UpStateRedNeck

Forgot my damn tree seat again. Going to be standing for 4 again hooray!

Leftover Deer Management Permits (DMPs) Remaining Deer Management Permits Available for Hunters Leftover Deer Management Permits (DMPs) will be available to hunters beginning on Wednesday, November 1, in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) that still have permits remaining after the close of the initial application period. Leftover DMPs will be available in WMUs 1C, 3M, 3R, 3S (bowhunting-only), 7F, 7H, 7J, 8A, 8C (bowhunting-only), 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 9A, 9F, and 9G on a first-come, first served basis. During this extended application period, DEC will issue DMPs in each of these units until the target number of permits are issued. The status of permits will be reviewed each night, and as individual units reach their quotas, they will be closed effective the following day. A list of units with available DMPs will routinely be updated on DEC's website or via the DMP Hotline at 1-866-472-4332. Leftover DMPs are not available by phone, mail or internet. Applications must be made in person at license issuing outlets. Additionally, Bonus DMPs are available for hunters who successfully take an antlerless deer in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, or 8C. Just a heads up

That feeling when you get to your stand in the deep woods at sunrise, and realize you forgot your seat. Beautiful morning though, kicked a couple fatties up on the way in.

Overcast, quiet, somebody opened up with a semi right at first light about a mile away.

When I described a very similar shot to deer search last year, they told me I wasn't going to find it, even with a dog. Guy had been doing it 20 years, knew what he was talking about. It's such a crappy feeling, knowing the coyotes were going to get him eventually.

I did the same exact thing last year, biggest deer I've ever shot at or drawn on. First one I've not recovered, even bringing in the neighbors tracking dog the following day. Followed the blood almost 2 miles and never found the arrow either.

Kicked up 2 on the way in this morning, 4G, not a peep since. Lot of scrapes in the deep hardwoods, all of em touched up recently.

Always Kelp immediately after someone shoots, it will make the bird who somehow dodged bb's stop and stand for a second shot. Much respect to my buddy for giving me a second chance at a cheeky old tom, which earned my buddy 2 big fat slabs of breast meat!

Finally, on the last weekend of the season, out manuevered the old bird I've after for 3 years running now. Last year he watched us walk underneath him, took his own "shot" and barely missed from 30 feet up in an oak. This year first weekend he beat us to the field he's known to show up in. My buddy and I split up before first light this last weekend of the year, and I opted to have another crack at him. This time he had a harem with him, so he couldn't sneak up on me. Tagged from 50 yards or. Women will be the death of you. Whats interesting is, he lost his beard this winter! He's got monstrous hooks for spurs on him, but look at the dead white end of his beard. Never seen that before.

I have never seen birds so spooky or as quiet as I have this year. Made it out Saturday with my buddy (who incidentally took a big Tom on opening day with his bow + the head loppers), and had 2 weird encounters. #1 A big tom gobbled once from a below a lower field, but he beat us to the open and would, not, gobble, or come in. Even though he was in full strut in the middle of the field and we snuck up to the edge. He's a wiley old bastard and just strutted off in the other direction. An hour later after trying another likely spot, we went back to the truck for a breather. This bird pops out of the woods 200 yards south of the truck, on the road, fans, runs a couple steps, fans, runs a couple steps, rinse and repeat. Not a noise. The SOB was trawling for ladies on pure sight, not making a noise. #2 We trailed big fella, set up in his wake, and called, nothing. Then we heard a pair gobbling their fool heads off 1/4 a mile away. We trot over, set up with a hen decoy right over a rise in the field, we're perfectly camoed in a bush. They both come out in the field, but hang near the edge of cover. A pair of jakes, but we would have taken them for the double whammy. These punks eyeball the decoy for a minute, never fan once, then stroll away gobbling. We trail these boys out to another field, set up, and call again, they gobble twice, then drop off the top of the hill without a peep. I hypothesize that the coyotes have the birds very nervouse about giving away their location. May I stress that I am really good bird whisperer, and this is the first year in 4 or so that I've gone out up on the farm and not come back with a big tom. Never seen birds so nervous.

grats!

Wasn't the slowest day, but it certainly wasn't gangbusters. MONDAY, on the other hand, was nuts. Movement, bucks laying up with doe, cruising.

I feel like, especially during opening day for gun, Mid day is GREAT just because everybody heading back in kicking up deer. Shame I'm going to miss opening day this year >.<

I don't know about noon, but the mid morning hunt is where its at for travel routes, at least where I hunt (4G). All my big bucks have come between 9 and 11 in the morning. Specifically on logging roads hugging the side of the hill. I feel like, at least where I hunt, that the big boys are lazy, they sleep in until 8 or 9, then get up and do some sniffing while on their way to lay up near their evening haunt. Monday morning I passed on a little 6 point, 20 minutes later I heard a BIG deer on the way, but the wind swirled and his snuffler busted me. This was at 9:30 or so.

Between the cold front rolling through, things heating up, and the moon being up all day, Sunday looks like the Deervana out of legend. Get out in the woods if you can, and good luck to all!

Congrats! Love the high tines!

Butt crack at 30 yards, not looking for shooting time, just need to know when I need to be in, and settled down by, so I know when to set my alarm. Yes I'm always there at least 30 minutes before buttcrack-oclock.

What time is first light, give or take? A little before 6am? Or more 5:30?

Same, I'm all sorts of twitch this afternoon, hope I can sleep tonight! If no shut eyes by 1am I'll just get up, load up on stimulants, and sneak out REAL EARLY so I'm there 2 hours before first. I'm annoyed at the wind shift to SW instead of NW though, can't hunt the really hot stand.

I don't think it's online, but it's page 46 of the September issue. My land isn't public, but it's right next to 5000 acres of public land so it might as well be for how the deer behave.

Funny, I was thinking the same thing as buckboy. With limited time off I'm going to adjust to doing afternoons. Some of this has to do with an article I read in the August F&S, which made good sense to me, and I have never tried this particular style of hunting before. Plus it will keep the wife happier.

Bow or Gun......... and wet whipes

This weekend looks excellent! I'm going to try and spend every waking moment I can out in the woods from Friday morning to sunday night. Going to bring hot soup and sandwiches in my pack and just maximize my woods time for the entire weekend. Bring on the cold and snow!

Well I think we've properly crapped on the gunsite scout! So does anybody know a reliable gunsmith in the Albany area? I'll get it done after the season sometime, but I'm curious to hear some recommendations.

nice! Thankyou Culver!