grampy

Good luck Eric. Partridge run has some nice deer on some of those ridges, if you are off the beaten path a bit. Nowhere near the number of hunters there now as in the past. Been hunting it on and off since I was a kid. I know someone who took a slammer 10 point from there last year!

A Federal smoke alarm battery checker?

Have many times rode past deer feeding in the hay fields. Most times they don't even run. Sometimes they barely look up!

Great buck and story! Congratulations!

Regardless of score, a dandy of a buck, without a doubt!

You have much better memories of that deer than the miserable sob does. You were the hunter that killed him. The sob is the thief that stole him. Hope he knows that every time he looks at the mount.

Bobcat. Cool photo's.

Every hunter has their own way of hunting, and that's cool by me. But as for myself I will continue to pay close attention to the wind! Keep it in my face whenever I can. And always expecting the unexpected, as to where deer may come from. Good luck to all this season.

The hilltowns of Albany county Near Thompsons and Warners lakes. Town of Berne. For my hunting properties. My home is out side of Altamont.

Congratulations! Great buck and story! Best of luck to you for the rest of the season!

I too missed this thread. What an awesome first deer for hunter! That smile says it all! He will kill more and bigger bucks, but none will ever be as special as the first one. Skillet, well done on the mentoring! Heartfelt congratulations to you both!!!!

45 and overcast, light winds from the NE forcast for my area of 4H on opening morning. Perfect!! Only trouble is, they don't get accurate forecasts for the next day most times,much less 5 or 6 days out.

Beautiful buck, nice and high! Really like the ears back, awesome mount!

If it's raining, a ladder stand, overlooking a grown up brush field that borders a VERY thick bedding area. If it's clear, a natural ground blind in a hemlock woods, bordering a large swamp. Both spots take advantage of surrounding pressure as deer seek out the thick cover or swamp. Both are proven opening day spots.

With the UV brightners, might as well put up a neon sign with an arrow pointing to you! But seriously, us older guys have been killing deer long before scent free soap or even camo! Just let it air outside and you will be just fine. And thank the little lady, for just trying to help!

I have killed at least a couple dozen deer with the Remington Copper Sabots. From my Ithaca Deerslayer 2, they are accurate and deadly.

Got out to a natural ground blind I have been saving for a high wind day in November. Wind was out of the N-NW gusting, 35 to 45 mph. This south facing slope has been productive for me through the years, under these conditions. The deer bed near the top and can smell behind them and see below them. Bucks tend to cruise the top of the ridge and bust doe groups. Got in well before light. Then about 8, I see a small 4 point go up the hill about 50 yards away. I could also see another small buck cruising the ridge above me. Then just after 9 o'clock a group of does come right to me. A big doe stops at 15 yards and looks in my direction, while others are going by only feet away from me! She turns broadside and I shoot her with the crossbow. She runs down hill 40 yards or so and I celebrate my first crossbow kill!

My first deer with crossbow. Fifteen yard shot from a natural ground blind. Just after 9 on a south facing ridge with 35 to 45 mph gusts from the N NW. She went about 40 yards. Barnett Raptor, 100 gr. Slicktricks

A big mature buck that would make most any hunter happy! Good luck, hope to see you in the next picture of him! When he is dead, put a tape on him. That will give you an accurate score! It wouldn't be my main concern.

Man, sorry to hear that. Tough time of year too. Hope you get some tasty venison in the freezer to offset the grocery bill. My thoughts are with you for a quick call back or new opportunity somewhere else. Best of luck to you.

Couldn't say it any better!

That is true in the open or exposed areas. But on the downwind side of these wooded slopes the wind is felt far less. And deer will come to these spots because they can still use their number one defense, their nose. They tend to bed half to three quarters of the way up the slope. They smell anything behind them over the ridge, and can see down the slope. In mid November, the bucks will tend to bust up groups of bedded does. This keeps things going for deer activity. I have found that the harder the wind the better the hunting in this spot. Anyway, it has worked for me many times over the years.

LMAO..........!

The lead sled is by far the way to go! My buddy saw it on sale and we went half, so cost was minimal. but savings on my shoulder was HUGE!

I know most hate bow hunting in the wind. But I have a south facing oak and hemlock ridge that the deer pile into when the wind is blowing hard from the N-NW. I have been saving this spot for mid November. A natural ground blind that has been very good to me over the years. About halfway up the ridge. That's where I'll be before light in the morning! Hoping to change my luck this year! Anyone else have a good set up for the strong November winds?