 small points but I don't think that one is a legal point? I don't know how that works..I know 3 in for a spike... Well I got to get him hung skinned and quartered before the rain....pulled cards...still some OK bucks around and some doe just at midnight to 3am

You do realize that you just posted online about violating your probation. Darwinism at its best. I hope you don't accidentally shoot yourself out there. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Story and pic of the actual deer are in another thread but I just got the euro back today. Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

Picked her up some gloves (wrong size of course), a pink handled knife, some hand warmers, some Tinks 69 ( I don't use it, but I want to get her the best chance at a deer ), and a few other things not in the pic. Have to pick up a couple 5 gallon pails from Lowes to fit us both in the blind for the first couple trips, but other then that she's got everything she needs. Will treat her hunting clothes with Sawyers after I get a bow hunt in for the morning. From Saturday on, it's all about getting her a deer in the few days she gets to hunt. Tag soup for me won't be so bitter if she fills her tags.

Hauling butt home now to make the NY opener. Montana was insane ! Too much to talk about. My son did well ..

3N report from my Dad today: 725am he saw a doe. 735am he saw a buck (4pt.) 1010am he saw a big 8 pointer, but 55 yards away (too far for xbow). So that's 5 or 6 different bucks in the last 6 days hunting there.

The weekend before the Monday opener was a real "holiday" weekend here in the southern tier.. On Friday, the trucks would come rolling in, the camps would fill up, the motels would be full, and the bars, restaurants and supermarkets would do a land office business... For many years, on the Sunday before opening day, I would host a party for as many as 50 people. on my property..Food, beer, the wives would bring dishes to pass.. many stories were told and much anticipation was in the air... It just ain't the same now....

When deer feel hunting pressure, most times they will go to the thickest most inaccessible places on the property. Places hunters don't go or won't go. Find these places and hug them close, like a loved one, from the down wind side.

I'm going to be in a 14 acre hard woods in 9a over looking a goldenrod field. Hoping my 16 year old son gets his first deer!

In areas where deer are pressured hard, they will head for a place they feel more safe and has fewer hunters. Property that is off limits/posted safe zones. They may also hunker down in thick cover during daylight hours and only move at night. If pressure is light, you may not see much change, but this season I expect to see the rut popping loose in the first week of gun here in the southern zone, so it's a great time to be out in the woods.

You're talking about a state that considers a Xbow a muzzleloader, thinks gangsters will only load 7 rounds in their guns and thinks that although a handgun owner is responsible enough to carry a handgun in public isn't responsible enough to carry one in the woods during bow/muz season. It is never safe to use common sense or assume when talking NY LAWS. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Live from work bedded with a doe

November 4 at 4:30 this guy came walking out of some brush to my left. I had been in my climber on State Land for 4 hrs. he was the only deer I saw that day. I stood and drew just as the buck was about to enter the only opening I had a shot through aproximately 25 yds. away. I watched the arrow drop a bit just before hitting the buck He ran about 50 yds.away from me and then turned right and slowed down.After that I couldn't see him. I waited a short time and then climbed down the tree. I found the arrow with the broadhead broken off but a decent blood trail. When I got to where the buck had turned and slowed I could see him about 25 yds. away dead. A large blood trail the last 30 yds. After being skunked last year I am very happy to say the least and the tenderloins were better than I ever remembered.

I like this. I know sometimes guys honestly post about their losses to try to find that one clue that may have been overlooked that leads to recovery of their deer. Newbies often need some tips or pointers on what to do next, and I have no issues with anyone pointing them in the right direction. Problem I got with "lost deer" threads is when I see them posted by experienced hunters who already know what they're up against and the steps they need to take next if they truly want to recover that animal. Too many times I read some of those posts and it sounds like guys are looking for "partial credit" for ALMOST killing a nice buck. As soon as they get their pat on the back from everyone for the initial encounter and opportunity, they're content to say "it happens to everyone" and it's time to move on. That closure is usually all it takes to call off a search and ends any learning that was left on the table for future recovery jobs. More effort into recovery, and less time on the keyboard will increase your odds. I don't think at this point I'd ever make a post about a lost deer anymore. As a matter of fact, I wont even make a post about a direct hit until I recover that animal even when I know in my heart it's a dead deer, no "if's", "ands", or "but's" about it. I've been on the trail of a few deer that I got a "solid hit" on, only for them to never turn up until AFTER everyone told me it was gonna be alright and those things happen. It hasn't happened to me in a good number of years, and I'm very happy about that, but should it happen again one day, ALL my energy will go into the steps I need to take to recover that deer until I MYSELF truly believe it's time to call off a search..... not posting here just to talk about it to make me feel better. Yup- bad shots DO happen, but you can't follow them up with a piss poor recovery effort or they will most often end in a bad way every time!

