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Official GTG today. Did some serious walking today trying to get the herd on their feet. Got them moving just not the way we needed them too. Thankfully I had a solid crew in the woods with me. Only deer I could have shot was a nice 2.5yr old buck at about 8 paces. Great time gentlemen.@moog5050@turkeyfeathers@The_Real_TCIII Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

Seems like a great forum,sportsman are a dying breed,glad I found this. trying to get my 3 Year old grandson in to the outdoors.caught his first fish this summer at a pond in back of deer camp.Seems like the younger generations are not get involved in the outdoors as much.Trying to change that,as they are our future to this sport.

On a number of occasions, including several this year, I passed on easy shots at deer simply because I didn't feel like it. Earlier this year I had a gimme shot on a nice fat four point. We love our venison and would greatly miss it if we didnt have it. The buck looked like he was enjoying his day, I was enjoying mine. No reason to rock the boat. Every deer I take I feel sad for. To me they are one of the most beautiful parts of my life to see. Probably as time goes on I have had more ...sadness with each one taking, but I can accept it for the place in life it is. I just make sure my shots are clean and I dont take more than what we need. Its ok to feel sad about it. When I no longer feel sad about it I hope I stop hunting. Its whats known as valuing life.

Next year take a new hunter out as a goal for the season. I can tell you from first hand experience, if you want to feel a sense of accomplishment and that "rush" of a first harvest again...that is the way.

Thanks guy,glad to be part of like minded people with a passion for the outdoors!

Harvested a doe last night. Now I’m eating a tenderloin sandwich while waiting for a buck. Eating deer while waiting for deer.

At the risk of sounding like a sissy, I'm going to put this out there. I killed a small buck this morning. I'm not feeling too good about it. It went ok, and it was a fast kill, but I'm just not sure how I feel about it anymore. He was just happily eating acorns, and doing his thing, when I shot him. It was a beautiful snowy morning, and I was blessed to share the woods with the deer. Almost felt like I ruined it by shooting. The older I get, the less I have the stomach for killing game. Anyone else here have trouble pulling the trigger, or a ton of remorse after? Thinking about just buying a really nice camera for next year.

I wound up with a little bit of "birthday money" and decided I was going to treat myself to a new knife. After shopping around online a little bit last night, I came across what looked like a pretty good deal on a Case Folding Hunter at TSC. They even had it at my local store. I placed the order for curbside, and went to pick it up this morning. When they brought it out, all they had was the knife, no box, paperwork or sheath (which it was supposed to come with). I went ahead and took it and when I got home I called their customer service and explained what happened. Long story short, they called the store, which was totally uncooperative. So, customer service issued me a gift card worth almost what I paid for the knife (short by $4) and told me to keep the one I purchased. So, I ended up buying another nice LE bone Trapper online with the gift card. All in all, I came out pretty well on the deal. Here's a photo of the Folding Hunter, way bigger than anything I carry (my Case Cheetah is there for scale) but a really nice knife all the same.

As you are aware, Biz, who ultimately was guaranteed to contribute 20 points to Team 1 for the 8 & 10 point bucks that are penned on his private access land, “somehow” contracted the Rona after a trip to WNY with “The Academy” clan. (Do you know he has never been sick a day in his life?) A formal collusion investigation is underway with the potential disqualification of Team 4 as a result of their close ties to the Academy members. It’s a sad day that Team 4 would stoop to such levels. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EXHIBITION! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wouldn't go as far as saying I have trouble pulling the trigger, but with every passing season it becomes less about the kill for me and more about quality time spent afield with family and friends. Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

I pass alot of deer every year, the oldest hunter in camp doeas as well . I enjoy watching them . Then at some point i decide to shoot. If i dont feel like it then i dont its pretty simple. When i decide to it doenst bother me ar all. I lost the rush of killing long ago.

Haven’t seen a deer in a long time, but giving it a go today. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm definitely pulling the trigger, and punching the release, with much less gusto than I did many years ago. I do really enjoy the meat. But will, and can, certainly survive without it. Will one more set of antlers, or another mount, make big a difference to what I already have? Nope.....not really. I seem to enjoy the chase, more than anything at this stage. My final stage, will just be as a mentor.

