Rebel Darling

Wow... That's a lot of traps. I'm surprised that the fine is only $3k, considering the amount of traps. Must be a cap in MN statute.

Another FYI... O'Mara amended the bill, and Assemblywoman Woerner introduced the Same As in the Assembly this afternoon. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/s4739/amendment/a Amended WMU's in the A version. Someone's having an effect, and/or listening... ALSO - On the Senate side, Senators Amedore, Funke, and Larkin added their names to the bill as Co-sponsors.

So far at the feeder up on Taborton, we have only: - Juncos - Nuthatches - Chickadees - Titmouse We need to get better seed. We set out black oil sunflower seeds. In the past two years, I've seen, in addition to the above: Pileated Woodpecker, Hairy & Downy Woodpecker, Yellow Bellied Sapsucker, Cedar Waxwing, Scarlet Tanager, Red Tail Hawk, Broad Winged Hawk, Barred Owl, Osprey, Hermit Thrush (and it's cousin, Robin), Bluejays, Crows, Ravens, and I know I'm forgetting a few others...

I didn't make time to take a measurement this morning (eye says we're a little over two feet), but it's a shocking photo when I place this image next to the memory of zero inches of snow just two days ago. Gotta pull some of that snow off the roof this evening... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This year will be my first concerted effort in the turkey woods. Last night, I picked up the pre-ordered Winchester SXP Turkey Hunter (12 guage, 3.5 inch shells) and need to sight that in. After reading Grampy's post, I think I might pick up a bug net for the head and face. I figure it'll better hide me as well. My calling is getting better on the pot call, but I'd like to learn the box call for gobbling. A friend gave me one when he moved across country. I have a ridge picked out for sunny days, and a forest clearing for when it rains. But mostly, I'm looking forward to getting into the woods for a hunt.

Just to clarify: There's a substantive difference between what DEC offered as regulations last year and this piece of legislation. It's a brand new bill, and attempts to codify, in statute, an antler restriction program. Regulations are more malleable, but a statute would be on the books as law and require an act of the Legislature to remove it. It's a substantive, and significant difference. If you're for it, or against it, it's a good idea to let your state senator and assembly member know before it moves...

Here's an FYI: New York State Senator Thomas O'Mara, chair of the EnCon committee, today introduced SB 4739 - Establishes the yearling buck protection program. Deputy Majority Leader DeFrancisco is a co-sponsor. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/S4739 Don't harass the messenger... Ha. Cheers...

Saw the same group of doe, this time a little further than last. I had moved closer, but they were a good ways over the property line. I think there was some chasing again right around 4:15. Lots of running through the woods. Probably would have missed them entirely if it hadn't been for the snow on the ground. Hope everyone is warming up... Toes and fingertips felt frozen solid. Painful, but easing up now. I'm all thumbs when using Tapatalk.

It was the first I've heard it, and it definitely sounded more natural than the bleat can, which I'm about ready to throw out. I should just use my vocal chords to make that sound. I couldn't see where the action was, but I did see deer running just before the sounds started. Maybe some chasing... I though it was just the does, but it was too far for me to accurately make out all the deer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Right? Neighbor told me today that it's a shame to harvest the does around here because "that's our breeding stock." This came right after I told him I harvested and early season doe. Legally. The real problem here in 4L is before and after legal light sniping, and general doe poaching up here for guys who take a deer every year with rifle, antlers or not. There are no doe tags issued up here. Had a fella admit to poaching the lead doe in the herd last year because she was big. Makes me want to yell obscenities. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lots of late shots here in 4L. Those doe hung in the woods for a while. I don't know where they went. Sounded like another hunter and I were in a calling war. Someone started fawn bleating for their life at 4 until 4:20. Packing up, and climbing down. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

3 doe milling about, 175 yards or so. Neighbor's yelling about something behind me. Doubt they'll make it to me for a shot. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm in. C'mon brown fur! Good luck, all. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Face-plant. Make an impression. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Could be tannins in acorns, other food stuffs, or even a bit of estrous. You give it a waft and smell? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, I wish I were in the field and not the office, but this latest in a long feud came across: [UPDATE] Deer God: Cuomo & De Blasio Custody Battle Ends With Dead Deer http://gothamist.com/2016/12/16/cuomo_cares_no_really.php

Thank you and Luna for all your efforts, and for sharing your stories. This is one of my favorite threads to read, and it's usually my first click when I see a new post. Have a great off-season, and I hope you all enjoy the holidays!

