grampy

Good luck out there phade!!! Heading up to the farm now. Will do some last minute preparations. And put out a couple cell cams.

Yanks are 1st place in the wildcard again. Yaayy!!! But.......I keep waiting for them to implode........ So, starting to get some better pitching, and the bats are heating up. Who knows with this group what you'll get on any given game day? Expectations were, they would have sealed the division weeks ago. Now they are scrapping for a wild card. As a lifelong fan, I'll keep cheering for the bombers. But admit, I'll probably be let down again. As there has been too little consistency this year. Let's Go Yankee's!!!

With open sights, and optics, shotguns and rifles, I've always shot both eyes open. I would be all messed up if I closed my non dominant eye! Been doing it this way my whole life, even in the Army. Even when I went to a peep sight on my compound bow, I continued to keep both eyes open. I never claim to be a crack shot. But I usually hit where I aim.

So sorry Gus will crossing the Rainbow Bridge Larry. Give him a good scratch for me please. Loving them is so dammed easy. Losing them is so hard.

I get this too! I passed up some pretty decent bucks last year, holding out for one of two monster bucks we had on the property. One was killed by a neighbor during bow season. I gave it my best shot, and came up short, I still held my tag at seasons end. But.....it was one of the best seasons I've had in some time! And I'm going after a huge Pine Bush deer this year. I do get where FS says he has a need to challenge himself. I feel that too at this point of my hunting. I just don't get the satisfaction I want when I shoot a year old buck anymore. But that's just me! In no way would I EVER look down on a hunter who shoots a button buck! Or feel like I'm better than the any other hunter, based on my own personal goals. I've shot more than my share of young deer over 50 years too! And would never say never, about shooting another one. Like I've said, everyone gets to make their own choice how they want to fill their own tags. It's ALL good! "Shoot what you like. Like what you shoot" Hmmmm....where have I heard that before? ......

Many hunters would be more than happy with a 4 or 6 point buck! Or even a doe, or button buck to put delicious venison in their freezers. I really don't feel that because one hunter decides, or has the opportunity, to kill 120" bucks, that makes them somehow "better" than the hunter who chooses to shoot a small spike. Naw.....it don't work that way. Not everyone chooses to go for the most mature buck on the property they hunt! So much more to it than that. I've seen jubilation and joy from a hunter that shot a small fork horn! And disappointment on the face of another, when they walked up on a very nice buck that had broken points. Who do you believe was more happy bringing that deer home? So much more to deer hunting than the size of a deers antlers. A hunter who believes otherwise, is missing out on what truly makes hunting so dear to so many. Shoot what you like. Like what you shoot. There is no one size fits all.

You need not explain to me, I get it 100%.... This is my point exactly! It's all about what makes hunting enjoyable to you, me, and everyone who hunts! We are all individuals, and as such, we all see and do it at our own level. We all have different goals. There is no right, wrong or indifferent!! Hold out for a huge buck. Shoot the first deer that ambles along. Or anything in between. It's really ALL good!!!! It's ALL just hunting!!! Do it the way YOU want, and let others do the same. No need to put one above, or below another, for doing it their way!! It doesn't matter! Just get out there and have fun. Isn't that what it's all about? If not fun, why do it??

1st or 2nd week of November may be perfect? Nov. 11th is when I met up with him last year. There is a low lying swampy area on the property, so who knows???

Great work as always! I never get tired of saying that !! Great buck too! Congrats again Brad.

Mostly no light for me. I prefer to walk in the dark and know exactly where I'm going. But I hunt private land. When hunting public land, I use a red lense LED headlamp.

The property is only ten minutes from my home. Closer than going up the hill to my own properties. So very soon, I want to go in there and make a couple more brush blinds, for differing wind directions. I have three in there now, spread out over the 40 or so acres. Along with a couple ladderstands that are not mine, but have permission to use. Had two cams stolen last year by local trespassers. So may take in a cheap cam, and hide it better? I found where the bulk of the people sneaking in are coming from. I used it to my advantage last year to get close to a great buck. But the best set up, is VERY close to a thick, nasty, bedding area, bordering a slight ridge. And I don't want to blow it out until I'm sure the bucks will be up and moving. So......I won't actually hunt there until at least late October, during the pre rut, when the bucks start searching for doe. That's my plan anyways. I think patience, caution, and paying close attention to detail is the best way to hunt this place. It's heavily pressured!!! No doubt that I could go in there and kill "A" buck most any time, there are lots of them in there. Had six racked bucks go by me the morning I messed up last year. But I'm hunting for perhaps one of the best 'The Bush' has to offer? Time will tell if I'm up to the task? Probably not? But this isn't my first rodeo either. Just getting the chance to hunt a true Monarch of 'The Bush' is an honor to me. Honestly........if I can just lay eyes on him, one more time within shooting distance, I'll consider it a draw, and be happy with that. It's not 'entirely' about the kill anymore with me at this point. But if the shot is there, I'm taking it! With so many other developments popping up in this area, pretty sure a developer with deep pockets will be the one to snatch it up. Unfortunately. But I'm still grateful for the time I have had. Already made some cool memories.

