NFA-ADK

Shoots an arrow, now its considered a bow. . .

Same as a crossbow IMHO.

Wow what a last day of deer hunting! My best sighting for the season 31 deer total but I jumped 8 out of the brush when I was stalking, not so good apparently, hard to sneak up on that many. Snow made sighting much easer but with 3 -4 inches it was a bit noisy when stalking. I saw 3 doe with one buck on them like glue, that was all I saw on stand at about 35 yards in heavy brush. He was a young 8 a bit wider than the buck above and slightly taller, good prospect for next year. My buddy and his friend hunted another area till 10 am and saw nothing then he stated how all the deer went nocturnal! I did try a few stalks when I came down off stand around 11 but was busted every time. I was watching deer from about 60-200 yards most of the early afternoon posting next to trees or sitting on a log or just standing. I was not getting any response from doe calls even though I only did 3 but the basic low volume slightly high pitch grunt seemed to ease them and allowed closer observation when they passed from 120-60 yards one was a young buck with 12 inch high, thick split tines making him a 4pt. No other sighting after 4 (Think I pushed them all off the property, lol.) but a great way to end my deer season. What a difference 2 days can make in the same area, right place right time and conditions. We had no snow 2 days ago, I love snow... and deer... and hunting... omg I need sleep, I'm babbling.

Next question should Iet the bugs clean it or boil it off? Or does anyone have a quicker or better way to clean it. I was going to remove the hide and bury it but I am thinking about boiling off the excess.

Well this is one deer season I can say I did not hunt very hard at all. Between house work, cutting vacation short due to extra work load at the job, bad weather, bad back and just simple low motivation due to other issues I simply did not get out as much. With the passing of Mr.Charles Alsheimer who I really admired I wanted to get back into the swing of hunting deer even if I only had a small window. I was able to take today off and was going to do a full day but a buddy wanted to go also so I went with him, he was only able to do an afternoon hunt so we went in at 1pm. I jumped 2 deer going in and when I was set up in stand I saw one at about 45 yards that came within 15 yards but I did not have the camera set up for the shot, I got her on film but had no shot by the time I was setup, 35 plus yards in view but to risky for a shot with all the tree branches. That was the only deer seen for the day for me and 2 other hunters while on stand. Sad new is I found a dead buck that I spotted in stand while glassing, his white belly stuck out like sore thumb. As the day ended with no deer in sight I was down off stand just before last light to stalk the last few minutes and check the dead deer as I could not see its head. Shame he looked like a good up and comer, did not find any bullet or arrow wounds on him, think he might have been hit by a car, looked like a fox was feasting on him and he must have been dead for a few days. All in all a good day to be out as the weather was mild, hope to take something the last day to honor the super blue moon and Mr.Alsheimer. Dead Head found today, wow I have some gray! We argued the age, I say he is 2.7 years old and by buddy says 3.7, going to age the jaw bone at some point. What age do you think he is?

She probably was not born early but late, that could explain the frostbite at an early age. My other thought is parasites, they can take a toll in bad areas. Otherwise I would just think its a genetic defect or it might have been prey as a fawn to a fox or small coyote. Do you have any other closer pics? They look ok, not damaged. Is that a scar on the left front leg?

That's my exact situation as well. Same here it does not matter, it's in our genes. I think it is why we can get "into" hunting so easily, some primitive instinct that kicks in when we go back to our roots. Funny how kids simply get it and that shows in the pictures! Some epic stories! Very cool! More More! Thanks for sharing!

Most times when I do track I am familiar with the area so I really don't care to know my exact location till I need to worry about an exit usually an hour or two before sunset. I usually have a good handle on direction and location and if the track goes far I will mark his trail with GPS points, I don't like the crumbs. Good eyesight is very important I would also say identification! I have some friends that could have a deer 20 yards away and they would never see them. I try to get my buddies to just go and watch deer, it helps to see them in thick cover and be able to see how they blend in and how to find them when glassing or hunting. Watching for an ear flicker or tail or just some minor movement in the woods is a skill not every one has and it makes a huge difference. One guy that use to come to camp went with another trapper and hunted with him and his son, they did a drive and had about 5 deer run past this guy in the blind, he never saw any of them.

Attention to detail. The drive to go the extra mile and never give up. The ability to determine what track is the buck you are after when he gets mixed up in doe. Snow is great but you can do it in mud also. So true Grampy, I can't remember how many times I kicked myself for not looking up enough then get to the top of the ridge to find the deer was pacing while watching me track him then following running tracks when he had enough and bolted.

Determination

Happy B-Day!

