NYBowhunter

Hunting with one of my boys in the early bow season, hes telling me 2 deer were coming. I turn to him so he can point them out and i notice both his legs were shaking uncontrollable, mind you it was like 55 degrees out so it wasnt cold. He got buck fever real bad, that was priceless.

The best words of wisdom i can bestow on you is to observe, observe, observe natural deer behaviors and practice at the range with your weapons of choice. By observing deer behavior it gives you the ability and confidence as to when and how you should move to shoot. Im at a point where most of my excitement (buck fever) even with larger bucks have been curtailed severly leading up to the shot, im just so focused on making a great shot, after the shot is when elation and gratitude set in. Just this weekend alone i observed 13 doe and used that time to hone my skills. At one point i had 6 doe within mere feet of me and i used my phone to video them to practice my movement and see how they react. When observing, videoing or getting ready for that shot, its not always your target deer you need to watch, need to watch all deer around you. Again observation of deer behavior first hand has made me a more successful hunter when the time to take a shot comes along and confidence in your weapon and abilty to shoot that weapon is just as important.

Got this guy yesterday morning.

Congrats.

Got it done with the ML this morning.

130 for 12 hrs.

Oh and once i have mixed everything and the taste is up to my liking, i let the mix sit in fridge overnight before i stuff it in the casings. This gives the protein powder the opportunity to bind everything together.

Moog, if i told you my recipe we'd have to take a long walk down by the river....lol...in all honesty its alot of trial and tasting. I use fennel, garlic powder , black pepper, crushed red pepper and a bunch of other spices (dont have my book in front of me to tell you everything i use), protein powder to bind the fat to the meat, curing salt and can use either wine or water to moisten the mixture. I also found that a 50/50 mixture of pork and venison works best. Before you stuff the meat in the casing, take a small amount and make a patty, fry it up and you and the mrs./kids should taste it to see if anything is missing. Then i smoke mine for 12 hours set at about 130 degrees, then ill hang them in my outdoor patio (in a cold place) for 2 weeks. Comes out lile soppresatta. Like you i take pride in making my own spice mix, not into those store bought packets. But im sure they are just as good.Be sure to post pictures.

Lol

Funny you said that moog, my parents cooked up some tripe at camp a few weeks back, was a nice treat.

Got that right, thank god im very active or else id be 500 lbs...lol

No need just show up at 5pm, my mom takes care of the cold calamari salad, all homemade. I love that little ole italian lady and my dad aint too shabby either in the kitchen. Dont wear a belt, the food just never stops.

Congrats and id have to agree with others, that is a very respectable 2.5 year old.

Yeah no problems with the nail trimming as i do it now. Great advise. You know right now im researching and would love to get a yellow or chocolate lab but the wife doesnt want anything too big. I also am very interested in the american bully which some standards of that breed are small and the ones i have met are very mellow. They have the looks of a pit but not that strong drive are smaller and more stockier.

Sound advise. Thanks.

Sorry for your loss papist, like yourself we had a cat growing up named Rocky, he was the neighborhood thug was both an indoor/outdoor cat. He would go missing days on end then just show up at home, got into all kinds of trouble, one time slit his belly wide open on a picket fence that required many stiches. He lived many years, but like your cat his demise was being hit by a car. Found him still alive but hurt so bad we had to put him down. That was 30 years ago and my family still talks about that cat as being the best. He also looked like your cat with just a little more white, black and grey stripes and bigger. Once again sorry, memories last a lifetime.

Question for you multiple pet households. I have had dogs thru the years but currently have an adult cat at home with claws, she can be cranky at times but can also be very affectionate. My question is what are the chances she will take to a new puppy, kids are killing me for one and me and the mrs. wouldnt mind getting a dog. Just reluctant, dont want the pup to get hurt.

We all gather at my parents on xmas eve and being from an all italian household its traditional in our culture that eveything is seafood related. Of course a pasta dish is served along with steamed mussels in a an oil/garlic white sauce, both raw and breadcrumb stuffed clams, octopus/seafood cold salad, shrimp, homemade cheese, proscuitto, soppresatta, various cheeses and the best brick oven italian and semolina breads that can only be found in Brooklyn. And dessert are cakes, home made fig cookies, various pasteries /canolies from local bakeries and homemade cheese cakes. On xmas day i go to my mother in laws and she serves up Prime rib for the main course along with stuffed shells pasta and alot of similar desserts as mentioned above. Cant wait..

That was a very hard read for me Buckmaster, as i fight my tears to write this down i can only imagine the pain you and your family are enduring. I just thank God that you and your brother were able to comfort your dad prior to him passing. My prayers and thoughts will be with you and your family. Stay strong brother.

Yep, have seen them in deleware and otsego counties

Now that is scary, what you feeding that kid...lol

Now thats awesome and 10.5 is a real nice size. Great trophy.

Pictures of bucks only at night does not mean its an unkillable buck. Things sometimes work by the way of lady luck, but you need to stack the odds in your favor. You have to know hes using your area (for food, bedding, or to frolic with the ladies) . Case in point, i had 3 target bucks 2 years ago, a 7, 8 and 9 pointer. Had some daytime pics of the 7 but the 8 and 9 would only show on cams after sunset or an hour before daylight. I had quite a few pictures of the 9 but always in the dark. I killed that 9 on my first afternoon sit with the ML 2 years ago and only because he was trailing to doe fawns (which i assume 1 or both were coming into heat ). Mind you even up till the day before i killed him, pictures were always in the dark. The key is knowing they are there, putting in the time , making the food and does work for you. And yeah a little prayer helps...lol..but most important is have fun.

Good luck catching the bastard, give em hell. Whats wrong with people.

Made mine last year and doing it again this year, i smoke mine for 12 hours before i hang to dry/age. Came out great. Pic is sidways..lol