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I just finished this tonight. I do mine own that way they are personable. the other pic is of the ones I have done for myself. the one in the middle is the one I got this bow season

I plan to use some drones next year to verify whether forum members actually unload their weapons and leave their stands before legal shooting time ends. LOL Phade will use one to spy on Doc. He's got to be using a treestand at least some of the time! LOL Paula will send one over Bubba's cabin. She likes Bubba and wants to get a look at him from all different angles. LOL Pygmy will send one over Growalot's property. Pygmy can chime in on the reasons why. LOL

If you are worried about the perception of hunters in the eyes of non-hunters, what you're advocating is banning contests and making laws that will control hunting more to placate the anti's. Banning lead ammo and hunting contests are just two infringements. What's to stop the momentum after it gets started? Seems to me we are opening a door towards a total ban on hunting. I'd rather see hunters unite to elect pro-hunting politicians that would be inclined to pass a law recognizing hunting as a traditional right that cannot be eliminated. Other states have done it. Why not NY? If we do not push back against any and all attacks on hunting, we will soon find we have lost the war altogether.

Geeze...Sitting in a treestand in pitch dark for an hour and a half.. That sounds like lots of fun...Like whacking myself in the groin with a hammer or giving myself an enema with a turkey baster full of tabasco sauce...

12-9-14 Late season success on the timbered edge of a goldenrod field. I sat on my stump daydreaming about shed season and all the antlers I'd be scooping up from the field behind me in the coming months. I had a sudden snap back to reality at 3pm when all of a sudden out of nowhere movement woke me up 25yds in front of me. This guy was casually following behind a young doe fawn and she led him right by me at 15yds before the ML swept him off his feet. He piled up about 40yds away, and when I arrived at his carcass I discovered he knocked an antler off when he crashed. I grabbed a few quick picures, and with sunset fast approaching I made a quick run home to grab a sled to make the drag out a little easier and protect his antler that was still attached. At home I realized I had this bucks antlers from last season which I included in these pics, and that I killed him just over 100yds away from where I had found those antlers last spring. This was the kind of hunt that made me thankful I could appreciate some of the finer points of the hunt without the size of the antlers clouding my excitement over him!

I have hunted this property in Stormville pretty hard during the bow season and passed on 5 different small bucks. I was looking for a mature doe to shoot or a bigger buck, but I never go the opportunity on either. Out of nowhere, this guy came in right on a doe and it was an easy shot with the muzzleloader at 50 yds. I have never seen this buck in person or on camera, but he seems to be related to a similar one I shot two years ago. They both have the same small brow tines and both had big bodies. I shot this one no more than 50 yds. from the other one. I guess that is a good spot to leave that stand!

I don't get the whole "what hunting has become" comments. Hunting contests aren't some new invention by a new attitude hunter or new generation. They have been around for years. Longer than I have been hunting and that is 37 years. Every bar, Elks lodge and such, the area that I grew up had big buck contests. The Fish and Game club near me had events as well. I remember a rabbit contest. To me they are more social events than trying to win prizes on the back of the poor innocent game animals. What's next, we gonna start seeing protest of fishing contests?

when the temperatures are mild (40's) i'll head in about 45 minutes before legal light. When it's cold out, I'll head in at legal light +/- 5 minutes. I'm not interested in wasting time just getting cold. I would rather have the extra time during legal shooting hours.

I'm still in bed, have yet to shower , eat, dress , drive 32 miles, walk in......

I like to be in my stand before sunrise but not if it means walking through a herd of them on the way in.I would say each situation is unique depending on the deer movement and the access you have to get to your stand.

I don't think non-hunters are as concerned about these contests as animal rights fanatics and the anti-lead crowd are. People who live in areas where coyotes and crows have gotten way out of hand certainly aren't against the contests. People who live in urban areas might have issues with them, but then again, when are they not trying to tell everyone else what to do? People really should be more concerned about the perceived image of Americans around the world than the image of hunters here. With a clown like Obama as President making America look stupid and weak, and his entire lawless, corrupt administration, I think this country's non-hunters have a lot more to be concerned about at this moment in time.

