Taylormike

LOL! This is a great story...well, entertaining for us but unfortunate for Chief. I honestly couldn't imagine running away through the woods. Man up!

Skillet, It happens but I was wondering. Are you upset because you didn't attempt to take a wounded deer? Are you upset because it was a nice buck? I guess I am confused to what part is bugging you. You did the right thing in my eyes.

I understand your frustration but that's hunting. It could turn any second, going from a frustrating season to possibly a record booker. Keep up at it. We all experience good years but the bad years do invite themselves too.

First off, Kudos to whom ever picked this post back up and replied. Apex, You don't sound like a newbie to archery, you sound experienced. The numerous things you've mentioned and how you responded usually takes a veteran bow hunter. You are definitely on the right path to success. You had several opportunities and you can only get out Sunday morning. If possible, schedule yourself 2 or 3 long weekends during archery, you'll find yourself harvesting your first rather quickly! Keep up the good work! Archery is just phenomenal!

Congrats! Very special thing you've accomplished.

End of season, deer have been pushed hard. I do the same when my wife is on her power trip. Hide!

Healing up nice Wooly. I was reading the posts and figured I would mention this: True story, a co-worker and friend of mine that hunts Steuben County tracked a wounded deer for 1.5 days. Someone at camp shot it. Well, he finally found the deer and when attempting to gut it, out of frustration he flipped his 5" buck knife out and aggressively slit the skin from chest downward. The knife was so sharp and he did it with so much force it cut through like warm better until he found it lodged deeply in his inner thigh. The buck knife was buried almost to the handle. Two other guys carried him out of the woods and rushed him to the hospital. What was jaw dropping about the entire situation was that the Doc said he missed the femoral artery by a few inches. As we all know, it would have been game over... Btw, the deer ended up being eaten that night by Coyotes. We all take things for granted at some point but life is too precious.

First off, congrats and do not think about it again. Nothing wrong with any deer if taken legally. A local in my neighborhood, who is considered by many one of the most skilled bow hunters around told me something last year that really sort of put it into perspective. He also owns his own Taxidermy Shop. I was in his shop taking the buck I harvested in my picture to the left. I asked him how he consistently harvests large bucks, already knowing the week before he took a 130". His reply was simple, "you have to be ok knowing that you might not harvest a any buck for many consecutive years". This year I took a doe with the bow but passed a small 6 and spike waiting for a larger buck. About 3 days later a mature heavy 8 point saw me draw at about 3 yards. I should have let him walk a bit farther out but started to panic and rushed. That's another story. Either way, after telling my Brother the ordeal he says I bet you hope the 6 comes back. I sure did the next few days but I can honestly say I'm happy he didn't. Moral of my rambling, do what makes YOU happy!

Wooly I respectively disagree. If you find something you find something. If you've been out in that vicinity on numerous occasion and just seem to interact with the same guys obviously its time to move on or get a better informant. To me, this is entrapment, move on down the road.

Sounds like a rookie to me... How old is this guy. You wonder how much they "really" want to interfere with illegal activity. It is not that hard to find, just head out to the sticks late at night. These DEC officers seem like they want the convenient and easy criminals. The criminals that accidently lean gun on car, or don't fill out their tags properly, actual honest mistakes. They look hard enough they might just find what they don't want.

I like the question. My Brother and I just had this debate few weeks back. I prefer evenings and my Brother prefers mornings. The reason I prefer evenings is because I set a lot of drags and attractants, I'm just more comfortable when I can see. The other reason is temperature. We all know how difficult it is to stay in the woods longer then 10am when the high is around 20. It's a bit easier in the evening. I seem to have more concentration. With this said, I take about an equal amount of deer morning and evening. However, on my property I tend to see the bigger bucks in the morning. One last thought, with evening hunts, I know its dinner time and dessert when I get out.

Chefhunter - sorry bud......Another drive that ruins it for some! I just don't understand the excitement of it. Btw, as liberal as this state is; when is NYS going to make deer drives illegal? I normally wouldn't agree with the Gov't telling us what to do but this is one I wouldn't mind seeing. Go get one later Chef.

I think this is more then interesting but I think everyone is imagining way too much. One thing for sure, illegal activity going on. My guess, guy is desperate for deer/meat, who knows what he's "really" thinking but I would bet he does not have a doe tag. Shot, killed and then realized oh $hit what am I doing, got scared off for whatever reason.

