steve863

Again, hard to know from the picture but I would say that shot is borderline at best. If I was to try to anchor a deer with a shoulder shot it would surely be several inches higher than that. See photo for example of the front leg in comparison to vitals. But it is what it is, the situation has come to a conclusion,

Maybe it's just the photo but that shot looks a bit low on the leg and don't know if it would have reached the vitals even if it went through the leg. No way of knowing for sure but anyway, why are you using a shotgun in a rifle area? Way better accuracy, distance and pretty much everything else with a rifle over a shotgun slug. Tell Santa to bring you a rifle this Christmas.

Good job being persistant and finding her. At least you have some closure on it all.

My hat off to you for putting in the hours to look for it. Although if you put in some time to practice shooting it would be less likely that you'd be needing to spend hours looking for a wounded animal. Get yourself a decent .22 with a scope to replicate the firearm you hunt deer with and put up a miniature target of a deer. If you can hit the vital area at distances up to 50 yards in the different hunting stances that you would be taking while actually hunting and it will do wonders for you. You live where you hunt so you can just step outside and practice. No need to travel to a range and waste too much time or money. Believe me, it will improve your shooting tremendously. My .02 cents on the matter.

I don't know. No offense, and I will probably get ripped for this but I think you guys really need to learn how to shoot better. I've followed your posts for years now and it seems that every season you or someone in your group is following blood trails half way around your county. The goal should be shoot and drop them on the spot if not within sight. I know it doesn't always work out that way but it should in most cases. I don't consider myself the greatest shot in the world but it's been a good long while since I've had a deer go out of sight after I put a bullet through it. Again no offense but just my observation of your posts.

How about Vermont? Not as far from Albany as PA would be. Bennington is like 40 miles away. There's got to be a Walmart in that town. I can't imagine they have any restrictions on buying ammo. At least nothing close to NYS.

I find it amazing how many deer hunters there are who have never even hunted from the ground. They think tree stands are the only way to hunt them. To each their own I guess. Many tree stand hunters will tell you that if you follow safety rules you'll be fine and never have a fall. I've always been of the frame of mind that if you hunt long enough you'll surely have at least a close call or two. Hopefully it will only be a close call and nothing worse. At this stage of my life I'll keep my feet on the ground. I can still fall on my face if I trip over something but it won't be nearly as bad as falling from a tree.

I used to hunt from tree stands but as I got older it became more apparent how unsafe it is. No deer is worth it. I know I've missed seeing deer hunting from the ground but so be it. At least I know I won't be another statistic like in the link below. https://www.syracuse.com/state/2024/11/buffalo-mayors-brother-killed-in-hunting-accident.html

No thank you. I have a great wife and two terrific kids. Even a gay guy would have to be quite desperate to be interested in your sorry ass.

Two more uses of the word "jealousy" so that's two more dollars on your tab. LOL Exactly what on earth are we "jealous" of? Your mullet maybe?? You constantly saying that people are "jealous" of you has to be the STUPIDEST and most ridiculous comment ever on this forum.

But you have no problem criticizing the others. See, that's the problem. If we saw you calling FSW out every so often for his BS(and as you even admit there are PLENTY of things to call him out on) we'd have NO problem with you complaining about us. We'd have no reason to think that you aren't treating everyone equally. Don't know what else to say. FSW acts like a condescending baffoon while he claims to be the mightiest of mighty hunters so naturally some of us will challenge him on what he says. It's as simple as that. If you dish out crap you better be ready to get some in return. And not be a crybaby like he is claiming that he is being attacked.

You know Grampy, you might be right. I didn't realize he was referring to FSW in his post. LOL

Please stop. You are calling us out but saying NOTHING to FSW who has been slinging shit around here more than anyone else. Go ahead and tell us that you aren't seeing anything wrong with his condescending tone on this forum?? We will await your reply.

Oh, I am grateful for EVERYTHING I have in this life. I live quite comfortably, thank you. Only difference is that I don't need to keep telling everyone on this site how good I have it like you have been doing for years around here. It's the guy who thinks that everyone is jealous of him who may need counseling or something more drastic and not anyone else around here.