Taylormike

Very Cool! She's particularly pretty! Nice Job. I was thinking full-mount too but you're right a little expensive. Awesome!

That's the way to knock him down!!! Great Deer! Great feeling for the both of you!

LMAO!!! Everyone has great points. I have the pleasure of hunting with my Older Brother and Dad, nothing can replace the time we spend together. I'm just saying, when my Brother is working OT and my Dad is busy in his shop it would be great to get the wife to come on down and make the camp nice and cozy....CATSKILL HUNTER - lucky man. Obviously I would have to leave the children (2) 5 and 1 with Grandma.... AND....... I could get some fancy wine and maybe I could even get lucky for the 3rd time in 6 years - LOL!!!

TeeBugg, That's awesome! Once she gets the taste for archery she'll be hooked for good. I don't enjoy gun season hardly at all. Nothing about the sport really draws me in. I guess any deer hunting and time in a tree beats no hunting so that's why I go... But all in all, that's great!!!

Good Luck with whatever and awesome harvest!

Hey, I know some guys will probably disagree with me... But when I go to camp I would love nogthing more then my wife to come along, to be enthused, and to be a hunter herself. This unfortunately cannot be further from the truth. She didn't grow up with it and I think it must be so foreign, she just can't understand it. Every time I read huntresses stories and enthusiasm it just puts a smile on my face. I think many of us guys and the sport would benefit immensely with the addition of more and more women joining the this tremendous past time. Its awesome to see!!!

Live from the living room. Just ate quarter pound of summer sausage 80% venison 20% pork. Yummy, washing down with Ginger Ale. Anyway, I hope I have some movement on my property next weekend. I haven't been down since November 14th, I haven't hunted shotgun yet. From a lot of the posts It seems these deer have turned into Caspers. We will see....

You have a tough decision ahead of you... If you didn't gut him yet that's good. If you have a freezer available large enough put him in it and you can take your time making your decision.

PSE, Great yote!!! He's a pretty one and I use those words cautiously as I hate those overpopulated creatures. I would say you would be in the ball park of 700 for full-mount. You could do a shoulder mount, probably run you 300. Either way, if you can afford it, I think it would be great. You'll have it the rest of your life...!!!

OK Bowtoons, I will look into them. Yes see, Moultrie seems to make a very decent cam.... I want to invest in two more....

I'm always battling a difficult decision when buying a game camera. I have my share of experience but probably nothing compared to some of you..... I will try to keep this sweet and to the point. I have had Stealth, Moultrie, Cuddeback, and a few not so popular brands. I currently have a Cuddeback and a Moultrie. My cuddeback was a gift and the camera was nearly 500.00 or so, *INSANE* in my book or I should I our wallets. I wouldn't have spent nearly that much. Keeping my wife and kids in mind, I just can't justify spending that much. My wife is always flabbergasted at the cost of these tools. My experience over the last 7-10 years is that the best camera for my buck our the Moultries. I have had two different models, both under 129.00 and they have performed good to excellent. Pictures clear and camera has some decent speed. I don't care for how the clarity is too much, as long as I can see what has been filmed. It's not for framing but for seeing when and what has gone through the property. What cameras do you guys and gals like? I'm more interested in the best deal, rather then a camera that is over-priced do to all of its gadgets. Thanks!

We can all Agree on ONE thing. This rut deer discussion is a lot of fun. Whenever the rut occurs, lets just hope we hit it. I'm already excited for next year!!!

Dances, You have a lot of knowlege on the subject matter. You speak intelligently and lucidly on this topic. However, I respectfully do not believe the rut occurs the same time each year. Within a few weeks maybe, but not spot on year in and year out. Aside from all the data and statistics that have been kept whether on a farm or fair chase its obvious in my area the rut does not happen at the same time. I follow moon activity heavily and base the rut primarily on this. I then monitor real-life evidence i.e., time put in the stand and game camera activity. Bottom-line is nothing can replace time put in the stand. Matter of fact, in my neck of the woods, the deer/vehicle collisions were way down until very recent. The woods seemed quiet early November. Very Respectfully.....

Great to Hear.... No matter how much we enjoy our hobbies and experiences it doesn't get any better then news like that!!! Awesome and keep up the great work and strength!!! Now you have a week or so to go shoot a MONSTER...... Get out there and bag a booney!!!

Good Afternoon and Happy thanksgiving Everyone!!! I figured I get a post in before I glutton myself with turkey and feel the coma-like effects that the tryptophan causes.... The last weekend is 7th - 8th for regular shotgun. Who is going? I will only shoot a buck that's decent in stature. Also going to pull cards on camera and change out batteries. I'm hoping my neck of the woods is quiet and most hunters are home. I prefer to let deer move naturally. I looked at 10 day forecast and the highest they are calling for is 37. That would mean, the 6" of snow shouldn't melt too much and that I will have over a week of old snow to see tracks and movement. Plus, they should be moving pretty good searching for some grub, especially since the bucks have been breeding does. I haven't been to camp in 3 weeks so hoping for good activity. Good Luck everyone and as always be safe!