The Benchmade Mountain Skinner arrived today. I know it doesn't fit the thread's intent because it's not an heirloom, or one that's been passed down through the generations, but since there's no hunter to pass one to me, this is the one I plan to pass on when I do. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I hope you and your family find comfort in each other, Buckmaster. Judging by your story, you certainly do. All the best to you all.

Rifle season came and went. That's kind of how it worked for me last year too. I hunted hard during bow, let up during rifle, and now I'm excited for this short stretch of late season. My regular season tag is now an either/or. I did have a great experience last week with three doe, though. I'd situated myself on the ground on my neighbor's property, near a trail I'd seen a buck walk during early season. There were fresh tracks, so I chose to sit there. When I saw that buck, I had tried to call him in with some grunts and snort wheezes, but my other neighbor was taking his daughter for a joyride on his tractor just across the road, about 50 yards away. While I stopped that buck in his tracks, he decided he wanted none of what I had to offer, kept looking back at that screaming joyride, and then continued on. I'm pretty sure, based on the travel route, that this is the same buck that made all the scrapes in the above posts... While on the ground last week, I had tucked myself under the low hanging branches of a young hemlock just off the trail, and sat like a rock for two and a half hours. A grey squirrel tried my patience for over a half hour leading into the golden hour. I won that contest, even though I thought that at one point he was going to jump on my head and tear through my balaclava. I could hear him breathing just above me. At 25 minutes or so before legal light ended, three doe snuck up behind me, with one coming in real close to investigate. It looked like they were coming up the hill. She did a half-circle around me, all upwind at under 10 yards. She stomped a bit, bobbed her head around for a better look at me, scented the wind numerous times, pretended to lower her head to eat, but didn't spook until about 15 minutes or so through, and even then she just ran a few yards away, stopping to give me another long look before she and her friends bounded off, white tails flagging. I'm now thinking that she could smell the doe urine in my backpack, which was right next to me on the ground. If only I'd had a non-existent 4L doe tag... I waited a while until after legal light and decided to cycle the bolt to remove the cartridge, and pack it up for the day. As I pulled the bolt back, that signature "tlick" of the round popping out announced itself to the world and I heard a deer blowout. I turned and saw the three doe bounding off again. They had doubled back, trying to return to the area I was in, a promising sign, and the intel for today's late season hunt. I figured they'd be coming up the hill because that's how I imagined they'd come up behind me. I set myself up in the climber for the SSW wind thinking they'd pass 20 yards in front of me. I also hugged close to the buck trail. There were fresh tracks in the snow, traveled twice in the same direction I had seen him go in early season. There I was up in a tree with my bow, thinking I had a good opportunity for either/or. Well, about 20 minutes before legal light ended, I catch movement to my SSW, directly downwind, but also downhill, so I'd hoped my scent might travel over them. They came across the hill, instead of up it as I had planned. It's at this point that I think I started making mistakes. I could see two of them, and they didn't appear to be moving. After what seemed to be a while, but was probably only 30 seconds, I got nervous that they'd change course and head directly uphill 75 yards or so behind me. The woods were thick, so my view of them was limited. I decided to try and use some calls, and I chose poorly. I gave out two bleats and they perked up. One shot the other a quick look. After a bit, I buck grunted a couple of times, and I don't think they liked that at all. I never saw them wander off, but I never saw them come closer either. In desperation, I rattled a little, thinking maybe the buck might be on his feet and wandering over, or that the ladies would check out the commotion. Neither happened. In the end, I think the doe winded me, and were eventually spooked by all the different sounds I threw at them. Poor positioning, poor calling, and I'm worried that I've ruined the spot for the remainder of the season. Despite this evening's disappointment, it seems that the buck made it through rifle season, and maybe I'll be able to get him on a good set-up come next year's early season. Maybe I'll even get to lay down one of those doe this year. I have to give that spot another few days to rest, though, and set up further back by about 100 yards, and down hill for a S or SW wind.

Any deer will do in 4L. Pressure falling, temp around freezing. Snow in a couple of hours. Hope they get up early. Just noticed a ladder stand on my neighbor's property. It's actually in this picture. I'm the only one that has permission here. Better let them know. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Last night, the wife and I enjoyed our first taste of the year's harvest. Buck roast rubbed in assorted spices, and potatoes, carrots, onions, and apples. Cozy night, last night...

A handful of shots since legal light all around, but in the distance. Nothing but me, the woodpeckers and squirrels here. Quiet. Cold. Beautiful. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ahh... Meant as a response to TCIII. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Walking on sugarcoated corn flakes... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk