NFA-ADK

Welcome aboard!!! Catskills rock!!!

Since I started the great ADK/NY hunting journey I always dreamed of a mature buck. And that was the goal. After taking my first 2 1/2 year old (est.) 8 pt with a broken brow tine I was hooked 12 years later... I though he was mature enough with that rack. I have passed many 4 point bucks, spikes and doe. For me anything with 6 pts or better is worth a stalk/hunt, what happens from their depends on how many mistakes I make... I have been told by guys that they only shoot 140 class and up deer but that was in Ohio. He said he does not even hunt the area I was in because so few deer exist... To each his own I say. To me If I can get a buck in this remote area where FEW DEER EXIST, then I feel I can get one anywhere in North America. Perspective as I like to say. If a 100 inch deer is a trophy or that doe you just bagged was your first I will be slapping you on the back and asking for a high five!!! The first guy who puts down a deer for any reason is going to get a earful from me! Simply put we should support and encourage all successful hunters regardless of our view of their take. Hunting ethics can be discussed another time but the harvest should not be questioned. My buddy Mike has yet to shoot his first deer, what ever he shoots I will congratulate him. (He shoots a spike or a yearling and I will have to bust his chops after, lol. But thats all in good fun and part of the enjoyment with a great friend!) Respect your prey, fellow hunters, nature and those who protect it, usually it will be returned. PS: Reminds me of a story about my brother and the property he hunts in Prattsville. A few hunters came across the property looking for a wounded deer. The owner confronted them (Mr.Quin) polite and courteous and they informed him that they shot a deer and wounded it and had followed it as far as they could go and were giving up. Mr.Quin followed the blood trail, finished the wounded deer and after cleaning the animal he returned it to the hunters who gave up. They where so happy that they gave my brother and Mr.Quin access to hundreds of acres to hunt on their land! (This was a small deer in Mr.Quin's eyes but the rewards and good deed done that day were immeasurable to those hunters!)

Just make sure you keep good form and don't over do it, that usually causes bad form and habits. If you can keep good form and do those steps it should help. I have been shooting for about a month and a half or so and feel like I started late but I try to shoot most of the year except for Jan-March. I was injured this year causing my delay in practice... I try not to shoot 2 days in a row that helps me keep good form and strength. When I start to tire I stop. Good luck hope you are all set come opening day!

If the place you purchased the bow at can not help, I would find another dealer. A good bow shop that knows what they are doing is a priceless thing to have. In a bind or a emergency many times they will get you functioning and on target. After spending 700$ and up on a bow they should be able to get it working properly or refund your money or replace... While we can all speculate on what is wrong, in actuality you probably need help with something you are overlooking or unfamiliar with. The new bows are extremely sophisticated and require more than just basic knowledge at times to fix. When I complained to C & B Archery about my bow and the fact that they did not paper tune it they said it was set to factory specs... I had bad form and knew it but did a paper test and ripped to the RS. When they did a shot it was perfect... After getting my form back in shape I was hitting the X out to 30 +. The more I get my form good the better I shoot, da, sorry just thinking out loud. My point, just make sure it is NOT your form. Try reducing the poundage and see if anything changes, try a different grip with hand and or new grip on bow? Just some ideas, again hope you get this fixed and keep us posted!!! Shimming sounds scary, be cautious. I don't paper tune any more, I just make sure the arrow hits the same line from 5 - 70 yards with the bubble level and peep perfect!!! I don't hit the X all the time cough but if the arrow hits the spot my sight was on when I released then that's my aim, not the bow... Wish I could blame the bow but usually my hardest issue is getting the pin exactly where I want it THEN releasing... Did this at about 63 yards 2 days ago. One of my better groups... Testing new string out... I don't usually shoot paper but I help set this target up on work day... And I like long shots.

Please remember perspective... I pass many deer including doe but I do not force my hunting ethics on others. (I only advise on what I do any why...) Some choose to shoot every deer they can just to say "I killed 8 deer last year!" While I have a hard time pulling the trigger on doe or any small deer I will not complain about any deer my hunting partner takes. HE is a meat eater and I think he will start to drool when he finally takes one... I love to stalk deer while still hunting but I never complain about the guys who hunts from a tree stand. I love to get into the woods early then track/still hunt all day until it's dark yet I do not expect my hunting buddies to do the same... I encourage them to shoot mature deer but that is as far as I go. Many of my hunting friends say if it has horns they are shooting... To each his own I say as long as it's legal!!! While I can not pull the trigger on some deer that will not stop me from eating them... One guy who use to come up to our hunting camp would get SMASHED and stay at camp all day drunk as a skunk! I did not mind until I heard we where know in the area as the "DRUNKS"... Even after hearing that I did not tell him he was not allowed at camp. The only thing I did tell him was the morning he was drinking at 10 am and I mean pounding hard core, then he picked up the gun. WAIT, Woo Woo!!! I said WT hell do you think you are doing? He said hunting, I said not today your not... After a brief but heated argument he put the gun down and stayed at camp for the day. I will not compromise on safety!!! After explaining how if the DEC, Ranger, ECO or any others in charge of safety smelled his breath, they would think we ALL were smashed in the woods with guns... Anyone who knows how dedicated to hunting I am knows this is not something I will allow!!! If you will be so upset at your hunting partner for shooting a baby I would let them know before you hunt what your ethics are and what is acceptable to you. It will keep your friendship going much better if everyone in the group is on the same page... PS: Nice fawn pics Saw one during hunting season one year opening week, spots where almost gone but it was small, doubt it made it though the winter... Smallest deer I ever saw at that time of the year... Crazy... 1994-95

