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Just a yearling, but honestly I don't care what anyone says, this was my first kill, and it was a 40 yard double lung shot. Here it is! Killed Saturday 11/11/17 at about 7 am.

good luck to all this morning it would seem that it should be a good movement morning with the weather. I don't want to clutter up the live from the woods thread with a bunch of reply's to all the kudo's y'all have given me and picket, so I will do a combined reply. lol I am not mr. B, don't believe I know him, I Wouldn't know Growalot if I tripped over her in a store, heck I don't even know if I ever saw a picture of her. LOL I don't know who bob is that she referred to in her note, Even with all that said thanks for the congrats Grow and good luck to you the rest of the season. Thanks everyone for the congrats on my harvest of picket, its much appreciated and it means alot to me even as a person that has always been one to not seek attention. I have been truly overwhelmed in the past 20 hours. Once I got him out to my truck and was able to get him into the truck by myself I took him home and washed him out good and then took him to show Judy who was at work, On my long trip to her work ( all of 1.5 miles) 2 vehicles pulled U turns and followed me. They could see the antlers above the bed rails of the truck. From that point on it was non stop yesterday and into last night when I finally had to shut off my phone. lol. Believe me I appreciate all of the congratulations and it truly does make me smile inside and out, I think more so because I have lived for hunting this particular buck going on 2 years and I left some bucks walk all season that normally I would of not even hesitated to shoot. I wanted to redeem myself for a scent control error last year that cost me a shot at him and it was going to be picket or tag soup this year. He certainly is special to me because I knew he was there, knew his habits, and had to let him walk 2 times this season at less than 6 yards because his body position was not right. He made me up my game for sure and for that it will remain as a vivid hunt memory. Again thanks all I really do appreciate all the kudo's. good luck to everyone, it only takes a few minutes to change your whole season.

My bow season was great. New truck, got a nice big doe for the freezer opening week, and October 21st I had this 7 point grunting and dogging some does around. I flipped the bleat can and he turned about 70 yards away and closed the distance for me to get a perfect shot at 30 yards. I have waited 4 years and passed up many opportunities at bucks, but I finally got a shot at one that I knew would put a smile on my face when I found him. I know he isn't big, but he will be the first buck of many in my lifetime.

Checked cams yesterday. Hoping one of these guys make an appearance early for my daughter on Saturday . Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bulls**t,,, I have been hunting deer since the early 1960s, and although I choose to no longer bowhunt I did it for many years... It is the same as it has always been.....Many hunters take marginal shots and with bowhunting tackle there are lots of little things that can crop up even with a GOOD shot that can cause a bad hit, or make it difficult to recover a deer even after a good hit.. The idea that the availability of tracking dogs encourages hunters to take marginal shots is ludicrous...A bad hit is a bad hit no matter what, and whether the tracker is human or canine doesn't make much difference in the end result.. There has always been a significant loss/wound rate associated with bowhunting...The only thing that might make it seem worse today than it was 20 years ago is the fact that today it is related all over the internet...

The Mermaid and I had lunch with bugsnbows and his LOVELY wife Sue today at Fran's Landing east of Addison... We had a great visit....They live in FLA but have a camp here in Steuben County and come up each deer season... Sue got a deer with her crossbow....Bugsy is still waiting for his..Hehehe... In any case, they are fine folks and we really enjoyed our visit.. I was also impressed with how much Chicken N Bisquits Sue can eat for a little girl....Hehehe.. Friday, I am looking forward to meeting Wildcat Junkie here at my house...He and his son are down for the opener of the ST season. and he is stopping in for a visit... He is bringing a couple of his beautiful custom blued metal and walnut rifles along for me to fondle.....<<sigh>>...

So a bittersweet, but nonetheless exciting and satisfying end to my bow season. I have been bowhunting now for 9 years now. I bought a used Mathews switchback in 2008, the bow technology is now 12 years old and I am starting to get itchy for a new one. So pending good health and financial status this may be her last. I've been fortunate to harvest a deer with the stick and string all but 3 season including my largest buck. We moved to Mississippi in 2014 and I was only able to harvest a doe in 2014 on a return trip home. Last year marked my first full bow season back in NY in 3 years. I was going on a 3 year archery dry spell and 3 year buck dry spell. Despite my dry spell, I had self imposed not shooting yearling bucks with any weapon and had wanted to wait to shoot a doe until late bow. These restrictions did not void me of opportunity, but they did leave me eating tag soup. My plan was unchanged this year, however as I passed small bucks and many doe early on it became clear that the fun of archery was starting to become lost. It was becoming work. If this season went without an arrow being flung I'd be entering season 4 without the satisfaction of that sound an arrow makes and the sense of joy and accomplishment of a good clean archery kill. As I entered this past weekend I had decided that anything but family groups, bb's and spikes were fair game. Add in 2 years of some really odd and funky luck, I was out taking a few shots Thursday and my drop away just snapped in half and went flying. I'm thinking I just cant buy a break and before swapping it for my old whisker biscuit i glued it with some 2 part jbweld plastic epoxy. I fired a dozen arrows Friday and she held. I still didn't feel super secure going into the woods Saturday. However, at 7:45 on a very crisp cold morning this 4 pointer made his way down a run to my left at 20 yards. I drew as he approached the shooting lane, his vision obscured by brush and as he approached he gave me a slight quartering towards, but mostly broadside shot i let the arrow fly. Instantly i saw blood spurt from behind the shoulder. I watched him run about 40 yards through the pines, stop, then another 20 before he tipped. The tail fluttered a few times and I began fist pumping 25' in the air. For I knew he was no monster buck, but I was forever excited to have another archery kill. Moral of the story for me is this. If you've been bow hunting less than 10 years, you really need to get out there and just keep flinging arrows. Time will come when I can be more choosy, but we shouldn't also deny ourselves what makes us happy. He weighed in at 113 lbs dressed and he will be tasty for sure.

