chrisw

The DEC does not have the ability to micromanage every tract of land in a given region. There may be high numbers of permits given out but yet there are areas with very low population, this is in part due to people thinking because they have the tag they HAVE to fill it. You don't have to fill anything. If I have enough venison I'm certainly not going to keep killing off deer and giving them away for the sake of burning up tags. That's ridiculous in my opinion. Shoot what you need and leave the rest for someone else or next year. Every property is different, yet every year you hear " we've never had a problem filling all of our doe tags for the last 10 years and this year we aren't seeing any does?" Genius. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

You've now mentioned that you fill every tag you have at any cost... Why? Is it so hard for you to not use a tag? Once I have enough venison, I'm selective to the point that I rarely kill anything else. I'll burn the rest of my tags at season end if I've had a generous season, just because you have them doesn't mean you have to shoot a deer. I hunt for venison first, trophy second, trophies don't weigh a season's success, your experiences do. And to your comment about you wish your regular season tag was either sex? It is. It's called late season... Read your regs... Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Sounds to me like you're assuming something about someone based on no knowledge of said person, the same thing you jump down everyone else's throat for when they do the same to you .. don't assume, god forbid you might have to admit you're wrong in the future. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

So you can't truly say old deer taste like crap, maybe the bucks you target that live off of woody browse aren't too fantastic. As far as the doe being the same size as the buck and which would the other member shoot? It was in theory, the other member said it's all about the meat to him and older bucks taste bad, yet he would kill that rotten old tasting buck. I'll say it again, I have killed deer 3.5+. Both buck and doe and have never had a bad tasting one. Ever. And yes I've killed a lot of deer. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

If older deer are inedible then I'm sorry to tell you that you are doing something wrong... Are they as tender as a yearling? No. Are they chewy and bad tasting/smelling? No. To the cow you buy at the store comment, it would not be practical/feasible for a cattle farm to keep beef cows that long, they do not have the space for that many generations of cows let alone feeding those animals for a few extra years would kill any profit they stand to make. AR's are not a fix all for an imbalance in the herd, but, having only 1.5yr old bucks in a herd is not good either, you couldn't tell people to only shoot 2.5yr old + bucks because most people can't age a deer to save their life. So a point restriction is more practical, most people can count to 3. So be honest for a moment, if a big buck walked out in front of you and an equal body sized doe, which would you shoot? You say the meat from an older buck is terrible, you're against "horn hunters" and yet I'd be willing to bet you'd pull the trigger on that buck without a second thought. Why? If the "wall decorations" are irrelevant to you by all rights you'd shoot the doe? I think not. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I will also add that is a very peculiar looking rub. Looks like a woodpecker got after it... Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Yes, same goes for any deer. I drive an hour to hunt where I know better bucks live. There are always a few big bucks around and a lot of little ones, who promptly get flattened come gun season. I saw 12 bucks during archery last year, only 2 were 2.5+. I was lucky enough to arrow one of them. If just half of those little bucks were protected you wouldn't hear people complaining that the average buck was bigger or older. The "meat hunters" would never pass up a big buck, but they shoot the first small one because "there aren't any big ones." Those two go hand in hand. That's what annoys me, bitch about only seeing small bucks and they shoot everyone they see because "the next guy will." And to the people who say that big buck tastes bad will shoot said deer every chance they get. Everyone likes bigger bucks, to say the rack means nothing to you is extremely doubtful or you're in denial. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I'm not arguing, there are 2 sides to that coin also. I hunt state and I do just fine on bucks and does. But to the people who just hunt behind their house and complain that they can't get doe tags for their area so they shoot the small bucks, there are plenty of good areas to hunt does on public land. The people who say I'm just a meat hunter will sit in the woods and have a 4pt and a huge doe walk up to them and they will shoot that small buck Everytime. These are often the people who say "you can't eat horns." Then if meat is the priority to them, why shoot the small buck? It's as if the word "buck" is magical and when you talk to your buddies just saying the word buck bumps you up on the hunting totem pole. As I stated before, I'm on both sides of this argument. I just don't care to see hunters passing up does in order to shoot a 1.5yr old buck because "it's a buck." I'm sure this next statement will ruffle a few feathers but I feel that most of the guys that bash people for wanting bigger bucks and the typical "I'm a meat hunter" (the one who kills a little buck every year) lack the patience, skill or determination to successfully kill larger, older bucks so they justify their killing of little bucks every year by saying "you can't eat the horns." I kill 2-3 does every year for meat, after that if it's not going on the wall I don't kill it. That's my personal rule. I'm not saying it's right or logical but that's my outlook on it. Don't kill a buck just to say you got a buck. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

There is state land in every county of the state, put in for an area with doe permits. If you have to travel a bit further so be it. I drive an hour each way to hunt. I don't sit on my 10 acres complaining. Go where the deer are. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

You can't take does during archery or late season where you are? Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I've never stepped foot in Letchworth... Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

