phade

That's one of the hunter's Murphy Law...of course you'll see a big buck after you fill a tag. Just like the bow clanking on a stand rail, or forgetting your release at the truck, or eating those burritos the night before opener...you get it!

I like the el cheapo $99 combo from Morrell at Dick's Sporting Goods. Get the $10 off coupon and it's a good deal. A bag and a bh target. The BH target is OK, but I shot the heck out of it this year. Looking back, I should have rotated it more. It still has one good side, but the remaining were shot out in four months of heavy practice. I would be confident of better durability if I had paid attention to it. Two sides were chewed up because I didn't rotate for a good while. The bag is good and will last. My bag is toast because ants moved in. I went through three arrows before I realized I was hitting a wet sand-filled bag that felt like a brick wall. I plan on buying another combo this off-season if they go on sale.

I got one from a guy on AT years ago. He was a legit company, but I forget the name. Got a discount for going through AT. I bought two, lost one (my own) and gave the other to my FIL. I really miss mine. very worth it. I've resorted to the adhesive back patches, but they are expensive short-term. The cost basis for the $10 hand warmer boxes at Sam's, etc. is much cheaper overall. The back patches run about 8 bucks per box and you only get three or so. I really liked the belt in December. I thought about using it in November during bow when it got chilly and my fleece was borderline not being warm enough, but then I lost it, ha.

Food sources are always a good bet for does. This time of year, I might look for thick areas near food sources. Not necessarily for traditional beds, but places where the does can go to get a respite from bucks pestering them.

Agreed...where I hunt, it's all about placing your rear in escape routes. The pressure usually does the trick that day. Unfortunately, the deer wise up afterwards. My hunting grounds has a notorious history for being very poor after opening day. Last year was an exception to the rule as I seen some decent action the second week, and during mz.

Looks like it may be a tad windy...15-20 for Rochester area. Otherwise...should be fun! Gonna be cool in the morning too...

Had a doe bedded by my neighbor's mailbox, right ont he side of a road. She was clearly ready to breed. I was able to back the truck up and be within 5 feet of her before she stood up and started walking away. Nice 8 point right next to her that I did not see initially. He simply got up and followed her into the brush.

This is my 6 from this year. If his G-2 didn't break, he'd score decent for a 6. And, he's a true mainframe six...no kickers/splits, etc. 18 or 18.5" spread...I forget now, ha. Maybe it'll serve as a reference point. His remaining G2 is in that 11" ballpark. Didn't measure it, but by length of hand, he had a few inches left of my thumb-to-middle finger measurement at 7" or so.

If it's chained and not nailed...I suppose there is an argument for not being permanent because it's not nailed into the tree. Would be no different than a metal store-bought stand chained to the tree. Kind of a grey area, but if it's not nailed, I suppose it could be argued as temporary, as long as it's taken down at the end of the season.

Property access is a huge factor, no doubt. Much of the issue is small parcelization. Similar to more big bucks in one area...too many and they get to scrapping, etc. from time to time.... More small parcels means more boundaries.

Stud! Nice job!

First buck at 17...first shots ever fired at a deer. 75 yards open sighted 870 in a stand on the dge of a field. hit him high and back...survivable and just a flesh wound. At full speed I readied a second shot, tried to remember lead...and let it fly. Buck noes dives and flips forward end over end twice, burying one antler in the field. Third shot just to ensure he's down. Best part was I had a witness, as a step brother was hunting about 100 yards from me and saw the entire sequence. Second shot hit him between the antler and ear, and exited the opposite ear. Never seen anything like it in my hunting days, and likely never will again. A nice 8 point.

Go to NYSTA (New York State Trappers Association). Tell them your problem, and ask them to put you in contact with an experienced K-9 trapper in your area. They will gladly do this. Let the trapper do his/her job. Experiened trappers are very effective for a localized area.

I write and write and write and write and write and write. Paychex, a few hunting and fishing publications, and a manufacturer or two.

Thanks. The broken G-2 just gives him a little more character...he's a scrapper. Left ear was torn in three places.

Here's another couple photos.

6 pt...down in Rush, Monroe Co. Got a haircut from another archer since opener....had one blade swipe off a shoulder that's started to heal over. He was a heavy buck...probably biggest body I've taken.

