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So of course yesterday was the start of the youth weekend so it's about my youngest son and his last youth hunt. Last year he filled his first tag ever on a young doe so this year he had a couple rules. #1 no yearling deer, #2 no yearling deer. So yesterday morning we drive to my property about 1/2 hour away and it starts raining 5 minutes before we get there. I say out loud it's raining and I hear I'm not worried about a little rain. He might not care but I don't feel like getting rained on so I drive back towards home to another spot. We got set just as first light was poking through and 5 minutes later there's a doe and fawn 15 yards in front of us and of course directly down wind. They never bolt but we weren't moving an inch the both nervously walked off. A couple hours later we headed home for grandma's 97th bday so no afternoon hunt and he wasn't moving this am so I flew to a bow stand solo at about 9am I get a text asking if I'm taking him this afternoon. We drive to my property and get set around 3:30ish and here come two adult doe with fawns and they blew and blew so I said I had a spot to maybe sneak in with the wind how it was so we go. I no sooner creep through the hedrow and here's a good buck about 120 yds in the middle of this green field so I get the stick out he drops to a knee and takes aim. I just keep saying squeeze, squeeze when the gun goes off I'm looking at the deer through binoculars and he starts to bolt as I turn to tell him to shoot again I see a buck flop in the field to the left of the big one and then I hear "do you want me to shoot him too?" As I turn back again and he's now pointing towards the first buck I saw. No don't do it and thank God he didn't but no comes the what are you doing ? Shooting the deer. Why did you shoot that one? I didn't see the big one until I shot. Anyways I'm proud of my boy and he took a 165yd shot with the 30-06 and dropped his first buck.

Just got back from a week of Grouse and woodcock hunting in Maine. Group of 8 of us went up and even though the numbers were apparently way down, we managed to scrounge up 20 grouse between all of us. I was able to get 5 myself, but should have gotten at least a few more. Those guys are so much fun to hunt, but really hard to hit. It was my first time grouse hunting, but I'm hooked! Here are some pics of a few of the birds.

Bang... Flop. Great Nephew got his first. He's friggin pumped. He started tearing up. Deer was already in the field. Made it to a round bale for him to rest on. 120 yd quartering away shot. He hit a little high, but the shot was downhill. Clipped the spine and exited tight to the opposite shoulder. That's his dad ( my nephew) in the pic. It's as close to the deer as he can get as he's highly allergic to the fur.

Dropped another doe from the same stand as this morning! Never got 2 in 1 day before! Definitely holding out for a big buck now! I love this house! Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Well its time, we will be heading out tonight. Pack is all set, coming in at 66lbs. 9 days worth of food, each days worth of food weighs just under 2lbs, each bag contains roughly 3000 calories. Went to a buddies place last week and shot out to 400 yards, all my data is set to 500 yards and looking good. My friend that is going...Definitely going to try and limit his shots to 300 yards and under. My bullet of choice for this trip is factory loaded Federal terminal ascent 175gr. Buddy is using Federal 165gr trophy bonded tipped ammo. We have 5 coolers in the bed of the truck totaling 615 quarts. This should do for 2 elk and a muley boned out. If more space is needed we will go cooler shopping. Current temps from the closest town i can get looks like highs of 60⁰ and lows in the low 30⁰s. Now this is Cobalt Idaho, which sits around 5k ft of elevation, we will be 2500-3500ft higher so im anticipating cooler temps. Ill have a big write up when we get back, ill have some pics posted on our way out but for now...wish us luck!

First time I ever got 2 in 1 day! Same stand I got the doe this morning from. Just before 6pm came out in the same spot as the morning doe but from the opposite direction and not quite broadside. Came right to me, shot her at 10 yards. Dropped within sight. Couldn't ask for a better day! And this stand is less than 300 yards from my backdoor. Really glad I bought this garage fridge! Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

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We always have a good time in stand wether we see anything or not. I’m not a super serious hunter and even less serious when she’s with me. I run a if we ain’t having fun it in the woods then why are we out here program. For the most part I let her decide how long we stay out and what we shoot. This weekend being her first time being the Hunter she has the run of the show. I offer my advise and the times I think we should hunt until. Surprisingly being the hunter she didn’t pull the plug once and we put in a lot of hours and had some cool experiences together. She will be back out November 5th with the cross bow. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just got the word my nephew rebounded after his miss yesterday and dropped a doe this afternoon for his first deer.

An owl hooting. The owl is my spirit bird. There have been times when I'd hear an owl telling me to be ready, and I'd have a successful hunt. My grandmother was full blood native American. When I was young, she'd take me to the reservation in NC. It was there I learned about the owl being my spirit bird. And how the ones we loved, come back to greet us on the wings of the owl. There is no better sound in the woods for me.

Sounds dumb, but I really like hearing chickadees in the woods. They always seem cheerful, even on the crappiest days. Have had them land on my nocked arrow before.