I shot this buck on 11/30/14 in the Adirondacks (Hamilton County) after tracking him for 4 hours 23 minutes (I originally claimed 5.5 hours in a FB post, I was incorrect according to my GPS) and covering 5.2 miles. I missed (deflected bullet) him once about halfway through the journey, but was able to connect when he got distracted by a doe and followed her across an opening in front of me. After shooting him I realized I had trail cam pictures of him last year over 2 miles from where I took up his track this year. These big woods bucks have large ranges! This was probably the most memorable hunt I've ever had, and boy did I have to work for it! Based on last year's trail cam pics and his tooth wear, which was at least as much as the 5 year-old 8pt (cementum annuli aged) I shot about a mile from there in 2012, I estimate this buck to be at least that old as well, perhaps even one year older. I will send his teeth in too to confirm. Gross green score of 131 and change. Brows are over 5 and 7" and bases are just shy of 5". The picture(s) I posted on FB last week generated a lot of comical comments about practicing shooting more, aiming better, and only taking ethical shots. Those folks don't realize that tracking is not blood trailing. They don't go 5.2 miles after a heart shot either. With tracking, you follow the buck BEFORE you shoot it... P.S. I wrote a much more detailed story of this hunt but I am going to see if I can get a magazine to buy it. They require it be unpublished material, which unfortunately includes posting it on an internet forum. If things go well, hopefully I will be able to post the story at a later date. (Sorry NYantler) Not something I normally look at, I thought this graph of my walking speed was interesting. (From GPS) Trail cam pics from 2013: Making a mock scrape:

Almost forgot an important one. Biz-R-O will send one over Four Season Whitetail's deer pen. The drone will be carrying scissors, and he'll guide it over Four Season's head to cut off his mullet. LOL

I need better looking neighbors before I shell out $400-600 on a drone...lol

IMO, it's only irresponsible because he didn't practice at that distance or know exactly where to aim. Had he done both and the conditions were right, no wind and deer standing still, there would be nothing wrong with a 60yd shot. It's done all the time successfully out west in open fields on deer, antelope, elk, etc. if I ever go to Wyoming with my xbow, I will make sure I can shoot out to at least 60 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Any hunter can make an irresponsible shot. The weapon doesn't matter. That said, I wouldn't want the thread poster in my woods. He's a risk.

So how many hunter do you think are going out to hunt coyotes for this contest that wouldn't be anyway? Do you believe that it would be so easy to just pick up a gun, go out and bag a few yotes in an attempt to win that contest? Do you think the public does? I know guys that do quite a bit of squirrel hunting and actually take part in the squirrel slam. This doesn't draw them out for the event. Quite differently, they don't hit areas they normally would and save those for the day of the event. So if as a hunter we take a dozen squirrels a year but choose to schedule one day afield to coincide with an social activity, I don't see the harm. Anyone that looks at these contests myopically and doesn't understand that the hunting activity still takes place even without a contest do not understand what really happens.

Breaking News: The fight between Doc and Phade has spilled into the street.

Beautiful view. I want to live where you do.

You are talking in circles. You just said I thought wrong. Stop talking out of both sides of your mouth there doc. If you were talking about ground stands you would have stated such after I questioned you on it and you KNEW what i was talking about. My question never included the word tree. I said...stand. you said i thought wrong. That proves you knew what i was talking about. Youre just backpedaling now. You pretty clearly tried to make a story that defended your position because it supported your belief.I usually think whether I disagree with you, you bring up points that are valid for positions I may not agree with. But this is clearly a case where you can't say changing the law would result in a safety decrease. Enough states do this that one can reasonably be assured that it is an effective law that does not impact safety. All you have to go on is anecdotal stories. These states are laws. Laws. If there were a safety issue with it, they'd change quickly. They havent been and won't be. Face it NY is on the wrong side of this law and it should be changed.

As I said almost a year ago today; that next February and March the clubs from Greene NY and Holley NY with their respective "crow down" and "squirrel slam" will again bring attention to the media. These annual events enable the antis to organize better and engage more people each year. These contests have also helped the antis win new friends, increase their donations and build the size of their memberships. Several politicians such as Tony Avella grandstand on this every year as well, as a matter of fact he sponsored a bill to ban hunting contests for the very same people who protest the Greene and Holley events. Ironically, organizers of these events have boasted that the negative attention has increased contest entrees. That boast is very narrow-minded and demonstrates lack of situational awareness and common sense. The antis have raised a number of issues with these contests. The most compelling argument they have is the introduction of lead into the food chain if large numbers of carcasses are dumped and/or game is not retrieved or lost. Since that is 100% accurate and lead in the food chain is indeed an impact, the clubs should concede to the use of non toxic ammo. Any individual, club, or organization who argues against this is further damaging the image of hunting and credibility of hunters. There are a number of additional measures these clubs can and should take to make these events more palatable to the public majority. By now, they should also expect protests and be prepared to address them appropriately. If they do not have such a plan in place they are not being mindful of the rest of the sporting community.

I just find it amazing how some can willingly admit to breaking some laws because it on accident or there are grey areas but you say you follow hunting laws to the T. I speed I set my cruise in 72 in a 65 because I know that is what I can do with minimal risk. I do not stare at my watch to the second for legal shooting times, I have let deer walk even though I could have killed them because I knew it was too early/late. If I am watching the news or reading the paper and I see someone caught doing 100mph I think "wow what a dummy" there is a big difference between me and 95% of other drivers doing a little faster than the speed limit and someone doing double the speed limit. It's the same thing as someone shooting minutes before or after legal hrs and some one shooting a deer at midnight with a spot light, there is a HUGE difference!

