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One single boom from our blind this morning. Pretty good story with it too. I was up driving around after work last night just checking out some fields. I saw lights on at the camp up the road so I stopped to see how he had made out so far. Now this guy has his land posted and he means it, but I have always gotten along with him because I respect his land and right to use it himself. Right off the bat he asks if I have any youth hunters I am taking out in the morning. I tell him I have a young lady who is anxious to try and shoot a deer. He instantly tells me to get her there early for breakfast and shows me where a blind is and how to get to it without emptying the field. This is a guy I have known for years and not once has he invited me to hunt his land. Well, we showed up at 5:00 and we could smell the bacon as soon as we got out of the car. So after a quick breakfast and a lot of encouraging talk, we head to the stand. At first the understanding was she was only allowed to shoot a doe, but after seeing how excited she was, he said she could shoot a buck. At first she was excited about getting a buck, but before it was even light enough to shoot, she told me that Jim was nice enough to let us hunt his land and she just didn't feel right about shooting a buck the first time there. I thought to myself that my buddy and his wife may not hunt, but they sure know how to raise a kid. So it finally gets to shooting time and the field is empty. It is 34 degrees out so I tell her to just wait until the sun starts to hit the far corner of the lot where the apple trees are. A half hour later the sun finally reaches the apples and it wasn't ten minutes before we saw movement. Two young bucks go right to eating apples off the ground. I could tell she wanted to shoot, but she stuck to her guns and waited some more. A little while later I saw movement about half way down the field and two does stepped out looking towards the apple trees. They are only about 70 yards away, so it is a slam dunk shot as long as she stays calm. She slowly sets the .270 on the sticks, takes a couple deep breaths, and pulls the trigger. One doe runs, the other drops in its tracks. She takes the gun, empties the magazine, and stands it in the corner. She tells me that it was the most exciting hour she has had in her life, and then starts shaking and grinning from ear to ear. We hear the four wheeler start up and pretty quick, here comes Jim. We go out and load it up after getting a few pictures, and head back to camp. We walk her through the field dressing, and she gets through it better than some, and haul the gut pile to a pit already dug by Jim for just such things. He asked her why she didn't shoot one of the bucks and she tell him that it was his land and he put the time and money into it, so she wasn't going to take advantage of him. I could tell that this statement took him by surprise coming from a young girl especially. He promptly told her she was welcome to come hunt his land any time she wanted. So, it looks like maybe we have another hunter on our hands. I honestly didn't know what to expect out of her, but man, she passed any sort of test I could have thrown at her. Very enjoyable morning and backstraps coming for lunch.

last Saturday I had this buck hop in the creek behind my tree and swim all they way down around the bend and out of sight... so tonight, i adjusted about a quarter mile down the creek in a funnel with corn 40 yds in front and the creek 60 yds behind me in the timber.... did a short little tickle with the rattle bag around 5 or so and some light grunting... then at 6 oclock the wind died, it cooled down quite a bit, and i got that feeling, almost like the hairs on my neck where standing up... let out of few soft gunts, and 5 minutes later i hear foot steps in the creek... can't see what it is yet or maybe i didn't hear it at all i said... then he pops out 30 yds downwind, and proceeds to make a scrape... shot em while he was tinklin... haha... wandered 30 yds and DUNSKY....

My sons first bow kill and first buck ever. Opening day 2013 Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

If the deer eat the buds will they start hitting the food plot real hard?!!?

Here is a doe I got tonight before just dark 6 came out 5 went back ...

Christ, your season is 46 days long. At the expense of bow hunters? Really? You can't spare 3 out of 46? I've been outside most of the morning and have yet to hear a shot. There can't be a whole helluva lot of 14/15-year old hunters statewide, so I doubt very highly that they're going to ruin your weekend. How is it any different than if I were in the woods squirrel or coyote hunting?

