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Rebel Darling

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Everything posted by Rebel Darling

  1. 4L - Sat for the first 2.5 hours before family obligations kicked in. Picked a spot down in some hemlocks, just off a marsh edge. 2 does and a fawn came in on a path 10 yards from my stand right at sunrise. I let them pass hoping a buck would follow them in. The lead doe caught my ground scent, and the 3 of them hung out trying to figure out where that scent lead to. They saw me (something unknown to them) in the stand, and hung around for 30 mins trying to figure out the scene. The fawn and the middle deer walked right up to the base of the tree and sniffed around. I think they caught the smell of the field dress from Tuesday’s doe, and may have been the same family unit. They were incredibly curious. This morning’s spot is about 80 yards from the kill site. Eventually they gave up and wandered off into the marsh to bed, and that was the last of the deer for the morning. I could have burned a doe tag, but was more interested in what they could teach today. Ended up seeing those three, a Red Fox soon after, then a Barred Owl, and then a flock of turkeys walking the oak edge outside the hemlocks. I learned a lot watching those three deer work together, and reacting to one another. While it wasn’t what I had hoped for when I geared up, I certainly learned more today. Congrats to all those who connected on some great warm weather deer today (and over the past few)! Heading up to 4H tomorrow mid-day, maybe head into Partridge Run for a spot off bedding, or meet up with a buddy and hunt the evening. Good luck and safe afield! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  2. 4L - Doe down! 17 yards. From the ground. Quartered-to. That’s the exit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  3. Well, I’ll go sit in the snow for a while, see if I can catch something on a trail heading to and fro after the weather eases. 4L checking in. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  4. May have had an arrow sent his way after one of those bleats some time in his past... Also - 30 ft up on a day like today? Ballsy!
  5. 4L - Central "Rentler" Co., up on the Plateau. Watched a spike walk up a trail about mid-day, and then back down the trail in the 4 pm hour. Nose down, cruising. Not stopping for browse at all. Saw three does up in the 2pm hour walking and browsing. Nothing harassing them, nor anything after them on their trail (well, except for me, and they winded me).
  6. Working from home. Out the back window I've seen a spike twice (once around noon, and just again now), and three does in the 2:00 p.m. hour. Wind calmed down a short while ago. Tried putting a stalk on the does earlier, but the wind whipped in all directions, and they winded me. Exciting... But mostly a spectator today. Hope to be out in the morning and tomorrow.
  7. 4L Tapped out at 9 to meet the family. Zero deer seen. Great bucks, fellas! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  8. Buddy just sent a pic of an 8 pointer crossing his lawn in 4H just now... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  9. 4L Gearing up, getting ready, and joining the chorus of Good Luck to All. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  10. 4L Busted getting set up for the second day in a row, and 3rd time this year. This time by a doe and her two fawns. They came in quick, and she scented me. She backed off from 15 yards, made me and bounded off. Saw the buck that was pushing her, and he saw me too. That was at about 11am. One of the fawns bleated, and they both seemed to be happy to be along for the ride. Frustrating season so far. My timing has been off, and I can feel myself losing patience, which I need to correct. I should just accept that it was a great encounter, and I picked a good spot. Down in a couple hours for Halloween with the wife and boy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  11. Heard. It's reasonable. I should have specified that there is extensive research on the topic that links daylight to testosterone levels. Here's an example, just for the reading and curiosity (I've also read whitetail biology books that cite the same conclusion after study) - http://www.ansci.wisc.edu/jjp1/ansci_repro/misc/websites09/thur/Deer Seasonality/Deer Seasonality.html ) The testosterone gets the bucks all fired up and breaks them out of their bachelor groups and forces them to set the pecking order. But if you focus solely on breeding, and not rutting behavior, I see your point.
  12. There's research that states that decreases in the amount of daylight (not estrous scent) increases the testosterone in whitetail bucks. Here's an article from Outdoor Life - https://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/hunting/2016/01/why-do-bucks-lose-their-antlers-science-behind-sheds/ It really is a mating season with whitetails, with both the does and bucks increasing their hormones due to the time of year. All that to say that the increase in buck testosterone occurs prior to the does coming into estrous, not as a result of it. Back on thread: 4L - No new sign seen today. Deer were on their feet early afternoon. No bucks seen cruising.
  13. I "run" as they say out West, First Lite for early, mid, and late seasons. Best purchases I've ever made. I've been accumulating different pieces to complete sets, or "kits" as they call them, over the course of three years, and can speak to the functionality and efficacy of many of their tops, bottoms, gloves and hats. After a September Idaho bow hunt for Elk this year (temps from 24 degrees to 70 degrees), and a few seasons in the whitetail woods with their gear on, I'll be loyal to them for a long while. It does what it says it'll do, and it's the best money I've spent. Comfort goes a long way and keeps you out there. If anyone has questions about their gear, I'd be happy to answer them. Looks like they're about to unveil a new line of whitetail gear, so their solitude bibs and jackets might go on sale end of season (just guessing here)... I wore those bibs and jacket with the kiln mid-layer on a 30 degree day in the stand. Toasty. Now if I could just find some friggin' boots... Ain't no cure for my cold feet. On occasion, I get discount code referrals from them. I'll try to remember to post it up here. Full disclosure - I get a discount from them for some conservation volunteer work that I do. I do not receive any compensation from sales or anything like that.
  14. Date:10/27/20 Area: 4L Phase: Pre Rut Saw some young bucks pushing does around. Scrapes starting to pop up, same with rubs. Not widespread.
