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Showing content with the highest reputation on 12/05/19 in all areas

  1. On Sunday morning (12/1/19) while sitting in my tree stand I heard a crunching movement off in the distance. The ground was frosted with a temperature of 21* and the crunching sound was real brief so I actually wasn't sure if it was a couple steps from a deer or just a squirrel. I turned my head scanning the area in the direction of the sound for about 3 to 4 minutes looking for the source of the crunching that I heard. I didn't see anything or hear anymore movement and figured that it must have been a squirrel. Then about a minute after I turned my head away, I heard two buck grunts coming from the same general area where I had heard the brief movement a few minutes beforehand. The area where I heard the movement and now heard the buck grunts from, consists of a decent sized pond situated about 115 yards from my tree stand. The area bordering the east side of the pond is a thick bedding area that I leave as a sanctuary on my property, only going through there if I have to track a hit deer through that area. Scanning this area from my stand, I still didn’t see any deer and I didn't hear anymore movement, so I believed that the buck I heard was slowly cruising through the bedding area looking for any receptive does. I waited another couple minutes to see if the buck that made the grunts would come into view to determine if he was traveling away from my stand area or towards my stand area. I still wasn’t hearing any more movement and still had no deer come into view. So, at this point I grabbed my deer call and made two doe in estrous bleats with it. After about 30 seconds, I could hear the crunching movement of a deer walking on the frosted leaves on the forest floor in my direction from the pond area. Then, after about another 30 seconds the buck finally came into view. It was an 8 point buck, slowly walking down towards my stand area. At this point the buck was about 40 yards away moving through some brush and was walking slowly, stopping every few steps, turning his head looking back and forth trying to find the doe that he heard make the doe in estrous bleats. Within a few more seconds, the buck eventually worked his way down to an opening in front of my stand offering me a 35 yard shot. My shot hit its mark and I harvested an 8 point buck that I called in with my deer call. I've experienced success calling some deer to my calls but this was the first time that I actually harvested a deer that I called in...pretty exciting to say the least. I had passed on this buck during bow season at about 11 yards and I passed on a 70 yard shot at him yesterday chasing a group of does, but now this late in the season and offering such a chip shot he was out of passes.
    20 points
  2. OK Hank, just settle down a bit and let's work this out. First, you have plenty of deer in that area with all those tracks. That's good! Next those deer were feeding there in your pic's. Looks to be an oak and they were pawing the snow to get the acorns, which are a preferred food source, for deer this time of year when they are available. Also good! So you have an area where deer are obviously feeding. You need to sit DOWN WIND of this area about 75 yards away. Find a big tree, a blow down, or large rock to sit in front of, to break up your human outline. SIT! Don't move! When you do, make it in slow motion. Deer are very good at picking out the slightest movement! Just sit and wait them out. Trying to stalk them, or cut them off, won't work so well until you get a bit more experience under your belt. Sit so you have at least one or two open shooting lanes, to the trail with all the tracks. And just wait for a deer to move into your shooting lane. Slowly raise your gun, get on target, aim small, miss small, and gently squeeze the trigger. You got this man! It's not real hard if you have the deer there, and you do! OK quick review. Find a spot DOWNWIND, a ways off that trail that will hide your outline. 75 yards or so. Sit quietly. Don't move around! Slow motion when you do. Especially when deer are near. Wait them out. They are there! They will come. Make sure where you set up you have a couple open shooting lanes to where you expect the deer to come from. Take your time with the shot. Aim small, miss small. Hope this helps ya. You will learn something each time you go out! That will build experience. The more experience you have, the more enjoyment and success you'll have. Always remember, the deer themselves will always be your best teachers. Slow and steady. Good luck! You got this man!