I plan on decoying once this weekend, and will start using it a little more often once my vacation starts on Nov. 4. To me, I think one rule is not to decoy too often on the same property. I usually use one or a pair (bedded doe), about twice per season (two days of sits) on a particular property. When I first used a decoy about 4-5 years ago (a 3-d target), I used it more than I should have and I watched bucks see the decoy 100+ yards away and turn away, after interacting with it before. Does will spook often...but they can really draw in a buck when used right. I also think stand selection is important. Most stands that I decoy in are not hunted when I'm not decoying. Generally they are in places where I know bucks can see if from afar, and where does may not likely be walking by in close proximity. I will occassionally use the dekes in a field corner, etc. where I may hunt without them at times, but that's usually a make or break hunt (as in, last time I'll be in that stand for the season or for a significant period of time). I've had a few does come out to feed in their normal spot and spook, but do so over a long period of time (5-10 minutes, blowing, stomping, etc.), and I've had less success on the remainder of that hunt when that happens...although once the bucks are roaming, it's all up in the air. I like hedge rows that jut out into fields and are relatively close to woods, but are not connected, sorta like ( if this makes any sense, ha!): IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

I'm not a huge crossbow proponent, but this is simply false. NY has a high bowhunting population...about 220k IIRC. More bowhunters stop hunting because of age/physical stature than any other issue. Crossbows will help hunters (regardless of draw loc use) hunt longer (retention) into their elder years. Most states that allow crossbows throughout also have younger average age of entering hunters. PA is a fail for many reasons, not simply AR. And, remember, I'm against AR. Yeah, and a substantial percentage of NYS bowhunters aren't even in favor of crossbows during bow season. So you think these guys will do an about face when they get old and lame and go out and get that crossbow? Again, I HIGHLY doubt it. Where'd you get the substantial percentage? NYB?

Out of OH, IA, and IL, how may have defined AR? Answer me that? That's why PA isn't in the discussion....because they manage poorly, and a variety of other reasons. I'm not a huge crossbow proponent, but this is simply false. NY has a high bowhunting population...about 220k IIRC. More bowhunters stop hunting because of age/physical stature than any other issue. Crossbows will help hunters (regardless of draw loc use) hunt longer (retention) into their elder years. Most states that allow crossbows throughout also have younger average age of entering hunters.

Do you really think hunters are dropping out of hunting in NYS because the hunting experience is not a quality one?? I HIGHLY doubt that. I would say the biggest reason is lack of available private land to hunt, followed by old hunters dying out and not many young people taking it up. You make this state a "quality" state and you will have even MORE resident hunters without private land to hunt. Only the highest bidders will have land to hunt while everyone else will be left with public land that will be so overhunted that it will pretty much be worthless. You think hunter numbers are dwindling now in NYS, just wait until a scenario like you suggest would come to fruition! Every state is unique. Just because hunting is run a certain way in Ohio, don't mean it would work in NY. The vast majority of hunters in NY are gun hunters. Shorten their season like they have in Ohio and you will see license sales plummet. Yeah, sure many will continue to hunt, but those that are luke warm about it and there are quite a few of them out there, will surely not shell out the money for a license then. Why should they?? New York has more public land than most eastern states. Lease prices are about the same in Ohio vs. NY for similar quality habitat, as is acreage costs. The vast majority of hunters in any state are gun hunters, so that statement means nothing. Luke warm hunters only typically hunt the first week, weekend, or day of the season. Hunter participation drops as the gun season progresses, so luke warm hunters don't really lose time they would otherwise not spend in the woods. Again, refer to Ohio and their ability to recruit youths. Much better than our system. A big portion of the problem was our age restriction, which is still amongst the most restrcitive in the country even after the lowered age. Improving the quality experience retains hunters, recruits new hunters, and reinforces all the positives about hunting. Ohio performs habitat management on public land to maxmize the experience for public land hunters. I can think of one instance where the DEC even allows this to happen (and the pheasants group that does it, does it on their own dime)...otherwise, they don't lift a finger to maxmize Joe Public's experience. Quality hunting experience includes access. On top of the work the DNR does, they create PROGRAMS to provide access to private lands. Right now, there's a Web site you can go to, enter your hunter info, and it'll be sent to PRIVATE FARMS, where farmers can offer access in exhcange for controlling the deer population (hunting). Brillant idea, eh? I sure don't see the DEC doing anything even close to this. Keep saying nothing's broken. And pretty soon broken will turn into dead - as in our hunting quality.

