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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

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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.

Those bone spurs are indication of deer meningitis. Rare in NY but if you get that close you're almost certainly a carrier now and there is no cure for it in humans.

That's yet another factor in this, lots and lots of people hunt solo or with one other person. If a bad hit happens sometimes you need help and input from others especially if the others have more experience. One other thing that has an impact is lack of experience across the whole experience. Gone are the days of shooting any deer to get better at it, now guys want to wait and shoot a big one out of the gate which only increases the chance of making a mistake. Not that making a mistake on a small one is ok I just think that it is less chance if getting buck fever on a 90# doe than there is on a 150 buck.

Had a little 4 point directly under me. Had him in the crosshairs at 12 yards. Man he does not know how close he was to dinner with 2 days of bow left and a buck tag in my pocket. That took about all my restraint after seeing now 2 deer in the last 25 hours on watch. SMH Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Etched in your memory forever. Congrats

I think it's more of " I might get lucky and hit it in a good spot" mentality. When they can't find it, then they call the dogs.

I tracked for people for a few years...what made me give it up was the attitudes of some of the hunters.....but I honestly don't believe guys are winging shots at deer just to hit them anywhere with the thought that they can have a tracking dog find it.

Saw a bunch of does in the hayfields tonight on my ride home from work in 4f. I might have to get my ars out tomorrow afternoon,i can't quite swallow a bowseason skunking yet. Also i just looked at a buddies buck he shot in the adirondacks last weekend,a heavy 8 , 180#. Nice big deer. I am not picky at this point,any decent doe or still a 2 1/2 yrar old buck are game.

I agree. But I would use that service if needed. But I'm also not going to take a marginal shot just because I can call someone with a dog.

Puddy Tat..........meow!

I'll listen to the forecast after 5 pm Friday, until then it will change. Since noon yesterday I have seen forecast saying lake effect snow for Friday and Saturday, then not 5 hours later they said no snow until Sunday into Monday. Then I heard it was gonna rain all day on Saturday and how windy it was gonna be. Now the forecast is saying rain for a couple hours and winds gusting to 25 mph. That's it, 25? Just this last Friday it was blowing almost 50. Saturday is gonna be a cake walk it sounds like compared to this last Friday.

Lot's of lives will be saved this year. All the weather will keep hunters out and the deer safe.

Excited, Grateful, Shocked and Embarrassed all at the same time. Almost 10am Sunday morning, I'm about to pack it in and I see a small 8 chasing a doe hard. Already filled my buck tag so she's exactly what I'm looking for. they don't come in front of my stand but go behind it. it's open enough for a shot but I have to be careful not to hit my bottom bow limb on the back rest of this 2 man ladder stand. She gets within 25 yards and I stop her with a MEH. she's quartering away and I definitely rushed the shot. I really should've taken an extra second or 2 to compose myself but it all happened so fast. she went from a full sprint to a dead stop in an instant, right in the only shooting lane I had left. I thought the shot was just a touch high and back but she was quartering away and I thought I saw blood pouring out of her. I gave her a little time and started following blood. find a huge pool 5 yards from impact that within 15 yards trickled down to just a drop. now I start to worry because there was nothing beyond that. I'm about to back out and come back in a few hours when a sun ray through the trees is shining on my arrow. it's completely covered in light red blood. but still, nothing else I can see on the ground. I start to worry a little bit again but a big white belly catches my eye and all is well. she didn't go 60 yards. I turn her over to see how bad my shot was and find out it was way worse than I thought. you can just barely see it in the pic of me dragging her. so I'm really mad at myself because of this entry hole and completely stunned that she is laying here dead. to my surprise the arrow didn't even touch stomach or liver. must have went right over top of them because I have a nice big slice on the underside of one of the backstraps and one lung was turned to shreds. I'm so grateful for her but I don't think I'll ever rush a shot like that again. got extremely lucky this time. 110lbs dressed