Now that's a Beautiful Deer ! LOL

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Mock scrapes are the best. I swear I should sell my piss! Here’s a few of my favorites this year. 5 different bucks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I saw this post and it reminded me of an envelope my Mother gave me last Christmas containing photos of my Grandfather, his brothers and some friends at deer camp in PA when he was a young man. Here are a couple of phone pics of them. I think I’m going to go through the lot tomorrow and scan them. I’m thinking maybe some large prints to hang on the wall with my 2020 buck mounts. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That there is a big statement and totally mirrors my feelings. I butchered my doe from Saturday today (the other was donated to an elderly friend) and the wonderful feeling I have right now for completing that job and putting a third deer in the freezer is unexplained to many. She was a good sized Livingston County doe and I'm thrilled to have her. If I hunt this weekend, I'll hunt Ontario County and could use another doe. We ate four from 2019 (actually I have two packs of back straps left, we'll eat one this week) and would be thrilled to get another for our freezer.

This year I came to the realization that I’m a meat hunter ( although I do prefer my meat to have horns ) . Not having meat now bothers me more then not having antlers to toss in a pile .

I thought i was the only one. I had a very difficult time this year with the crossbow buck I killed. I sat there leaning against a tree pretty upset, for a good half hour. I finally walked over to the deer, looked up and thanked god for what was provided. Then sat there awhile with the deer in tremendous thought. It all means so much to me. I had a difficult time explaining what had actually happened during the kill, to my family. I feel their is an enormous disconnection with society, as far as how meat is brought to the table. We as hunters directly experience it...we all handle it differently.

I can relate. But that feeling even crossing your mind means your head is in the right place. Too many hunters have zero remorse (or respect) for the animals and it makes me angry. Wounding deer and non chalantly shrugging it off really gets to me. I feel "bad" every time I kill one. But I combat that with quick kills, salvaging all of the meat I can etc... It's not all about the meat although it's my top priority next to age class of the deer I kill. It would be a lot easier and way cheaper to buy my meat but I also think that being the necessary part of the process (the killing) puts your perspective right. Noone should take killing anything lightly. Deer feel pain, like we do. I don't want to be the cause of tremendous pain to anything. I only hope that my own death is in some way a reflection of what I strive for in the woods, a quick, humane death. I've seen some gruesome hits on deer only to find them the next day still alive and can't help but imagine what that animal went through. I also think the longer you hunt and the more kills you have the lust of killing fades and you appreciate just observing and enjoying the world around you as you see your own demise growing closer. My father was big into hunting when I was young, hence why I am even more so than he was. But the last few years he has refrained from pulling the trigger on much of anything. The reality of death sets in differently the closer you get. I'm only 35 and can see myself changing already, I may even quit hunting one day in the future. Who knows? If it happens then so be it, I've made a lifetime of memories already to look back on... Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

Well i missed my number 2 or 3 target buck toniggt at 345. Was either the big 10 or big 12( 10 with 2 kickers on g2) wasn't far only 60 yards or so 1st shot and maybe 75 to 2nd.. had no idea how i missed tracked it for 400 yards to make sure . Beating myself up i dont miss with my 45 70, went back to house set up target and was shooting 4 in low at 50 yards.. not sure how that happened nephew borrowed gun but im not gonna place blame... .. will try in am with .308. Or 30-30. Ill resight in at lunch.. im standing where buck was stand in background

A bit more snow left still in my part of 8H but zero tracks in the snow. Walked a good chunk of the property this morning and saw no fresh sign. Sitting in a quiet corner for the afternoon. Best of luck to all the diehards.

Out on doe patrol in 8H. Would take a buck too but haven’t seen any shooters on this property in over a month. Hoping the snow gets them to hit the picked corn field behind me a little early tonight [emoji1696] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm out. Snow is melting fast. Brought my 12 yr old with me. Maybe a dumb one will walk out in front of us.

The day I stop having compassion & respect for the game IAM hunting is the day I won't hunt anymore.Nothing wrong with having feelings

Haven't seen a ton of deer since gun opener but have gotten lucky and have one in the freezer so I am not complaining. Well Sunday was the first time my young boys tagged along for a morning sit. We got to the property around 9 and hung pretty tight until after 12 without seeing a single deer( my boys are 4 and 6)......they had a blast and were excited to get to hunt a morning sit with their Gaji(grandpa in polish) and myself. Well fast forward to tonight the boys and I took a walk in the vineyard we hunt and ended up pulling a cell cam that stopped sending pics right before the gun opener. Well wouldn't it just be fitting for 2020 that a stud buck walked past my Dad's stand around 10:30 while we were sitting at a different property. When I showed my 6 year old the cam pic his jaw hit the countertop when he put two and two together......and I proceeded to explain to him that's just the luck of the draw. Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

Not punching a tag can humble a person, I have always been a meat hunter. Im fortunate to harvest mature bucks from time to time, but if a mature doe or young buck are in my sights, I need meat and I feel like I want that deer, then I will shoot. I never ever make excuses, I have nobody to please. I love eating deer meat, bottom line.