Guess I picked the wrong spot this past Sunday. My dad, who isn’t very tech savvy, sent me this pic from Sunday at 1pm in front of one of our ground spots. It’s either the 8pt or big 7. 1pm in Sunday. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well spoken Wolc [emoji51] Nice shootin Tex. Congrats on your first bow harvest. Wishing many more upon you Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My 6.. Taken last week. My hunting buddy and I did a quick scout and figured where to sit, where the deer were likely to come. We had a BIG boy on camera where I was sitting and hoped he came out. Instead, this 6 found itself at the end of my bolt. I watched the lighted knock fly through the air and saw it in the deer. Like a tracer when I replay it in my head. Amazing. I hit slightly high, which turned out to be a good thing. He dropped where I hit him. 33 yard shot, quartering away and very slightly on the edge of a dirt mound. My hunting buddy got a shot at the big boy 2 days later and missed! 30 yard shot from his climber and he shot over the top. He had buck fever. I was happy to hit this guy and go duck hunting the rest of the week. My freezer is only half full though. Other half has to get going!

He may be the same as 11-2 buck. Can’t tell. But hoping she gets to “ feed” him a chunk of lead Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Heres a good chasing sequence for you

Heading out for more abuse after I finish my coffee... Hunt #57. I didn't set the bar too high this year, just wanted a decent mature buck. I've only passed up 3 yearling bucks this season. My worst season ever as far as deer sightings overall. Not gonna lie, any buck might be in danger today! LOL Tomorrow is looking like a washout, so I might go into work and play catch-up, as I've been on vacation for the past 3 weeks. Still have Friday to hunt also... Trying to finish the season strong.

You speak of this poor decision making and reckless behavior as being something new.. Consider the reduction of the rate of hunting accidents over the last 50 years or so...Admitedly it is the result of improved hunter education, but I hardly think that today's hunters are LESS responsible than those of 50 years ago...I personally believe that today's hunters are more responsible and ethical than they were 50 years ago, and I was hunting then...

Many years and I remember my first like it was this morning! I also remember my first deer kill! Lol Congrats

I see where poor decisions were made on some of my calls, others are in another category....unseen branch, buck fever, etc. When I meet with the poor decision makers, I definitely talk to them about what they could/should have done differently. We discuss things like shot angles, finding a rest if at all possible, not shooting beyond your effective range etc. United Bloodtrackers and Deer Search trackers all believe educating hunters is a big part of our mission and take the time to do just that.

Anyone and everyone should say CONGRATULATIONS!

I usually pass smaller bucks but couldn’t at 10 yards. Heart shot. Went down after 30 yards. Allegany County.

That’s only true if you eat the tenderloins Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

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Back in a tree stand for the afternoon in a spot I haven't been in about 5 yrs over looking a nice brushy field. Good luck everyone. Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Just hunt the public land I hunt, not too many deer so no shooting to scare you!! We hunt public land almost every opener. Have only been shot a couple times. Nothing serious, we all know from the season length thread that the pumkin army can't shoot worth a damn so usually nothing more than a limb or flesh wound. Good war stories for the bar at noon getting liquored up before we go in to start driving everything from Granny's back yard to the town center!

Bar Bill lunch

@turkeyfeathers even the spike would be cool for first buck. My first buck was a spike. My Dad's first was a spike. Seems a lot of people get a spike as their first. Then you can uphill from there.

If my only option was public land on opening day ,I would honestly stay home . I'm too nervous of what other people do in the woods.

You ever hear of an extinction type event? That was originally coined after the first public land opening day happened. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Just rattled in a 6 point a few mins ago. He came in on a string down this path and right underneath me. He looked to be possibly 3 but I’m hoping he was 2. Nice body on him but I’ll let him go. Hoping these bucks start to figure out it’s pretty safe around here and stick around more. I’ve definitely seen more mature bucks here this year compared to last. Another hour and a half and I have to get down. Good luck to everyone today

If anyone takes offense to being called a weekend warrior, then they probably would have voted for Bernie Sanders. I didnt say they were slobs, slackers or anything like that.

thanks sod,,, that's my face camo, I guess I look like a big ole ugly grey squirrel when I am perched in a tree. lol.

