First-light

Yes to each his own. But please before day light and after dark was not the issue here. It was legal hunting time that the DEC mandates us to and the gray area 10 minutes before and after. I don't think most guys here would shoot in the dark!!! ok if you want to split hairs. They know when a shot rings out before sunrise and after sunset. Shooting after ours is shooting after hours if tiis 5 minutes after hours or midnight. The law reads the same for both. It doesnt say it is better if it is 5 minutes after. I guess if I were down to a minute or two of legal light, I would lean toward not shooting rather than worry about if I got in in time. Suppose your watch is 5 minutes behind and the dec oficers watch is correct time. umm busted. I hope you do not mentor kids and show them breaking the law is ok. If you are please stop mentoring. This is even ridiculous I have to respond to this but here it goes, At no time when mentoring the kids have I ever looked at my watch and said "all clear to shoot" or "don't release we just passed legal shooting time." At no point has any parent come back to me and complained I didn't follow the exact times for sunrise and sunset. I do the right thing with the kids, don't lose any sleep over it Bubba. Sunrise and sunset changes every day. I wonder how many of you "by the book hunters" look up the exact time before you go out each day? Joe I don't need to be saved from myself, I do the right thing out there!

Thank you Steve, although I do believe a very very small % of the guys might actually adhere to the rules.

Yes to each his own. But please before day light and after dark was not the issue here. It was legal hunting time that the DEC mandates us to and the gray area 10 minutes before and after. I don't think most guys here would shoot in the dark!!!

Sorry Joe I have never ever looked at my watch to see if it was legal shooting time. Talking about this hunting situation on this thread will not change my mind, it's not even something that crosses my mind while on stand. If the deer is close and it's around the end of legal time give or take 10 minutes I will shoot. Again, most guys I believe would. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, you and Bubba get high marks for this. I just don't see it as such a big deal. I am a real good hunter, respect the game, have mentored kids in the woods and go the extra mile to promote hunting.

Burt, you should not judge others by the set if rules you choose to follow. Not judging Bubba. Never have and never will. That's totally my thoughts on the subject. I give you credit for having such high standards, good for you.

I still believe 9/10 guys on the site have or will take a shot within 15 minutes past legal hours.

Isn't this the true for those big bucks at bow season. Can't tell you how many seasoned bow hunters have told me to stay in your stand to the last bit of shooting light is gone, this is where you catch the big guys starting to move.

Sunrise to sunset are the legal hunting hours. So on Nov 21st of this year those law abiding hunters will not shoot a deer before 6:49 am and after 4:33 pm. Usually on opening day you hear many shots around the 6:30 am. I think it is a very very small percentage of guys that abide by this rule. I'm talking within 15 minutes or so from these times.

Back to the original post: 12 years old for a kid to experience bow hunting? I vote yes. Period-no other BS attached.

You know Bubba I'll agree with you on the first part of the response. This is "me" and the value I put on my kids. I also don't let them play out in a lightning storm! Your second statement is foolish! I give every person that comes to hunt my property the best stands and let them choose what they want to shoot. I mentored a kid for two years at bow season sitting with him during the prime of the rut! Keeping the deer all to myself, I don't think so. You should think about your statements before posting.

I think 12 is too young. Maybe bowhunting but not gun hunting for deer. Here is another thought, it's not about the 12 year old being able to shoot or handle guns safely, what about all the other guys out there you have to worry about??? I am being totally honest here, I do not bring my girls to camp during gun season. Call me whatever you want but there are a lot of guys out there shooting and where I hunt (Steuben county) a lot of farm land. Those bullets travel a distance. Nuts, overprotective-go ahead let me have it.

Wow, that is great!

Rocket man-that was some funny stuff. The first scene when he was running reminded me of Barry Wensel in a video series he created years ago (I'm dating myself again) where he is running through the woods with a bunch of sheds hanging off a rope behind him. He comes to his buddy and the guy says "what are you doing" Barry says "trolling!"

Did I say 1963, I meant 1983. Senior moment, shoot I did it again. Hey-47 is the new "30."

Illegal is illegal, friend. I would take no joy in killing a nice 8pt illegally.....or any deer, for that matter. I know it is illegal. It was a question what would you do in this situation.Dave Had to pass nice deer at both ends of the day before due to the time, and not the light. I'm sure it'll happen again, too. Rules are rules. I give you a lot of credit!

Double suck!!! lol Can't believe I set myself up, this can go on forever!!!! Where's Doc or Eddie when you need an old guy?

50 yards too far, I wouldn't shoot. I think it should be put as "It's the gray zone on opening day" the time where you can see fine with your scope but it's not just yet legal hunting time (6:20ish.) Wow out walks the buck of a life time within 20 yards, what do you do. I would shoot.

You guys suck! lol

While we have some time to let another snow storm pass, I was wondering about shooting % and deer taken. so you sitting in the woods on any given day of season and hear 20 shots. I wonder how many deer were taken with those 20 shots. I have often thought about this particularly on opening day. Last year I shot 3 times at a doe and got her. Took 3 more shot with the smoke pole and missed each time. I had gun issues at the time. So for the season I'm batting 166% yikes-not good! (of course this assumes 1 shot kills the deer)

Back in 1963 my Mother tells me on April 12th the day I came home from the hospital it was 95 degrees! No old jokes from you youngsters!

My brother used Rich at fins to feathers. He did a real good job on his deer. He actually blew off one of the horns on this 10 pt (at the base with little damage) Rich fixed it up and looks great. I used a guy up near Watkins Glen area I believe the name was Hancocks taxidermist. Real nice guy and I loved the job he did on my two bucks.

What do you do with your bow if there is no branches to hang from? Do you use the bow holder that goes on the stand?

If it wasn't for the crossbow you would of never of known of this guy and his story! http://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/hunting/deer-hunting/2011/03/crossbow-record-buck-wisconsin-disabled-hunter-golf?photo=0#node-1001424672

You should really start thinking about AR's. Those bucks on your wall would be much bigger in a couple of years. lol Love the mounts, my next mount will be like (from the left) #2 and #5. Love more of the shoulder showing. Those are some nice deer way to go.

We have my Father-in-laws tent from Korea. Sleeps six, I'll try to dig up some picts. It was used from Indian lake to the Catskills. Pot belly stove in there and the place is a toasty 70 degrees. I have also camped in the Catskills in 10 degree weather and a foot of snow, using a nylon tent! Hunt all day eat like a pig and in your sleeping bag by 8. Sucked for the first guy up, he had to get the heater going! Camping is great!