Doc

Does culling work or doesn't it? We've all read the studies about how culling doesn't work and how most of the genetics are determined by the does etc., etc. However, today I saw three different programs on TV (and I have seen others) that were about management hunts where these people were claiming that the only reason they have these monster bucks that they do is because of intensive culling programs. I have to admit that these guys had some pretty impressive credentials in the form of pictures, video and mounts of their deer. Of course these were heavily managed western ranches, but they were not small game farms either. I realize that nobody here is really capable of answering the question about culling, but I just thought it was pretty amazing as to how completely opposed so many of these biologists and so-called "experts" are on this subject. Wouldn't you think that with all of the years of intensive study on whitetails that a question of this sort would be agreed upon by all those supposedly "in-the-know"? It makes you wonder how many other supposed "facts" have the same levels of uncertainty. Doc

We had a huge coyote go across our front yard that was absolutely blonde in color. There is a wide range of coloration and they are not nearly as consistant as foxes.

Actually, it really wasn't so much forgetting about it as it was simply not being able to be thinking about when I actually had an opportunity to do something with it. Over the last of the winter months, the deer were moving in random patterns as they always do. With the snow down, they absolutely had nothing to do with any trails and the movement was purely random. So I decided to save the batteries and hold off until things got a bit more trail oriented and I put the unit down in the shop waiting for better weather. Well, spring came and I started with the work around the place and a bunch of traveling and the activities have not slowed for one minute. You just wouldn't believe this summer. You know when you're retired, life is supposed to slow down and you are finally supposed to have time to do all those things that you never had time to do before. ........DON"T YOU BELIEVE IT!!! It's not just me either. I've talked to other retired folks that kind of wish there was some way to slow the pace a bit .... lol. Anyway, I finally found (no, I actually made) a bit of free time and dug the camera out. we'll see what kind of luck I have in the future. Doc

I've seen a lot of does and fawns, but so far this year I have only seen 1 buck dead along the road. I expect that when the rut heats up later, but isn't this a bit early? Doc

Last February, I went to Bass Pro and bought a Bushnell Trophy Cam. I got busy with other things, and sort of forgot about it for all these months. Well, yesterday, I got the thing out, programmed in all the dates and times, and hung it out on a trail just to see how the thing worked. So what's the odds that I would get a hit on the first night out? Sure, it's not anything huge, but for the first time the camera ever saw action, I thought it was some pretty good luck. Check it out..... Doc

That's deer breeding farm, high-end hunting preserve and golf course. Yeah, if I did it right, I could advertise in the Wall Street Journal and get some clients with real big bucks......lol. Sure, I can see it now ...... huge 5-star lodge with all the amenities. On arrival, you would go down to the office where the staff would take you through the pictures and histories and pedigrees of the different monster bucks along with the accompanying price tags so you could pick out your trophy and decide on the style of mount you wanted. A service could be offered to harvest the animal for you if you didn't want to be bothered with all that excercise and stuff. I'm telling you, it's a golden opportunity and I'll finally get rich! All I need is donations from everybody for seed money ;D Doc

In my neck of the woods, December and January have the deer in completely different patterns than what they will be doing the following bow season. Food sources are different, they have been pushed all over the place by the prior gun season, and the weather is radically different which changes their bedding locations. About the only thing that scouting at that time tells me is just how much of the herd is still in tact and what kinds of critters may have made it through the gun season ...... not bad info to have. Doc

I dragged the old folding stool up on the archery range today and checked out a few shots from a sitting position. Also, tried a few shots from awkward positions and simulating a few slow draws and other kind of realistic shooting challenges. I always like to throw some reality practice in just to see if I can come up with some realistic scenario that might mess me up. First thing tommorrow morning, it should be cold enough to throw on a few layers of heavy clothing and then my big old camo cover-alls. That's always a nifty exercise in frustration. Doc

Always full of great ideas ...... just a little on the late side for all of them though ..... lol. I should get into this pay-to-hunt stuff, and do a little deer farming on the side. That sounds like where the money is ..... lol. Anybody got a few mil for seed money ....... Doc

