Timeless

I don’t know where you’re hunting, but be wary of ticks that will come off the dead deer as it cools...and into your sweet ride. To answer your question, people recover deer hours upon hours after they’re shot. You’ll be fine as long as the temperatures cooperate.

The deer and the perfectly mushroomed Barnes removed from her. The bullet entered the right shoulder, went through 1 lung, the liver, the stomach, and barely punctured the opposite wall of the stomach. When I removed her innards, I saw the bullet in the stomach wall and of course when I went to grab it it sunk into the contents This is was a free standing +/- 50 yard shot down a +/- 20 deg slope with her slightly quartering toward me.

My usual hunting party of (3) ended up going three for three in 5J. My dad shot a spike, our friend got a doe and I shot a doe Sunday morning 10 minutes after getting off my stand and deciding to still hunt along the adjacent ridge. Last year, I didn't even see a single deer and the last time I shot one in 5J must be 5 years ago.

Unfortunately with the stormy weather, the nights last weekend looked nothing like that. We were pretty excited for the full moon, but Mother Nature took it away from us.

Just outside of Swan lake. We had them howling pretty good after sunset today, but it's all quiet now. Didn't see many fresh tracks today, but hopefully the milder weather gets them out.

I'm hunting it too in Sullivan. Haven't so much as seen a track.

Personally, I will shoot an injured animal if I thought it was so gravely wounded that it would continue to suffer for a prolonged time. I'll figure out the legal implications, if any, later. I bumped a small doe last year during rifle season that was obviosuly shot and hurting bad. I was still hunting and got within 10yds of her before she blew out of a thicket. It's chest was covered in blood and one front leg wasn't working. Unfortunately, she stayed in thick cover and I did not have a clear shot. In hindsight, a 20ga slug likely would have found its mark. I tried tracking/tailing her as she proceeded into more open woods, but I lost her. I should have fired when I had a "good enough" shot from 30yds away.

Can't. The video comes up as private.

Yes. Different manufactures use different primer setting product. Fire away. They're fine.

Nope. I like the current regulations with portions of the season open for x-bows. I think hunters and the DEC need to see how things go, but keep the current season dates, before expanding their usage.

3M: Totally different game compared to yesterday. There is absolutely nothing going on here other than squirrels working. There is a mystery critter in some brush under my stand though. Hopefully it doesn't tear out my jugular when I get down later.

3M; Been seeing deer all morning. Had two small 3/4 pointers chasing does right after sunrise. Saw a basket rack 5 and have seen does just about every 20 minutes. No clear shot opportunities yet though. Movement seems to be slowing down now.

I'd say you hit the shoulder bone. There's not much else in a deer around the vitals to screw up your broadhead and arrow that bad. I'm pretty sure that no matter what broadhead you were shooting, on this particular shot, this would have happened.

This is my rule of thumb too. With a climber, you might want to be setup even earlier. Usually getting into the woods and up the tree is not the quietest of activities.

Are there crossbowsmiths? OP, Maybe your rail is fouled from carbon buildup? (kidding)

From my direct experience, I can tell you that being on good terms with your neighbors at a hunting camp is the best thing possible. You're very lucky. Keep that guy happy and he'll look out for your interests. As they say, one hand washes the other.

Did you read the owners manual? That would be the best place to start. Make sure to make a consistent cheek weld too and not anticipate the shot which might cause you to jerk.

I hunted 5J this weekend, and did not see a single deer. For the last two weeks, all the pics on my game cam were at night and the number of buck pics dropped off dramatically. I did see some rubs and scrapes around, but the deer were nowhere to be found.

Maybe you're hunting close to SDS and don't even know it...

So how's the tracking going on that first doe?

Look on eBay and other hunting forums for used/new unworn or lightly worn clothes from people that either bought the wrong size or are just unloading items. Resale on clothing is terrible and you can pick things up super cheap.

I'm going to agree with above that crozzbow specific mechanicals are MORE than just a marketing ploy. Think about it...the arrow is accelerating from a dead stop to 300+ FPS in 16" to 18" of distance compared to a compound bow in which the arrow accelerates (often to a lower velocity) over 28" or so. There is much more force exerted on the arrow and broadhead. FWIW, I'm using the prepackaged Rage "Simply Lethal" arrow/broadhead setup out of a Wicked Ridge Invader. I can't tell you about they're hunting effectiveness yet, but they group well with field points. They do seem to shoot low at 40yd though.

Small world...I'm an Eagle Scout from 253 and also from OB. I spent some time back in the day manning the booth selling cotton candy and sodas. It's a fun event for all attendees. Something for everyone so to speak and a big fundraising event for many other local nonprofits. Check it out.

Maintain photos of all your signage and if/when it get ripped down. Game cams well hidden could help catch people trespassing and possibly also removing the signs. Record any conversations with trespassers. Get the police/DEC involved. Invest in a good home security camera system. Sorry, but if the trespassers are as ballsy as you say you're going to have to get the law involved and cover your ass. If you catch them breaking laws (not tagging deer? Shooting too close to your house? Etc) you can probably anonymously report such activity too.

All hunters should have perseverence like you. Well done! If there was a "cheers" or "toast" emoji on this forum, I would use it.