Not sure what type of weather you hunt but I know for a fact that I-phones do not last in cold weather. Mine looses power after about 2 hours in cold weather. Surprised at some of the answers. My GPS is invaluable for marking good spots and I use it all the time for that purpose I also rely on it for night navigation along with compass and flashlights. For some reason I always seem to get stuck on cloudy, foggy or rainy days where seeing the lay of the land is impossible in the dark. Best bet if you hunt these deep woods is to be prepared to stay overnight. This means some extra clothes, fire starters, flashlights and some extra food even if just a granola bar. If you plan on having to stay overnight and prep for it you will always be prepared even if something major goes wrong. Make sure you can start a fire in the rain VIP most woods in the ADK with high canopy are wet and starting a fire is not easy even with emergency fire starters. Carry a new lighter or 2 they are light enough to have. I always tell my friend to look for smoke during the day if I do not come back at night. Once you get a fire going make it large enough to last if you fall asleep! Wet leaves make a lot of smoke! Bring extra batteries for flashlights, gps and radio if you use them. Try to get equipment that takes the same batteries if possible. Most of mine are AAA or AA. I try to stick with AA if possible. I have to agree with the GPS being much better than a phone, my phone is usually dead after a few hours and even though I can recharge it in the field with an extra battery I like the GPS much better because I can change batteries if they die. The reason I use my compass more than the GPS is that it only read wrong once in 30 years of hunting, GPS has failed many times due to batteries, fog, rain, high canopy, broken contacts and low coverage due to being in a valley. If I doubt my compass I move 50 yards or more and recheck, if it points the same direction then that is the way I go. Never give up, which was said before. If you get into a situation stop sit and think, that alone will help settle your nerves and keep you thinking straight! Also mentioned before, use your head! If you really get into trouble or are really lost stop and make camp, the DEC will find you if you did not hike miles away from the area like David Boomhower in 91.

My first buck with the boys. Missing you guys RIP Greg and Chris. From right to left. Greg, Chris myself and Shawn. I had that smile for about 4 days until the DEC found that I forgot to put the dam date in and fetched a 25$ fine. Live and learn...

If you notice on the bottom no strips are present except for 1. That is being eaten! Pop a trail cam up!

Great for inexperienced hunters. Most experienced hunters can tell by smell, visual and how well the shot was placed along with reactions from the animal. Would be cool just to test out. If the link on top does not work, try this. https://www.gutcheckindicators.com/ Nothing available now, new company?

Sometimes the blades catch bone and have a deflection, if it happens on entry the exit can be in a strange location not expected.

I have to agree 100% Just because you do not agree with someone or do not like how they do things is not reason to call them out on here specifically. "I am more concerned with teaching my kids, not just how to hunt and kill game, but to do it the right way and not turn out being an asshole like FSW." (Quoted) You could have said: "I am more concerned with teaching my kids, not just how to hunt and kill game, but to do it the right way and not turn out being a jerk." I think we all have some stress in our life, do you really need more by arguing with some person you will likely never meet in person? I learned a long time ago on this forum that it's better to ignore someone who has opposite values from your own then try to belittle or put down that person even if you are right. A little more respect and courtesy should be shown here IMO. We wont all agree on many things that does not mean you need to badger that person! We have pages and pages where we argue yet many are willing to look at that persons view and try to see it from there perspective others say its my way or they are wrong. Real easy to belittle someone on the internet and really shows how easy it is to disrespect torment and put down a view you do not approve of. Show your integrity!

Try sticking your hand in a hole looking for catfish with this guy around and you might loose an arm! WoW

Not sure why this did not post. quote is this "I learned long ago that a hunter's life is not about the antlers, it's about the joy of the journey". Amen to that! We would quote him daily in camp with his books always present on a table or in hand. He probably spend more time learning about deer and hanging out with deer than 99% of the people on the planet. His reach, education, philosophy and wisdom will be deeply missed! RIP Mr.Alsheimer To me you where not a good person you where a great person and I will deeply miss your insight, passion and knowledge on deer. Prayers for the friends and family along with my deepest sympathy.

Wow Travis has an amazing voice and the song was awesome. Mom's reactions says it all, epic! Awesome! Loved it thanks for sharing!!!

GETSOME!

The quote is this "I learned long ago that a hunter's life is not about the antlers, it's about the joy of the journey". Amen to that! We would quote him daily in camp with his books always present on a table or in hand. He probably spend more time learning about deer and hanging out with deer than 99% of the people on the planet. His reach, education, philosophy and wisdom will be deeply missed! RIP Mr.Alsheimer To me you where not a good person you where a great person and I will deeply miss your insight, passion and knowledge on deer. Prayers for the friends and family along with my deepest sympathy.

WOW awesome pic Doewhacker!

The brush I have to go through sometimes is crazy, not shooting usually crawling or standing on my tippy toes when I can't crawl, lol. For me the easiest and best gun for up close and personal in heavy cover will always be my Winchester model 94 in 44 mag. Easy to carry, follow up and target acquisition is rock solid even after the shot. Love the 30-30 and 35 but I don't like the extra weight compared to the 44 mag. If I had to shoot past 65 yards I would want a better round but this round has proven effective multiple times for me and usually I don't get many shots past this distance.

I think that most of us have some sort of love for our prey and also have a moral responsibility to harvest that animal when it is killed even if the "law" goes against it. I believe that my person views are similar to those already posted in that I would simply retrieve the animal at that distance. If the number was clearly posted I would have no issue calling and asking for permission. If my morals outweigh the law I will always go with what I feel is right even if that might mean suffering the consequences. I have also tracked in the dark on posted property, such a rebel I am! lol