Really? I had no idea that there were that many. So there must be a heck of a market for deer and deer product sales. Sounds like there might be some pretty good money in it. Doc

actually since I said doc and his mini me, it was not even directed to you. I know you think everything is about you, but i was referring to the person who seems to praise your every post. Actually, forget it. Whatever you were trying to say, It really doesn't matter......honestly : Doc

Interesting point. Are crossbow hunters going to be required to be able to show proof that they have taken the course? Kind of like being made to carry their certification card or whatever when they are hunting? As CNYlungbuster points out, there is nothing on the license that serves as proof of certification. Doc

What precautions against CWD do you take? Is there any agencies that do inspections or regulate conditions on your deer farm? Doc

I still have to work out shooting with my heavy, heavy clothes. I had one chance to do that earlier and I wasn't real happy with the results, so as is the case every year, I have to tweak that aspect of my shooting. Other than that, I wish I had more stands prepared. It's been a heck of a summer and I have stayed busy doing summery things and the stand-work has been pushed back a bit. Doc

That is strange. As someone who has never pulled the trigger on a muzzleloader, I've got to say that I wouldn't have the slightest idea what to do and how much of it to do, and without any instruction at all I would likely blow my face off.....lol. I never realized that there is no course on muzzleloaders. There must be some part of the regular gun course that is devoted to muzzleloaders these days isn't there? Not that that would help anyone who already has their gun course. Doc

Just to be clear in case it's gone un-noticed, I didn't make any negative comments about crossbows or about those that are pushing them. I simply questioned the training requirements. So if there's anybody that needs to lighten up, I think there are a couple crossbow pushers that should actually at least try to pretend that there is some reason for personal attacks before they just jump in there with the attitude. Wouldn't ya think??? I'm trying to discuss things in some sort of reasonable and civil fashion per the other thread that dealt with civility and that sort of thing, but there are a couple of individuals that are purposely making that pretty hard.

I still don't get it, but I suppose it was supposed to be some kind of random personal slam ....... about what I haven't a clue. Is that what it was Bubba, just a random personal attack? ..... lol Doc

Bubba- I'm going to have to have that explained to me. I don't know what a "mini me" is. Doc

wait a minute there Doc'y, LOL, i'm pretty sure it was you who made claims of how dangerous it would be to allow crossbows into archery season, LOL, and how crossbow hunters would be shooting unsuspecting bow hunters by accident at over 100 yds, right, LOL. i would think that you would be the first to wanna see another "Gov Run" program for crossbow hunters.LOL, LOL ;D That's a wonderful imagination you have there, but there simply is not a word of truth in anything you just said in that reply. Not a word. In fact, I don't recall anyone ever saying those things. So, I don't have a clue what the heck you are talking about. Doc

OP???

Has anybody heard about what the "crossbow safety training" will consist of and who will administer it? You know with all these safety training courses that sportsmen are required to take, there ought to be some sort of official degree that goes along with the completion of all of them.....lol. Kind of like a bachelor of science degree in outdoor safety. Let's see there is bow training, gun training, trapping training and now crossbow training. Did I leave any out? With the number of hours required for each, this is getting to be quite an investment in time.

That's funny. We were just had a topic posted about comments like that. right on que......lol.

Well, they're all still maintained, occasionally shot, and perfectly serviceable, and capable of being used for hunting, but it's still the Mathews that comes off the wall, simply because I just like it. ....... And I still can't remember how old it is....lol. But it's not too new anymore. Doc

I get the distinct impression that the DEC would really like to see just about any weapon in the bowhunting timeslot except bows. Little comments that you pick up on from biologists and other DEC attending personel during side conversations at their public meetings and some of the quotes in the New York Outdoor News and other sources indicate that they really don't feel that bowhunting is the most efficient use of that part of the hunting year from the standpoint of harvesting deer and does in particular. I don't find that last paragraph shocking or surprising at all. Doc

That night-time question may relate to coon hunting or predator calling. It sounds like x-bows are not allowed for those activities after dark. Nope it wasn't referring to that either since x-bows are not allowed for small game. LOL ..... it must be questions from poachers after all ;D Doc