Papists/Jesse James, You guys are spot on. I too have disliked gun for past 5 years. I have literally hunted 10 hours with the gun over the last 3 years. It just doesn't do it for me. Let's be realistic, most bow hunters and especially members of this site are AFICIANADO of the sport and the whitetail itself. It's our passion from owning property, to scouting, to tree stand setup, to food plots, to managing herds etc, etc. I know and am good friends with many gun hunters who talk a lot of hype. And that's just what it is, its a lot of hype. These guys hunt a 2-3 hours one morning shoot a deer and think they've accomplished something. It's a joke, very laughable. I myself do not hunt as hard as some of you. You guys and gals are dedicated and I love it..! This year I have 120 hours on stand during archery, I took a doe and saw very little afterward. That was my season and I loved it. That's the enjoyment of the sport. This gun cannot achieve this in my opinion. This was not intended to irritate any gun hunters.

Haha, the only hunters are My Dad, Brother and a best friend here or there. I will let you guys know how it goes. I will be meeting with the neighbor soon.

LetEmGrow, we thought of that but I doubt it. He is tired of the whole thing and wants to rid himself of any and all responsibilities. As of now, it is what it is. Hey, wait a minute... Aren't we all Brothers and Sisters on this site. Anyone feeling Generous?

Worried - NO, Aware - Yes. First off, very low percentage that the tick actually has Lyme disease to begin with. Also, Lyme disease itself is a very difficult because many professionals do not accept the disease at all. Whether you believe or not is irrelevant. Keep an eye on it, if you feel its becoming a bulls-eye, kind of like the Target Logo then seek medical advice. I think they'll prescribe an antibiotic for two weeks or so. Btw, I know a few processers that have been cutting for years. They literally have ticks all over them all the time. They're still processing and they're in the fifties plus. Don't stress yourself too much!

If I pick this parcel up I see no immediate need or want to divide in the future. Correct me if I'm wrong but most of the value is the rd. frontage itself. I will have 1000ft. I wouldn't risk selling it off to make a few thousands knowing that in time the parcel could inflate tremendously. I appreciate everyone's opinion and expertise on this.

I will talk with them this week. I agree Four Seasons. I can see how addictive this can get. Even though we would only have 46 acres I can see where you want to keep adding more and more. As stated my Brother is on ship and the more I think about it, this piece with a cabin would run in the 100,000 dollar range. I'm already free and clear on my parcel so I would only owe on this new parcel. They really respect us and said they'd be really fair...

This is becoming more of a no brainer the more and more I think and look into this.

Wow, ok. There is a beautiful pond on the property as well. Probably 50x150 stocked.

FORD and everyone else. Thanks for the support. I'm going to try to get it. I would hate it, if some tree hugger purchased it and didn't associate with hunting whatsoever.

You are correct, it is completely my decision. Here is whats telling me to do it. In a short period of time, the property would be paid off 4-5 years is my estimate. We would then have 45 acres clear. However, my goal of having water, electric, and septic have now been pushed back since these combined will run in the 7-10 grand range. I'm excited and if I can swing this with minimal burden I'm going for it. I currently have my wife's blessing and my Brother is like we should have done this yesterday. What is raw land going for about $1000-1500 acre unimproved? Even though I should be thinking more about retirement for future. I'm 33.

First off, this isn't intended for arguments just what is the best move. Last week I recently talked to a Financial Advisor, he honestly said, "if you can swing it, swing it." The value of land is incredible, he told me many people invest in property oppose to a savings. Someone mentioned above 4x4's. He said, a new truck is more expensive then the land I'm interested in and that many people purchase vehicles every few years and don't even bat an eyelash. Hunting and Recreation property is my thing. Have land and a place to go "away" from home that you can call yours is priceless. I guess I'm just looking for others in this field to tell me what they think. If nothing else it gets my blood pressure rising... I LOVE IT!

Everyone is telling me the same. It would give us about 1000 ft of frontage. It is in Wellsville area. The parcel is nice and logged awhile ago. Now its mostly white pine and beech trees. There isn't much value in the lumber. It does have a pitcher pump on the property that pumps water.