Hey.....I actually think Four Seasons is a lot like many of us here. Works hard, and the guy makes a good living doing something he loves. That in no way breaks any laws. Fills a nitch that has a demand. Even though some may not like what he does, it's an honest living!!! I'd love to be able to watch deer all day and get paid for it!!! Kills a couple nice bucks each year on public land. Enjoys family time. Seems intelligent enough. Just like many guys I know. Would I go on a high fence hunt? No. But I have no issue with someone who chooses to. It does not affect me at all, unless someone like Mr. Settle tries to BS me, into thinking he did something he did not. Everyone is different! If a person wants to spend big money, to kill a farm deer, that's totally up to them! Go for it. As for me, It's not about what I kill, but how I go about getting to that point. I truly do enjoy the preparation, planning, work, and effort, and maybe just a little skill, that I put in to kill a 100" buck! I'm good with that. I don't need a 300" deer on my wall to prove anything to myself, or anyone else. But that's just me. So if Four Seasons does ok supplying a demand........good for him! But he won't make any $$ from me. And I suppose he's good with that too.

I'll PM you Cynthia ! But my track record in there speaks for itself! ....... Not good!!

Looks like a little more than just "tire smudges" with all the scratches and gouges. To be back the way it was, the bumper cover should be replaced, and re painted.

Thanks Biz. Way over my price range, solidly in the seven figure range for 40 acres or so? Will likely see condo's or townhouses go in there.

Thanks buddy. Will give it my best shot, and let the chips fall where they may............

Thanks for the vote of confidence Jerry. The property owner said he is indeed still on the property, and bigger this year. Along with a couple of buddies close to his size. We'll see? The Pine Bush is certainly a magical place. Access is the key. And not pressuring the bucks until conditions are perfect is the way to success. No doubt, many huge bucks in there die of old age behind some little old ladies house, in a 30 yard wide thicket.

The property I have permission to hunt in the western Pine Bush, is being sold. I was aware it could be sold last year when I gained access to it. Thought it might even get sold before this season? Got the call last night that this will definately be the last hunting season, before it goes on the market. So kinda bittersweet. Last year in there, I was at full draw on what would have been my biggest bow buck ever. Easily a 150" class deer. But he hung up, at less than 20 yards, I couldn't hold any longer, and had to let down. He was gone. So maybe I'll get a chance to redeem myself? We'll see? There are some huge bucks in 'The Bush' for bow only. I won't hunt there unless conditions are perfect. The deer in there are far from easy to hunt. I know I am very fortunate to have the choices of properties that I have to hunt. A better, or less selective hunter than I, would likely have much more to show for it. As my bowhunting career winds down, my goal this year is to get just one more 'good one'. My best chance to do that is in the Pine Bush. Happy to get one more chance.

Just curious if your Cal property blows up the last weekend in October, like the Mendon property did?

Wow! After filling the DMAP you can hunt one of those giant bucks that roam that area?? I too am jealous!! Can't begin to tell how many slammer bucks I've seen around there over my lifetime! Best of luck to ya! I'm a little farther away than Paul, but willing to help, if needed for blood tracking too.

I may hit the lake property (always a ton of doe's) or the Pine Bush, earlier in the season? Won't hunt the farm until the first real cold snap. As We usually just hunt bucks there. And we have a bunch of work to do as well. I'm not a big fan of early season hunting. Opening weekend, plan to go to Vermont with Mrs grampy.

I think I'll just keep using a soft case lying across my back seat. No moisture, and a much softer ride. Easy access too. I can see that contraption freezing up or getting stuck. Then whata ya do?

Sorry to see Settle not accepting any responsibility for this "false news", or "mix up". Even when presented with hard evidence he shot the buck on a preserve. Was the 15 minutes of "fame" really worth it?

Oh I'm sure he would! But he might just get a kick out of a crossbow!

How did you do that?? Who did you bribe??? Oh wait........I made explorer too! Only 47 more badges to go! Collect them all folks!