First-light

We all learn from our mistakes. Hunting is not easy and you need a lot of dedication, discipline and patience to be rewarded by your efforts. I was lucky to have a bunch of guys to learn from. I could see how it my be a problem going it on your own. Good luck.

Pushing your ways upon a child doesn't work. My kids (2 girls) know I hunt. They love eating venison. They ask me a ton of questions about hunting and the animal I harvest. I have a true love for the Whitetail deer and that was from my days as a kid. My Father was not an outdoorsman nor a fisherman but my brother and I were given every opportunity to get involved in the sports. I brought my kids out squirrel hunting this year and will do the same next. My oldest shoots a bow. If the age does drop to 12 I will give her the option to get her license. At that point she will experience the hunt and like it or not. The most important thing to do with a child is let them experience all that one can get from the outdoors. We have planted over 400 Spruce on my property, my girls helped. We mowed trails, put in food plots, go deer and bird watching. Bears are common place on my property, they read books about the bears and how they interact with humans. They are learning about our outdoors and how to take care of it. Hunting is just a small part of the whole scene but it takes place in a very special setting, our outdoor world. We need to preserve the environment and all else will fall into place, hunting included. We have to remember years ago families were big, my folks had six kids. Today two is the norm so there will be a % decline. If I look at the guys on my road that hunt, there is almost a generational skip happening. Not too many teens hunting right now but there are a few youngsters around the corner that may take up the slack!

Next year night before opening day I'm riding up and down my road telling everyone the exact times they can shoot. Hope I'll make it out of the first camp!

We all know there are so many factors that go into this from your own eyesight to weather and the moon. It will vary every day. 5-10 minutes fine for me, I'm my own judge.

One last thing here, it has to do with all of us as hunters. I called a couple out-of state hunting friends over the weekend. Talked about some issues we have on this board, this thread, crossbows and such. Each one said to me "you guys in N.Y. got your wires crossed when it comes to hunting. This is to enjoy and we are to pass it on to each generation. The crossbow issue get it done and into bow season, NY Bowhunters org. is just looking out for "their" bow season and not the overall hunting experience. Moose your right "Remember we are all on the same team or like to do the same things." Yea there are some things people say on this forum I don't like, we each have a voice. Some push the bullshit more than others and we call them on it. Life goes on and you learn who to take with a grain of salt. Good hunting.

Just another thought- would you impose any safety factors with tree stands? The kid I mentored was only allowed to hunt from ladder stands 12' high using a safety vest at all times. Not to put more regs on the process, we want the kids out there! Just your thoughts.

Rump Rangers-that's funny. Like Wooly said the rookies this year look great. My "rump Rangers have a lot of young talent, they may want to unload some seasoned players. You guys want Drury back, heard his knee is as good as gold?

Welcome to the site! A lot of seasoned hunters here waiting to share their knowledge of the backwoods. Enjoy!

Less than half report? That is not good. I also wonder what the rule is for aging the deer? They said more 2.5 year olds were taken.

Thanks John.

Me too, the man holds no credit with me therefor his words mean nothing.

That was real nice of her, your real lucky!

Your right Pat, some people just twist words and contradict themselves and deny it to the bitter end. That is the one thing about these threads that gets to me. Own up to the facts and don't twist words. That is immature!

Including yourself Joe. I see you doing a bit of back peddling , Keep it up your losing credibility by the minute. Pat Rockets had your number a long time ago.

That is all fine and good. If it happens to be that the time changed in his area and the kill was within "legal hunting hours" I apologize. Again this just goes to show you how crazy zero hour is where your hunting.

The fact that you picked those two as your steak buddies speaks volumes... easy to go back and pick apart a story when you are searching for bullshit ways to excuse your lack of ethics... you might want to invite dave too.. you all seem to fit the same mold....Us seasoned hutners aren't wasting our time looking for guys doing something wrong on the forum... were discussing opinions like adults... you don't have to like mine... and I certainly think your opinion on this topic is lame. Go back to playing with your other buddies. No I was not picking apart a story and I didn't waste any time looking for a story. I went right to the success stories and knew I would find one there. Right or wrong it's how a lot of hunters judge their start and finish time. it's right there in black and white and you commented on the kill. You want to preach about legal hunting time then you better look over what your commenting about and not contradict yourself. At no time on this thread did I act like a child, seems like you don't like what your hearing Joey.

That is fine, doesn't say where he hunts? It's a real stretch around here!!

What guy was that, you people who are holding us law breakers to the fire should go back and look at my post on page 8. Joe you congratulated this guy, he broke the law in your eyes? ??? ??? ?? All of you guys who are preaching ethics on sunrise and sunset should look at this post. There are some seasoned hunters congratulating this guy on his kill. It cracks me up that only one person has commented on my find, one person! Pat Rockets (may I call you Pat?) was the only one to comment, what all you other guys just miss it? ??? This is such a joke. Wooley and Pat steak at my camp this summer!

Great story.. love a guy with conviction... good job. Joe you congratulated this guy on his illegal kill???? what gives?

Ranger fan here, we just got by Boston yesterday. Too many 1 goal or come from behind games for my liking. It will be interesting!

Rocket man, You want a steak?

Sorry I'm going to put this to rest, once and for all. If you look up the sunset time for November 15th 2010 it is 4:39pm. Now we all know the contest that ran this year, success stories and such. Well if you read the stories there is one that is wonderfull, a dedicated hunter getting the opportunity to harvest the buck of a lifetime. He succeeds or does he? ??? Hmm?? Here is a quote, "I was fully prepared to eat the tag this year if need be but willpower, determination, preparation, and attention to detail all came together 4:45pm 11/15/10 in my favorite hemlock stand." The link: http://huntingny.com/forums/index.php/topic,2707.0.html Wow I guess he should of been disqualified, look at all those well respected hunters congratulating him. I mean that, I respect you guys. That deer was shot 6 minutes after legal hunting time but we all were proud of him but nobody took notice of the time! I respect this hunter and the manner it was taken in. Try to take it away from him, try. End of story!

SteveB, This can go on and on. You know the situation I'm talking about and I know your how you feel about zero hour. Good hunting.

Bubba, Want to stop over for a steak tonight and I'll say it to your face? I would have no problem stating how I feel about this in any arena, I don't have my internet muscles on. I'm just being totally honest here. Let me say it again, this is not about predawn darkness. Those shots are crazy and not safe. This is within 10 minutes of start-up and closing time. There is plenty of light to shoot. I totally understand there is a zero hour where we lay down our arms, I just feel that most people would take the shot slightly before and after. Yes technically speaking it's breaking the law and I would be found guilty. I also would not feel guilty or less proud for taking a deer 1 minute over the legal hunting time. Don't get me wrong those of you that say you follow the book right down to the minute, have at it. For me 5-10 minutes is no big deal and will take the shot.

It's like the Road runner and Coyote show. Punch in game on punch out game off! lol Not comparing NYS law with any other state but how many shows have you seen when a hunter is on a big buck and they run out of light to film the shot, I can remember plenty. I'm sure it was way past sunset and not just 10 minutes.