I would have shot him!!! Like Nomad, for the first time in many years I still have my buck tag. I've been after two specific bucks all season. I have passed on a couple other bucks, that I probably shouldn't have. But was in for all or nothing. I got nothing. And barely any deer on camera now too. So, with no meat in my freezer, I am going for the 'brown it's down' this weekend!

Hate seeing this thread die out...... long way til spring fishing! Glad some are still out though!

The Allegany weekend was a bust... hunted the Beehunter area hard to no avail. No shots heard at all, and no deer seen. They are hunkered down in there. Spent a few vacation days hunting local public. First one of the two days was slow stalking and scouting, nothing seen. The second day, I had one snort at me around 9:00 am. About 30 minutes later I had a group of deer moving around my area... I was in some real thick stuff and was not able to see them. Confirmed my suspicions as to where a good number of these things bed down on this property.... Found several beds (I stopped counting as there were a lot of them). The area is thick. Impossible to get in there without making noise but I found a few easier ways to get in this area. Trying to get out of work early today and see if I cant sneak in there.

Peaceful morning.

Looks like I might have snow for some tracking. If i do I'll give up a couple hours of sleep thursday morning and i will be going into where those big rubs are to see if i can get on him. Will do the same friday afternoon if the snow is still around.

A semi auto can be just as accurate as a bolt Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

Sorry for the late response the people took a long time to get back. The dogs have a home Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just want to say hello to all and my name is Dan Mundrick, I’m an avid hunter and love to compete in Tractor Pulling.

At this point fawns are in danger.

Ruger American Compact 7mm-08 shooting Federal 140 Trophy Copper filled my buck tag tonight. Shot was 40 quartering to. DRT.

11/29 I was called last night by an excited and nervous hunter. He told me he had shot the biggest buck of his life, and he and his buddy had tracked a little blood for about 50 yards. After losing blood, they backed out without grid searching. Well done! This buck only went 250 yards and we found him in his first bed. It turns out he was hit way back and would have gone a long way if he had been pushed. Congratulations Cameron on a gorgeous buck!

I bought myself a Christmas present and it just arrived. Can’t wait to check it out.

Third sit in a row from my tower seeing nada, except some turkeys.......Maybe the deer don't like my wheat anymore.... Hunting tomorrow afternoon from the ground with a handicapped friend who cannot climb the stairs to the tower...We'll be hunting the far end of the plot which I cannot see from my tower, from the ground...Hope something comes out..He hasn't had a chance to hunt much this year and would be pleased to shoot even a fawn.... H

I've got snow. Gear is ready for the morning. I'll be out of work by 630am and in the woods by 7 trying to find the buck I've named cedar. Same wind as when I jumped him 2 weeks ago plus there is standing corn 300-400 yards from that bed so I may catch him getting to bed. The name cedar is because all his big rubs are on cedar trees.

You can't assume that the deer was going to die some horrendous death as justification for killing it either. Doesn't work that way. Maybe that deer lived to be 12yrs old and died in it's bed of "old age." Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

I agree that just getting out there is great . I was fine with being able to hunt with two of my sons and not getting a deer until November 23 when I got two doe . MY sons try to make themselves available for the hunts and they do the field dressing and almost all the dragging . Being able to get out with my sons is enjoyable . When it comes time that I no longer feel the excitement of the hunt , I will quit .

I like to play with those folks sometimes. I act very excited that they want to extend my warranty on my 1972 Maverick with the seized motor and crushed gas tank. They usually hang up as I tell them what a great car this is.

I'm with ya, I pass tons of deer every season until I feel like the time is right or I'm ready to make the kill. I take alot of jokes for it with my friends and all but that's fine, I love the hunt and honestly go out knowing that I have no plans to kill sometimes, even though I'm still holding my bow or gun. I actually think it's a good thing to be in touch with that feeling.

I always have respect and thanks for any game I kill. I think you should have the meat dropped off at my place as you may not feel right eating it...... to soon?

Just voice your concern , explain like you did to us about everyone having "their" own area and yours is in the woods , see if they offer up the chance to get another set out to benefit from the plots. Either way I'd probably be chipping in if you want to keep peace amongst the guys who hunt there.

Definite pass, I pass on many broken rack bucks each season in hopes they make it. Many times they do make it in my area.

Trying to get my group together for saturday drives. 50 degrees chance of rain. All have buck tags and doe tags so if we can get on them they will be in trouble.