nyantler

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.

I believe the main difference between a hunter and a photographer would be that the hunter plays an active role in conservation... not just in his contributions through the purchasing of his license, but in other things such as upkeep of habitat, population control, etc. Hunting may not be for everyone but hunting builds an awareness of wildlife that can be missed by other ways of enjoying wildlife. Not to mention... I enjoy can enjoy both hunting and photographing wildlife... double the fun. I think it's like the old adage, " If I have to explain... you wouldn't understand."

After the age of 12 your kids should already have what they need to do the right thing... if you haven't gotten the message across by then you're in for some sleepless nights. At 17 all you'll be doing by saying no is giving her all the more reason to do things behind your back. Just my take on it.

I could jump 5' in the high jump as a junior in high school... I would hope a mountain lion could clear 7 feet.

And that is it in a nutshell really... not to mention different styles of hunting along with different habitats can have varying success rates as far as seeing deer... which is usually directly related to success rates of killing deer. Then throw in the hunter that isn't exactly proficient with his weapon of choice and BINGO... there ya have it!

I guess I am one of those that pass on does early looking for a good buck... I like to save my DMPs for the late muzzleloader because I enjoy that part of the season... I have been fortunate to be able to fill my tags most every year... but can see how many others might not be so lucky if they are doing the same... which would mean that the chance of not filling a dmp is entirely possible for the trophy hunters... even with the best intentions later in the season.

Why change to a release if fingers are working for you?

You could POSSIBLY be right... but I would bet that the newbies or the weekend warriors make up the greater part of the 75% of hunters that aren't successful each year. I would also contend that the serious QDM fellas are not only hunting bigger bucks, but also taking out their fair share of does as well... with many of them actually tagging out each year. There may be some validity to what you're saying but not necessarily to the extent you portrayed... I don't know many trophy hunters that still won't fill a doe tag if possible during the year... there still are some old school hunters out there that will shoot any buck but refuse to kill a doe just because that's the way they grew up hunting. Just my take on it.

It really wouldn't matter what the DEC was doing in the way of management because there will always be a good amount of uninformed, nay saying, ignorant hunters that will be pushing back on whatever system is in place... its a human condition that runs rampant among NYS hunters. The DEC decisions are usually more about baby sitting the cry babies than anything... I'm sure they would love to do more but have to deal with the hissy fits that hunters have over the slightest changes... I am in full agreement that the DEC could stand to improve deer management techniques in NY, but I'm not sure that it would matter what they did... they would still get a hard time from a large portion of the hunting population. Damned if they do, and damned if they don't kind of thing.