First-light

I always thought being a land owner was a slam dunk on getting a permit. Bubba is right it just increases your odds, puts you at the top of the list. I also read that you do need to bring your tax bill every year to get the permit, still doesn't prove you own the land at the time of buying the permit but rules are rules. I will apologize to that kid who gave me a hard time when I applied for the landowner permit. It's black and white.

I try to hunt all the ones we put up. On 54 acre we have six stands, 4 ladder and two hang on platform. There are two other perm stands. You just never know when they will come by and to the least likely stand.

Nice story Bill. That was my father in law with the wool pants and cigar! Last year was his last in the woods. He is now in a nursing home when I go visit him he still tells the same stories from years ago, they make me laugh every time. They had a tent from korea and a wood stove that heated the place. Life is short, live all you can!

My BIL goes every year. Ludwig outfitters in Zainsville. He is real happy with them, one guy in the party shot a 140 class buck last year.

Yea-that was funny!

In hunting, a Texas heart shot is a shot fired at the base of the tail of an animal facing directly away from the shooter. The term is euphemistic argot. The objective of such a shot may be to break the spinal cord, break the large bones of the hips, cut the femoral artery, or have the bullet penetrate the length of the animal's body until reaching the heart and lung area. The shot carries many ethical concerns. It is frowned upon by many hunters; it is generally recommended only as a last resort finishing shot on a fleeing wounded animal. A shot that breaks the spine or hip should instantly kill or incapacitate an animal; however, damage to the digestive tract will likely lead to inhumane suffering and affect much of the animal's edible meat if it is recovered. The term "Texas heart shot" may be used in other contexts simply to refer to any gunshot wound to the buttocks region. I guess they don't teach this shot in the hunter safety course??

When you kill something there is always the chance of prolonged agony before death. Whether it be 3 seconds or 30. Sure some shots are better than others and are more ethical. There is always that chance of the animal hanging on longer than you wish it would, whether it's flopping around or just laying there taking gasps of air. Either way, we are hunters and have to expect this when we try to take an animals life. I once dropped a buck in its tracks at 50. The shot was just above the shoulder. When I got up to the deer his eyes locked on to mine and started to kick but got no where. He stopped kicking and took about 10 deep breaths and expired. I explained the scene to my BIL and he told me you have two options, walk away (let the animal expire on its own) or put another one into its heart. Next time it's a heart or neck shot to end it quickly.

Very cool-good job!

I'm out there all the time in Baiting Hollow. Will bring my bow and stop on by.

I will put in 5 days for bow and 9 days for gun finish up with 3 at smoke pole.

Texas Heart shot should only be done with a gun. Most of us bow hunt in tree stands and the angle is not correct for this shot. JMHO

I hunted that property like 25 years ago. It's cool that it's still open to the public. Years ago I believe a fox hunting org used the property to chase a fox with dogs on horse back. They were called the Smithtown hunt. Nice place, remember a lot of deer and grouse back then.

Here are my two on their first squirrel hunt. The little on has a basket to put the squirrel in!

That right there is no lie! Good "point" Joe.

Nice job!

My brothers 10 pt he got a couple of years ago was shot in the morning around 9am. It was shot on a drive the guy who shot it took a Texas heart shot and hit the right ham. Bullet passed through the muscle and exited out the rib cage. Did a number on the muscle. That deer survived until 2pm when my brother shot it. The guys tracked the deer and jumped it a number of times and pushed it on to my property. I think he would of survived unless infection got to him. I also believe the deer was running at the time of the shot, not good odds.

Don't hear much of anyone doing this or at least talking about it. There was a time I used to rattle a lot. Back when Peter Fiduccia and Len Lee Rue came out with that video. I bought the synthetic horns and all. In all my years hunting I have rattled in one buck. He was a small 6 pt. Anyone else out there have more luck or experience. It is something cool to do when your having no luck and need to try different.

Very nice woolmiester! You have shot everything except....... a mountain lion, of course from NYS.

And with this cool weather today it is that time of year for the bourbon!

Your right it is odd. The camera had a usb port but we didn't have a computer at camp. I agree swapping the card is a great way to do it.

I think it's a crap shoot! As long as there is no tractors and such blowing smoke I think your fine. I know one thing, when I hunt near a cow farm I always walk in the cow poop in the field prior to getting to my stand. Deer are used to that for sure.

Funny Doe! I want to buy one to figure out who is letting their dog crap on my lawn!

We set up some stands in Vermont this weekend. Pretty big woods we were in and my friend had the Delorme gps. It works great. Don't know what model.

amazing size.

I remember having a setup at the cabin and you could only view the picts via the TV. So we took picts of the deer off of the TV with cell phones. There is a reason for everything, especially when your at camp and limited sometimes.