    12 points
  3. Had my first ever jury summons this week and was called to go in today. Even got picked for the first group of 14. I’m not sure what I said but I was released. Took that as a sign to hunt the lake effect snow storm in 8F. Love snow camo Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    10 points
  4. If you change hour mind or need it for dragging it’s yours to use, for a cup of coffee I’ll even deliver. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    8 points
  5. Wait that’s redneck? Mine have been up since 2014. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    8 points
  6. When I hunt the afternoon I always set the alarm on my phone for the end up legal shooting time. Went out this afternoon and sat through the swirling winds and blowing snow until dark(legal). I packed my stuff up and headed out, go about 25 yards from where I was sitting and see two deer about 60 yards away. I head their way and drop down into a little dip and when I come up there they are broadside 50 yards away. Couldn't see any horns but I have two doe tags for that area. I pull the gun up and can see them clear as day through the scope. I look at my watch and it is just about nine minutes after legal so I lower the gun and watch them feed for a little bit then mosey on down the hill to my truck. First deer I have seen in fourteen days. With only three days left I know I did the right thing and will just have to take my chances for the remainder of the season.
    6 points
  7. I could drill the breech plug on a drill press . I've also got almost 25 years I the machine trades ,I wouldn't recommend someone trying it unless you have a really good grasp on holding a somewhat tight tolerance ,specifically on the depth of the hole you need to drill. The flame channel stays the same diameter, you are counter drilling /boring the breech plug so that the flame channel gets shortened .
    6 points
  8. So today was my last gun sit before the late season. I have to say it’s been a interesting year for me. I don’t log hours but it’s been a lot. I saw the biggest deer I’ve ever seen from a stand. I’ve seen deer every trip out which for the Catskills is amazing. I have had legal bucks in range a few times and yet I am deerless. I have to say this is sort of by choice. We took 6 deer off of our 25 acres last year and I kind of wanted to give it a rest. I told my self for me to shoot it this year it would have to be my biggest buck to date. So far I have stuck to that, let’s see if I do in the late season... Had this guy at 20 yards today he wouldn’t leave even as I was cutting down a small tree Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    6 points
  9. All I want is 4 more years of Trump.
    6 points
  10. I got out Thanksgiving Morning with my stepson for our 3rd, and possibly final sit for the year together. The 35 mph winds and snow squalls wasn't stopping him from wanting to fill a tag. We chose a ground blind that i felt would be tucked in out of the wind more than most places and not far from a bedding area.. First whitetail to show was a fawn, it stepped out from cover and fed out in front of us, a few moments after entering, another bigger bodied deer appeared right behind it feeding away. We watched them for awhile waiting on more. After 15-20 minutes, nothing else showed up. And these 2 had made their minds up that they were moving on, So we decided to attempt a shot at the bigger of the 2. He had a buck tag, a doe tag, and I had 2 doe tags that could be filled for the area. So we elected to get him his first deer by rifle regardless. Well what we thought was a doe, especially by how it was acting with and around the fawn. Ended up being his first buck ever, he was super pumped. I can't explain how happy I am for him, how happy he was for himself! We could literally see zero sign of antlers over the deer's head, Not that it matters it was his first and he is pumped to say the least! I couldnt be more happy for him. Bucks tagged legal and in the freezer! I brought my tripod I use for predator hunting to help him to my best ability. He split that bucks ticker in 3 pieces with a 140gr ELD at 120 yrds and it still ran a good 50 yards!! Kids a sniper in the making! That morning he learned what it was like to enter the tip of a sharp knife into a nice warm deer stomach! that irreplaceable sound and instant smell of a stomach deflating! LOL!! i hadn't laughed so hard in a long time, I tried to warn him to turn his knife around that you'd be better this way especially working around that stomach of his with the initial incision lol. He insisted it was how his dad showed him.. Lucky for him Im a good guy, and instead of only one set of blessed field dressing covered arms, there were 2 since he couldn't hold his own stomach together lol!! It'd be nice to get out and fill a doe tag or 2 before seasons end together. And a selfie after the shot!