Got in my stand hour before light, had some rain this morning. The rain stopped as it was gettin light and right after that I had deer walking around then running around. I could have sworn I heard a few grunt but i couldn't see the deer. Then a few Dow worked in and they were extremly skidish. I then saw this really nice 8 point standing behind a tree which appeared like a ghost at 25 yards.i then heard him grunt at a Doe and start running her around the woods to the side of me. Nice to see some deer finally! And a nice buck as well. I had a yearling last year I called boots, she had what looked like white socks or boots on all 4 legs. I saw her this morning and she's 1.5 and still has the boots, I thought that was very cool to see her hanging around the area she basically grew up in.

surprised that so many bow hunters don't want to share the woods with kids, they may never see or hear, for a few days out of a 45 day season. I understand not wanting any interference but just think it may make all the difference for that one kid getting involved in the outdoors

Heard half dozen rapid shots just as getting light enough to see. Startled the heck out if me. I thought goose hunters or turkeys but was quite the fire storm. Now this post reminded me this other possibility. If that was someone being mentored, they need a new teacher.

I'll be taking my 14 year old daughter out for her first "real" deer hunt. She's gone out and sat with me many times over the years while I hunted. She shot her first turkey this past spring, so she's excited to try to get her first deer this fall too! Hoping that pink camo knife that I bought her yesterday will bring her some luck!

My niece and i will be hunting this weekend, With that said Im taking her hunting with a gun this year and i like the fact that the deer arent all riled up, She will have the chance to harvest a deer that hasnt been running or been spooked 100 times, She can catch them when they are relaxed and still on a pattern, But i also agree that they shouldnt need a special weekend, But as long as they do why not get the kids out when its a little warmer and more comfortable for them, Trying to make it an enjoyable thing sounds legit, A freezing kid not seeing anything for hours isnt a happy memory its a bad one, Again i dont think its a necessary thing, but i guess it could be a good thing, Im not even worried about her shooting "MY" buck lol if she does good for her, I asked my niece if she wanted to hunt she said yes took both her gun and bow course, And is super excited about going, Im just glad i can be in her life and will get to experience her first deer kill with her,

Owen

That meth is some nasty junk.

Finally on stand. Morning full of mishaps. Overslept. Nearly was killed by an owl that wanted the field mouse next to me, grouse roosted five feet above my head and I forgot he was there (nearly messed myself when he took off again). But, all in the past. Hoping to see some deer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

Helluva job this season!!!

The number of "we" that got hooked has been declining for years. So let's keep doing the same and wait for the results to change.

So the youth hunt won't matter either.

At least you didn't hit him and just wounded him like most of the bowhunters here have been doing.

What has that got to do with anything? Get over it - it is an event that effects almost no bowhunters - unless they are taking a youth.

Youths are after them.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's official. Yesterday between 3:30 and 3:38PM I let 2 arrows fly, the first two of my bow hunting career. At 3:30, after a 5 minute staring contest between me and a good-sized doe, she dropped her head allowing me to draw and release, the first arrow passing through both lungs. She was dead within minutes. After freaking out that I had actually hit what I shot at and texting a couple of friends that were also hunting in the area, I notice a pair of doe walking down the hill just out of the tree line to see what all the commotion was about. By this time, I was also standing out of the tree line. The both looked at me, paid little mind and continued grazing. The pressure off from the first shot, I was emboldened to see just how relaxed they were. I took a few steps toward them and stopped when they looked up. This continued until I was about 20 yards out. Standing there, looking the nearest doe in the eye, I nocked my second arrow and drew as she was looking at me. At 3:38, the second arrow flew and ended up being a lung/gut shot. She took a couple of hours to pass. That's how my bow hunting experience began: 2 doe within 8 minutes. I'm assuming this isn't normal. wpny79

What GreeneHunter said. It'll work so long as your insurance company doesn't start snooping around. It's likely that they won't unless you start having lots of tickets and/or accidents in NYC. That said, my insurance company did follow up with me on a ticket I got downstate just to make sure it was me, so don't be surprised if they do check.

