crappyice

Maybe I don't understand this but if I put the object in the center of the square(regardless the siz of th square) why wouldit no act like th center of a crosshairs? The laser is not the size of th square.

See now..this is why I have not bought a rangefinder yet. I can guess-timate a "feasible distance" on my own. My hope for the rf is to KNOW the distance. If the top of the line rf's are incapable of an accurate distance through standard bow hunting woods then what's the point?

I only hunt out of climbers and in the beginning judging distance up was tricky. One of my first hunts I was up about 20' or so I thought until my buddy came over and grabbed my bottom platformwith a slight jump. As you get more comfortable the height becomes irrelevant to get the right shooting lane and cover. But like the others said you need to spend time in trees now, with helpers around preferably and tie in the bottom platform. It will drop out. I also prefer to have the bottom platform angled up slightly. It gives me a slightly more secure feeling as opposed to when it is angle down from the tree.

Cabelas is listing the Simmons vert rf for $103.99 after rebate for the black version. I've read the amazons reviews and many seem pleased with the hunting review(golfers are not so happy). Anyone out here using tis unit? Most of my hunting is out of tree stand with bow or shotgun. Is this the best unit for the price?

In fairness to the warden, she is pretty reasonable and leniant about morning hunts or evening hunts. Its the multi-day ventures that get tough. Anyway...I am definitely leaning towards the later of the two weekends.

Currently I shoot mechanicals so I can practice with field points in my limited-distance backyard. I am thinking of switching to fixed blades for a one main reason. I failed to get pass throughs on two deer this past season. My bow is set to 60 pounds which is very comfortable for me. I have and could pull more but the areas I hunt are tight and any shot is no more than 20 yards. Plus i like an easy pull when i am shaking like a leaf as a deer walks by! Does a fixed blade of the same weight offer a greater punch than a mechanical? Will increasing my bows poundage relieve som concerns? If I make the switch how different do fixed blades shoot from field points?

I was leaning towards 2-3-4 but the warm weather is making me think the best will be a bit later. But of course, if I'm too late the dreaded LULL will be in the woods with me. Thanks for the input

There is a proficiency test to hunt certain areas that westchester is trying to manage. Every year they allow people to test (3 of 5 arrows in a 9" plate). People who pass are then put in a lottery. They select 70 or 80 people to hunt various lands...ward pound ridge, muscoot, Landon. If you are selected you must hunt and record ten hunts on the lands. All other lands can be hunted with regular licenses and the access pass mentioned above. BUT...it's REAL CROWDED with city folk and loud music and traffic so you should really stay away (so I can remain alone...hahahaha!)

Every year I get a "prison release" for 1, three day weekend of my choosing. With Halloween offering the full moon, I am leaning towards the first weekend of November to hit the seeking phase. I hunt near Rhinebeck. Any thoughts? I never know how to factor the unpredictable weather into my consideration. Warm fall? Early winter?

I finally found my first shed about two weeks ago after hitting a small patch of woods pretty hard that holds many deer. It is only a little fork horn but I was psyched. When I came home and showed my boys (7 year old twins) one was fired up to give it a shot himself. One nice day after school we both had some free time and he asked to go so we gave it a shot. He was so into finding poop, tracks, rubs...I was in my glory. As we walked a deer trail, two does broke out of some cover and my boy nearly crapped himself. He wanted to follow them so we pushed our way through to an opening and BAM....A great 3 point shed was right in front of him. He didn't see it at first. I had to bite my tongue from tellling him where it was. Eventually he looked at it, took a double take, bent down and grabbed it and swung around to me with the best smile I have ever seen! We spent the next five minutes high fiving and whooping up the woods and another HOUR looking around for more since I could not get him to leave (Mom was NOT happy we were late for dinner!). Here's to the future hunters!

How varied is the time when deer shed the antlers? Is it determined by weather? Age? Location?