    6 points
  11. Want to borrow my snowmobile so you can get out for muzzleloader, you’re more than welcome to use it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    5 points
  12. Cool to have a list like this. You were in the stand EARLY in 2014!
    5 points
  13. strategic planning for next year - muzzleloader last day will be Dec 22 - so instead of having to worry about time to put up xmas lights - go full redneck and leave them up this year. - your welcome
    4 points
  14. Be careful ,maybe take your cell phone on the roof ... ya,know just in case the ladder slides out and leaves you stranded on the roof.
    4 points
  15. 6S. Oneida County. Town of Marshall. 150 gr .308 Win handload. Sunday 11.17. 7:35AM. 20 yd shot, 40 yd recovery. 180# dressed. Doe #1. Sunday 11.24. 4:15PM. 40 yd shot, 5 yd recovery. 110# dressed. Doe #2. Sunday 11.24. 4:15PM. 50 yd shot, 5 yd recovery. 130# dressed. Very fortunate, grateful and lucky! We shall not want for jerky lol. Congrats to all the others with great deer.
    4 points
  16. A short sit on stand this morning. Filled my 7M doe tag. Deer tracks were everyplace I looked on my way to my stand, and all around my stand as well. Something has them on their feet. My sits have been few in number and pretty short in length with a severe respiratory infection kicking my rear almost all gun season. I'll put story on harvest thread tomorrow. I'm calling it a day, a good but tiring one at that.
    3 points
  17. My buddy's friend does them as a side income. He's done deer and coyotes for me and they come out good. For $50 it's well worth it to me. Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
    3 points
  18. Live from the front porch. Approximately 25 yards. Two youngsters trying to scavenge from under my apple trees. Only youngsters are this foolish this time of the year.
    3 points
  19. they're still finding it worth it and enjoyable but we both know success will get set the hook much deeper. lol it ain't over until it's over. worse case is i still send him home with some venison as a participation prize.
    3 points
  20. With no 4H DMP and 30+ inches of snow, guess I'll have to make do with following this thread for the remainder of this season. Even though I know where the deer will be! Late season in the snow can be very productive, with the deer more settled down and patternable. Some of my best bucks have come at this time of the season. Best of luck to all still trying to punch tags!!
    3 points
  21. My wish..... is to have as much fun hunting next year, as I did this year! Hunting in WNY with moog, Culvercreek, Terry and Gary was a highlight of this season! Santa is still saving for an AR predator rifle. Maybe next year?
    3 points
  22. Says I do not have permission to view the files. Bad enough I can't see big bucks in real life. I can't even see the pictures Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
    3 points
  23. Saw this on the web and chuckled.
    3 points
  24. No idea how difficult the process is which is why I said he should do some research. But I think TF was saying that he can’t find a breech plug that is 209 compatible for that gun.
    3 points
  25. I sure will try my best...
    3 points
  26. All the thanks I need, is to see you in a picture with your first deer! You really do got this!
    3 points
  27. Absolutely.......Growie on one shoulder and Bizzy on the other. I was itchin' to text a to the group chat (Tacks, turkeyfeathers, Sodguy, treeguy, Jeremy and Bizzy) that read "and boom goes the dynamite". I guess it'll have to wait.
    3 points
  28. Grilled salmon Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    3 points
  29. So I have not been out last couple of days . My husband is in the hospital he has a blockage . So the first day he was like I am shocked your here and not out hunting lolol. Hopefully he comes.home Tomorrow so I can get out there and fill a tag . I have to stop pushing to others and get.mine first lolol
    3 points
  30. I got my hunting license at the end of October, went out on 5 hunts before this one and today with the help of friends I got a button buck which I thought was a doe so I took it. Even though I hate the idea of taking such a young buck I can’t take it back so here he is. My fist deer ever. It was a hell of a hike and a grueling hike back. Until next season.
    3 points
  31. Ok I don’t usually post doe kills but ..... this one is a bit special. For what it’s worth, Natalie was kicking my butt at Descendants trivia when 3 walked in. 2 left.