Was an honest mistake with good intentions in mind. An apology was made, but I guess some people are too eager to take a stab after the fact. I for one appreciate the info regarding youth stands and blinds. Learned something today. X-Calibur Lighting Systems http://facebook.com/XCaliburLightingSystems

It doesn't happen nearly as much as I wish it did.....I mean ummm no, ummmm never seen any of that lol

probably duck hunters here in the north

Guess the stakes didn't work? Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 4

I've never been this thirsty...in my entire life!

Didn't hear anything about a deer like that yet... Got in my stand hour before light, had some rain this morning. The rain stopped as it was gettin light and right after that I had deer walking around then running around. I could have sworn I heard a few grunt but i couldn't see the deer. Then a few Dow worked in and they were extremly skidish. I then saw this really nice 8 point standing behind a tree which appeared like a ghost at 25 yards.i then heard him grunt at a Doe and start running her around the woods to the side of me. Nice to see some deer finally! And a nice buck as well.

Saw a lot of deer this morning so far. All far away though. One doe was bleating so loud, never heard one that clear and loud. She was over 100 yards away. Perhaps calling her fawns? Heard three gun shots this morning. Hopefully youth hunters bagging their first deer. Weather is perfect. A lot cooler then I thought it would be. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4

Little six point comes in gives me perfect angle... But on my wrong side!! He gets antsy and slips back into the brush. Holding my breath the spit goes down wrong pipe and pine tree comes alive with choking. Gotta live this deer hunting stuff. Lol!

Nice buck! Looks like you put a great shot on him too! A hunt to remember...

Great buck! Congrats! Beautiful shot too! You're a killin' machine!

When you build those pits try getting some bigger rock and make a see-through area. Create a window so you can see right into the pit through the rock. I did that last year after seeing my neighbor do it.

Buck down baby buck down .... Dead 40 yds from the tree!!!

Phade I remember reading about that on here last year and seeing the pics..... When I first started someone from here named mike met up with me in sterling forest and showed me a few spots even gave me my first dmp.... I lost my phone and all my numbers shortly there after and was not Able to keep in touch but there are good people on here

Anyway, anyone taking a kid out this weekend good luck and stay safe. It is nice of you guys to take kids out even if don't agree when it happens.

Its not new technology Early, those two apps are the same as the activity charts, based on fish activity, that have been around forever. Let it go.

of course..... opening day, the weekend after and the weekend after and then muzzleloader and then shotgun, you name it........... is it ok with you if I take him small game hunting and Turkey hunting during your bowseason? those guns go boom too and we do a lot more walking around................I know you want every other season shut down during bow, but that's not gonna happen.

heading out this weekend with my son, been looking forward to it since last year...........and last year, we didn't have any problems with bowhunter's interfering with our hunt, so if that's what some of you guys are worried about, don't sweat it........

What he said. Its a little late to try and figure out what the layout of the swamp is but you need to key in on the terrain. A small ridge that rises up just a foot can be a HUGE find. All deer that travel or live in that swamp will know about it. I had a spot that stuck out into a swamp with a bunch of Hemlock on the finger and it was awsome. I found my biggest ever scrape on the very tip of that finger 12+ feet across. Looked like a cow stood in the middle of it. Deer will also bed on Hummocks or small hills in the middle of the swamp. Knowing where those are can be a big help. Some times you cant see this stuff depending on what time of year it is. You need to travel the area at all seasons. You need to be able to look for things when the water is down and up and when you dont have leaves and you do. In my experiance parts of the swamp "shallows" so to speak will harden up faster in cold weather and can creat new travel routes that are not used when everything is still above freezing. If you have oaks the bucks might key in on them first during daylight hours if they are protected enough in the swamp before they leave the security of the swamp for the night. I loved hunting the swamps around my home town. So far Indiana doesnt have much in the way of swamp land. P.S. I grew up in your neck of the woods and have a good friend a few minutes from you so I have a good idea of the kind of terrain you are looking at. Stick with it there are some big swamp bucks in your area.

thanks guys! He was a small 8, guessing only a 1.5 years old, I let them go to 2.5 but, and 8 is an 8, and around here there have been guys who have hunted 20 years and haven't gotten one... because guys don't hesitate to shoot spikes (to each there own, meat is meat), I was on the fence but he fit my criteria. He could have easily fit inside the monster out in the field. Still excited for my first bow kill, would have been sweet with that coyote I missed draped across it!!