  15. Interesting event... The History of Elk in New York's Adirondack Mountains: Did you know that eastern elk once inhabited New York's Adirondack Mountains and surrounding areas? Join conservationist and New York BHA chapter leader Todd Waldron for a 30-minute video talk and presentation about the intriguing history of elk in New York State. https://www.backcountryhunters.org/eastern_elk_with_waldron?fbclid=IwAR0WmxuN4Y6Tz0Ba6nH_95Xfw177qpQe7Q55RNtBZv0YkuRlndnwtT3HJgE
  16. Congrats on the family addition! Rest up now, fella. Ha.
  17. You bet! I have the Tethrd Mantis saddle, and their Predator Platform. I also picked up their tree tether and their lineman's belt, as well as one of their haulers (gear sack). I didn't need to buy their tree tether, nor the lineman's belt. I realized that quickly. Other linemans ropes I had on hand would have done the job. I already had Lone Wolf climbing sticks for a hanging stand I have. They are the most difficult part of the hauling in. They're weighty (as sticks go), and long. Hope to have a different option in the next couple of years, but I did get a decent set-up going with a new pack and compression straps. I've not been fatigued in the saddle, but I haven't sat an all-day sit with it. Longest I was in was about 6 or 6.5 hours early in bow season. Killed a deer and hauled out without feeling strained, nor pained. I might pick up a pair of light knee-pads so I can "kneel" against the tree with more comfort, but that's pretty much it. Given the range of motion I can get out of the set-up, I imagine I could get an all day sit out of one no-problem. I can stand, sit, hang, side-saddle the tree, hug the tree, twist around for stretching (and shots!), etc. On all-day sits, though, my wife, and son (& one on the way!) typically have different ideas on how I should spend my time, so doubt I'll be able to test that out this year. Ha...
  18. Personally, I'm more comfortable in the saddle than in my climber. This past year, I fell asleep "hugging" the tree while in my saddle. My bridge had me tied tight onto the tree, so there was no fear of falling, because I couldn't. I laid my arms across my bridge and laid my head into them. Out... I literally can't fall unless I'm actively trying to flip myself over. For the record, I'm not fond of heights, and I feel "locked in" while in the saddle. I also credit a run and gun doe kill on public this year to the saddle. I was able scout and then set up in a crooked tree, which was the tree I needed to be in. My climber would not have gotten me in that tree, nor any other in the immediate area. I would not have been in range for the shot if I brought the climber that day. I probably could have set up with a smaller hanging stand. I don't have any experience with some of the larger climbers like the Summits. I have a Lone Wolf hand climber which is super-light and easily pack-able. It's a great option if you know the tree you're going to get in. I often don't have the time to scout like that. The tree selection mandates presented by my climber (it'll be the same with any climber) pushed me to invest in a saddle. It hurt the wallet, 'cause it ain't cheap, but I'm glad I did. I will also say that a few of my favorite hunts have been #fromtheground I really like that challenge and "ease" of set up. There's a few topic threads on here on saddles, and you'll get a wide variety of opinions. Search them up, and sort through. I'm sorta infrequent on here during seasons other than the fall 'cause of the seasonal nature of my work, but I'm happy to answer any other questions if you want to post 'em up, or send me a message. Good luck!
  19. Roost pitting. Excellent. Very grateful to know. Thank you...
  20. Total newb to turkey hunting, having only been a couple/few times on my own. I have little idea as to what I'm doing, in part because I haven't done much of it. Hoping to learn more. Went out yesterday morning, and found a gobbler on the roost. Lucky strike. He didn't think much of my calls, or I spooked him walking in. He flew down, and then gobbled all the way off my neighbor's property... Barred owls jumped trees and then through the scene around the same time. After they left, I thought another hunter started incessantly calling with clucks and purrs. Couldn't see him, and each time I moved to take another look, the call intensity increased. This went on for 40 mins. Real good calling from what I've heard. I got fed up, and thought he was trying to tell me to get out. So, I stood up to go find him and at least meet him. Haven't met anyone else on my neighbor's that has rights to hunt. Right as I took my first step, the hen roosting above me blew out of the tree in a panic. Ha. Should have sat still. This morning, I went back, hoping that the tom would roost there again. No dice. Two beautiful dawns in the woods, though.
  21. Lone Wolf Assault Hand Climber: 3 seasons old, only two seasons of use. I didn't use it this past season. Total use maybe 40 times. Comes with Third Hand Archery bow holder (currently set for left-handed, but easy switch to right-handed). Comes with F&S padded shoulder straps. Minimal wear. Some camo duct tape on solid pieces to break up lines, as well as cast bow holder for when I used it to dampen sound. Very little wear showing on traction belts. Asking: $235.00 Cash on pick-up, or check by mail. Buyer pays shipping. Willing to meet somewhere in region 4. Based out of 4L, Rensselaer County. PM me here if interested. Selling because I've taken to hunting from the ground, and using a saddle for run-and-gun.
  22. No Mow May. Violets, strawberries, dandelions, prunella vulgaris... We’re also at 1500’, so I can get away with not mowing until June. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  23. On QAD Hunter issues: I have a QAD Hunter drop rest. The other day, and in preparation for a Western hunt, I upped the draw weight on my bow, and the fletching started hitting the rest, leaving marks on the fletching undersides right at the rest's "U" points. The contact also put a funky wobble on the arrow at close yardages, before it could balance out. Today, I adjusted the timing cable, loosening it a 16th of an inch, and the arrow no longer contacts the rest, and the arrow flies like a dart again. I've had the QAD since I bought the bow (my first) almost 6 years ago. I had it adjusted once, before I knew what I was doing, and made the second adjustment this morning. Otherwise, the rest has worked well for me, and I haven't "needed" to replace it, just tinker with it. A friend has already had to replace his whisker biscuit that he bought new around the same time because of wear in the whiskers. Something to consider...
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