grampy

My passion has and always will be for my vertical bow. But I am looking forward to using the crossbow again this year because it's fun and I can do so legally. Any weapon used to hunt deer can cause a deer to be wounded and not recovered. From the long bow to the high powered rifle. The problem lies in the hands of some "hunters". No matter what you use, you MUST become proficient with it! You owe it to yourself, and the animals hunted to make a clean ethical kill! I have hunted long enough to know that sometimes a bad hit will happen to everyone, and I have agonized over a bad hit myself. But I Learned from it! I feel some "hunters" out there, just HAVE to kill a deer to justify, the time spent hunting, money spent on hunting, or to boost their own ego. They see a deer and HAVE to kill it no matter what! And take questionable shots in trying to do so. Look around, you won't have to look far to see someone like I have just mentioned, sad to say.

In my lap for most of the time. Click on release when deer is spotted. But if I need to stretch or warm my hands, I have a hanger over my left shoulder for each and every set up I have. Pretty much same for gin too. In my hands more often than not. I don't like being surprised without my hunting implement in my hands!

Glad you are on the mend Doc. Hope you feel better soon! This will give you a couple of weeks to plan the demise of that big buck on opening day of gun.

Go for it. If anything,it will give you something new to look at!

Saw six doe this morning. Saw twelve this evening on different property. No bucks seen. But new rubs and scrapes all over. Oh well, thats deer huntin!

So nice when a plan comes together. Nice job Law!

Beautiful buck moog! Congratulations! So cool calling him in too! Way to go!

Welcome and glad you stopped bye! There are a bunch of good hunters that hang out here. And they will be more than happy to help and answer any questions you have. Sounds like you have some experience and perhaps a little luck or minor adjustments will get you your first buck this year! Just pull up a seat and join in anytime! Best of luck this hunting season!

I have an old Sears 12g.double barrel from my Grandfather, that will rival that for recoil! Only shot it once, a couple of times. Nuff said.

Lol. I do have a couple good cottonmouth stories. Maybe someday when we are all bored, I'll share them.

How do ya like them apples !

I lost my fear but gained respect for them while living in S. Carolina for a number of years. The ones up here are small compared to down there! Leave em alone, they have their place. Most times they will just try to get away from you. They are not looking to attack you!

Congratulations! Nice one! Way to go!

Now is the time where you can not have too many does. Bucks will be actively searching for them now. That being said, perhaps a small move a bit closer to where the does are bedding may help.

Great picture and an awesome Pine Bush buck! Congratulations! Story please!

Have not heard back from the OP. Perhaps this was an attempt to stir the pot. I hope that is not the case and he recovers the deer. But it did stir the pot. What have we all learned from this thread?

I will very often invite a new hunter or a hunter that has not killed a deer in a while to hunt WITH me. But if I have to wonder who is where and is anyone there. I may as well hunt state land and save a bunch of money. I have no problem sharing the land on my terms. But some just think they can do as they please, and that's what ticks me off!

Hunters helping hunters. We are the blood brotherhood. United we stand, divided we fall. Let the one who has never erred, cast the first stone.

Sometimes, its just meant to be! Hope the blood trail is short and your smile big! Best of luck to you.

Look and listen for a bunch of crows in the area. Sometimes they will lead you to a dead deer.

Let it go for a minimum of 8 hours before trying to track it. It is always a fatal shot. It just takes time for it to die. If not bumped hopefully it will bed within a short distance.Blood will be spotty at first to almost nothing after fat plugs the hole. Good luck.

Now would be the perfect time. Good luck!

I have put enough hunting seasons behind me to know that the first couple weeks of November, you can expect anything to happen. At anytime. Anywhere. No matter what the weather may be. Be in the woods as much as possible. Expect the unexpected.

They are actually widely scattered throughout NYS. I know of a den on one of our properties. But they are seldom seen.

I will always look for a rest first, shooting rail, tree, limb, elbow to knee. But sometimes you only get a freehand shot. That's why you should practice it until you can hit what you aim at.