If I'm tracking a wounded deer then anywhere I can get a bullet into flesh I'm taking that shot, but taking risky shots and hoping for the best is the stuff that gets my blood going. I don't hunt with a few people anymore because they shoot at "flags", it's irresponsible as a hunter. You shoot for the vitals or you don't shoot. Period. Deer are not targets we should be trying trick shooting on. The fact that the OP took this shot shows his pathetic regard for God's creations ( and no I'm not religious whatsoever). I just believe these animals deserve the utmost respect and a quick death, like any animal. Makes you wonder how many animals the OP has wounded and not recovered, he certainly wouldn't post those on here I'm sure after he takes a marginal shot. Noone that intentionally shoots a deer facing away would ever hunt with me, you can Bible thump all you want, I'd figure someone of your faith would put a little more emphasis on life and the respect that comes with it. Rant over.... PS. Don't come crying on here about the one that got away the next time you take a risky shot. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I'm probably in the minority here but I hunt only state land and I'd be for some sort of AR. I've let anything 1.5 or younger go for 5 years now. I've had at least one opportunity at a 2.5yr old buck every year on state land. Last year I killed a 9 pt and this year I killed an 8, and 4 years ago I killed an 8, all during archery. The other years I didn't kill a buck, I shoot does for meat and if I don't kill a buck I'm fine with that. I've killed a lot of 1.5yr old bucks and they just don't do it for me anymore. But having said that... I do understand that some people don't have the time, or simply are happy with a 4 pt and I'm fine with that too. I guess I'm on both sides of the argument. I think they should let everyone vote on it, when you buy your license you get a vote on AR, majority wins. Simple. I'm sure that would result in no AR's but hey you never know. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

We had to put a dog down once for chewing up venison bones and splintering them, they tore holes all through his intestines, this isn't a guess either. The vet took x rays and you could clearly see splintered bone. Granted up until that point we had always fed them the bones without issue. I wouldn't risk it... Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I didn't see anyone mention combining a lighter recoiling round with a muzzle brake. You can add a brake to any rifle and it also significantly reduces recoil but dramatically increases the rifle's report. You could use a 25-06 with a brake with no issues I'd believe, I've got one and the recoil is minimal, even in a light short rifle. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

You can't predict what set of antlers a buck at 1.5 will have at 3.5. an idea? Perhaps. Go check out Charles Alsheimer's study, and it was done in NY also... People watch too much Drury Brothers on TV and start to think they are deer biologists. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I only hunt public land and yes it's very frustrating at times, but... There are big bucks to be had and during archery season quite a few deer in the spots I hunt. I have never gone home empty handed during bow season. It's a matter of figuring out the land, how the deer use it and also how the hunters use it. You can't sit 100yds off of a road or trail on public land and expect noone to ruin it for you. It's inconvenient but just as others have said, cross a nasty swamp or hike it in a long ways and you'll have very seldom interruptions from other hunters, 90% of hunters out there are extremely lazy. I killed a 9pt last year and an 8pt this year with bow on state land along with 4 does. State land can be as good or better than private in some cases, it just gets a stigma attached to it for various reasons. Hunt just off a Rd during gun, expect to be another pumpkin in the patch... Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Yes I'm sure, there are no mag restrictions (hunting wise)for a semi automatic pistol if the barrel is less than 8", you can load 7 or 8 ( whichever you can fit in your 1911 and hunt away. I've never seen a printed minimum barrel length for pistol hunting in NYS. I'm sure they know you wouldn't be doing yourself any favors with a 3" barrel... Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

If the barrel is less than 8" then you can load up your 45 and use it. There is no 6 round restrictions on handguns with less than 8" barrels. I'm not aware of minimum calibers, although out of your lineup I'd only use the 45 and limit shots to bow range or less. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Tons of tracks from last night here in 7f. I saw 6 last night here, nothing this morning yet. I figured they fed hard all night and would be bedded up this morning... Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

18"-20" in most areas, it's drifted 3' in a lot of areas. Clay, NY area. 7F. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Apexer, do you have a hunting appropriate caliber handgun? Something in the 357 or 44 line perhaps? You could always try for a pistol kill, and bring the crossbow along too!? Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Well I got down a little early and still hunted my way back to the truck. I saw 2 going to my stand, 1 while in the stand, and 3 on the way out. I could've shot 5/6 of them. One was a big doe and only 100yds from the truck, I was in full snow camo and she let me walk 35-40 yds away right by her and she never moved, I put the cross hairs on her 3 times but never pulled the trigger, I'm not even sure why I didn't honestly. Just doesn't feel the same with a gun I guess... Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I have 3 deer in my freezer already, I'm not hurting for venison. If I was I would have definitely shot one! Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Passed up on 2 does on the walk in, 50 yds, no idea I was there. Watched them browse for a bit hoping a buck might be with them but no show. I'd have shot one but I don't feel like dragging through 2' of snow Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk