NFA-ADK

I get a free pass (One) to shoot any buck I want. He would get me excited but if I had enough time to observe him, I would be able to see his hall pass and have to let him go. Watch me get him opening day lol. Won't I feel like an idiot! We aged him at 2.5, he has a wide rack for his age and is a good one but a bit young. His ears if straight would almost be at the edge of his antler width and his antler length is a bit small. (One factor in the equation, I know antlers are not a good reference even more so in velvet.) His legs are way to thin in the back and his fat belly has no sag at all along with missing some muscle definition of a 3 year old. Again this is just my and my buddies opinion from seeing LI deer over the many years. We could be wrong... So many years of passing young deer I just hope this year I get a better shot at one in the age class I would like. I don't think my buddy will give me any other pics of him, lol. He thinks I might post it on the internet and mess our area up, shhhh.

Different standards when I am above them in a tree on Long Island! ADK he is a shooter and stalking on the ground he would also be a shooter. We are trying to go with a min 130 class 3 year old or better on private land. We had 5 in this age class last year we hope made it to this season in one location. This year they would be 4+ years old and very woods savvy. I can't post pics of them until they are on the ground if we ever get one, lol.

* He is still in velvet at this time, making the antlers look much thicker than after he sheds.

Welcome aboard! I have a few friends that shoot the arrows from Field and Stream and Dicks. They have no complaints from any of the arrows even the cheap ones on sale seem good enough for hunting and practice shooting. (Dam guy keeps out shooting me in competitions!) Good luck this season, hope you get your first one down! Don't be afraid to join in the conversation just make sure your skin is thick as some posters can be harsh, glad to have you! Any questions start a new post, most members are great people and willing to help as long as they don't have to give up there hunting spots! Again good luck!

I was sent this trail cam pic and was asked if this is a shooter or not, we are going for 3 year old bucks or older. 1) As a trophy hunter would you shoot him? Please don't answer if you only hunt for meat or do not consider yourself a trophy hunter. 2) Age estimate? I will explain my answer later.

The other issue is not all hunters are after big bucks. Many just want some venison for the table and any deer will do so the first yearling 4 pt that walks in gets shot, hard to get larger buck in your area when most of the hunters shoot anything in range. While many of the trophy hunters keep passing these deer the other hunters are shooting them 5 minutes later. The past 2 years one of the hunters with me shoot 2 bucks in the 2.5 125 inch class then realized he could have shot 2 others in the 135-145 class range of 3 year old deer. Not easy to pass when you get a group of 7 bucks parading by your stand but none where over 2. I have only seen 2 deer in the age class I want and they where wise enough to evade me so far. Hope this is the year I can get a 3+ year old to pass in range!

That's funny Doc I still have the MQ1. I waited a few years before upgrading to the Helium. Might do another upgrade next year if I can get my back/neck issues fixed.

I find the biggest buck in the area then I knock on the closest door and say " I will be hunting in your back yard, sign this form, NOW!" When they say no I just grab them around the neck and shake until they say OK! Hasn't worked yet but it gets my aggression out. Time to knock on some more doors, I had a rough day!

Nice bucks, good luck this season FastEddie!

Good luck this season, you have a few beauties their.

Good luck this season Grampy!

Good luck with them, 2nd one has some character.

I think it was regardless worth repeating!

I want a 1 inch group but past 50 my groups start to get larger than I would accept for hunting at this point. Most of my practice is within 10-50 yards and I can usually put the arrow within 2-3 inches less if on even flat ground. * When my form is good and I don't crack under the presser, lol. Back and neck issues causing me to possibly lower my limit to 40 yards using my first 32 yard pin as the main pin for hunting. Basically its up to the hunter. Simply put some guys can't shoot well or have time to practice or even the motivation. Main thing is to always try to improve your proficiency so even a mishap results in a good clean ethical shot. My nerves get the best of me more when I have time to set the shot up and sometimes results in not thinking about other important things like distance, now I always estimate distances and use the range finder when in stand, still hunting I will do the same every time I stop. Rifle I don't bring it with me as most shots are less than 80 yards.

By the time they hear it with that speed I don't know if it would matter. lol WoW that's a fast bow!

Most of the guys at the club use an HHA single pin adjustable, it is the best bet for price and functionality. I will probably setup my next target bow with one, my first target bow.

Amazing man just amazing wow!

I always try to use it, more so when going past 50 yards.

Just bought one from Field and Stream, great stands. If you where closer I would grab it!

Welcome aboard. Check out ny DEC web site, plenty of places to hunt. http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7844.html

That one is pretty nice, not many I have seen that I like is this yours? Love how the scull was worked into it.

That is more than enough land for 2 bow hunters, he is being stubborn. That said I would probably not hunt the property if he is there but if it looked good he would not stop me. Your choice just don't let him see you drag anything out in daylight or he will loose it lol.

He is a nice one! Good luck this season WNY Bowhunter!

I lost count on the antlers and just shot my screen!

RIP all those lost on that day of terror. I will never forget!