EagleCrag

They can be tough to spot without a dog. Look for them in pine thickets and or thick tag alders. Basically the thicker the better. Unlike Cottontails, Snowshoes almost always circle which is why it is so much fun hunting them with a dog. Without a dog, I'd ease along slowly and keep an eye down low near the base of trees and clumps of brush. Binoculars might help. If you can find an area where you can walk along an elevated area near the thick stuff and look down into it, it may help. There were a few areas where I hunted them this way. I used a 22 and hoped to catch them sitting before they spotted me and took off.

My wife has a .380 and I'd go with a 9 mm or something with a little more stopping power than a .380, but that's just me. My wife's .380 is a PPKS and fits her hand well. About all I can say for it.

I believe tennis elbow is the same thing as archer's elbow. I get it from shooting my bow, I'm right handed and I get archer's elbow in my left elbow. I can somewhat control it because I don't let it get very bad before slacking off. When I first got it years ago, I didn't realize what it was or what was causing it and I had to completely stop shooting for 6 months before it went away completely. I typically don't shoot after the season ends until the spring and I try to compensate by doing arm conditioning exercises to get my muscles ready to start shooting again. When I do start shooting, I don't ignore the initial symptoms any longer--I pay attention and slack off, as necessary--usually by shortening my sessions or shooting fewer sessions per week. Not the best situation in the world, but it allows me to manage it enough to hunt without any trouble. In my experience, some of the remedies above may help with the symptoms, but the cure is to stop shooting. I didn't want to face that, but had to years ago after quite a few short layoffs and then starting to shoot again. If it flares up badly in the future, I may switch and shoot left handed and see if I can do that without any problems. I suspect the process of pulling with my left arm instead of pushing might have a different effect (none) on my left arm. This info is just what I have experienced, nothing more.

I don't do a lot of grouse hunting but when I do, I use a 20 guage Ithaca pump with a modified choke. You need something that is quick pointing and has a pretty open choke.

And here I thought it was my scent the deer didn't like!

That blue tape never works. You need duct tape.

I find it hard to believe that a deer doesn't know what a gut pile is. I've never seen deer eating from a gut pile so won't comment on that aspect, but they certainly have to smell the scent of a deer. Perhaps they are led to the scene by smell and then are curious about what happened. I'm sure they recognize the scent of a deer they knew as well. I agree with DOC, there's still an awful lot we don't know.

In some ways, I am fortunate that I cut my hunting teeth in the Adirondacks where there is plenty of state land. I share the disdain with most folks here regarding the "hunting" shows on TV. Most years I get one opportunity per season to shoot a buck and I either make good on it or not. Some years I may get a second opportunity and some years none. I'm amused when I watch hunting programs that show a new kid whose mentor, drives them in a 4 wheeler to a "stand" that is nearly as nice as many hunting camps I've seen and then gets to look over (in one sitting) more deer than I see in a season to decide which buck they wish to take. That kid doesn't have the foggiest idea about what hunting is like IMO. What woodsmanship was required of them? None. They didn't even get to walk in the woods. I believe that the current trends in deer hunting de emphasize the need for woodsmanship in hunting as well as the hunting camp traditions that many of us knew. I agree that hunting is more and more becoming a sport for the affluent. On the positive side, I think current trends encourage hunters to let smaller deer pass, which is a good thing in my mind. Our attitudes, for the most part, are a result of the experiences we have had in hunting. In my case, I see a definite distinction between a deer taken in the "big woods" versus one taken in farm country and one taken on land where crops are planted specifically for deer. Undoubtedly this is because of my life's experiences. I bear no grudge against those who do plant food plots and manage land specifically for wildlife and don't expect them to share my views. I suspect many of them would give up hunting if they hunted where I do, simply because they wouldn't see enough deer to keep their interest up. I consider myself fortunate that I have been able to hunt the same area for over 40 years and should be able to do so until I can no longer walk in the woods.

Nothing like a week of hunting for some great father-son bonding. I wish you both luck. My son moved to Texas, which some might think is great, but Texas hunting is just not my style. I don't have anything against Texans or their way of hunting, its just not for me. I'm sure you will have some fond memories whether you get anything or not. Again, best of luck.

