upstate

We did organized still hunts. Some of these could take all day. Face it folks, by the end of this week deer are nocturnal. They will move for 2 reasons during the day, they're bumped by a hunter, or a hot doe is getting chased. So, you could sit in a stand all day and see nothing. There was a group of 8-12 of us that would set up these walks. Rules were simple, stay in line, finish the drive. I have tagged out walking in these drives. Walking very slow and observing your surroundings, including your other walkers made me a better hunter. If you ran ahead, you jeopardized your life and I watched family members get the boot from doing it for being dumb (running "into drive cause a big buck did, being out front of people and turning around and shooting a deer, not finishing the drive cause you hit a deer). There were zero second chances and I trusted these people. It was fun most of the time. Walking fast, making noise, barking, yelling, etc. waste of time. In fact, if you're on watch, hold on to shoot ones sneaking back through.

This thread beats the facebook group. Between the QDM Gods, Stupid Questions and other opinionated garbage this place is great. Surgery was Monday and I go to Dr's Tuesday- find out what kind of monster resided in me and what I have to do. One of my questions will be if I could sit in a blind and shoot a muzzle loader. I sure hope so. However, I might have a tussle first.

What's worse? Being laid up recovering after getting a kidney removed on Monday is worse. Trust me

I'd leave this deer as long as you can. A high hit can be a tough track. Go out in the AM Good luck.

Does it smell? Looks like it could be paunch...

Well, snapped this picture last night. The deer were chasing yesterday at our spot near Whitney Point. My buddy saw at least 22 different deer but his perch was 30 feet up and could see hundreds of yards. I had chasing I could see and hear but nothing presented itself for a shot. Doing the fun preparations for a major surgery tomorrow morning that has axed my season. Let's hope the monster in me is mostly contained to what they're removing and I'm available to do this hunting thing next year. We were out all day yesterday. Learned about the land , got to meet the main land owner and some great people that we share hunting rights with. It was a good day and beats any day inside. I wish you all all the best of what remains of your hunting season. Be ambassadors and good stewards of our sport and everything else will fall in place. You never know what's in this journey called life. Cherish what you have. I sure do

Well, yesterday was a bust. Only had a few hours of daylight down in Whitney Point area after my last scan of the week. Today is it. 17 degrees w a light wind. Surgery at o dark 30 Monday and tomorrow prepping for it means my season will end today. Got to get her done. Won't be posting from my stand. It's simply too damn cold. I've never killed one with a bow or crossbow when it's this cold. Let's hope calmer conditions get them moving.

How does one know that's a crossbow bolt. Bowhunter's make bad shots too.

Thank you....

Well folks, looking at my last weekend in woods for 2017. Scans I had last week and yesterday mean I'll be having surgery Monday AM. I have tomorrow and Saturday to get it done. I;m glad to see the weather will be nice , ha ha. Don't care. I'll be out as long as I can soaking it in. Not sure my fingers will cooperate but I'll be sure to post!

Well my friend, I have more scans coming as well as specialists to see but the first one isn't so good. Lots to wrap my head around and much is unknown, even my own future. I'll be sure to keep you in my thoughts as well. Best wishes and I'm glad you got that buck!

Been a CPA for 25 years. Was the CFO of an insurance company and now offer consulting CFO services for small businesses. It's absolutely amazing the number of small businesses that have no clue how they're really doing or how to get better. Every company should have a CFO and in 95% of the cases it should not be the owner!

Grampy- congrats on the buck. I know how you're feeling I got some bad news myself on health front Friday and not sure what my future holds. I hope to get out with crossbow this coming weekend but there's a real chance doctors will have me in for surgery this week, then I'm done for year.

My 8 o'clock doctors appt didn't last long but the battery of tests and scans did. Got to make what I can of this weekend. I may done hunting this season after I see specialists. So. I ran to my new spot and got in the blind cause I should climb anything today. Mom and fawn stepped out 30 minutes ago so we're in a good spot.

Was headed back out this morning to our new spot we secured in 7R but I'll have to make a detour to a doctor since I may have a kidney stone of sorts. With my family history gotta get the plumbing checked. But if all goes well I'll be in my stand for nightwatch. Real excited for the weekend of setting final stands in and getting better acclimated with the place. Me and my buddy picked up permission to hunt a 400 acre plot that only has two relatives who "occasionally" hunt. Spoke with both of them and they seem like great guys.

Honestly, I don't use them much but the only problem I've had is the rod. And mine are older. I'm sure they've tweaked the manufacturing process so that they're built like crap

How are they breaking?? I carry a leatherman type tool now or even very small channel locks because its tough as hell to unscrew the rod when it's wet. Broke off more than one tip. Found a place that actually had the parts and ordered them. I then grabbed more umbrellas when they have after season close outs. Haven't had problems since.

Where are you located? 6 K is a big area. Go here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/45478.html and go to layers and check the WMU box to see the area. I live on the southern end and will tell you that there's little if any real pressure on the state land. Also, 8 of those Marines killed in Lebanon were my friends that I served with stateside.

you're making assumptions now, First, we get notices when somebody responds to my post I get notified. Plus, I keep checking to see if somebody actually makes a post that isn't self serving. Second, I have seen, hunted, missed and harvested some pretty big bucks. Have had a couple scored, but not at my request because that's not why I hunt.

Many of us will never see a P&Y deer on the hoof, let alone kill one. It's not why I hunt. Said it once, I'll say it again. I'm a bow hunter that doesn't care and doesn't buy any of the nonsense spouted off in here

This may be one of the dumbest things I've read here, and this place is loaded with stupid. Look, the bow guys say they're just like a gun, so they are. I don't know why I keep coming back to this thread.

Exactly- Full inclusion will happen in NY - breaking the hearts of the true bow hunters

This debate can go on forever. See: QDMA Antler Restrictions Nothing new to see here, move along.

Now I agree with grow on training and it being a "muzzleloader". Those things are very dangerous and training is important. As far as deer figuring it out and crossbow being part of the problem. It's local people. Deer figure it out cause they pattern us. It's how I figured someone was hunting from my stand a long time ago. Doe and fawns were looking up at my stand before looking for acorns. I put up a trail cam and nailed the neighbor trespassing. Find a spot with little or no pressure and they behave accordingly. It's why I keep saying that access is a huge problem, we only have so much land.

We're getting off topic, no? Antler restrictions and one buck are completely unrelated to the question at hand. I'm surprised that this has taken only 3 pages to get off the rails