WesternNY

I am not sure what you mean by sending all this money to the QDMA. You can do a co-op without any money or membership to the QDMA. I do encourage people to join. Right now they have a special $25, year membership, fantastic Magazine, and a Bass Pro Gift card so it costs you nothing! If you need some help on resources on how to start a co-op let me know.

Weather looks decent in regards to temps..... hope it doesn't rain for my comfort and increase odds at trailing, but I will be hunting Hard this weekend!

I usually don't try it until the last week of October. I have had it work and backfire. I tend to do it when I see a buck a distance and he is not headed my way... this works for me I would say 40% of the time. Do it when they are too close and it backfires 100% on me. I prefer the grunt tube for with in 75 yards.

I have heard some good things about the Browning Recon Force trail cams and need a couple more so decided to give them a shot. I have run Cudde.............. hate them, Never again. Moultrie..... the M80 is fantastic, others not so good. Reconyx very nice but pricey Stealth cam... ok starter cam but crap. Leaf River Never again!

If more and more New Yorkers pass on 1.5 and some 2.5 you would see a difference in the quality and the number of quality bucks in the State. Co-ops are a huge success..... and individual farms can be successful, but the more 1.5's can make it to 2.5 is the start. In NY around 120,000 bucks are taken each year, and 54% are 1.5 that is over 60,000 bucks never see 2. Part of the problem is we live in an immediate gratification society where everyone expects immediate results and need to have an immediate harvest of a buck. Oklahoma's buck harvest only includes 15% 1.5 year olds and they DO NOT have mandatory AR's.

http://www.qdma.com/corporate/mission Taken from above "What is Quality Deer Management? Quality Deer Management (QDM) is a management philosophy/practice that unites landowners, hunters, and managers in a common goal of producing biologically and socially balanced deer herds within existing environmental, social, and legal constraints. This approach typically involves the protection of young bucks (yearlings and some 2.5 year-olds) combined with an adequate harvest of female deer to maintain a healthy population in balance with existing habitat conditions and landowner desires. This level of deer management involves the production of quality deer (bucks, does, and fawns), quality habitat, quality hunting experiences, and, most importantly, quality hunters. A successful QDM program requires an increased knowledge of deer biology and active participation in management. This level of involvement extends the role of the hunter from mere consumer to manager. The progression from education to understanding, and finally, to respect; bestows an ethical obligation upon the hunter to practice sound deer management. Consequently, to an increasing number of landowners and hunters, QDM is a desirable alternative to traditional management, which allows the harvest of any legal buck and few, if any, does. QDM guidelines are formulated according to property-specific objectives, goals, and limitations. Participating hunters enjoy both the tangible and intangible benefits of this approach. Pleasure can be derived from each hunting experience, regardless if a shot is fired. What is important is the chance to interact with a well-managed deer herd that is in balance with its habitat. A side benefit is the knowledge that mature bucks are present in the herd – something lacking on many areas under traditional deer management. When a quality buck is taken on a QDM area, the pride can be shared by all property hunters because it was they who produced it by allowing it to reach the older age classes which are necessary for large bodies and antlers.

QDM's principle is to pass all 1.5 year olds and some 2.5 year olds. Older is older. A fully Mature Buck in most QDM principles is 6. Keeping it realistic and fun is Key, I have had tag soup, but knowing it makes a difference is enough for me.

Bump

Fuse or QAD

I would also say 2.5 to 3.5 likely 3.5 but it is a bad angle. Get another pic of him at end of October and post a pic up. Score I would guess 88.

The camera just came today.... battery is charging up. I will look at the cards I already pulled last time out and should be using it Saturday when I am hunting. I thought about my phone... but decided camera is better for me mainly to keep my phone as my phone. Does that make sense?

Nice pics and posts..... exactly what WNY Bucks can be with age! Good luck this season!

Here is another good article http://www.qdma.com/articles/which-bucks-can-i-shoot To answer Belo's I would go for the 3.5, especially a bigger 6 point. You are right Belo most AR are not perfect.... for my farm guests it is 8 points or better. These are easy harvest goals, but far from perfect, but it is better than nothing. It's all about AGE.

For me I hunt by age.... and it has been a slow increase on caliber of bucks. I have not taken a 1.5 year old in 7 years. I did take some 2.5 but recently 3.5 and 4.5 Aging can be tough, especially in bow season when you may not have alot of time to make your decision. I keep it FUN and realistic. Trail cams help to a point... it is nice to know what's in the area. Read this for some good insight. http://www.qdma.com/articles/will-he-be-a-good-one-next-year

Scent killer spray helps a tad, but it is not going to beat a whitetails nose.... The correct wind and luck is what it's about.

Here is the B&C and P&Y nation wide map.... so as you can see when you look at NY state... WNY does pretty well. AGE and SOIL!!!!!!!!!!

I would be looking at many factors or resources..... for sure record books help.... Here is a better pic of the NY state Big Buck Club Look at soil maps, and it is almost a match........... Age is key so acreage, neighbors, Soil, property potential, and already in place QDM Coops is what I would look for. Western NY is a great place.... more and more people are passing on 1.5's here. Good Luck

I ended up seeing 2 does and a fawn.... but it was a nice sit.

In at 6am perfect and rare Southeast wind. Nice to be in a stand and nor sweating. Next weekend looks perfect Goodluck fellas

Congrats man, that is a nice buck. Well done!

I mainly wanted to look at the cards while in the tree..... something to do. Something to make those anti-tech high priests of hunting on here to roll their eyes at!

I just bought a cannon from amazon. It has a 2.7 inch screen and for the same price as the Moultrie reader I have a camera too. Thanks again!

I switch all my cards out, so I am looking mainly to look at them when I am out. I don't check cams past 9/28 ish unless I'm in the immediate area hunting.

No. I know some guys who use a small digital camera...

Anyone use a card viewer to look at your pics in the field? If so what brand and your thoughts. Thanks