If you speed you are a Criminal If you poach you are a Criminal Your just deciding which one you are proud of...Law is Law.

Respectfully, that's not quite what I meant. Hunters are much more likely to interact with non-hunters on a daily basis than FWS staff are. in my experience, that is where opinions of non-hunters are swayed. Most non-hunters have very little idea what the FWS is or what they do, sadly. But they do know someone that hunts-- their uncle, a friend-of-a-friend, etc. Those interactions change opinions, for better or worse. I also by no means was suggesting that we tell each other what to do. I only wanted to present the fact that what you, I, and all the hunters do in the public eye does indeed have an impact on hunting in the future. These days, sadly, the public eye includes social media. I actually am completely with you in that we should be more united, not less. Kind regards.

Just remember, it's not what time you arrive at your final destination that matters..., only that you arrive alive! Whether that's to Grandmas house for X-mas dinner or the end of deer season... At the end of the day we all want to return home whether we spent the day at work or in the woods. The rules ARE only guidelines for us to follow. Written law is just a way to punish offenders and hold them accountable for their own actions when the limits get pushed too far.

Yes- it does. I have a moderate online following of people from all walks of life and I sometimes discuss hunting. Nearly all of them are non-hunters (which is different from an anti-hunter). They do not hunt but are not against it. But time and time again when contests (where the objective is to shoot the most of ____) come up, they are all pretty universally against contests and find them very off-putting. Including some of the professional biologists and ecologists I know. A few of them (biologists/ecologists) even hunt and live rurally. Leaving it up to the FWS to create and/or maintain an 'image' for hunters is very short-sighted. I am not suggesting that everyone worry about what others think, but taking a moment or two to think about image when doing something hunting-related in the public eye can, in fact, impact the future of hunting for all of us.

I'm just glad I'm getting OLD....<<sigh>>.... Not gonna have to listen to this anti-hunter BS much longer.

I'm sure you're right about pulling deer completely off of one property for another... I was talking about travel patterns... I would bet that patterns change at the slightest addition or elimination of a food source... just like humans might be able to be patterned from the couch to the frig pretty regularly... but if I put a jar of cookies in the basement... I'm sure the trail to the basement would become a new place of heavy travel... animals aren't much different. A simple pattern change could detour the deer right away from ones treestand

I think people that have a hard time believing there are some that can pass on a good buck at the last minute are usually speaking about how they would handle that situation and would like to think they have company... which I'm sure you do... just not with me... and I'm sure a few others on here with integrity

No offense taken. If I can get a hunting story published I could join both my Uncle, Granddad, and Great-Granddad as members of my family that have hunting stories published and that would be pretty cool. Financially, I probably wouldn't quit my day job to become a freelance writer, but I'll admit; I have spent a LOT of money on hunting one way or another. If there was a way to get a little kick back now and again, I wouldn't be ashamed to take it. I certainly won't sell my sheds and don't aspire to be a TV star either.

We'll since hunting season is coming to a close, I been in search of antler gold for a while now. I been seeing some promising signs of finding some so, I thought I would try this journal stuff. Their is one buck in the area, that I have 2 seasons of shed antler history with. I am quite excited with finding his 3rd set, knowing he has got through this season. ( With a little help from me, LOL). Gives me that extra jump start. Last year was the first time, I found 10 antlers in one season. I put high hopes in finding more this year. I wish any other antlers seekers success in their quest. Good Luck and happy finding!

Filled my late season tag with the ML this afternoon! Is it the least bit ironic that that when I walk up to my buck I see this,lol I know he was wearing them both when I shot him. Guess there's a first time for everything, as this has never happened to me before. But how cool is that, I killed a buck AND got my first shed of the season! Here's what he looks like when I put him back together! That stick is holding his horn in place. I have to check, but I think I have this set of antlers in last years 2013 model! I have to take some better field photos and get the story up in the morning in the harvest thead.

http://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2014/12/cazenovia_dentists_deer_hunting_season_highlighted_by_15-point_buck_taken_with_a.html

I knew at least you would know what I was getting at... for me, tracking deer in the snow has been the best whitetail education available. if one is going to be successful at taking deer... it pays to know what they're really doing... and not just guessing all the time.

I have to say that the pressure during gun season is nothing compared to years ago.......especially after opening weekend. Things get real quiet. And yet the damage is done. The deer are totally spooked and into super survival mode, And there are just enough guys around to keep reminding them of those two ugly opening days ..... lol. One change that I have noticed since we went to Saturday openers is that now we do have two big opening days (Saturday & Sunday) compared to only one biggie when we had only the Monday opener. The time when I have seen the greatest increase in pressure in recent years is the one time when you want it the least .... Bow season.

