First-light

Thought I would get this started. Opening day is tomorrow, we have 3 guys and 1 girl going out. Morning maybe wet with temps falling in the afternoon. Good luck and be safe!

phade, do you think after the stress it takes a week or so or does the antler fall off immediately?

Great reads, I skimmed each article and will read throughout later on. Looks like I will mow, mow and mow. Soil test and treat with lime. Frost seed March 2015. Thanks

Sounds good, probably do all that starting this spring.

False Next poster has broken a new years resolution for 2014.

Watch that knee of yours.

Grow, I planted the plot after the picture was taken. I was thinking about removing brush like you said. I will lime it and see what happens. Stupid question but could I just spread some clover seed around and see what happens or would that be a waste of money? Better picture later in season with growth all around and clover mowed.

Folks, I have this area that is called the swail. It is bordered by woods on all sides. One side is a very thick bedding area the rest hardwood and a small stream. In the picture (where the deer stand) there is a small clover plot that the deer love. I don't have the time to turn the whole swail into a clover plot but was thinking I just keep it mowed to attract deer. Is there anything else in your mind you think you would do to help this area? Looking to attract deer to the field and keep them comfortable in a secluded area.

So out west Eagles were dying. They were eating birds infected with west niles disease and it killed them. I shot a deer years ago that was liver shot. I found it 7 hours later. The only reason I found it was because the crows were pecking at the wound. Lets say that deer was still alive while those birds were feeding on it and passed a disease to it and in return passed it to me. I actually called DEC and told them about the scenario and they said not to worry. I'm still here but you never know. How would deer herds be contained, don't know, shoot them and burn them..........I wouldn't want to gut one.

Sam, What clues you into thinking this deer is 5 or 6? Thanks

Happy birthday "old timer" enjoy!

140-50's. Real nice deer.

Some of this has been covered by previous posts. What I see changing from years ago (30) is that more and more land is closed to hunters. Years ago there were much less posted signs and a lot more courtesy when hunting. Now land is being posted and not hunted or hunted by few, stating these are "my" deer. I put in time to quality manage them and let them grow. So in return only a few get to hunt the property. I am not saying this is right or wrong it is just the trend. We also hear hunters complaining they don't see deer. Could this be because access and the style of hunting has changed? Less land more guys stand hunting. Everything has gotten more expensive also. This year I may change some things around and go to camp for longer stretches of time rather than every other weekend. I can remember hunting years ago and I walked on to another property. The owner saw me in the woods and waved me over. We talked and I told him who I was hunting with and he was more than happy to let me hunt his property. He pointed me in a direction on his property he knew that was free of hunters and I was on my way. Things have changed for sure.

false I let my brother in law do all the work. Next poster is headed off to bed.

dead on.

Been down right cold the last few days on the Island. Now we are getting a blast of 10 inches of snow Friday only to have the temperatures rise into the mid forties on Monday and rain, rain and rain. We have 4 spots in the opening day of shotgun season Monday looks like we are going to get soaked................

False feel pretty good today for going to bed around 3 am. Next poster is headed off to do some shopping at Dick's.

Would of shot sooner. He placed it where it needed to go, lucky him.

Perfect timing, 5-8 inches on the Island by saturday. Happy new Year!

True I moved it to the basement, took it off my own hands and snuck a few........... All the bucks would off dropped their horns for the L.I. gun opener next Monday.

I really give you credit for not shooting. Saw your video it was real cool.

True The beer I have in the back of the Tahoe will freeze tonight.

Brother hunted Otis Pike today and saw a 6 pt had no shot. Plenty of sign and some open scrapes.

That was our Christmas day and it was good, all from Polish town (Riverhead on the Island).