NYBowhunter

I'm pretty anal when it comes to making sure all my weapons hit the bullseye, bow, crossbow, rifle and ML. Some hunters are content hitting a 8" plate or being a couple inches from a 2" bullseye, Whether it takes 2 shots or 20 shots I need to be in that bullseye , not near it or in the general area,, in that bullseye or I'm not satisfied. When I aim that weapon I need to know that is exactly where that projectile will go. Bought a 6.5 creedmoor for my boy and used a box to sight it in perfectly to the point of getting 1/2" groups and breaking paper and just because it was fun to shoot, took it out first time ever and dropped a nice buck. Shot my ML 5 times before the opener to check its POI and took a doe at 90 yards. I like to say that quality optics, practice and sight in that weapon to the point your very comfortable , proficient and confident , patience and waiting for that right shot and follow through ( if game does not drop on impact get into the habit of getting on that deer and following that deer after the shot ).

As many know I was contemplating heading up to camp this past Friday because of the snow but with some of your convincing I headed up 6am on Friday and got to camp at 9:30am. Let's just say that when I called a local agway to see how much snow was at camp they were spot on, we got dumped 2+ ft. of snow. I had my dad and mom with me, both over 80. My pickup was not gonna make it up the hill. Left mom and dad on road in the heated truck as I treked up the driveway in snow past my knees. The driveway goes uphill then turns right and is 150 yards or so long. Got into camp after digging out the door so that I can get the fire started for my parents. Gotta be honest the hardest part was digging out the tractor from the barn, with snowdrifts the barn doors were blocked with 3ft of snow. Once out the tractor made fastwork of clearing the driveway. Within a half hour my parents were inside a warm cabin. Next task was getting to my treestands, the first trek to each stand was the hardest but each time I went to the stand it got easier as I was packing the snow down. All in all in the last 4 1/2 days of hunting I had seen atleast 20 does and button bucks. Didn't want to cut my trip short, so I opted to wait to kill this big ole doe on the last hour of the last day, today. Made a nice 90 yard shot with the ML as she was feeding in one of my plots with another doe., I still can't believe she actually went 100 yards before she dropped.. Let's just say it was not easy getting her to the road by myself. Much easier with the jet sled but it was still very ruff, pulled her about 150 yards on a logging road, then had to drop down 40ft into a ditch, cross a stream and pull her back up the ditch on the other side. She's all butchered and in the freezer thanks to the help of mom and dad. Truly blessed, 4 deer, 2 bucks and 2 does. Was another great year, Merry Xmas all and stay safe.

Does, does and more does...

I have some shots that can be taken in my plots out to 200 yards, but almost all my ML shots have been from 50 to 100. In order for me to capitalize on the Nikon BDC and its effectiveness out to 300 yards i must use 3 pellets. I have it sighted in at an inch high at 50 yards. Dead balls accurate.

Pm sent.

Saw 4 does yesterday afternoon,, not heading out this morning way too cold to sit, temp shows zero this morning. Will head out in the afternoon where temps are suppose to get into the 30s

Same here, dinner of all kids of seafood. I had pasta con sarde tonight with hand rolled home made pasta that my parents made.

Ok good, how do you think a 40hp tractor with a loader will fair with the amount you got?

Yeah I'm about 30 minutes east of you along route 23, I might be a little higher elevation so totals might be more, I hope not.

Yeah I know. I rather dredge thru 30" of snow then go to work..lol

4F where Otsego and Deleware counties meet.

Yeah dont need too far to get to the stand i want to hunt, drop into a ditch cross the stream come up on other side of ditch (little steep) and I'm there. My area will be in 20s and 30s till end of ML with a low of 5 Friday night.

Thats what I'm thinking and lots of food...lol.. even if I waste all day tomorrow plowing the driveway, I still have 4 days to hunt.

Okay heres the deal, 30" fell at camp , called agway and thats what they say fell last night. I already took off for ML starting tomorrow till end of ML. Am I crazy for traveling 3.5 hrs to camp, then need to dig tractor out of the barn, then plow out a couple hundred ft of driveway with tractor. What would you do? I really want to go.

The key for me to stay out for hours and not sweating on the walk in is I get dressed on stand and take my time walking to stand, I just wear thermals, pants and hoodie walking in and all other layers are carried to stand in a pack. Put on another hoodie, a jacket, heavy bibs, full face mask, pull over both hoodies on head when I get to the stand. In this weather and heavy snow I also break out the Baffin boots. The key is wear the bare minimal on the walk in and layer up when you get to your stand.

I heard the fox is still swimming.

Find food will find deer.

Those tiny backstraps are perfect size to wrap in bacon, the one pictured is from a larger deer where I cut the backstraps in half and wrapped in bacon, smoked over applewood. Amazing!!! Those little gems you have there are just the right size.

Ok let me know.

PM responded

I can bring the rifle up to camp next week. I' ll be up next Friday to Tuesday. Im not far from Stamford, can meet early morning or evening. Let me know.

Good luck.

No pity here, now get up off your ass and find that new property...lol

Thats fine and congrats. But I want to enjoy every time I go out, bow, crossbow, rifle, ML, spring, summer , winter and fall....to me the kill is a small part of what I enjoy about the hunt and owning property.. but thats me. I understand that not all have the means or desire to own, but if your passion is what you say it is then do something to change your current situation, if not then deal with it. Its that simple.