The definition of what is ethical will vary with each hunter. I agree that it is very very important for each bowhunter to recognize their limitations and to stay within those limitations. What is ethical is not cut and dried however. While I'm sure there are certain ethical matters that everyone will agree on, there is much grey area and perhaps hunting in the rain is one of them, and of course, you must define what you mean by rain. There are just too many variables to pass judgement on another hunter (at least in this case, IMO). Where I begin to have issues is when someone thinks that their definition of ethics is the only one and adopt a "holier than thou" attitude--and I'm not directing that at any particular person. If the shoe fits..... Passing judgement in a condescending way usually results in one's comments getting totally rejected versus making a suggestion in a less offensive way, which may get the person on the receiving end to listen.

I have bowhunted off and on for about 30 years and haven't even thought about not hunting in the rain. That being said, I wouldn't go out in a downpour simply because of the discomfort. I have, however shot a deer in the rain with a bow and recovered it. No blood trail and I was lucky. Found the deer the next day in an area with pretty fair visibility. After reading this thread though I will be more thoughtful when considering bowhunting in the rain. I do think deer movement is much better in a light rain and it helps mask your scent. For those being so critical, I can remember the days many years ago before I killed my first deer. I wanted one so bad and my adrenaline was in overdrive for weeks before the season. In addition, I hunted the Adirondacks where deer numbers are sparse. To tell me back then that I shouldn't shoot a deer in the rain would have been preposterous. Today, a different story. So I think there are lots of factors involved. I suspect that those who let a lot of deer pass are experienced hunters and also hunt areas where they at least see a lot of deer during the season. If you hunt areas where deer numbers are low you spend many hours on stand and see nothing, so its a much different scenario (IMO) than hunting areas where deer are plentiful. I think some folks watch too much television.

Purchasing a bow is NOT like purchasing a gun. If you have never purchased a bow before, I believe you are ill advised to buy one from the classifieds unless you have someone with a lot of experience to guide you. I agree with Lord of War. Go to an archery shop and shoot a bunch of different bows. If nothing else, it will give you an idea of what different bows feel like, find out what your draw length is and what poundage you are comfortable with. Archery shops usually have a number of used bows that you can buy and they usually come all set up with sight, rest, etc. Let them know what your budget is and if you don't find anything you like at one shop, go to another but don't buy online without expert advice.

I bought a set of the leafy camo a few years ago and I'm really sold on it for ground blinds. It really breaks up your silouette and makes it less defined. I purchased it big enough so it will fit over my clothes no matter what the season. The leafy part is attached to material that is like a light webbing material so that it doesn't make one hot in the warm weather, although it doesn't aid in keeping you warm in the cold weather either.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has tried the anti fogging products on the market. Apoallo, let us know what you find out. I just don't want to spend a cent on products that don't work. Too many things competing for the dollars I earn. Now that I'm older, I wear bifocals. When I first started using them from a treestand I found it difficult to focus and it took me half a season to realize it was because I was often looking through the bifocal and not the upper part of my lenses. I don't like heights either so the blurred vision was making me even more uneasy, especially when I stood up. Though it hasn't happend yet, it may also be an issue if a deer is very close, under my stand. I also find that I have to keep my glasses pressed tight to the bridge of my nose or my sight picture is blurry when I shoot. So all you folks out there that don't wear glasses, be thankful and protect your assets. One advantage of glasses--they protect your eyes when walking to and from the stand in the dark. There have been lots of times I have been smacked in the face in the dark and the glasses protected my eyes (I prefer not to use a flashlight if I don't have to).

When it comes time to shoot at a deer, I find I have to force myself to concentrate and think about the bow mechanics of the shot and put the deer out of my mind (good luck with that). I also try to maintain my sight picture until I hear/see the arrow hit the deer. Most of the misses I have experienced have been because I didn't hold my bow arm through the shot, but dropped it or moved it to the side prematurely to watch the hit which in those instances didn't materialize. Its hard when you're starting but keep your mind on the mechanics of the shot like you do when you are at the range. If you haven't practiced from an elevation, you need to. Your arrows will hit higher when shooting from a treestand and its important to know how much it affects the impact point of your arrow. Also try some nearly vertical shots. You don't want your first one to be when the deer is right under your tree.

