Steve D

Glad to see you are having some luck. I put 4 sets out last week behind the house and the only action I have had is a deer stepped in one and sprung the trap. With all the rain, snow, freeze and thaw I will probably do some re-makes and put some more out. Forecast is for some more rain in the next few day so not sure I will put more out or not. The ground here is pretty saturated making it difficult to have a confidence in the sets.

Like I said to each their own. Not trying to criticize, make fun of, or put anybody down. Hand made from materials that more than likely came from China or somewhere else consisting of: Material Polyethylene, Burlap, Polyvinyl chloride Probably the same material your deer target is made from so why not just shoot that instead of hunting. There is enough "fake" stuff in the world..... x-mas shouldn't be one of them. Pine smell for 3 weeks is ok with us and the younger ones enjoy the live tree.

Real trees smell good, help the local economy, and can provide habitat for smaller animals and birds after being used, composted, or can be used for bonfires as mentioned. Most importantly they carry tradition, provide income for growers, and are made in the USA. Fake trees are just that...FAKE made in some foreign country who don't give a rats behind about x-mas. So what if they come with fake "frosted snow tipped branches". To each their own but no "fake trees" here.

I record each and every one regardless of what I hunt or trap and provide as much detail as possible. It is always fun to look back. I figure if nothing else I will have some good reading and memories to recall when I am sitting in my rocking chair and can't do it any more.

Catlin State Forest https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/38806.html Maple Hill State Forest https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/38815.html

I hunt mostly 8h & 8n along with a couple of other areas and the the number of deer sightings and cam pics have been steadily declining for the last 3-4 years. After sitting this morning I covered a considerable amount of ground looking for sign and there was little to none. That along with the fact they are mostly moving at night here makes for reduced sightings while hunting. Not sure what the cause is but I have lived and hunted in the area for 20+ years and never seen the deer sign as bad it has been for the last 3 or 4. In addition you don't hear many shots while out which also leads me to believe the population is down.

I haven't seen 15 the entire season

Try these guys... Good company to do business with https://jeffsspecialtysports.com/

This guy may be able to help you out or at least point you in the right direction. John Rockwood 315-415-4946

I have had it happen a number of times. Put trail cameras on them hoping to catch fox, coyotes, turkeys and had pictures of deer walking right to them putting their noses inches away. Don't understand it but it definitely happens. Gut piles will pull in all kinds of critters.

I would not give up looking. That deer left more blood than the one I killed. Anytime there is blood I keep looking and if I think it was a decent hit I look until I am convinced it didn't go down.

This probably isn't as accurate as the chest girth method but my buck weighed 129 lbs. dressed and I got back 40 lbs. of meat. I just use it as a guide and figure there is probably about 15% that is lost in the processing that may have been saved if I had done it myself.

So far so good. Mine has held up good to this point. I figured it would be something I would have to change out every couple of years but as of now there is no need. I figure after two years it doesn't owe me anything and just hope if it is going to break it doesn't happen when I need it. Hopefully I can catch the signs of wear and replace it before it breaks.

I have NY, Utah, and PA. I got the Pa because you really can't get out of the state without going through Pa. It was pretty simple really. Complete the form and take it to a county that does it. Not all counties in Pa will do it so check before you go. The forms can be downloaded on line. Complete the form, have your NY permit with you and take it in. If I remember correctly you had to list a couple of references on the form. It took less than half an hour and we had our permits. I believe we went to Warren County. Here is a link to the counties that participate: https://www.pafoa.org/counties/

"Losing my hope of seeing a buck" Hunt hard and never give up. When the season is over at least you gave it your best. It can happen when you least expect it and may not happen but at least you tried. I ate all of my tags last year.

Nothing better than a two man drive with Dad. Done a few of them over the years

Off hand is still the best...practice, practice, practice

So you can make them look to be as wide as you want??? That would be cool. To all my hunting buddies: "you guys gotta see the 20" four point I got"

I don't own one but would like one. All my research has shown lots of complaints with the .204 for fur damage. Everything I have found says just the opposite on the .17wsm. It has shown to be very accurate out to 200 plus yards and has plenty of knock down power for a coyote. I have shot a few with the .22 magnum using v-max bullets and have had no problems. The draw back is I wouldn't expect it to be effective after 120 yards or so. Like everything else everyone has their own preference. For me I have no desire for a long range gun at night and a big part of the excitement is how close I can get them. I use a rimfire at night and centerfire during the day. The .243 is very popular with some but have found the .223 is just as effective for the ranges I shoot. Like everything else shot placement is the key and and if killing a coyote is the objective any gun will do. If one is shooting for fur they have to be more selective on bullet choices regardless of the caliber. One can easily get into coyote hunting without investing a ton of money. No need to invest thousands of dollars on all the fancy equipment everyone is using today unless they want to. Just like every sport you spend a lot trying to improve your game but in reality it comes down to knowing the critter you are hunting and being able to shoot accurately within your limitations. Here is a short video of a yote shot with a .243.

From the peanut gallery: .17 WSM

DEC and forest rangers are spread about as thin as they can be. I have been trying to get them to check on some things that need their attention only to find out there are only two of them covering all of region 8. It is no wonder laws are getting abused and I am pretty sure based on some of my observations the word is out OR people just don't care.

Correct.....but it doesn't mean just because they rubbed there they will be back any time soon. If the next rub can be found it can be a indication of his travel route but sometimes they may be a 1/2 mile or more apart and difficult to pattern or find. A identical rub on the same type of tree at or near the same approximate height as the first one found is more than likely the same buck. An excellent way to prove it is to put a cam on the first rub you find and one on the second identical rub (if you find one) and you will easily tell if it is the same one. A lot of rubs does not necessarily mean a lot of bucks. It takes a lot of time, patience , and boots on the ground to pattern one this way. It is also pointless this time of year because the guy on the next ridge over could already have him in the freezer.

My daughters this year with a Cuomo picture added for humor

MOST bucks will choose a particular species of tree to rub, will seldom rub on a different kind and will be identical in size and height from rub to rub. If there are multiple kinds of trees with rubs then more than likely there are multiple bucks. For example if you have one rub on a cedar and one on a maple there are more than likely two different bucks. The height, pattern, and size of the rub will be the same or similar from tree to tree. For example if two cedars are being rubbed; one a 4" tree and the other is a 8" tree, the rubs are at different heights more than likely it is two different bucks. If a series of rubs on the same type of tree are identical in different areas it would a relatively accurate means to determine his travel route...at least while he was making rubs. The number of rubs in an area is not a good indicator of the number of bucks. One buck can and sometimes will rub a number of trees. The different kinds of trees rubbed will be more of a good indicator.

You tested positive on 11/27 and it is okay to go home on Sat. or Sun. without a negative test??? How do you know you cannot still pass it?? Just curious.