Fehyd643

Nice buck!

Please let me also preface this by saying that I am a total noob hunter. 99% of my knowledge is coming from reading up on this very forum and other internet research. If you get really specific in your answers, I will no doubt appreciate it while scratching my head and wishing I understood what the heck you were talking about! lol

So here is my conundrum: I have already taken my buck for bow season. It was my first ever deer, and I wasnt wanting to wait. With the freeze coming, and me heading out early early early tomorrow morning, I am hoping to get in on some of the early rut action! My main question is this: Since I can't take another buck, should I bother with scents (attractants, not cover) at all? Will using #69 or dominant buck urine in a drag or a bomb/wick scare away does, bring them with the bucks, or nothing whatsoever? Should I just save my little orange bottles for shotgun? Thanks in advance for any advice! Joshua

Hi everyone! Just posted up in the intro section, but figured I'd show off my first deer here too! Got a late start Sunday morning and headed to the stand about 6:30am. Got to my stand about 6:50 and started up. After hanging my backpack and pulling up my bow, I got an itch in my head that I was being watched! I slowly turn my head and see a decent size deer about 40 yds away! I dont even have an arrow on the string yet! It's still kinda dark, so I nock up and just wait. I wont take a shot unless I am 95% sure of a kill, plus, it's technically not sunrise yet. I basically wait and pray that it sticks around! It wanders around a bit and it starts to get light. It moves within about 15/20 yds and presents me with a beautiful broadside shot! I take the shot and THEN start shaking. (Thank you U.S. Army for allowing me to calm my nerves before/during the shot!) The deer jumps up and sprints back the way it came. It's my first ever deer with bow OR gun, and I dont even know if I hit it! I don't want to move, just in case he's still close, so I just sit and wait another hour. Longest hour of my life! Finally, I get down from my stand and carefully check the impact site. No blood, no fur, nothing! I dont see my arrow either, so I still dont have any idea if I even hit it. I didnt even think about the fact that it wouldnt start bleeding right away. I start circling and looking for any sign of a hit. I'm 10 yds from the impact site and still dont see anything. By chance, I look up and see him just lying there. He only got about 20 yards away before he collapsed and died!! Long story short, I'm sitting here right now eating a yummy venison roast glazed in mushroom and onion sauce! 6 point, yielded about 75 lbs of meat.

Silly question, but other than warmth, how important is camouflaging the face really? Is the goal pattern break, reflection, scent, all of the above? I guess my real question is: Can not camouflaging the face prevent a harvest? Thanks Joshua

Hey everyone; New hunter here. Live in Newark, work in Henrietta. I am an avid fisherman and former military, but just started the hunting experience last year. I mainly hunt with a friend just south of Batavia due to not having any area yet around me in Newark. I started shotgun last year with a borrowed gun, took a shot and missed (scope wasn't zero'd to my cheekweld). Net result last year was nada. Went out over the summer and bought a Mossberg 500C for this year. My gun, my sights. I also bought a used bow a few months ago to see if I would enjoy bow hunting. So far I love it!!! Took a small 6 point a couple weeks ago! Got about 70 lbs of meat from him, and will be eating good this winter! Going for that big meaty doe next! Been lurking for a bit, and am very happy to see that this is a really informative bunch of hunting enthusiasts. I look forward to meeting you all and learning as much as I can! Joshua My first!