Cooked up some bbq siracha chicken , shrimp nachos with cilantro , guacamole, sour cream , red onion , green onions , jalapeños, shredded white cheddar and xtra sharp , pineapple and a bbq siracha drizzle . Then Jamaican jerk chicken sammiches with pineapple rings seasoned with Chile lime and banana Mayo. Tailgating before the Bills /Steelers game

9am. Was about to climb down and go home but as soon as I turn around there she is 35 yards perfect broadside. Triple checked all my distances after missing a doe last week so I was confident. Double lung ran maybe 50 yards. Blood was surprisingly not great for the first 40 yards but there was plenty around where she crashed. Feeling pretty blessed right now to be able to hunt from home Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Now this a subject that would take a book to cover and to cover thoroughly it would be of many pages. Squirrels rank right at the top for me as one of my favorite animals to hunt. Being serious I am not talking about bird feeder squirrels, all the things that go into the making of a good hunter are needed for squirrels such as finding habitat, food sources, stealth, concealment and precision marksmanship. In a nutshell, early season when the leaves are on and shooting distances fairly short I like using a good quality 22 rifle, a medium powered scope with an adjustable objective for parallax mitigation firing standard velocity or even match ammo which almost always gives me my best groups and has more than enough pop to kill Squirrels. I sight in dead on at fifty yards and my serious hunting rifles will print groups that are ragged holes. Later in the season when the leaves are off and the shots a bit longer I use a couple of specialized rifles that group very well with hyper velocity ammunition like Stingers, Yellowjackets and Velocitors, this ammo shoots fairly flat and makes for pretty easy shots out to seventy five yards and a little beyond. These rifles are sighted dead on at seventy five yards. When it comes to Squirrel guns I spare no expense, for my way of thinking my favorite type hunting should be done with the best equipment I can afford. Al

A young lady missed a spike yesterday. Today reds son came out and connected on a sm doe on a quick hunt. He can post pic and story..back to work for me...

The voice of a loved one who has passed talking to me while I'm sitting in the woods

The quiet Sent from my motorola edge 5G UW (2021) using Tapatalk

Right before sunrise you start to hear things stirring, All creatures start to wake up and moving around. It's almost like the Earth waking up.

One last chance. We moved the ground blind in the dark to be a little closer to where he pops out. It’s rained pretty good last night but no more rain in the forecast. Only going to hunt the morning no matter what happens Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just heard someone else’s kid I know shot a nice buck today. So that’s 2 youth hunters I know that got one.

Just passed a really nice 2yr old. Good mass but real short tines but with some junk. Fed in front of me for a few minutes. Still about 30yds but in the brush. Good to be back hunting. I did pick the bow up. Now where is dad. Lol

First deer on the new lease Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

And the youth that got the big 8 last year took another good one today.!

My 10/5 buck...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/ny-attorney-general-files-motion-to-overturn-federal-judge-ruling-on-ny-gun-laws/ar-AA12NAKX?ocid=SL5GDHP&pc=SL5G&cvid=b7978112e771432b81f4173559973537 The article states “New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced on Monday that she has filed a motion to appeal a federal judge ruling on NY's gun legislation.” Not surprised AG James is more concerned about supporting the continued harassment, intimidation and threats directed at law abiding firearm owners rather than go after the dangerous violent criminals in New York State committing “PEOPLE VIOLENCE”? The article states “Governor Hochul calls federal judge ruling on NY gun laws "deeply disappointing" What is real disappointing is Governor Hochul, AG James and all their supporters who are unwilling or unable to address and attack the root causes of “PEOPLE VIOLENCE”. The article states “Today my office filed a motion to keep the entire Concealed Carry Improvement Act in effect and continue to protect communities as the appeals process moves forward. This common-sense gun control legislation is critical in our state’s effort to reduce gun violence. We will continue to fight for the safety of everyday New Yorkers.” said the Attorney General. “ First its “keep the entire Concealed Carry Improvement Act in effect” even though it attacks law abiding citizens and does not eliminate the real root causes of “PEOPLE VIOLENCE”. Second “This common-sense gun control legislation is critical in our state’s effort to reduce gun violence” is anything but “common sense” unless you support the harassment, intimidation and threats directed at law abiding firearm owners rather than go after the dangerous violent criminals in New York State committing “PEOPLE VIOLENCE”. Third it is false “We will continue to fight for the safety of everyday New Yorkers.” Just look at the violent crime rate in New York State not from a statisticians warped point of view. Again these politicians use this anti-gun psychological warfare to fool the ignorant because they are unwilling or unable to attack the root causes of “PEOPLE VIOLENCE”.

