13BVET

Actually, the gift part is definitely on par. After all, only a small percentage of hunters will actually fill tags year after year.

Very interesting. You're entitled to your opinion, but you're way off base. First of all, I congratulate all hunters on their success. Whether they took a big buck, or a legal buck, I see no difference. The fact of the matter is, that ALL bucks are vulnerable during the rut. The big bucks themselves are most certainly just as impervious to hunters as the younger bucks during this time, which is why the overwhelming majority get shot wide open running does. Of course, during the early bow, this is a little different. I've found that the overwhelming majority of deer, whatever they may be, are much harder to hunt at that time. They all have their wits about them. I've actually passed on many small bucks-including 2 on opening day of gun. The situation I've got, however, is permission to hunt the landowners property on the grounds of deer population control. Simply put, he doesn't care whether a buck is huge or not. He wants the numbers controlled, within the law. With limited hunting available, and a landowner that appreciates me controlling the numbers of deer, I personally would think it would be asinine to go against his requests, and risk losing my hunting spot. Sorry, I just can't do that.

Hell. I actually think the does taste better. Of course, that's just my personal opinion.

Okay. I've got to admit, I don't know what deer you're talking about. Which one is it?

Seen one yesterday afternoon at Big Buck MUA in East Fishkill. Would have shot the damned thing, but I was airgunning for squirrels. I actually had an orange jacket on, but the coyote couldn't have cared less. Here is a pic of one I shot with the muzzleloader, while wearing a bright orange jacket. He came within 10 yards of me.

Coyotes are definitely on the hit list while I'm deer hunting.

If you're talking about the "White Hots", they work great, at least in my opinion. Very easy to clean the barrel, and consistent. Having said that, make sure you use a really hot 209 primer. The Winchester Triple 7 primers I was originally using, weren't hot enough for ignition.

Wow, this is getting confusing. Don't shoot does, too many young bucks must be being taken, because all I see is young bucks, etc. Baffles the mind. I figure, by the time all is said and done, that no deer should be taken at all. Interesting input.

They may have been mulberry trees. If I were you, hunt that ravine above the swamp. That's where all the deer used to lay once pressured-in the swamp. Find a well used run that goes into the swamp, and set up above that. I took a lot of deer that way. They would only skirt the swamp, and not come out into the open woods.

It was a 9 pointer that dressed out at 173lbs. Took him with the bow about 3 years ago.

I used to have a setup like that. What I used to do, was stay in one spot, overlooking a small valley. If I moved, I wouldn't see anything. The key to where I hunted, was the swamp, and the valley. They would lay in the swamp, and alot of times, go out the other side, or, just simply not move until dusk. There were times when I wouldn't see any deer for a week, then they would just appear out of nowhere. That's what happened with this buck I took on the property, right after a thunderstorm. Again, try not to move, and get above their scent zone!

No offense taken on my end. I've known guys that would have their wives, and everyone else they could, get extra tags. The claim of a lost license was another way people would scam the system. They would take a buck, tag it, but not report it. Of course, by doing that, they could claim they lost their license, thereby getting another buck tag.

My apologies then. I'm getting too damned old to be arguing. LOL

And they actually do. We have no shortage of bucks down here-that's the whole point. I've actually seen more bucks than does. Hell, for that matter, I've only seen one doe where I hunt. No shortage of bucks though.

Nope. I go by the law. My buck tag is filled, and I cannot hunt this property until Muzzle loader. My friend, however, can, as he still has his tags. I'm going, but just to push the deer, nothing more.

It's also interesting to note that we're shotgun only down here, as compared to the ADK's, which is rifle. Up to 300 yards, versus 100 yards? Huge difference. Quite frankly, if we were allowed to use rifle here, I could have had a beautiful 8, but at 250 yards with the shotgun? I don't think so. That buck lays right behind the houses now, making him impossible to get.

I agree 100% Steve.

I've actually passed on young bucks quite a bit. Having said that, thanks to the damned developers down here, we've lost tons of hunting areas. It's not so cut and dry down here. We don't have a ton of state land to hunt, and hunting on what's left of private land, is tough to say the least. Most landowners (especially where I hunt), want the herd controlled. If you have the option of being particular, more power to you. I have no problem, or say, as I don't pay for your license. Same goes for me. When someone else pays for my license, then they can have their input. Simply put, I do as the landowner wants-it's his property-not mine. He tells me to harvest them, I harvest them, as long as it's within the law. I make no apologies for what I harvest, as it is legal-plain and simple.

Note the numbers on this. Will it ever come to complete satisfaction with hunters in the areas? www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/arsummary11.pdf

Antler size doesn't determine a deer's age-teeth do. Unless you can literally look into a deer's mouth before pulling the trigger, you're grasping at straws on age. I've seen spikes and does that were old. Food source is the primary factor for antler growth-NOT age. Unless, of course, all the experts are wrong too!

Alright. This is getting asinine. I'm not on here to argue with people. I'm on here to enjoy discussing deer hunting, which, unfortunately, seems to get out of hand, it seems. You hunt what you want, and I hunt what I want. There's no way anybody is going to change their methods. By the same token, however, I bow down to noone.

By the way, where in the hell is Kirksville? Poughkeepsie is well known, because of it's shootings, but Kirksville??? Don't get me wrong-I don't condone the crime of course, but I've never heard of Kirksville.

Was that a personal attack on me? I've dealt with far worse in my life. I'm NOT impressed. I don't attack anyone's hunting ways or means. If I paid for my license, with my own money, I'm damn sure going to use it the way I need to, as long as it's within the law. Until someone pays for my license, which I hardly doubt, then they need to worry about themselves. I don't feel bad about the buck I shot, and quite frankly, I couldn't give a rat's a$$ what you think. As I said, I'm NOT impressed.

Well, I gave him my vote. Hopefully he gets enough votes.

Congrats on the spike. Enjoy the eats!