outdoorstom

Last night I was sitting in the woods near Winthrop when I had 3 does and two bucks show up at last light. I wasn't able to get a good a look at the first buck, but could see a white rack moving through heaving brush. The second buck was a nice tall 8 pointer, and he was definitely checking out the does, grunting as he walked. I really thought I was going to fill my tag, but the doe he was following turned and took a different trail when she was about 40 yards away. Of course he took that trail too. I was really tempted to shoot, but couldn't get a clear shot through the brush. I didn't want to take a chance on wounding him, so I had to let him go. I could see the does being harrased out in the field a little while later. Really happy to see the seeking phase kicking in!!

Sorry to hear you're going through this.....what a drag! Drops in every two hours, even overnight? That would make for one tired guy after a short while.

I saw a couple bucks chasing does tonight....first time I've seen that this year. I thought I was going to fill my tag with one of them. He was a big, tall 8, but unfortunately didn't offer me a clean shot. He was only 40 yards away, but in the brush. I'm hopeful we'll meet up again.

Beautiful buck!! Congrats to the hunter. Reminds me of the buck I've never seen yet.

It's encouraging to read about this happening in my neck of the woods!

I was out this morning and watched a couple of 6 pointers spar for at least 15 minutes. There were two does nearby and the bucks didn't pay any attention to them at all. I'm sure things will start changing in the next week or so. Unfortunately, the daytime temps are going to be in the 50's......

Very nice.....congrats!

I saw 3 does, a six, and a half rack 3 pointer. None of them paid any attention to the others as they worked their way through the cornfield tonight. I hunt in 6A.

My first clue should have been when the hole partly filled up with water when I dug it! Duh!!

I've planted around a dozen over the last 5 years. Some didn't do too well because the area was too wet. Others are producing now and it's just going to get better. As advised, definitely fence them. Also, in addition to keeping the area cleared of grasses and weeds, I protect the trunks with stapled window screen around them. Make sure you put it up high enough to protect even when there is snow on the ground. Here's a link to a local nursery that ships. http://www.sln.potsdam.ny.us/

I'm in 6A and we've got them everywhere. My stepson shot one Sunday morning.

Done......so far I'm the furthest north.....

2.5 year old, maybe 95 inches

Fake!!!

Sounds like a great weekend! Like you said, you'd rather a clean miss.....

Over the last few days I've seen a big six pointer missing his right side. It snapped off about 4 or 5 inches up from his skull.I'm assuming it's from fighting, although it seems a little early for all out fighting right now.

Shot one this morning and shoot them whenever I get a chance. Don't understand the not shooting them because of stink. Who leaves them near their stands??

Personally, I like my gatling gun!

Beautiful buck....congrats!!

I received permission to hunt some property near Massena a number of years ago, so I grabbed my gun and stand and headed out. I did some scouting, chose a tree and hung my stand. I climbed up and was hooking up my safety belt when I heard a noise. I looked up and a huge 8 pointer was about 60 yards away, heading in my direction. The wind was perfect and he presented a broadside shot at 30 yards. One small problem, I hadn't pulled my gun up yet! As soon as he walked by I hauled it up, then tried to grunt him back, but to no avail. I went back out there the next afternoon and during that watch I heard a couple shots, then some hooting and hollering. I climbed down and found a hunter with the buck I saw the day before. He was huge, and would still be the biggest buck of my life.

Great buck!! Congratulations Jake!!

Yep, I live here. I guess I'm dense, please explain how I am part of a problem.

Congratulations....now you're hooked! (you should wipe that blood off your fingertips )

I think it's hard to give figures for that. It depends on the individual properties. For example - have the woods been logged off and now have a good understory, vs woods that are park like? One good way to check to see if you're exceeding your carrying capacity is to check your browse lines. Are they very obvious as you look at your woods? If so, you're most likely exceeding your capacity.

Why would he be doing himself a favor to stay out of ny?