Nice bucks!

My 2010 8 pt 207 lbs No score. What a hunt! State land, still hunting. Blood gets pumping just posting this!!! WOW some really nice bucks!!! Size of antlers doesn't matter as much as enjoyment of the hunt! Basket 4pt or 6pt are big deer in some areas! This is the deer that turned my passion for ADK hunting to obsession, along with all the mistakes that caused me to miss more bucks than I care to talk about. Who ever said "learn from your mistakes" was never so right when it comes to hunting deer! The problem I have is I keep learning new mistakes... Who ever said addiction is a bad thing never deer hunted!!! Even skydiving does not seem to hold a light to that moment we choose to "take" a deer. At least for me... Vacation approved today! Sep 26th-30th, Nov 6th-14th, Nov 20th-Dec 7th!!! WOW November will be extremely fun!!! Don't think I will ever get tired of ADK woods, just tired in them... Solitude, camp fire, clean air and no traffic, can't wait to reconnect with nature!!! Hoping more than one person comes up to (November) camp this year the fun multiplies with extra friends! Sorry as the season approaches I tend to babble... HUNTING!!! Look out ADK bucks I am coming for you! LI too!!! If I am lucky and actually get one my first November trip I am going to Maine. Trying to be an optimist but my pessimistic side slaps me in the face of reality! LOL

More target practice with the bow. Testing new string... Start prepping/inspecting gear for early bow.

Metallica : One Drive in dirt road driving Led Zeppelin : The Song Remains The Same : Live These 3 songs must be played at camp at least one night: The Song Remains The Same, No Quarter and Dazed and Confused which is how I feel sometimes hunting these remote deep woods deer... Ham, Turkey and American Cheese triple decker sandwich a must for a full days hunt with a soda and chips... Nuts, which is how many view me hunting these deep woods with a bow while stalking... Songs I think of while hunting: Not really a ritual but I have thought of SOS more than one time while deep darkness sets in miles back... Aaliya : Try Again When I fail...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEF_-IcnQC4 Rihanna: SOS When I am stuck way back in the dark http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXmF4GbA86E Requiem For A Dream : My new hunting theme for this year, epic... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5Kwf_nNmGI Play this in your head when the deer comes into play... When shooting and prepping!!! Keeps me focused...

Very nice, good luck with him!!!

I started Dec 31st, September 27th never seemed so close... New sting on bow with time to fix any issues. Can't wait to get away!!!

I don't like it's ability and allowed string to be locked into position while driving for poachers, that scares me. I really do not understand why they did not allow it in rifle season again... (Do they know something we don't?) I have changed my view on it's use and now want it included in bow season, if it helps recruit just a few I am all for it... I feel they should not allow it to be at full draw in a vehicle. Being as dedicated a hunter as I am I can not fathom braking any law that would stop me from entering the woods, I would never knowingly brake a gun, crossbow or compound bow law for any game... But yea 6 posts in and you are telling us to use a crossbow if we don't think we'll get caught? Ethics is something this site values and is one of the reasons I enjoy the company that is kept on this site... Respect, integrity and love not only of my sport but of the game I cherish to view and hunt. These are the things this site values, not advocating braking the law just because you can get away with it... I could go deep into the woods with a spotlight and get a deer just about every year with my bow they seem to not care when I am hunting for yotes at night... (They seem much more relaxed and even approach in curiosity...) My integrity, ethics and love of fair chase will not allow it, this included following all the laws to the best of my ability. I hope you will start to think the same way specialk1791, we argue about many things on this site yet one thing that persists among most hunters on this site is Respect, Ethics and Integrity. Join the club we would love to have you!!!

Wishing you much success!!!

Sounds like the bucks have a nice hide away in that old clear cut. Your history is proof, it sounds like you have a great core area for doe, as in previous years noted by your success, the bucks will come... Try calling them in with light antler ticking and a doe call if they are close to that clear cut, I swear by the adult doe bleet in heat call! Good luck, hope your kids both score a monster!!! PS: I think you are 100% right.