Reminds me of a story.....I have nearly always had a pickup and my sister was often borrowing it for one reason or another.. One time during bow season she needed my truck, so she borrowed it and left me her little Jap rice rocket sportscar, I think it was a Toyota..Kinda looked like a corvette, only smaller.. Sure enough, the day I was driving her car I killed a buck...No way could I bring it home in or ON her car..I could barely fit my compound bow in the stupid thing.. Fortunately, I had good neighbors...I stopped at a friend's house ( non-hunter) and he and I drove his pickup down, picked up the deer and hung it up... I made sure he got a few packages of meat for his assistance.....He wasn't a hunter, but he had NO prejudice against eating venison...

Back at it for the evening...fingers crossed I can fill a tag

I bought one of these to try from Harbor Freight for about $39.00 on sale with a coupon. Haven't shot a deer since I bought it so I don't know if it will work or not but thought it would be easier than hooking & un-hooking the trailer all the time. NICE BUCK BY THE WAY!!

Still out of likes ,due to everyone's generous congratulations. Again thank you all and best of luck to everyone the next 2 days and the gun season.

This is my opening day stand. It is on a plateau that is about half way up the hill and serves as an escape route for the deer caught down in the valley. This will be about my eighth year there and it seldom disappoints.

When I think back it reminds me of some really good times and hunters who are no longer around, it was different. I know the local businesses like food, fuel, lodging places were hurt by the change.

Forget the pails. Get cheap plastic outdoor chairs. Much more comfortable. I sit on a little pad/seat in the plastic chair and I literally don't move for 3-4 hours at a time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

One of my favorites!

According to the great responses, there should be a bunch of dead deer opening day! Keep em coming! I'm out of likes, but like everyones spots so far!

120-something protestors arrested in Portland recently, and fewer than 40 were even registered to vote. That's not how you make change happen in a Republic with Democratic conventions and systems. These people don't even know why they're angry, they just want to destroy things they don't understand. Clinton, Obama, and the DNC built this monster, and they own every bit of it. The time to pay up is coming.

Private land. 70 acres. A ground blind we built 2 summers ago so daughter could tag along a day or 2 last year. This year she's hunting as well. It's 40 yards above a series of 2 trails the deer meander thru hardwoods where they have the best cover . They typically browse along the way. Cam has been up covering these 2 trails since August and have had the best deer on it . My ladder stand is about 40 yards on the other side of the cam but I blow right at these 2 trails and have known for years I was missing out on deer behind me. Not any more. I also will be hunting the blind solo on Sunday. She's not going to be too particular on a buck with only 3 days available to hunt and 1 for ML season. Really hoping the nice wide 8 or big 10 come by for her. But forks, spikes are also fair game. I've never killed a deer like either of these and I ideally I want her to get one of them. We may get some pressure from one side a half mile or so off which may not be a bad thing. After not seeing a thing for youth hunt this opening day has been well anticipated.

Thought id be only one to see a turtle from my stand. I saw this guy on November 10. It took him from 215 to 440 to crawl 20 yards to creek. That was all i saw that evening sit, but it kept me entertained.

And a good topic with "Opening Day," just a few hours away! Hopefully, we all will have to deal with this issue of loading a deer! But...though the anticipation is great for all...and we toss and turn on the eve, statistically only a few of us will be lucky enough to have to deal with this chore! ..."huh, trouble...what trouble?"

"poisons" exactly the right word... The left's screams are something not to take because its bad for people just like poison. The left has been poisoning this country for long enough... you liberals have now been served your medicine so just take it! I can see you don't like the taste. Has to taste better than the crow you're eating though.