Absolutely Cool Buck!!! He deserves some Brow Tines, he's nice. How old you think 2 1/2? Great Deer Congrats and Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey All: Happy Thanksgiving! The rut is a difficult thing to understand or put sum up if you will. Three main phases: Seeking, Chasing, and Tending. If you believe in moon phase as I do heavily this year would put us in a very late rut. Second Full moon after Autumn Equinox 17th. Well, I hut bow very hard - two weeks straight, I saw few rubs no scrapes. Did have some nice buck movement, I would say I hit seeking phase. We definitely were not in full blown rut. I believe chasing phase was about a week or so ago and we currently are in Tending aka, Breeding phase. The breeding phase is by far the hardest time to hunt and most frustrating. The bucks are tending does, continually breeding them 24-48 hrs and sometimes they won't move 100 yards. Keep in mind, nothing will stop rut in general but the two main culprits to slow it is the weather and human pressure. These deer will stay bedded and will be pushed nocturnal extremely fast. Rut was late this year! Next year the heart of rut should fall around veterans day.... Like I said, this is what I believe and my opinion. I respect everyone's opinion and experience. Thanks!

Hi Jennifer, We all go through this....some of us more often then others, but trust me we all do; trust me. I have property in Alleghany County - Wellsville area... I would say the lack of tracks is due mainly to one thing. The Deer have started to huddle up together. My buddy was hunting Greenwood/Steuben County Saturday, he kicked up 11 Deer in a single group. I have heard similar stories as well. Also, If you believe in the moon phase for the rut this year was very late. I believe in the moon phase 100%, if this is true that would put breeding phase on target for right about now. If bucks are with doe, they sometimes won't cover 100 yards in 24 hour period. Keep at it, don't get discouraged, sooner or later they will make a mistake. GOOD LUCK!!!

Gorgeous Deer! Gorgeous Property of what the pics show.... I have hunted Greenwood on several occasions so somewhat familiar with the amount of bucks and the quality, if, like you said they get that old. I now hunt Wellsville area. Congrats to you and your family and hunting partners. Just AWESOME!!! That's what keeps us hunters going out year after year!!! Monsters do exist...!!!

Merlot is spot on!!! I couldn't agree more!!! First off, I'm going to be fair on this, at least this is my opinion. You do sound like you are complaining a bit too much! You say you scouted 51 weeks, this seems a little hard to believe but I will assume you are being honest. We all dislike/hate our precious hunting days being tromped on for no regard to others. I agree 100%. Here are the issues : They did not do anything illegal They stayed on their own property They might not really care about hunting, they go to spend time with each other even if it's wild/a party and not what you and I someone else might like. It's a bonus if they get a deer. Not sure how long you've owned the property but if this hasn't happened in the past then maybe this is a one time deal Like most said, if you are physically and monetarily able take up archery... I have 25 of my own acres and have hunted 1 weekend with the gun in the last 3 years. I prefer archery by far and choose to put all my time in the woods during this season. Hopefully your luck changes and I wish you the best! P.S. It's unfortunate that we have to be on the defense about having our property stolen or vandalize but unfortunately that is the reality today!!! Thankfully they haven sunk to that level, just yet...!!! I had my LOPI 1800 wood burner stolen from the inside of my camp...

I have a feeling you are not going to like what I have to say. First off, I feel your frustration and agree with you 50%. Like I said, I agree with you. Here's where I don't agree..... You did get permission which is of the upmost importance. However, you need/want a place to hunt close to home because of the convenience and ease of hunting. You are trying to police a parcel that Is not yours... Plus you said the land owner says "he doesn't know of anyone who has permission to be there", what the heck does that mean...??? You know or you don't know. Unfortunately you are going to have to police this property CONSTANTLY!!! It seems as if you are more concerned then the land owner himself. I don't know you or your circumstances. If you are fortunate and healthy enough invest in your own property, it will save you from a boat load of headaches and frustration. Just my opinion! V/R .........

I agree with the hunters that preach Muff. They really are awesome, the best in my opinion!!! And then place a hand warmer or two in the muff, should be good to go for 5-7 hours. I will never wear a glove on my shooting hand again. It's too hard to get the release on D-Loop and then too noisy. Much easier with no glove.

Wow! Some of you guys are unreal. This forum is suppose to be for support and place to vent to others during a successful hunt and sometimes an unfortunate hunt. Sometimes things are out of our control and circumstances happen we have no control over. Wheelieman, you did ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong and I admire you for how you conducted yourself. Even more so, I admire how you handle yourself on this site. These guys that find fault with what you did and are so incredible hard on you is Insane, actually sad! Someone above in this forum already mentioned Veterans Day, this is a day to remember the loved ones that allow us to go hunt everyday. REALITY CHECK!!!

Awesome Deer! Congrats to you both!!! There are BIG DEER everywhere... We will all have our chance sooner or later. Keep hunting hard!

I personally think Meat Manager is right on with shoot does early or even small bucks in my opinion. This will get imbedded like second nature. Live Action is the best practice. Don't rush, take a deep breath, and calm down. Just as important as a good shot is a good tracking job. Far, far, too many hunters push their deer regardless of if they know where they hit them or not. This is another way to help calm nerves, hit a nice buck and go back to camp for 3-4-5 hours. It will allow you to enjoy what had just happened, regroup, recharge your engine and do a thorough recovery. This is what I've done the last 5 years and I'm starting to consider myself a all around decent hunter. Good Luck!!!