Head on over to Villa Roma . They have deer roaming the grounds over there .

Why does there even need to be a clearly defined goal? Whether we hunt for meat or antlers, it won't be the end of the world if we don't succeed. Hunting is really not that important in the scheme of things. That's where the younger crowd has it all wrong in my opinion. Everything has to measure up to some standard, otherwise it's crap in their opinion. That's a screwed up mentality. There's enough competition and goal minded people in the everyday rat race world we live in. I'll be damned if I will let this type of crap seep into the pastime I happen to participate in. Hunting for many of us is an escape from the everyday human condition, so this "goal" oriented nonsense needs to stay out of it. Yeah, I want to put something down too, when I go hunting, but if I don't, that's OK too. I tried my best, didn't succeed, end of story. Will try again next time.

I'm not sure you can get that without living it! It's about memories, being in deer camp every season with good friends and just sitting in a tree or in a blind watching what happens out there, that most of YOU will never see except on the discovery channel. I'm not sure a non hunter can ever understand it without experiencing it. For most of us it's not the killing, it's everything that happens before the kill that means anything......That's my opinion anyway.

this is going to take longer to type than the actual hunt lasted. hunted the first day morning and evening with plenty of sightings but none of the decent bucks showed up. second day I skipped the morning hunt because of bad winds for all my morning stands and having some work i needed to get done. the evening hunt I had 2 of the decent bucks at 20 yards all out battling for 15 minutes and no shot at either of them. last thursday am i went in to move that particular stand up another 10 feet, it was at 20 feet and just seemed to be too low for my liking. seeing as we were leaving for pa that afternoon I figured get in move the stand up, spray it all down and get out of there and be gone for a few days. wanted to hunt last evening but we didn't get back in time. this morning with the impending rains I didn't dare hunt and the wind again was iffy for my morning spots. as the day wore on and the rains moved out and the temps dropped to 50 and the winds picked up from the west south west it was game on.... but there seemed to be a persistant little disturbance to the west and I was watching it on the radar and finally I decided that it was going to move out over the lake and be good to go with no rain. My concern over the rain made me later than I wanted to be to get to the stand I moved but I figured if I hustled I would be ok. I have been watching this buck for 3 months from long range almost on a daily basis in the evenings and any mornings I didn't have to work. i parked the truck at 4:45 changed clothes and sprayed down with scent shield. I litterally jogged the 300 yards to my stand. hooked up the harness and bow and up the tree. I pulled the bow up knocked an arrow and hung the bow on the hanger and then hung my fanny pack on the tree. I turn around and start to zip my jacket when I look up and see him coming towards me! I pik up the bow and he is now just about under me and he walks behind me as I ease to full draw he stops at 7 yards broadside he raises his head and tests the wind. It was too late the green pin was burning a hole through the top of his right shoulder, almost like a laser guide for the wasp tipped xx78. at the shot he lunged forward and sprinted 35 yards before I heard him crash... I was in disbelief on what had just transpired, I was not in the stand 3 minutes before I shot him... I knew it wsa going to be close on time but I didn't realise it was going to be that close. im done till I head back to pa to hunt there.

get that super fead deer crap outa here.. !

also, no need for selfies in a tree,

Not at all. I just believe that everyone needs a break or fortunate roll of the dice a few times in their life and sometimes that comes at the hands of someone you least expect. It all comes full circle.

Why not shoot a crossbow? Its just like saying if you are healthy and capable of shooting a vertical bow, why choose a compound over a recurve? When you boil it down, it is all about whatever style floats one's boat. You dont like crossbows, then dont shoot one, simple as that.