nyantler

Good boy.. you finally got it.

So you're saying the bears are decimating the deer herd now? The fact that wild prey die a terrible and sometimes noisy death is not proof that your coyotes are a problem... especially since that is just a fact of nature and is unavoidable in nature... But, thanks for passing on the word about the imagined coyote problem to your friends it saves me time of having to explain it all over again.. . much appreciated. And if you'd like to hunt some real woods, let me know sometime I'll take you along with me... bring your compass you'll need it.

What you tend to see with a more structured age class of bucks which some AR programs can give... (mainly because AR's usually come with higher doe harvest plan as well) is an increase is average body weight among the deer because of healthier herds and earlier born fawns. After a period of time where there is a GOOD management plan that includes the protection of younger bucks and ample population control you will get better nutrition (more available food) and allow for the breeding of potentially better blood lines. That's the science and it has been proven. Whether or not protection of young bucks is accompanied by the rest of a good management program is usually where the problem lies and will determine the success of the overall plan.

great pic wooly of that savage deer killer..lol

Some like the challenge, some like the meat, some like it easier, some harder etc. etc. It doesn't much matter as long as they're out doing it because they enjoy it. That is what I like to see. The enthusiasm is what keeps hunters out there and what bonds us all together... think about it, that's why we are all here on the forum... a common interest in an activity that we all enjoy in our own way. We buy a license, we kill deer, we share our experiences and have some fun doing it ... even during the off season. That's pretty special.

How does one hear a coyote kill a deer??? If hunters are so worried about the coyote population then they should get their asses out and hunt them whenever the season is open. That isn't happening... therefore my conclusion would be it isn't as important as most hunters claim... otherwise it would be at the top of their list of things to hunt outside of deer season. The coyote problem in most cases is imagined not real.

If you're referring to the Big Buck Club Banquet... yes, I really enjoy seeing all the different configurations of antlers... they're kind of like snowflakes... no two are really exactly the same... every year it seems that I see at least one rack that amazes me.

For the record I do like hunting does with muzzleloader late season... but mostly because I'm after venison. I guess its more like shopping for meat more than thrilling to me... being in the woods is more the excitement for me during that time... and I really enjoy shooting an old school patch & ball muzzleloader... this year I am looking at using my flintlock exclusively during the late hunt... puts a little hitch in the giddyup!

Pretty much the same arrow for me with the exception of the broadhead... I like the 125 gr Zwicki 2 blades. My arrows are usually hardwood and I like a total weight of around 600gr

I don't consider myself a trophy hunter... if it came down to hunting two big mature bucks, it wouldn't be about which was bigger... it would be about which was the hardest to hunt and would offer the better and more exciting experience. I like big antlers because I think they are beautiful and majestic, not to show off as a trophy. I really don't see my successful hunts as huge accomplishments ( raising your kids to be responsible adults is an accomplishment ) I see them as exciting adventures that enhance the enjoyment of life.

In the wild, as opposed to farm raised deer, age is the defining factor that allows for big antlered bucks. Both genetics and nutrition are very important in creating the potential for those bucks, but that potential can never be realized in a wild buck if he never reaches maturity. Having said that... if it's JUST genetics vs nutrition... it would be a tie... truly big antlers CAN NOT happen with the absence or a deficiency of either.

I'm not afraid to admit that I'm all about the big antlers, but not for the reason most would think. At this stage of my life I am more about the most challenging hunts... big, more mature, bucks are just more of a challenge to find and to kill. Handcuffing myself by hunting with traditional weapons and hunting in areas that most hunters find intimidating adds to the excitement and challenge. It is never really about what animal I kill as much as how I do it. I'm not that guy that would shoot a Boone & Crockett buck off my back porch... if I can't hunt him I won't shoot him. It's all about the challenge of the hunt and the story behind it. I would still hunt smaller bucks if they gave me the challenge and thrill of a good hunt, but they don't. Honestly, I wish they still did.

I would guess that the raccoon might be a bit of a fight for a coyote... they aren't much for prey that can fight back.

...and when food source become too low... coyotes will move the family unit to a new habitat with more plentiful food supply (small game) and easier prey.

Whether or not you have a problem doesn't necessarily relate to how many coyotes you have... there are many many factors that come in to play. Habitat size (not just your property, but total habitat in the area.), amount of small game and rodents in that habitat (ie. available food source), number of good fawning areas, disruption of the family unit... and other factors. Deer may be on the menu depending on the other food sources available... but for the most part coyotes fair well in most habitats on smaller game and USUALLY forego the effort needed to take down larger prey. Having more than one good fawning area in a habitat reduces fawn kill by making it harder for coyotes to pinpoint the birth place of fawns on a regular basis... the myth of coyotes decimating deer on a regular basis is just that a myth... there are only rare isolated cases where they really are a problem, usually in smaller habitats where there are limited other food sources other than deer... or where weather conditions make the deer especially vulnerable.

Started my backsplash at camp... still need to grout... found thins nice tile with trout on it so I incorporated it into the backsplash.

With such an ample doe herd here in my part of Madison county I usually try to fill both of my DMP's during the late Muzzleloader season. I keep one and donate the other... Keeps me in venison and helps to feed the less fortunate. Just lucky to have it so good in this neck of the woods.

Busiest I've ever been as far as work goes... booked until the end of the year... been to camp every weekend since the end of April... found some cool revolutionary war stuff metal detecting... caught some nice trout... had a FEW manhattans on the back porch... and smoked some very good cigars. It's been horrible, hope you all are having as bad of a summer..

After seeing this, he would be off my list of taxidermists as well... inexcusable

I am not a collector of guns... so for me I only own weapons that I use on a regular basis... I am pretty well maxed out as far as what I need for hunting... I do however get an occasional urge to add another pistol to the arsenal, but usually the price tag quells that urge in a hurry. As for my wife, she learned many years ago that if I want it bad enough there is nothing she can do to keep me from buying it.

The accidental misfire is a very good reason to start a child with fingers first.

I would have left the bear to his business.. yet would have notified authorities at least to let them know of the incident as it was happening... I would want something done about a hungry bear being that close to my home and family. I'm sure that is an incident that the local law enforcement or EnCon Dept would like to know about... and I would press them to do something for the protection of the neighborhood. In the woods I would just let nature take its course... unless it was hunting season... in which case, I would be eating venison and bear meat afterwards of course!

Not for nothing and off topic... but this is no more Native American land than Europe is Roman land... every piece of land in the world became what it is today by being conquered by the people that occupy it now. Native Americans were one of a very few that were not completely annihilated by it's conquerors. Bad example!

OMG! I think the sky is falling! Someday something might happen to somebody somewhere that's going to maybe cause a problem for somebody somewhere. I think I'll sleep just fine tonight.

LOL... I forgot to add that I never had a daughter... just sons... I'm sure things might have been the same with me if I had daughters.