Working nights this week but saw this guy in my backyard , no time to grab the crossbow !

Amen...what most don't realize is the tracking ability is just as important as a good responsible shot. Most don't take the time. I have seen hunters go in the general direction they shot; shake their head and walk away. I and a couple others on here have tracked the rest of the day and gone back the next day and more. If a deer is shot it is the hunters obligation to follow up on that shot to the best of their ability and beyond or call in help. Tracking ability only comes with experience and unfortunately there are not enough around willing to pass on their knowledge and in today's world if there isn't an app for it forget it.

It's a people problem....the vast majority of hunters have very little knowledge on how to track a deer or how to react after a shot. I can almost guarantee more deer are lost from poor tracking and post shot follow up then to bad shots...might not be the best shot, but the shot would result in a recovered deer if the hunter reacted properly....too many guys give up way too easily, when I was tracking a lot of the hunters would usually be ready to throw in the towel before I would

You've found them man stay put till morn!!

I blame most of it on TV, and the internet. I used to argue with people who tried convincing me it's OK to take bow shots at deer quartering-to or front on, or who bow hunt in the rain (not mist or drizzle). I gave up, I don't know where they are getting their information, but it's NOT OK to take anything but VERY high success shots, or bow hunt when it's raining or even heavy rain forecasted.

I passed on the biggest buck i got to draw on the other afternoon. He was standing at 30 yds,but a tree covered his front legs and I couldn't judge how far back I would hit if i just squeaked the arrow past the tree. He was a good sized 8 I think,and I couldn't move since the doe he was following was looking at me. I feel comfortable to 30 yds and a little more,but wasnt feeling it for that shot. There isn't much worse than wounding a deer because of poor shot selection. Mistakes happen of course. I would rather come up empty than wounding a deer.

Wow..... Been a long time since I have had the shakes after putting an arrow in a buck..... That is up until an hour ago when I called a doe in that didn't appreciate all of pickets advances. Been down that path before and once again tipping the can over when the doe stopped running brought her right to what she thought was a ready doe.. Picket followed and stopped in the only open shot from that stand that is over 10 yards. 15 yard shot, I don't even know when I shot a deer at 15 yards last was I know it was a long time ago. Said a quiet tribute to picket for the great chess game we have played over the past 2 seasons and sadly my my season is done, even likely for gun I am done. Scrappy selfie but gotta do what ya gotta do, ain't no setting way back on this pic. What a stud of a buck. Sent from my LGL58VL using Tapatalk

Hard for me to understand the "the rut is done by rifle season" comments. Some of the folks on here should really read up and spend some time understanding the actual process of the whitetail breeding season and phases.

You can say its BS all you want, but you are wrong, and its been proven. You can take a look at mineral maps, then look at P&Y and B&C harvest maps. It all lines up. Ask farmers why crops grow so well in certain areas and not so well in others. Its not coincidence. As for the open fields statement, what do you think happens out west when they harvest the crops? LMAO Theres lots of room for improvement here in NY, but you need to be realistic in your expectations.

Been nestled in swamp stand since 6:15..left house at 5:20..soaked through. Even phone in outer pocket was wet.32 and cold just drew down on a young doe at 12 yrds broad side...let her pass. Not worth the effort to drag out of this swamp. ..I have some nimrod banging on something to my right..and construction beep,beep,beep......non stop beyond that and a tractor and sawzaw to my left.. I'm in the middle of a freaking construction zone here..oh and frozen half solid.

The first person who claims their miss on the wind slicing their bullet gets to eat a rotten egg

I really shouldn't complain. I'm lucky to have time to hunt. The fact that the power company is working in the middle of the home farm during rifle season has me torqued. It's my best spot. I set up my schedule, did my scouting, and thought I could just put in my time and be successful. Found out last week they would be there Mon-Fri. I either need to adjust to them loading and dumping 5" stone in the back of track trucks, or just move. The deer aren't used to it yet. They get there and start at 7am sharp and work til dark. Trying one of my lesser spots this morning. Apologies for my rambling. Nobody else is awake here, and they wouldn't want to listen to me if anyhow.

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Only so much you can control Bob. One thing is for sure, you have given yourself every opportunity with regard to seat time. Normally does are an easy task for me. This year I did not have one in range through 11 days of hard hunting starting Nov. 1. And I am glad I shot the little buck as I never had a 3yr old in range either. Only saw one. Just the way the cookie crumbles at times I guess. First time I can't wait to move on to regular season.

I would no doubt tear into someone if they openly admitted to winging an arrow at a deer at 70-80 yards. I agree with the elevated number of posts about bad shots .

Nah,...... I look more like Tom Selleck now not then....lol

First time I've seen this guy. Welcome to the neighborhood, feel free to stick around for a while!

Ending my bow season with another doe. Very happy for the harvest. I'm all thumbs when using Tapatalk