    3 points
  32. I have been blessed with 2 gun kills this year on top of my bow deer. No doubt this is my best season ever filled with a list of firsts including first bow deer, first rifle deer, first thanksgiving deer and the best first is having my daughter in the stand with me for that first thanksgiving deer kill. We cheered we high fived and hugged! First rifle deer was the very first day I decided to take the 30-.06 out into the field after some heavy persuasion from my friend Jack Daniels. As usual Mr. Jack was not wrong and at 9am I had 2 doe walk into my shooting lane at 150 yards and only one walk out. My second harvest of the season came on Thanksgiving Morning at 10am. I had my daughter in the stand with me a very nice enclosed box with heat that a friend was nice enough to let us use. We where only hunting until 10am due to dinner plans and that’s about as long as you can expect a 9 year old to last even with heat. As we where counting down the final few minutes she spots a deer working it’s way to us and to her credit calmly and quietly lets me know. Right away I notice that it looks like a 1.5 year old tall spike, a deer that normally gets a pass but not this day. This day is special. I move her into position so I can position myself and my rifle out one of the windows and tell her to cover her ears. When the buck steps into the shooting lane I let that .06 bark and the buck drops to the ground DOA. We cheered, we high fived and hugged in celebration. To give the buck time to be sure he’s dead I walk her through the process of filling out the tags why it’s important and then rearranging the box stand as it was when we arrived. Much to my surprise when we got to the buck he was a small little basket 6 pointer. A very respectable deer for a 9 year old on her first harvest! The smiles say it all! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    3 points
  33. Happy Thanksgiving ! We used to do a family hunt Thanksgiving morning, which was a tradition in my family dating back well before I was even thought of. My uncle is the only remaining blood that hunts and he's had a pile of surgery's and side effects won't allow him in the stand. My bro in law and father in law hunt, but aren't typically able to make it so this year I decided I was going outside the "legal" family and just asking my buddy's who love to put in stand time. So,[mention=5278]The_Real_TCIII[/mention] , my fishing buddy and my dad headed down to our camp in Franklinville. We were greeted with high winds, some rain, some snow, some more winds and some ice pellets. It was a tough sit this am for sure. Once the wind died down I had a great feeling we were gonna have some action. All I kept hoping for was to hear somebody's gun roar, all am long.... Not a deer seen by the 4 of us, so TCiii and I did a slow mooch towards my dad and my buddy. Cell service is awful and TCiii and I were slowly making our way along when I got a text from him and knew I was a bit ahead of him on our parallel drive. Then the phone rang, and TCiii had a a couple doe sneak between us right back to where we had come from. I decided to get up a touch higher where I could see a clearing in the hardwoods and wait. A few minutes went by when I caught a glimpse of a deer heading up the hill right at me from the opposite direction. I saw a rack, that was at/outside the ears and looked fairly tall. At that moment, regardless of age, size, or inches I knew I wanted to take him. I dialed in the scope and waited for a shot. The only one I got was a walking, heavy quarter too, and when I sent it I immediately saw a giant hole in his side as he piled away right down towards TCiii. I started my track and had good blood right away and a clear disturbance from him running. He went about 80-100 yards and I found him laying under an apple tree trying to get up. I gave him some time to "go to the light" and he finally mustered up enough to get up on all fours so I sent another round his way (still have to do autopsy to verify I hit/missed). He gave up and I waiting to TC to come so we could walk up together. Turns out, my dad had gotten out of his stand and headed to the ridge for a better view and must have bumped this deer back to me. He was full of #1 and #2 more than I've ever seen on any deer, so he must have been laying there all morning. What a great Thanksgiving it was, and I was glad to spend it with my hunting Family. I am blessed to have punched 2 buck tags, that's for sure ! First kill with the 308. Hornady SST 165grain did awful things to him.... #Team1000 Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk
    3 points
  34. Not a ton of motivation to gun hunt but my parents were heading to my grandparents today and I wanted to send a bunch more meat down to them so I resolved to shoot anything but an obvious button-or-yearling buck to keep the freezer at max capacity. Same stand as my archery buck this guy came in just after legal and gave me a bit of time to check out his half rack at close range which I thought was whitetailope like and cool and his body was excellent. I dropped him at 10 yards with 20 ga light fields out of the DS2...I’m on an 11 year NY gun harvest streak never been skunked in NY, still got a dmp I love it. His face was messed up and he had puss at the broke pedicle almost definitely lost in battle..cool. First Thanksgiving deer for me. First 2 buck year for me as well. Congrats all on the great harvests everyone, biz’s dad, stud for Grampy, another bruiser for Moog, treeguy, tall ones Jj and Lawd, great mass enigma!
