phade

Found some more on the work comp...

No. I do not see a need. All unmanaged ground, too.

Also, please post up where anyone, ANYONE said age has little to do with it? The problem is people put too much weight into age when trying to align it with antler growth and they do so because they do not understand the role of other growth factors like soil quality and density, nor body size related to latitude.

The average age of bucks harvested in the AR zones in NY are older than the average age of bucks harvested in wNY and LI. Guess where the biggest based on overall volume/avg antler size deer still come from? wNY and LI where AR is not involved to advance the age class. So again, age allows one to express potential. Soil quality is what allows the bone on the head to be what it is. The question is the "biggest" deer. And on the Hanson buck, most people agree on 3.5 despite claims of 4.5. Aging wear on deer 3.5+ is a loose art in my book as compared to the actual slice of tooth under the microscope. That and the premise that most typicals in the record books are younger because of the propensity for bucks to start growing abnormal points or deductions once they hit their fourth year.

Sports and 24/hr news nails me every time with cable. Can't get away from it.

Lots of companies release firmwares to fix a variety of things. Just like updates to your virus protection or computer software.

I have a love hate thing with blind hunting. Limited views tend to make me want to nap. On a wet dreary day, not much beat being in a blind and dry, however, where I can eat all my packed snacks, lol.

I missed on really nice buck at 7 yds last year due to similar issue. You'd be surprised at how easy an inadvertent contact can release an arrow and you don't even know it.

Age allows bucks to express potential. Soil quality is scientifically proven to be where the rubber meets the road. Age is just the lowest hole in the bucket and people assume that's really the driver, but that's just misinformation. So much focus is on age and maturity that people lose the understanding of why it is important. It doesn't result in bigger antlers unless you unfairly try to compare non-matching age classes. It results in the ability to express the potential. Soil quality is proven to be the catalyst for antler size. This is backed up by a plethora of scientifically accepted, peer reviewed studies. Antler beam diameter of yearling bucks consistently map out darn near precisely with the geographical soil quality maps. Exceptions to this in studies have been in urban areas where the soil quality is enhanced by humans - don't kid yourself, that Boone and Crockett buck isn't eating out of a dumpster, it's eating out of the well manicured properties of suburbanites that mow their yard every third day, plant nice yards and open space fields loaded with deer-preferred food sources, all of which are heavily fortified with nutrients for deer to uptake because every homeowner spends untold amounts of money on fertilizer, etc. You also know who might disagree with you on age? Milo Hansen and his 3.5 y/o buck. Might think he's up in an area with less soil quality right? Think Glacial deposits. Same reason why many of the areas of NY are good for farming - good soil thanks to our last ice age. Not coincidentally, they line up with many of the better deer hunting areas in terms of top potential.

HBD you southern redneck! Fit right in I bet! Wayne Co. to MS? That's an even swap in my book, lol. Enjoy it!

Same with me, one grouse while bowhunting. Strutting along, I couldn't bring myself to shoot because I knew how rare they were in our area. So cool to see.

Love that predator dipped bow. Always wanted to do that, but hard to justify the cost for me. Certainly nice bucks for NY, too. 8F is underrated in my book. There are pockets there that really produce.

I think people make way too much out of this question. There are biological and hunter satisfaction merits to both ends of the spectrum. In the end, do what makes you happy - I don't think either method is wrong as long as the end tally at the end of the year is the same because the difference is likely so minute that we'll never be able to "tell" with hard data on the ground we hunt.

Bucks can only grow what the soil allows. Suburban/city environments provide great soil quality because of all the enhancements made by humans. Those deer are not eating in peoples yards just because that is all thats left. Its because it offers the best quality food. All of the factors that go into bigger bucks doesnt change in a city environment. Age is one of the factors, but nowhere near the only.

Jerkman just verified he got his test text pics. JFB is going to grab the one remaining cam I have on the way. I have to travel this coming week for work, so if you want one, you'll have to be patient with me since I'll need to be home to get these cams set up. But, I'll keep you in the loop as people can attest to.

Hey now, I was going into work, lol.

Danggit...I was JUST about to say that.

Welcome to the Internet.

He got caught up in the moment and laid one down w/o the tarp.

BTW, for the record, this guy got blood ALL over his carpeted tailgate this past weekend. Should have seen him weep.

The conditions for big bucks really isn't a mystery. Soil quality, hunting pressure, ability to age, and basic survival components (shelter, water, food) really add up to the answer. Genetics play a role, but its so minor that its hard to grasp how much in a free range location. Although, I will say with a caveat that state class or world class bucks seem to come from the same small pockets in areas where even they exceed the norm. Not sure why. The difference is soil cation exchange capacity alone is a big difference between wNY and the areas out east in NY.

Jerkman's cam has arrived to me and I will be setting it up tonight. I have one more on the way that is not spoken for. If interested, let me know.

When I was in a hunt club in VA, there were 4,300 acres leased to the club long-term from the paper companies. 42 members. Let me tell you, I've never seen so many rules in my life. There was more drama in that club about the rules themselves than the actual drama between the guys. I think the best way to handle club rules is to just have a sitdown from the get-go and agree to terms, and keep it to as few rules as possible so people don't lose focus on just having fun and hunting. If the management plan itself calls for earn a buck, and everyone is on the same page, then it is what it is.

I have found a rangefinder to be an invaluable tool for me. I've used it several times to range a deer and shoot it, not to mention the ranging of trails and trees, etc. when getting to the stand. I have a Bushnell Chuck Adams model and it works great for my needs. Leica and OptiLogic seem to be great options too from all the reviews on them.

Wouldn't worry about it, you've already engaged the warranty swap out.............................