BowmanMike

Wow,that is the goldenrod field you found 60 + beds in,right? I think someone is making sure you are having a piss poor season so you really really appreciate next years success.

Great picture,you can even see the spots. That's awesome.

Why,are you wanted somewhere? Haha

Welcome. I remember my first year or two of hunting,wasn't that long ago and it is not as easy as it seems,but you will learn. Good luck!

Padre,where are you? I am hoping to get some deer during muzzleloader season,I could wait on recovery if you want to practice with your dog. I am in the Cooperstown area.

Best day was opening day of gun season since I bagged a 7 point buck and a doe that weighed just a few pounds less than him. 135 and 130. Close second was an afternoon bow hunt where i was on the ground and had eight deer come past and I had drawn back on I think the same buck I got opening day,but his vitals were hidden behind a tree. Worst day was 8 hrs in a stand that I thought was a great spot and saw one scrawny doe and fawn.

Bow season was different,but by now people seem to catch up,me included. Two more tags for muzzleloader season I would like to fill.

I am in the same boat as Jerry. First i was happy about a break from hunting,now I want back in the game.!!!!!

Welcome to NY and the forum!

I also really start to slack on scent control. I still play the wind as much as possible. And for me the gun season is less exciting as well since the deer are acting completely different. A few seasons ago I was walking back to my house on a dirt road and saw a deer abouy 1/2 mile off in a field above me. I stopped to check it out and it bolted. 1/2 mile away!!! They do get skiddish

Growalot,go get yourself a deer today! I feel today might be the day to get some venison...

I changed to white hot charges and love how much cleaner than pyrodex they are. Cut my cleaning time by 2/3. They have more power than the same weight of pyrodex as well. Muzzleloader is my only hun for hunting deer,and I am very happy with the accuracy and weight of it.

Wow Eddie,gives the word head on shot new meaning. In what scenario could that have worked in the shooters mind? Nuts

There are a lot of people out there that do not know the meaning of the word clean kill. Accidents can happen,but frontal shots dont fall in that category.

Good luck to all of you folks. I am still enjoying my hunting break until muzzleloader season.

You should just put up two stands,fifty fifty chance that way. Sounds wacky,but it might work...

I never shoot twice. Toting a muzzleloader might have something to do with that though.

I doubt you would be waking up in the morning if you spent the night with those two,just my two cents.

I shot a doe in the head once in my real early hunting career. Last day of muzzleloader and i was desperate for meat. It worked out,got her between eyes and ears and she never got up,but i know better now. There is no room for error on one of those shots,now it is double lung for me every time. Neck shots are not a whole lot better either. I dont want to push my luck and leave a wounded deer running around. That is the worst.

Mine was a mixed bag. I saw some nice bucks but got no shots. I couldnt even get a doe in range towards the end when the temps were great for hanging one. It felt a little like a cat and mouse game with this one buck,i almost snuck up on him Friday before the gun opener. But omly almost. He did walk past me at 30 yds on Ssturday first thing and I got him then. This was only my third season with the bow and I am learning stuff every year. I am giving this season an 8 out of 10 rating,even though I harvested nuttin. 4F,Cooperstown area

wow,that kid better leave something for the rest of us!!!

Grow,you really should get something good after your wacky bow season. That worked for me,now i have no tags until muzzleloader season.

Good luck to everyone going out today!

Now i feel bad after reading the posts. I shot my muzzleloader twice on Friday to see if it was on and if it liked the new brand of bullets. The holes were touching and dead on. Only shots i have taken with any gun this year. Then i shot twice on Saturday morning without cleaning the barrel between shots and got a buck at 30 yds and a doe at 60 yds offhand. I dont like practicing much with the muzzleloader because i dont like cleaning it. It is tee only gun i own besides a 22. Oh,i did shoot a couple of rounds with that at nuisance woodchucks,the four legged kind.

Well said sir,i couldn't agree more. I have only been hunting for 6 years,3 seasons with a bow. I was lucky enough to make a friend who took me under his wing. I didn't get a buck until my third year, a decent 5 point. I also shot him through the heart,and a quick death to the animal is worth more than bragging rights for antler points. And i agree everyone can decide what it is they want to hunt within the general rules. It will change as one evolves through the hunting career. I love the venison,we make different kinds of sausage and some other stuff. That is all the meat i eat,nothing from the store. That is important to me,and I find myself passing 1 1/2 year old bucks in hopes that I get a shot at them next year. I harvest does with no regrets. And i am having fun for the most part.