Taylormike

Behind the house and wet and cold... Come on RUT ....and....Nov. 5th!

I tend to agree with Sudzy8, usually deer only immediately bed after a got shot. Very common for them to bed then get up for 75 or 100 yards and bed again. If you did gut shoot him one thing is sure. It's absolutely a fatal hit. Deer will succumb to septicemia or blood poisoning. It can take as long as 4-6 hrs. Almost forgot to add, that would also explain the streak of blood on fletching. You should however have a foul odor on arrow. You'll know it, there is no chance of mistaking an arrow that has passed digestive system. Good luck with recovery.

Phade, I like that what you say. I am off 7-14th... Hope I hit it.

Question: What is the best 1 week to take off during rut....? Pick ONLY 1 week for purpose keeping this simple. I am thinking 5th-12th. This is too much fun!!! I am so pumped up...!

Without a doubt I stick with Muzzy! I have had good luck with Muzzy. I prefer the 3 blade to the 4 blade. I shoot 100 grain. As we hear over and over, its comes down to preference and accuracy, they will all do their job when the shot goes where intended. I like how muzzy fly and I won't shoot mechanicals just because of that. Anything with moving parts, i.e., not fixed, will have a chance of not working as planned. You hear from time to time of someone recovering an arrow saying, it didn't deploy or open correctly. My worry is quartering shots, when bone gets in the way. With that said, mechanicals leave tremendous blood trails but I can say so do muzzy. They all work, they all fail. Most importantly, practice as much as possible, use new broad heads, and take responsible manageable shots and recovery percentages will climb significantly.

I'm going to bet she would have expired where you heard her leave swamp. You probably kicked her up, when you return in a few hours, start up where you left off. Try to find the spot in the swamp you think she left, see if you find substantial blood there.

First off, congrats on the shot! You hit and sounds like a decent shot. You did or did not find arrow? If arrow was found, how much blood on it? If you didn't find arrow, but you think you hit a little forward but low, that deer will expire. I agree with everyone that says do not push the deer, absolutely no reason to. If she's down, she's down, no reason to push her. Hopefully you didn't already go too far looking for blood. If she's hit anywhere lethal I would guess, she's bedded in less than 250 yards. I would definitely wait it out. From your picture, the blood on the leave is not a lot! It may open up and start spraying the farther you track but that seems more like dripping. Really need more information. I do think you have a good chance at recovery.

Jeremy, I'm not sure if your post was sarcastic or serious. If you never see increased activity during rut then I would say you probably are too late on the rut (chasing phase). Keep in mind, if you do in fact miss this period and they are breeding, it's too late, the bucks are snuggled up and cozy with the doe. They will get in a thicket and breed continuously for days with minimal movement. I hunt Niagara county and Alleghany county.

I guess I will be walking after Saturday morning hunt! Not worried about the walking, I need the exercise, don't want to scent up the woods....

My two cents.... First off, sorry about this.... I say sorry so you know there are still some of us out there that realize how ridiculously dangerous and low this is. I have mentioned this before; it's probably the number one single reason My Brother and I decided to buy our own property (25acres). I still worry about my stands, cameras, travel trailer, etc. However, everyone brings up good points. Make sure it's not a party already granted permission, it doesn't justify what they did. If I had to wager, I would bet it's a nearby landowner that has the property boundaries confused or someone they have granted permission to. The reason I'm leaning this way, what audacity would it take to post property that isn't theirs. They MUST realize you are going to cross paths in the upcoming weeks.........And if my assumption is correct, you may want to consider a new hunting place. You don't want to get involved with someone that stoops to this level. How hostile could this end up giving.!!! Hunting is fun, relaxing and about good camaraderie! You and your son should be looking over your shoulder for that next memorable buck, not because you're on edge! I wish you the best... Sincerely....

Wow, thanks for the overwhelming responses. Very informative. Seems too successful to not try it.... Excited. So, I have two drippers and some active scrape urine. Should I not use the drippers and urine? I won't have time to really get in the woods to find overhanging branch.

Interesting! Yea, the theory behind it is cool, what a tool if it works. I will put a Moultrie over one of them and see what happens. Where are you in Niagara County?