Welcome to the site Mike. I am OK! Don't worry about the introduction you nailed it! Great bunch of guys and girls on this site, but beware we love to argue about many things so put on your thick skin when getting involved in conversations we like to argue a lot. (Don't take arguments personally...) Don't be afraid to post a question this site has many advanced hunters from all walks of life and the knowledge astounds me at times... Again welcome aboard and I hope you come to love this site like I do!!! The wealth of knowledge is vast from the many years of experience these people have put in... PS: Don't forget to check out the trail cam pics they are pretty awesome!!!

Thanks for the laugh!!! Dam, now I will be seeing this everywhere!!! At least when I started loosing my hair at 20 it did not start growing in my nose and ears for many years... Lucky for me my face and chest is the only hair that still grows every day... LOL funny post! I think after a certain amount of time some people just give up on looking good. Because for some, even trimming these area's will not help and I think they know this... Grow you are giving the phrase "dirty old man" a new meaning!!! LMAO!!! Great post!!! But I feel so dirty now... OK I need to go shave now and shower, trim toe nails, clean ears this is the most filthy post I have read on this site!!!

Great looking buck, but I think he will be small compared to what you get, I HOPE!!! Best of luck this year!!!

Sep 27th! GETSOME baby!!!

I hope I find a apple tree in deep woods one day, I might never leave!!!

Try the doe in heat call, it works... Rattling can work but use it with a grunt call then use the doe in heat call... Start your rattle sequence lightly! I would stay away from the snort call. Chasing phase is on. If my calculations are correct the Full Moon is on the 17 of Nov with breading being done in the next 7-10 days peaking around the 19th-23rd, depending on weather, temp, barometric presser, hunting presser. Vacation is set for Nov 6-16th then 23rd to the Dec 8th! Scouting/bow Sep 27th-30th. Not worried about scouting/bow trip but the 2 second vacations always seem to get canceled or shortened. Hurricane Sandy did not help last year... Keeping my fingers crossed for some epic journeys in the deep woods of the ADK and hopefully a nice buck!

Phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range. 12 gauge autoloader... Pump is nice but not as easy for bird compared to the auto. IMO

They should set them up year round... I have no objection to spotlighting as a scouting tool as long as its not FOR hunting... I bring one many years but I am so tired after setting up camp then hunting the entire day that all I can do is eat dinner and sleep, repeat... After hunting hard all day, jumping into the truck and staring into the woods for a hour or so is uninviting... Food sounds much better and has yet to loose this battle... So many people get caught with loaded guns, crazy!!! I know of some spots they have had them but will not tell... I do not like poachers! They give us a bad reputation. I just wish the DEC did it more often and in more areas.

Great advice. Don't worry about speed, get a bow weight that is easy to pull and hold and any new bow will work for target or deer. Forget about how it looks, how does it feel when drawing, release point and back wall, brace hieght. Does the grip feel good in your hand? Does it vibrate when shot? How is it's balance, how about with a 3 arrow quiver? I recommend using a shop as they are very advanced pieces of equipment that require string changes, D-Loops if used and some times they need to be adjusted causing the need of a press... They have arrows, releases, arrow rests, arm guards, fletching, glue, tips, broad heads and many other tools and equipment and hopefully the knowledge to help you out... Good luck!!!

Nope... Its fast, it will kill any animal with a good placed shot and I have a hard time pulling my arrows from targets as they seem to melt the rubber with deep penetration... More so than most people I shoot with. I match the arrow with the recommend specs of the bow. I can get more speed with lighter arrows but as a hunter I just use hunting arrows year round and like my speed and depth of penetration. Heli-M 28" draw 65 lbs shooting Beeman ICS Hunter Pro 340 at 8.8 Gpi. But I know guys who get crazy with weight and balance of the arrow and others with speed... I try to just keep it as simple as possible... Arrow shoots straight and I am good... Just need to work on aim and form, O and finding a deer...

Find a local 3D shoot, it will test your knowledge and skills of distance judgment and accuracy. Best bet is to shoot spots as WNYBuckHunter says. We use little orange dots at 20-30 and 1-3 inch at 20-30-60 +. You can build your own practice target if you shoot a lot... Moving back helps, shooting 50 and under seems like a chip shot when you shoot at 60-70 same with a 20-30 if you practice at 40-50... Plus shooting long distance is FUN!!! One thing I notice with my consistency is shooting at least every 3 days is imperative for steady shots. I try to practice every other day and avoid shooting two days in a row as I stress out and loose form. Never liked my sights, too big, found a nice bright orange outer circled small sight just need one with 5 pins as the 2 pin offers little range options. New string for the season with time to sight in, hopefully with a new sight. Ahh the season is approaching fast!!!