grampy

This morning, biggest buck taken off the farm in a few years! Shot by my partners daughter, my God daughter. I think it's the buck I missed last Monday? Couldn't have worked out better. So happy for her! I'm sorry I wasn't there. I haven't hunted since Thanksgiving. Dealing with some issues. My season may be over.

Tenderloins probably won't taste too good. But other than that the hind quarters and shoulders will all be fine.

Congratulations Matt! You've put in alot of time! Big ol' girl. Lots of good eats there!

I will always opt for the highest percentage shot, that gives the most room for error, the lung shot. The neck shot is devastating, but a bit more room for error or a clean miss. Yes, I have taken deer with the neck shot, when that was the only one presented. I like to play the better odds though.

It is beyond my comprehension, how anyone could shoot a firearm, without 100% identifying the target!! The #1 rule in our Hunter Ed class, is "Always Be Sure Of Your Target And What Lies Beyond It" !!! Keep your finger off the trigger until you do so! We've seen it in every class, people who have never handled a firearm, much less shoot one. The first time being at our class. Now with the course online, I feel there is a small percentage of hunters sitting in the woods, with a loaded firearm, that are a danger to themselves, and others. That said, the majority of hunting "accidents" are caused by "hunters" with years of experience! Are people that caught up in shooting a deer, that they are willing to risk someone's life, to shoot at an unknown target? I guess some are. Because we see this sad story every year.

The best deer story of the year! Congratulations to Tim! God bless him. Thanks to you Tom, for hosting Tim's hunt.

A lot of NY properties, do not have many, or even any, bucks of this caliber on them. You can't see what isn't there.

Is this the park where I hunted with you and moog? After my buddy shot a nice deer, we drove through the park at dark on our way to Culver's to cut it up. The deer we saw driving through there was insane.

Yes. Nomad lives close to where moog is. I'm sure Brian can check in on him.

White. I'm a total breast man.

Just getting home to help the Mrs before the crew arrives. Saw three deer this morning. No shot taken. Up to six consecutive days seeing deer. That's gotta be a record here!

I have so much to be thankful for. God has blessed me with much more than I deserve. This is the perfect day to hug a special person in your life. Tell them you love them. And how thankful you are to have them. Happy Thanksgiving.

Up and at em! C'mon buck! Let's go! Seeing deer, just not the one I want. Only hunting a half day. Will be out by noon. Good luck to all.

Late checking in. My streak for seeing deer every sit since Saturday is still going. Saw seven deer today. Five flat heads, two small bucks. Back out for a morning hunt tomorrow. Congratulations to today's successful hunters!!! Good luck to all hunting Thanksgiving Day!

I heard the alarm, don't remember turning it off? Looks like I'll get a late start today. Getting ready now. Good luck to all hunting today!

One of our most consistent spots is a bench on an oak ridge, on a south facing slope. Thick bedding below. A bunch of bucks has been killed there over many years. Trail cam pics of a kill on that ridge.

What a giant! Do 3 irons come in 7mm-08???

Sat from 2pm to dark. Saw four does. My gun hunting streak continues with deer seen every sit. Going to the cut blind in the morning. Killed a nice buck there a couple years ago.

Went to look for any sign of a hit on the buck I shot at late yesterday. We searched where the buck was standing. We grid searched the entire Woodlot twice. We circled around the woodlot checking every exit trail. Nothing found at all. Except tons of fresh scrapes and rubs. Thankfully it was a clean miss. First time in about 20 years. I'd like to thank a member here, who I have a ton of respect for. He knows who he is. He text me this morning with positive feed back. And these words.. "I live with my shots. It ain't always pretty. I try to learn from it. And don't dwell on it". The words of a world class hunter, and friend. I'll carry them with me, and move on.

Welcome back Chef. Got any good new venison recipes?

I got him this week! Perfect timing!

My hunting partner got a buck this morning. Two year old 8pt. He's very happy to get one after the dismal bow season we've had! And of course I'm happy for him too! I'm getting closer. Have seen deer every sit since Saturday. All very close to, or in thick cover. But no shooter seen. Up with a kidney stone last night, so I got a late start. Helped my partner get his buck hung and skinned. Then headed out myself around noon. Hunted a ground blind that hasn't been hunted in year's. Had a hunch? Just after 4 I'm thinking I won't see anything here. I turn to my right, and notice something that I didn't remember seeing before? Looked like a big dark blob. I soon figured out it was a deer, and it was looking at me about 50 yards away. Could see its body facing me, but not the head very well, because it was in the thick stuff. When it did move, to go deeper in the nasties, I thought I saw rack but seriously couldn't be sure it it was doe ears, or antler?? When I did see it was a very nice buck, I had no shot!!! So I got up from the blind and started stalking him. I could see him walking, so I tried to parallel him, all the time searching for a lane to shoot! Finally, after stalking 40 or 50 yards through brush myself, around, and through blowdowns. I came to a tree and leaned into it, looking for a hole to shoot through! I found one just ahead of where the buck was walking. But it was a very small one. I figured I'd either drop him, or miss him completely. The buck was now about 75 yards away in THICK cover, about to walk over a slight dip and out of sight. When he hit the opening, I held a steady rest against the tree and fired. At the shot, he whirled 180 degrees and took off fast. I lost sight of him quickly. By now the first shades, of the grey light of twilight was starting to fall in this normally dark place in the woods. I went after just a few short minutes to where the buck stood at the shot. I could see the scuffed up leaves where he whirled around. I looked for hair or blood, any sign of a hit. I didn't see any. I followed the direction he went for 60 yards or so very slowly looking for any sign of a hit. Nothing. But...by now true darkness was falling. After texting my buddy, we decided the best thing to do would be to back out and check more thoroughly in the morning. After looking through that small hole I shot through, my gut tells me my shot was likely deflected. But I also clearly saw him in my scope. I don't normally take shots like this. I know better. But my senses were keen as I stalked him on his turf. He's likely out there looking for another girlfriend right now. But I will be 100% sure of the outcome of or encounter tomorrow. Sorry for the long post. Writing it helped me sort out everything in my mind.

I shot, just after 4pm tonight. Over the hill from ya at the farm. BIG buck. Small hole, that I tried to get the bullet through the cover. Didn't see any sign of a hit. Will be going in the morning to look more thoroughly.

Thing is.....masks really do little, or nothing at all, in preventing someone from getting Covid.

grampy's pick this week is...... Robhuntandfish !