Anyone with experience with Mock scrapes? Do they really work? I am speaking on fair game chase property, not the stocked farms which we are inundated with 130+ bucks. The really thing, fair chase? I am setting 2 drippers up Saturday morning after I get out of my stand and head to lunch? Any thoughts? Any opinions? Any advice on products? I love trying things in the wood... I once rattled with two 2" saplings and brought a beautiful 6 point in. Weird thing It was in early September. Anyway, looking forward to hearing some responses.

I agree. First time I made Jerky myself. I didn't want to invest the time in cutting muscle meat so I opted for the ground. Either will work, although I have heard cutting strips opposed to ground tastes better. This will work for now, beggers can't be choosers.

Oh I see. I just purchased the equipment Sat. at Cabela's. Not too bad. I brought a pound to work it was gone rather quickly. I used 10lbs of venison ground, it made about 3.5lbs of Jerky.

I don't really understand what you are asking? Why can't you make Jerky or sausage? I'm confused.

OH MAN!!! What a BUCK!!! You know what they say........This is AMERICA and.......HARD WORK WINS IN AMERICA!!! That's perseverance and dedication; over 3 years worth. Although I don't blame you, he's a stud and I'm sure he's passed his genes on to a few!!! Great job!!!

Never news anyone wants to hear. Be optimistic, you'll have a clean bill of health, be completely rested, and your stand won't have any human scent. The big boys won't know anything when you finally slip in during the rut... Get well and good luck!

This is a tricky one to say the least. Ok, here is my opinion on calls. All calls have there time and place. I have called in quite a few and have lost quite a few. What I have learned over my 17 year bow hunting experiences is that the best call hands down is my Fawn Bleat, I have called in a lot of deer including Momma and some bucks too. I harvested a nice 5 point with a drop tine about 12 years ago in Niagara County strictly by pulling him in from about 75 yards out. I have also scared or put many deer on high alert because of the, grunt, can bleat, or fawn bleat. With this said, if you see a buck or any deer for that matter in the distance or walking away, why not try and give a bleat/grunt or two...? That deer is moving away anyway. However, if they are close and you are in-line to interrupt them stay calm and get ready to shoot. There is no right or wrong and luck has a lot to do with it... Good Luck!

Hey Guys! Thanks NFA, you too! BigReed, I own a small piece (25 acres) in Friendship. My Dad, Brother and I purchased it about 8 years ago. I thought we would be a lot farther along but it just takes time. Obviously, my check goes to the family and house (Niagara county) first. Well, it's great the leaves are falling. I hate more then anything fiercely listening to the woods, i.e, any leaves crunching or twigs breaking but all you can hear are those tiny nuisance leaves dancing in the trees above. If the weather cooperates this weekend, staying cool.... I will plan on putting in many hours on stand. I just got done making my first batch of venison jerky from last years deer. I made about 3-4 lbs, so I will be taking a pound on stand with me. Getting really pumped.

My first post since last year! Nice to get back on here and read all the stories from the first week. It truly is fun keeping up with the live from the stand! I haven't been out yet. I'm headed to camp (9P) Friday until Monday. I'm so excited. My Dad and Brother are coming down too! We set-up 3 cameras about 3 weeks ago at each of our stands so anxious to see what the Moultrie's have captured. My question: How's the leaves? 50% down? I'm in 9P - Southerntier Allegany County. After my morning hunt Saturday I'm going to set-up two mock scrapes, both with the automatic drippers. It won't be long until Nov. 5th is here, my 10 day vacation set for the rut... Let's hope weather cooperates...!

Good Luck and Harvest that deer!!!

Welcome Dan. Nothing but good vibes and honesty here. Post anything from questions to concerns to harvests, well just about anything. Great site and great people!!!

Wow Sam, Those Coverts take a beautiful picture. Quick question: Did you ever get a chance to harvest that buck on camera? Nice Pic

Its not even necessarily wanting my spouse with me. I guess, I just wish she understood it more. I wish she understood the passion I have for the sport and the absolute precious time I spend with my Brother and Dad. It's a shame more young people aren't into the sport. They're missing out on tremendous memories...