Sounds like the same model you guys used to lose the election. SO keep up the good work.

Wouldn't mind hunting opening day on any farm Lee and Tiffany own.

Man that's pretty slick! Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Honestly a good answer Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Pretty cool rob! Best of luck to you and Miss B.!

I will be hunting public land with my 14yo son beside me for his first opener. This will be the first time sitting on this piece for the opener. And while I have scouted and hunted a few spots in here over the last couple of years I do not know it well yet. It is a few thousand acres and from what I am told gets hit pretty hard opening day. We have hunted a different piece of state almost exclusively opening day for the last 30 years minus maybe 4-5 years. The last few years have been a big disappointment and lack of shooting....So trying something new. I brushed in a nice spot with a wild grape backing on a small knoll a ways in. We plan on going in early and sitting as long as he is able or we drop a couple......Good luck to all.

My plan A went out the window. Plan was to have the g/f on private land up in the NZ. Plan B, is to hunt a swamp where she picked out the spot for a morning hunt. Plan C is I will hunt the evening solo on a ridge where the dang deer keep staying just out of bow range, the deer rifle might ( and I hope ) mess with the regularly scheduled "Stay just out of bow range and giggle at Rob.".

Depends if grandfather will be able to make it out.been having hell of a time with his c o p d so weather permitting and how hes feeling.stand of his choice then ill sit elsewhere.only hunting 36 acres.have a tripod setup corner of pines by the stand (inside of pines)ive hunted all bow season and seen deer every sit.thats where he plans on sitting of he goes.id like to see em get a crack at one sence he hasnt been out yet this year.if he doesnt go ill be in that stand or another hot spot i sit on opening morning

In the ether of this new wave of 'hate crimes' I could easily consider myself a victim, being 'attacked' every time Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama says something about my white American heritage. Be careful about how you define victims and perpetrators, and don't think for one second that it's a lesser offense when a liberal attacks a conservative, like what is happening across the country right now. Selective indignation is something Democrats have raised to an art form, and it's an ugly little bug that needs to be squashed before it takes our entire country down to it's level.

So I decided to go to old faithful this morning...It was a last minute thing at the end of driveway decision. I walked the cleared trails to the stand..there wasn't even a mouse rustling through the leafs and bright!...BTW went to cock bow at the house before leaving and wouldn't , I nearly took out my back trying and finally it caught. I get up into the stand all quiet and early and go to nock a bolt...It won't slide up..so I lift tension spring...but something isn't right...as it gets light I realize the string isn't completely seated..#$@#$%Great...so I remove the bolt and stand. Then place the cocking rope on the string and in the fire position I pull with all my might "CLICK"...get settle back down to immediately hear running above me...down the hill towards me are 3 deer...as they finally get to me I see my companions the triplets they stop 10 yrds in front of me looking past the stand.. That's when I heard the slow steady crunch.....crunch...crunch distinct walk of a buck. The triplets are dancing a bit and he's still slowly coming in from behind my stand and thankfully to my rt...I am a left handed gunner so I am with the crossbow...Just as I see his nose I start to lift the bow and as his head goes behind the tree I shoulder and find the opening...he steps in and I drop my 20 line low and behind the shoulder. He was at 5yrds and I squeezed the shot off...I mule kick and short dash ...then he stops with his tail down and wagging furiously ,he walks away...I kept a very close eye on him for the triplets ran with him and I worried about the blood trail. The fawns came back and fed over in the lane way. So I waited until I could no longer see them...I got my blood soaked arrow and decided not to track him...He had walked a very long ways,which bothered me I knew where so I decided to walk those cleaned quiet trails to see if I could spot him and did... problem was he'd laid his head against a tree and was in an upright position ears laying out to the side...I was able to walk trails at a good distance all the way around to where I could see his front and face...dead deer.. I used the bolt I found clearing the trails and shredded both lungs..man he walked a long ways with no lungs crazy.

I have only known a Sat. opener in NY, but hunted the PA Monday opening day a few years back. It was fun getting together with friends, but I really wanted to be in the woods on that Sat. and Sunday while we were waiting. I have no problem with a Sat. opener, but I don't hunt at a camp either so I could see the benefit to those that travel.