I have 2 bucks and 3 does to shoot Monday and or Tuesday. On my way to the store for beer now

Yup years Like these thin out the people in it for the money I do it because it's my #1 hobby I have a love for it and I love out smarting canines .. any money made on years like these I put half towards gear and lures/traps and half towards my reward for my work whatever it may be ...trapping is not for the weak at heart or mind

I think the point of the question is not the contests' impact on game populations, but the impact of the contests amongst the non-hunting public. Non-hunters or anti-hunters may think that it sounds gratuitous and un-sporting and may see the participants as killing animals more for the purpose of winning the contest than controlling populations.

I use to always be in my stand 1 hr before it starts to get light until I realized there was no point in it. Now I walk in when it is starting to get light. I guess it depends on your stand location......

Doc, HISTORICALLY Persuading people to accept contests or any form of hunting based on managing a nuisance or population ALWAYS fall backs on us. 1)The science is always debated. 2)The extent of the problem is always questioned. 3) Alternate non-lethal strategies are always proposed. (This angle has been the biggest promotion of non lethal control methods and the "demand" for it has accelerated development of non lethal strategies... Since these contests are visible and proven to be effective in the anti-hunting cause, numbers 1,2,3 are brought to public scrutiny. Then hunting becomes ONLY about population management. There are more arguments that there are alternatives to lethal management, (if the reason for hunting is population control, they surmise, then if alternatives exist, that hunting is unnecessary) the door continues to revolve and every other reason we hunt gets obscured. We are digging so many different holes for ourselves and there isn't an end to it in sight. Hunting contests don't feel right to you because they are very different than traditional hunting. We gauge hunting participation, but what we also need to figure out how to gauge is how hunting is evolving. If I had a good crow field, I would hunt it, not invite the public and charge entry fees for it. If its club property, then members can go out and hunt as they choose. If distributing hunting opportunity is an issue, then follow the controlled hunt regime of wildlife agencies as private duck clubs have done for decades, no need to make a contest out of it. A good crow field and you need a contest to get kids out there, no, sorry then those kids don't have it in them... Not too many years ago most hunters would think the same way, were have we gone and how the heck did we get here? And how do we get back?

Ahh never mind, I deleted four sentences that would have been in poor taste. Enjoy your hour.

Hey I give the guy credit if I had an extra Der I'd give it to him befo e a food bank.

Answer to the question is, I suck at deer hunting! Arg! This is just not my year, I can't seem to do anything right. Lucky for me I still have a few weeks to chase them around with the bow.

There's gonna be some pretty disappointed folks reading THAT message.

But how is that put on the "weekend warrior" Maybe I'm confused but I consider a weekend warrior someone who's doesn't have the time and or money to invest in hunting that some of us do. 2 weeks ago I was talking to a friend of a friend about hunting and he said he hasn't been out yet because he has his own business and works 7 days a week. I told him I'd he could make a couple hrs on the next Saturday morning he was welcome to come over and sit one of my stands he graciously accepted. Around 730 I hear him shoot at about 8 I walk over to the stand I put him in and he is standing there with a huge smile on his face.. He shot a half rack 2 pointer that I had literly let walk 20 times and I could not have been happier it was the first deer he has killed in 4 years and I j was able to assist him and I felt awesome for it. He uses a 30-30 his grandpa gave him and a wore blue jeans and a flannel shirt. I don't know about you guys but that's what hunting is about. I even gave him an old muzzeloader and told him if he could make time he was welcome to come back as he is going to do on Friday.

Same reason you can shoot 170" whitetail in texas that weighs 120lbs, and a 100" basket 8 up here that pushes 200 correct?

I don't hunt the spot but once or twice between bow and gun but this time of the year its so much closer to home and holds so many deer I love it over there. I love how the deer hug the trails right along the side of the 400

So I got home from work at 2 this afternoon. This girl was in my field, but didn't seem to care that I was home. I used my truck as cover and retrieved the Savage 220f from the house. Using the gas grill as my rest, I put a 250 gr Hornady SST through her pump station at 175 yards. She went 10 yards through some THICK briars and this is where I found her. Needless to say, it's an inner loin kind of dinner tonight.

Shot this 6 pt. at 7:45 am this morning in 9m in Machias. Came down behind 4 doe that were other side of fallen tree but he was on side of me for a clear broadside shot. Went about 45 yards down ravine and piled up. Using my .270 Remington shooting 130 gr. Winchestor. Was happy to get him as this was my only day to get out due to hernia surgery this Monday.

I shot this doe around 8 this morning also with my .308. She ran about 20 yards and piled up. The snow definitely made for an easy drag!!!