I also wear glasses--they definately cause some issues, but if you think about it, you don't really have any choice unless you can afford contacs. While the glare from glasses does have the potential to spook deer, its not really something you have much control over, so the best thing to do is just forget about it. A hat brim is about the only thing that may help, but only at certain times. I'm 62 and have worn glasses for most of my hunting life and can't say that I'm aware of any deer spooking from the glare of my glasses. Its possible it has scared some off that I'm unaware of, but its something I can't control so I don't worry about it. I find the fog that develops on my glasses when the weather gets cold to be a much bigger issue. Any hike or walk into a stand that causes prespiration fogs up my glasses when the weather gets cooler. It also inhibits the use of headnets as my breath inevitably wants to remain inside the camo netting and it fogs up my glasses. Camo face paint works much better for people with glasses. Lou

I don't understand why it would be okay to hunt in the rain with a gun but not a bow. True, a gun can break bones etc, but a deer, even heart or lung shot, is going to run just as far as if hit there with a gun as it will a bow. In fact, I would venture to say even less blood is likely with a gun hit, so I don't follow that logic. I like to hunt in the rain and have taken 2 deer while doing so. True, the blood trailing is an issue, but most of us have to hunt when our jobs and other responsibilities allow, so I'm usually out there no matter what the weather. One of the reasons I like to hunt in the rain is that it will cover up the scent I leave going into my stand and helps to knock it down while on stand. All this being said, I don't like to hunt in a downpour. Its just too uncomfortable and in a downpour, I get wet no matter what type of rain gear I'm wearing. In a downpour, I think the deer tend to hunker down as well, but I like to be out there as soon as it stops. During the rut, I think bucks like to freshen their scrapes after a heavy rain.

Capt. Terry: Not sure where you hail from, but the Mohawk River has walleyes and some nice sized ones. Check out some of the fast water below some of the dams.

The opinions on stands are interesting. Like most things, everyone seems to have different preferences. So here are mine. I have ladder, hang ons, and a climber (Summit Viper) and which type I prefer depends upon the situation. Personally, the ladders are my least favorite because I don't feel as safe and secure in them. I know that sounds odd, but that's how I feel when I'm up in them. I also find them treacherous when putting them up (prior to getting them strapped to the tree up top). I'm always afraid they are going to swing/rotate off the tree and pitch me to the ground. Their design also makes it difficult (if not impossible) to strap a safety line from self to tree while you are climbing. While I have a climber, I haven't used it much, so haven't passed judgment yet. I use strap ons the most. I used to use screw in steps but as I age (now 59), these have become much more difficult to install and require much more exertion with multiple trips up and down the tree. So a couple of year ago I bought a pair of climbing sticks and gave them a try and love em. Should have tried them years ago. Their only drawback is that they are bulky and heavy to transport, but once on site, they are quick and easy to install and as far as I am concerned, the most secure means of ingress and egress from the stand. Even better than a ladder stand. I can also keep my safety strap on the tree while I climb and descend although I do have to reattach it once I reach stand level. They can also be a bit noisey setting up. I bought the climber thinking that if I have a tree prepared, I can go in and be set up in a matter of minutes with the least amount of noise and intrusion. I will use that in areas where theft is a big concern and in areas that I don't hunt much. As someone earlier in this post mentioned, as I age, I am getting more and more fond of ground blinds (all made from natural materials). Some areas are more conducive to their use than others, but if set up correctly, they can be very good. A big factor is selecting the location and making it look as natural as possible, insuring your outline is broken up well. I also insure that the blind is broken up in a 3D fashion by placing brush or limbs well in front of the blind so that the blind itself doesn't garner too much attention. I tend to use blowdowns a lot, but there often isn't one where you need it. Pop up blinds don't appeal to me as I have to believe that a deer will be suspicious of one immediately if it sees on along its travel route all of a sudden. Don't know if that would be true all over, but I do most of my hunting in the Adirondacks and I don't think the deer there would like them much. I could be wrong, but am not willing to shell out a lot of money just to find out.

How come I can't see the logo?

I never wear it in the northern zone where I do most of my hunting, but I always wear it in the southern zone, except while bowhunting.

I think wellsley hit the nail on the head. Its most likely food related. The fact that the trailcam pics were tapering off would be further evidence of this in my mind. If there are acorn or beechnut trees in the area, I'd start looking there. Definitely get out and scout.