    3 points
  35. I am not that big on getting pics , but here are a few that I remembered to take,,
    2 points
  36. I still have two new hunters to get on a deer! I hope the deer cooperate. One more sit each.
    2 points
  37. Homemade chorizo and loaded nachos with mighty taco sauce of course
    2 points
  38. Thank you so much, Grampy! I really appreciate all your detailed instructions. They are super helpful!
    2 points
  39. This.... But no way I'm high enough on the nice list. Prob getting socks.
    2 points
  40. Sorry to hear that Cynthia-hang tough! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    2 points
  41. I hear you man, thanks for the post. I did take the liver and heart with me, I cant wait to get the meat back I keep hearing good things!
    2 points
  42. 2 with the bow and 1 with the gun of a remember right? Nothing to be disappointed in there. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    2 points
  43. Bonus the deer are not the most alert when hunting them around hemp. Lol
    2 points
  44. I'm glad he will be OK GreenDrake. Very sorry to read this I have been scoffed at a few times because I will not shoot at a running deer. This is a big reason why! You get caught up in the lead and bad $^&% can happen. I also always try to set up my spots to sit so I am just a bit higher then the area I am watching. When my wife hunts with me I set her up the same way, and I tell each and every time ( she gets frustrated with me repeating it ) the roads that way, there's a house in this direction, ++++++'s camp is that way.
    2 points
  45. I’ve posted before that we’ve got a four year tradition of filling my landowner’s tag on Black Friday with our grandson Jake from Rochester. On Friday we got a little screwed up with the combine cutting the corn that we border. We sat in our money spot overlooking a five acre old hayfield that I keep brush hogged, but didn’t see a deer on that sit. They were cutting again Saturday morning so we didn’t go out and figured we’d go for an afternoon sit over the cut cornfield. They were still cutting in the afternoon, but on the other side of the field so we opted to go back to the same stand we sat in on Friday. About 4:00 pm we had a short snouter come out milling around, followed by another, and then mommy joined them. Kept checking them out through the scope and mommy wasn’t much bigger than her fawns. I told him let’s be patient and wait for others. A few minutes later he spots a bigger deer slinking through the woods following the doe group. Get the scope on it and see small antlers. He comes out sniffing around the doe and she takes off back into the woods with her fawns following. Deer are gone from the field. Damn. 4:25 now and I’m regretting my decision to be patient. Legal time was 4:38, so Jake is watching the clock, and a couple of minutes later we see a small doe come out of the far corner about 200 yds. Watch it through the scope and see mommy in the tree line. She comes out to feed with her fawn and they are facing us, no shot opportunity. Clock is ticking and she will not turn broadside. Head down feeding, occasionally up to look around and back to feeding always facing directly toward us. 4:36 now and Jake calls the two minute warning. Cmon doe, turn, will ya? Finally she quarters slightly, and Jake says is that your shot? Bang - doe drops in place. What time is it Jake? 4:37, no, just clicked to 4:38. Shot clock expires and so did the doe. Forgot to take a field pic, and he was cold so we went back to the house and I went to get it with the tractor. Four years/four does in a row with him now. Can’t wait til he’s old enough to pull the trigger himself!
    2 points
  46. Passed on this guy last weekend but today's the last day, he walked into my lap twice and he'll taste better than an unused tag tho Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
    2 points
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