Nybuck50- so interesting because my search started with me shooting the Hoyt rampage xt vs the pse(dont remember tha model but same price range). The first dealer did not carry mathews. Liked the hoyt. Then I shot the Rampage xt vs the venture and the venture felt better to me. That dealer handed me the assassin and that's why I am now stuck since i could not discern a difference either way in shot or sound.Just so interesting how each person's "feel" is probably the most important feature to consider. Thanks for all the replies...think I am confident in the venture.

Im in the market for a new bow and set a limit at $600 for a bare bones bow. After shooting both the Venture and the assasin, i felt little difference (positve or negative---I was hoping one would feel marketly better). The Venture runs $500 bare while the Assassin is $679 including arrow rest, fiber optic sight with peep, wrist wrap, quizer, stabilizer. Since I will be needing to outfit the new bow with new accessories, I figured an additonal $150-$200 making the assassin fit in my price range. Looking for your thoguhts...right now I am leaning towards the Venture for three reasson, single cam less moving parts; roller guides on strings as opposed to slide rod; Mathews am exclusive bow company as opposed to bowtech who is part of Savage arms. What am I missing???

Damn "Ny hunter"...how'd you answer my question before I aksed it?

I see the benefit of letting him walk on by but I am still waiting for my first bow kill of ANY deer so "if its brown, its down for me!" And yes since it would be my first, i would mount that thing. Whats your thoguhts about mounting a small buck (lets say a scrawny 4pt) if its your first buck kelled with a bow?

Is it too early to start frantically watching weatherunderground and panicing over the rain and heavy wind that finds me on opening day? Be positive..not this year right???

I'm a big fan of any apple tree at any time..Deer cant seem to resist that smell. Out of curisoirty, how many acres are we looking at? Do you plant in the fields?

My buddy and I are camping out near the area we will hunt on Friday night prior to the bow opener. Can't camp without a campfire, so we are wondering how campfire smoke will affect our sit the next morning. We will be keeping our hunting clothes sealed in the car, but WE will still stink of smoke. I have a feeling I know what you will say..."If the wind is right, its not a problem" but we are hoping the wood smoke is less imposing to the woods than say laundry detergent....Any thoughts

Theres also a place called Exrtreme Archery in Mamaroneck on Boston Post Road. They are only there 1 year but have been very helpful/knowledgable. Also offers indoor range and leagues to shoot in.

So, I have ONE weekend to hunt for three days. Do I pick Nov 4-6 or Nov 11-13??? I am leaning towards the 4-6 banking on the chase phase, but am fearful it is too early. Your thoughts?

I like the ease and flexabilty of the climber. I too have a summit and feel tree slection is crucial. Not the tree location but the tree BARK type. I am not tree expert, but have become pretty comfortable picking out the tree that will hold and more importantly the tree that won't. The three foot slide is never fun. That can be a bit frustrating though since you may have the pretty tree locale but wrong type of tree. I find another tree...Safety first right???

Thanks for everyone's opinions. Interesting debate about bow mounted rangefinder. I wonder if the "authorities" would be competent enough to know the difference between a range finder and a laser scope...tough one. I'm leaning toards the Nikon prostaff. Seems tough to find the 440 but the extra magnification over the 550 is more important to me than the extra range the 550 offers. The Remington looks interesting. I wish I could find more reviews on it. I'll post some follow up when a final decision is made...and I'm still open to suggestions.

eddie...I hope you tie in at that height. Safety First!

I am looking to purchase a rangefinder for bow hunting. I have $200 squirrled away from the Mrs. and am looking for the best model for that price. Two conerns...ability to make a reading in low-light conditions and a finder that will calculate the angle from a tree stand. Where are most people making their hunting purchases at thre best prices? Amazon? Cabelas? Gander?

Thanks to all who replied. My buddy is convinced that I need a Nikon and I should just save up. Funny that a few of you feel it is not worth it. I tend to agree but I often "err on the side of cheap" and end up with a subpar performing piece of equipment. I'm leaning towards the Bushnell but need to re-research the hell out of it.