crappyice

The "boss" (yeah, its my wife!) loosened the pursestrings and is allowing me to purchase a hunting toy. I'm in need of a rangefinder and hoping you all can recommend a rangefinder for bowhunting purposes under $225.00.

As a teacher, i expected some time during the christmas break to hit westchester for late bow for the first time. It should not have been hard since I LIVE HERE! However, three kids and Santa deserve that time I guess...the entire week is gone and another seaon gone. Any great receipes for venision TAGS out there. I have a bunch left!

While I agree that the expereince makes the season (hence the 6 for a deerless seaon) I can't FREEZE AND EAT the experience all year long!!!

6 for me. Saw a good bit of activity. Shot at two does (one was at a different range than I thought and my arrow deflected right before contact on the other-both escaped unharmed). saw 2 different 4 pointers - no shots on either. Still waiting for my first bow success so lower than happy score come from my disappointment. I still plan on hunting some Westchester areas over the next few weeks with my fingers crossed. Not quite ready to throw in the towel.

Well just got back from sitting all day. I did sit in the same spot in the morning (6:15-12:30). Saw 2 does way off in the distance, one doe that snuck up on me to 40 yards then made a very odd change of direction straight up and over a small mountain. At abot 10:30 4 does came down the expected path, walked right to me to about 15 yards. All they needed to do was take three more steps and ... no luck! Winded me with a little swirling wind and busted. So I guess the area was not greatly affected. Sat from 1:30 - 4:45 at another location - Saw nothin' So much for this bow season...skunked again.

Banged in sick for tomorrow to give it one last go. I am going to be hunting a place where we have seen many deer and my buddy took a small six out of there last weekend. How do people feel about hunting the same area where a deer was recently harvested? Or, do I give another spot on the property a shot where I have not seen as much activity?

I had a similar issue. Guy at my shop said my string stretched and just readhusted my site to match the stretch in the string. Dont know how the new arrows play into your change. I'm still shooting old aluminum hand me downs.

I hear what you are saying about rangefinders. Its just that I often hunt state land and cannot always be assured about being in the tree I prepped during pre-season. As a result, I find myself in trees thta I have not marked off distances. Practicing from the height of atreestand is extremely difficult from climbing stands working alone. I just figure a rangefinder will take some of the mystery away so I can concentrate on the actual shot placement and rythms of my shot procedure.

Hunted Sat morning and had a doe walking around at first light about 75 yards away. She was joined by another and they both meandered well out of range. They worked around a hump and I thought they left. They ended up circling all the way around me until one finally presented a shot at what I thought was 20 yards (It was a new tree and I never paced off that shooting lane-please santa bring me a rangefinder!). Missed low (it was 27 yards after all) and what appeared to be a little back. After I replayed the scenario in my mind I realized that i forgot to stop her before I shot which is why I think I was back. Its the first time I shot at a deer with my bow. Glad to have these mistakes on a doe that i totally missed. No blood, no foul...except for the ever-empty freezer!

I find it all depends on thetree you plan on hunting and the surrounding hanging limbs. There are times I have been up to thiry to get above neighboring tree limbs. I did not wnat to cut them since they offer great cover. Other times, I'll stay lower for the same reason. My true comfort zone is 20-25 feet.

Thanks for the other pic. Still hard to believe but it is rare that someone with a phony has additional pics. Mind boggling!

HHC1...sounds like it is time to produce those other pics to squlech the skeptics (myself included..sorry)

Why can't the best most active places to find deer be right next to where we park? I have a similar issue on DEC land I hunt in Westchester. The best is when I finally make it up there to be only greeted by a gaggle of merry liberal hikers who it feel it necessary to talk to me about what I am doing. I tend to make up a story about hiding from my ex or avading tax collectors (thats why I am in full camo).Since they already wrecked the day I may as well have some fun with them.

I may sneak out for Saturday morning. The honeydo list is growing already and the little ones need some costume work.

When I grow up, I want to be Buckstopshere! Seriously, I am jealous!

Hell, you can damn near cook the backstaps right over the fire draped over that rack. Probably have room for a few ears of corn too! Bon Appetite!

I think I know the farm since there are not many in Yorktown and I am not at all surprised the owner CHARGED for allowing someone to help thin the herd that destroys his crop. He robs his patrons for his apples so why not for his pests. ($25 per bag of pick your own) Every year I pick apples with my family I am always seeking out the owner for permission. Most owners have regulars who hunt their property already.

Considering I have shot NO deer yet I set my limit at 20 since that is as far as my backyard permits (westchester living is tight!). I just hope I hold myself to that standard if ANYTHING walks by at a decent range. I have shot out to 35 yards at a range with moderate success.

Good friend...how many of you walk through the woods with an arrow noched (sp?)for just such a scenario?

Tough movie quote..."you sure gotta a pretty mouth...Squeal like a pig!" That's the image I have in my mind.

I too am more subject to MY schedule than the schedule of the moon or weather. I use that information more to make me more or less confident.

Please post if you find an answer. I carry my target arrows with me since I only have the one quiver. I would love to get nailed for that one !

That drives me crazy, biggamefish. You bust your tail to get in before light and someone comes in messin' up the place after a long morning sleep.

well done.

I too needed a major adjustment prior to friday evenings hunt. For whatever reason, i told myself to shoot before I went in the woods. Good thing. I was consistantly 6" high and 3" to the left. I guess my site got knocked around.