She’s 80% the reason why I built the enclosed stand. This way we have heat and don’t have to worry about how cold or wet it is. She doesn’t need much for special winter gear. A 4-5 hour sit on a cold day is easy now for her. The other 20% before you even ask is because I was also tired of doing dark to dark sits in temperatures in the teens. Or 40 degrees and raining which is worse in my opinion. I still like to sit out in the elements because the enclosed blind isn’t the same feeling but when it gets bad I can retreat to the enclosed and be comfortable. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Amen; crime stats are dropping like a rock.

There have been plenty of deer down by the kids this weekend. Our youth got one yesterday. A young lady hunter put down a giant and I'm sure it may end up on the DEC cover or at last in print in their regs books. Thing is a brute/tank. I didn't spend too long guessing but if I had to...170-180ish?

Barred Owl

https://www.deersearchflc.com/meet-the-team I worked with Dave Schillinger and Rosco today.brought along Bob MCNamara (he is not listed on the site from what I've seen).Bob brought out Willow(his dog)for the afternoon track as a second attempt after getting permission to another property

Yes been in the family a long time ... A good head lamp like the one in my post comes in handy

Killed 3 nice roosters over the old gal today. Her nose is still gold.

Came in at 2. Jumped one of the target bucks 50 yards from my blind. Nothing since. Hoping he circles back

And another one taken after a tracking job after dinner. Andrew took his 1st pheasant and 1st deer today!

Well 2 shots fired.at 8am. and clean miss.. guess she was shaking pretty good.. they are headed in so will get fullstory.. Then they are off for phesant hunt at 9... Both kids that went for phesant got one.. Afternoon hunt..couple of bobcat seen and a nice doe taken..still an hour left perhaos another will score yet.

It's the VOICES.....I can't stand the VOICES......

I love the rogue nuthatch mixed in a chickadee flock who's confused as he has the same coloration

Man - O - Man I sure do feel safer now with all the ammo locked up

Me and my son got on a real nice 8pt. this morning, the buck had no clue we were there while he was feeding on acorns for 5 minutes or so then dipped under a standing of pines and disappeared. Unfortunately never presented a good enough shot for my boy to take, I really commend him for waiting on a good shot, feel so bad he's really bummed he didn't get a chance to shoot.

My favorite sound is the crunch of deer footsteps on leaves... and for one of my spots that's near a road, I've grown to love the sound of a car horn. That means deer should be heading my way in a few minutes.

I often stop and think about the pioneers who stacked those rocks and created these walls, how much hard work went into it.

Awesome, no bird tastes better than ruffed grouse.

Very true @Just Lucky trackers said the same thing. We were tracking no blood 24 hrs later from where I marked last blood yesterday.keeping high hopes he plugged up to live another day.watching these dogs work was amazing.it honestly almost makes me want to get one and try it.the two gents I worked with today were awesome.ball busters for sure.alot of good laughs and appreciated everything they did.it deff hurts regardless.this was him right before the shot.......

Well I'm back home empty handed.walked my ass off today that's for sure.had 2 guys and 1 dog show up this morning then the 2ndd guy came back and brought his dog(different from first).walked another hour and a half with no luck and no buck seen.honestly if we bumped him again we probably wouldn't have seen him,holy crap it was thick my arms are all torn up.looks like I'm chalking this one up as a loss.hope he makes it but if not the fox and yotes will have a feast.this blows

Had an 8 come out at 633. Not quite yet. This is a pic of him from the same cam the 10 was on.

10/8/22 I received a call from a bowhunter that had hit a deer in the ham this morning due to a deflection. I explained to him that these are recovered quickly if the femoral artery is hit, or usually not at all. He said he had followed good blood to a thick area and backed out at that point. Kunox and I hit the road and headed to the leased Amish farm to meet the hunter. We started as usual at the hit site which was on the edge of a field. We entered the woods on very good blood, then left the woods heading into an alfalfa field that was in need of cutting, following light blood at this point. We were about halfway across the field when the doe jumped up from a bed 5 feet away. There wasn’t time to get a shot off and we watched exactly where she went through a hedgerow toward a cornfield. We waited about 10 minutes, then Kunox and I hung back while the hunter snuck up to the hedgerow to see if she bedded down there. Nope, not there. Kunox went back to work and took us into the cornfield which was being harvested by the Amish at the time. There was a dog and kids running around as the man drove the horse and picker. Lots of commotion. I told the hunter that obviously I won’t be firing my handgun in the area if we see it. It was only a couple minutes later that Kunox took us right to her as we saw her running off, leaving a bloody bed behind. She headed into a woodlot and it wasn’t long before we had a property line issue. OnX showed me the landowners name, so we googled it looking for an address. Luckily the owner lived right there, so the hunter walked out and obtained permission. Having to stop for 30 minutes was our downfall as it gave the deer time to clot up. After that we would see an occasional drop, but never saw the doe again. I pulled the plug at 3.9 miles. Kunox and I ate beef jerky and Fritos on the way home.