It's called divorce. ;D Things are picking up activity-wise! If the rain holds off, this should be a good weekend!

If you like Ohio's management system, quit hunting in New York State and go hunt Ohio! Don't forget to bring your wallet either.$$$$$ Ohio is still cheap to hunt. Plenty of public land with good hunting. Why would you tell someone that would like the system here to improve that they should move rather than try and make a difference? I never said a thing about him moving. I said if he likes the way Ohio manages there deer and dislikes the way NY manages there deer then Ohio would probably be better hunting for his needs. Let me be clear about this...it's not the state. It's the system. Granted, it's from Ohio....but it's not the state that makes the system work. It's the system. It seems clear you want things unchanged? That's perfectly fine, as everyone has their opinion. I feel Ohio's deer management system is superior to what we have in NY and bringing it here would improve hunting (not rack size....talking access, finances, biology, quality of experience, etc.) on a grand scale. Best of luck to you this season.

If you like Ohio's management system, quit hunting in New York State and go hunt Ohio! Don't forget to bring your wallet either.$$$$$ You may want to re-read. In reference to the group's proposal, I never said..."I, me, we,".....I said "they"...which last I remember from school, meant a group that "I" was not a part of. My only insertion was my opinion of Ohio's system, and the relative lack of awareness of developing a "system" that likely isn't as good as what is already available for adoption. That said, Ohio should be the state all other state's look to, to manage their deer. They balance biology, hunters, and finances. They balance the trio perfectly. And, one of the best counter points to your lovely statement...ever look at the cost of an out-of-state license for Ohio vs. NY. Bet you can't guess which one costs more to deer hunt a season (bow/gun/mz)? From what I read "Follow Ohio's deer managment and life will be great", this sure sounded like you want all of us hunters in NY to do as Ohio does. Who would life be great for? Oh yes, all the guys that think hunting is about how much rack a buck has. I have no idea of license fees in Ohio but good luck finding prime land in prime deer country in Ohio for a reasonable price. I care nothing about this being a rack issue. I'm talking about the grand perspective. One buck, you get to choose the size. You want a dink and want meat...go for it. You want to hold out for a monster...go for it. The bottom line is that Ohio gives sportsmen the choice of using their tag on any buck, properly manages does, performs habitat improvement on public lands for better quality deer hunting, charges fees accordingly without high license costs, welcomes out-of-state hunters and their economy, and land prices are comprarable to what we have here. Tell me how that equates to the Ohio DNR managing for big bucks alone? They got smart and said, let's manage the whole thing right, and everything else will fall into place. Not to mention, they allow crossbows throughout the season. And, they have mandatory check stations for REAL biological data gathering. For the record, I'm against AR and width criterion. Notice that Ohio has neither, except the legal buck measurement similar to what we have (3" etc.). Again, tell me how that equates to rack google eyes? NY's DEC is screwed. They have financial issues, have leadership handcuffs (Grannis being fired), are reactive rather than proactive with their DMP approach (hence the cut a few years back well AFTER the overharvest occurred), have screwed up boundary units, have one of the worst tag reporting systems in country, a system that will allow you to apply for DMPs in a unit where they are not available (try it and see what happens...). The biologists are restrained by political issues, and can't manage as they would prefer, and the state has a terrible reputations for being close to the leaderboard in skewed age harvests (although that's personal choice to some degree). You tell me what's the better option? I hunt in one of the best WMUs in the entire state, as do some here. Is it all bad? No. But, the upside and lack of downside for sending our DEC personnel to Ohio to learn the ropes and adopt their system is a no brainer.

The grassy spot between the area may be a good spot, especially is it's concealed from the road. It's not a definite that they are bedding in the grassy area...they could be in the corn...or in the thick area. I might consider a stand location where you can view it with binos the first evening...mark times/locations of entry. Use that for the next evening, assuming wind is right. Depending on what I saw the first evening, I might be inclined to take a very quick, scent-cautious walk on the edge of that grassy area for more information at midday the next day. You may find a scrape in that area. I'm not all that high on hunting right over a scrape, but scrapes in these locations can be prime candidates for daytime visits, which are a smaller percentage of total scrape visits. Still, that area sounds like it would get activity within shooting hours.