Caveman

I've got a new CVA wolf that I took my first deer in 4 years with this season. It's a nice little gun, short, light, and accurate.

There's a benefit of AR I'm willing to bet a lot of people hadn't thought of. I'd be curious to see the statistics of hunting accidents in states with mandatory AR vs. accidents in those states without AR

While I understand the resistance to the red tape. I myself am not in favor of legislation, just something to get a discussion going. But your theory of jailtime for those involved in "accidents" would not be a great solution either. Studies show that prison is not an effective deterrent for crime and while it makes us feel good to advocate for retribution, we need to weigh the costs and benefits. Benefit: We feel good about it Cost: Money to incarcerate, money to have trial, offender unable to find job upon release, cost to support his family while imprisoned, increased recidivism rate due to lack of legitimate means of income post-release, etc. I could go on for hours. The point is prison is not the answer. Again I'm not in favor of such a law, I'm just starting a discussion. I do like the police ourselves aspect. That's a good place to start.

I know enforcement is not realistic but here's something I've noticed. It seems every time a hunter is shot it is the result of mis-identification on a deer drive. Driving deer results in hunters who attempt snap shots on moving targets and often don't have the ability to adequately identify their target. They hear a noise coming through the woods and pull up and shoot. Too often it is a member of their party or another hunter in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now we all know a person should never touch the trigger until he is positive of his target and beyond. However. as my father says, you can't make people smarter. So although enforcement is unrealistic how would people feel about outlawing this method of "hunting"

I'll be moving back in May so if you're a fisherman I'm always looking for people to fish with in the summer also. I went to Depew so I'll have to make an exception to hunt with you lol. (No one else will get that but that's ok)

Where in WNY do you live? I'm in the capital district right now but I'll be back in Buffalo next year. I'll go small game hunting with you next fall provided you're not a serial killer.

No idea what he weighted I had to get him hung and processed before my animal lover landlord woke up and found him hanging from the porch!

All camo at my store is 50% off right now

I was using a 250 grain Hornady SS with 100 gr. pyropdex pellets from about 50 yards and I would estimate the deer at just over 100 pounds.

I'm shooting consistent 2 in groups at 100 yards so that doesn't worry me, and as for shot placement, that was a hard lesson learned. I shot to put it down quick rather than preserve meat. Absolutely shreaded the heart. Just had to make it through the shoulder and ribs to get there.

I hope this doesn't offend you but I go to school with all NYC kids and that city seems like a real pain in the ass in general

I got a deer with the ML yesterday (never butchered a ML shot deer). Holy crap there was a lot of damage. Neither side of ribs was usable and most of the near shoulder was done too. This is on top of the fact that it was a small deer to begin with so I really didn't get much off of it. Anyone else have the problem that their ML does too much damage?

Using a muzzle loader and dropped the first of the season (and my hunting career) today around 3 or 4

Here's a picture

I finally connected today around 3pm. I was having a horrible season being able to count the number of deer I saw one two hands. My buddy took pity on me and got me permission to hunt a property he does and took me out with him. Not more than 30 minutes after we sat seven does came walking down the trail we were watching. I took aim on the first one that presented a shot and pulled the trigger. I thought it was a nice doe, turned out to be a button buck. I would feel bad but this is my first deer in the 4 years I've been hunting. 250 gr. SST blew the heart to bits. I may be a less than average hunter, but I'm a pretty good marksman.

I've never ice fished before but my buddy from work is taking me out to give it a try. After seeing some of the pictures of the northern pike people take through the ice up north I'm almost wishing to remainder of deer season away sooner lol

Good looking doe. I'll be going out after a doe in a few hours with a co-worker who took pity on me for my 5 unfilled tags and invited me to his neighbor's farm

It just gets better and better. Had a customer in today. We were talking game regs and he says, "That's why me and my sons bowhunt at night, no one knows you're doing it and you don't have to bother with all the laws." For lack of a better word...WTF!?

Regardless of how many were killed the larger issue is should an individual be allowed to completely eradicate the herd on his property or should someone be able to step in and control how many deer are taken off private property?

We add about 10% beef fat to our venison. It's not as healthy but your burgers will actually hold together.

I had thought about suggesting something like this. The problem is the competitive nature of today's hunting. People find a good spot and they protect it like their life depends on it. I would love to see a section like that but personally I don't think it would work as intended.

This was my first year muzzleloading also. What a blast! Something about it is a ton of fun. My only regret is waiting so long to get started.

I myself am very confused on the issue. I can feel for both parties. First the neighboring hunter, you pay a ton in taxes on your land so you can hunt, then someone else destroys the heard. Next the farmer, he only works six months of the year and needs to make as much money as he can. I can see things from both directions. Perhaps a little compromise is in order. It seems to me all parties involved are being somewhat selfish. As for the critics, don't shoot the messenger. I should have mentioned that I have no experience with this issue personally. This information is all from hunters who came into my work. We all know how a sportsman's story can snowball after all so take it with a grain of salt. But it did come from multiple sources.

Not too far from me there's a farm that operates by doing pick-your-own apple type things in the fall and selling some other small crops at market. This fall they invited anyone who wanted to come hunt to do so. Over 60 people filled tags there shooting everything that moved including fawns that barely pushed 80 pounds. Obviously they wanted any and all deer gone to protect their crops but some hunters from the neighboring properties were livid claiming that the DEC should not allow them to do that. They claimed they walked the perimeter and could not find a single track leading into or out of the property by the end of the season...this was in the snow. Now, obviously you can let anyone you want hunt your private property but they also brag that they have nuisance permits and they'll take out any remaining deer later in the year. So what are your opinions? Should they be allowed to do this in defense of landowner's rights and free enterprise? Or should the DEC step in and limit how many deer can be taken off a private property in during a season?

Very true Doc, my friend and I were talking about that the other day. A .22 Hornet is sufficient for deer in NYS...ridiculous. But nevertheless ,17HMR is still rimfire.