Meat Manager

Was back in the stand yesterday for the first time since I filled my second tag on the gun opener (8 days, longest hiatus of the 2011 season), none seen. Back at it today @2:00, calm, cloudy, warm.

I may go to highland forest park; however the meat already in the freezer may keep the bow out of the woods until late season. Speaking of late bow season, looking forward to lower temps and snow on the ground!?

. I would scout a new stand if I hadnt seen a deer in two weeks let alone two years. I always have 2 or 3 set stands, and my climber is always in the truck to follow fresh sign with. As for an updated report on my deer season status. It still has been moderate for the amount of deer and bucks specifically seen. I haven't been able to hunt since I filled a dmp on southern gun opener, but considering I got a deer in the first week of archery and one first thing in gun season, I have to say good season. I am looking forward to late bow season and colder weather.

I am still in my early 30s, but I have some hella long & steep uphill drags, and I just take my time. You are legally allowed to partially process your deer in the field, and pack out the meat. If I was going to do that I would probably debone everything but the front shoulders.

2 does down and I'll shoot two more and a spike if those are the good opportunities I get. Btw, big gamefish you gout those does with a recurve on public land if I'm not mistaken...I might have you at MVH on this board so far.

I get nearly all my deer from public land...many places are relatively empty except for opening weekend. Archery season provides good scouting for old apple trees and white oaks which will provide guareenteed daylight activity come gun season. Also as annoying and dangerous as other hunters can be, if you get in the stand first, they will often bump deer to you on their way in.

I got this 2.5 doe first thing this morning from my #1 stand on one of the several parcels of county land I hunt within 10 minutes of my home: This is the 1.5 doe I got exactly 1 moon ago (28 days) from the same stand, also early in the morning with the moon setting, much easier drag: I love public land when you have a niche place that doesn't get too beat up by 1st day only types, scouting is key, hang on stands are also nice, climbers great for scouting missions. Public land really sharpens your skills, as it adds quite a few variables to the mix.

I was in the stand at 5:40, I can't say exactly when this big girl got smoked, but it was the first shot in my area...I was back at the truck 8:15 after a difficult uphill drag:

Filled my second tag of the season first thing this morning from my #1 stand, 40 yards quartering towards, up a severe slope about 35 ft below my tree stand, blew the lungs through a small section of guts. She ran farther than my archery doe, about 60 yards then crash, crash...dead. This pic stinks because I use a waterproof (bloodproof) case for my iphone. Quite a bit bigger than my archery doe, 2.5 years thunder thighs and a big ass. Anyway, still loving the county land, providing plenty of meat! Congrats to everyone filling tags today and all season.

Dragging a monster doe...uphill, great problem to have. 2 tags down

First one in the lot this morning, cool clear and breezy...good luck everyone.

Last evening hunt of early archery for me...2:45, cloudy, low wind, cool.

Will work when timed right, have had plenty of bucks stick there noses right in my scent wicks. I don't reccomend leaving wicks in the woods, the smart bucks will get used to the frustrating scent. I do reccomend the special golden gel, last longer in scent bombs.

I got to the stand @ 6 and bumped something as I was setting out my wicks. Poured last night then cloudy. Still cloudy, creek is ragin, very little wind and cool.

Back in the woods after my longest hiatus of the year (2.5 days). Got in around 1:40, moderate rain and wind covered my noise on the way in. Both have since pretty much subsided. Awfully warm but equally cloudy, if rut is really on this is as good a day as any.

Got the doe pictured as my sigpic...county property but public none the less. I've only ever shot 2 deer on private property, lots of others harvested on public land either here or PA.

Nice shot

All my archery tags are for meat...if I fill a dmp during archery (2 in the freezer) I will pass on a small buck (4 points) with my either sex tag...but not the one in the pic, he's dead especially on public land (which I predominantly hunt). Granted if landowners asked me to only shoot 3.5 or better I would.

Filled tag in October is a good season for me. For seeing big bucks poor but it's early, same with overall deer activity. Lots of clear warm nights, hopefully that will change. Been seeing a pickup of rut activity so hopefully that will continue.

Had to sneek out to the stand this mornin even though we're leaving for NYC at 11 and I will most likely be out unti 4am, Couldn't help myself after yesterday's action... 33 and breezy...moonlit walk in at 5:30, partly cloudy now.

I have rut confirmation in 7j. Three evenings ago I watched a nice-bodied 6 make a new rub line... Today he chased a doe out of my lane, then I called in another nice-bodied 4 point, he hung 25 yards out in front of me behind some trees for 20 minutes until another hot doe came up...he slowly followed her inside 20 yards from me, but no clear shots. Rut is on for sure here, my wife and I are heading to nyc for Friday night so I am out of the woods for two days, I am jealous of all you guys who will be out!

Just had a nice bodied y-buck and doe inside 20 yds...no shots...best action morning for me other than the doe down in oct.

That 6 just grunted at then chased a doe that was heading right for me... Trying to bleat him back..rut is turning on in 7J.

Got in the stand @ 5:50....light to moderate rain made it quite getting in. Sitting 35 yards from a rub I watched a nice bodied 6 make a couple days ago.

In the stand at 5:45, warm and silently still so I walked the creek in. Still difficult getting in quietly and I heard some activity around me as I was getting dressed. Partly cloudy hope it will stay that way.