Steve D

I too enjoy the rifle and what it offers. I am lucky to have a very accurate shotgun that is nearly as accurate as my rifle to a point and just find it more practical in the woods. The last deer I shot was with a rifle and I like what a rifle offers as far as accuracy and distance. But honestly with the amount I of deer I have seen the last two gun season I may as well leave them both home and just carry a slingshot.

I have one of each but use the rifled gun most because it is very accurate and good to about 150 yards.

Good sized doe....good for him

If I am not bow hunting I use a shotgun 95 % of the time. To me using a rifle in the woods is useless since most of my shots would be a 100 yards or less because of the terrain and my shotgun can easily do that. I only use the rifle when hunting open areas where I could get a long shot. I only have a couple of areas I can do that and don't hunt them much. I hunted a part of 9h for a couple of days located in Erie county and that is still shotgun only.

Trust me...when the little one arrives Mama will be calling the shots a lot more

Don't forget...Biz (and the Mrs.) has a little one coming in January

Total Hours: 105 compared to 91 in 2018 Bow 37 hrs./22 sits Gun 68 hrs./27 sits Deer Seen Bow: 28----Gun: 12 All were to far away, after hours, or before hours. 40 total for 2019 compared to 88 in 2018.

DEC Reminds Successful Hunters and Trappers to TAKE IT, TAG IT, REPORT IT With big game hunting seasons upon us, DEC would like to remind hunters who take a deer or bear to report their harvest. In addition, trappers who take a bobcat, fisher, marten, or otter must have the animal pelt-sealed by DEC staff. Reporting your deer or bear can be done via phone, the DEC website, or mobile app. Call a DEC regional wildlife office to make arrangements to get your otter, bobcat, fisher, or marten sealed. Hunters and trappers play a crucial role in game management. Data collected from harvest reports are used to track populations of game species and to ensure that hunting and trapping opportunities are sustainable. Reporting your harvest is not just the law, it’s an important tool in wildlife management. So, if you have success this fall – TAKE IT, TAG IT, REPORT IT. Reporting Your Harvest: Online: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8316.html By phone: 1-866-426-3778 Mobile App: For download information, see http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8316.html

Started the day with 18 degrees and a 12 degree windchill. Spent most of the day in the woods just coming home to shed some clothes after it warmed up to 40. Howling winds all day 20-40 mph. Sad to see it end but glad it is over. Hear the last shot a 5:10 on the way out . I might try to get out with the bow if we get some decent weather but it doesn't sound to good at the present time and I need a break for a couple of days. Sitting back and reading the bible with some crown royal. Congratulations to all of those that were able to fill some tags this year. I did come across something interesting today. Sunrise, Sunset, and todays find:

Just one more day...you can do it. I have been going through the same thing.

Back out this afternoon til dark and didn't see squat. Tomorrow has to be the day If it id brown it is down!!!

Just got back from a morning sit. Pretty chilly but turned out to be a nice morning once the snow stopped. After sitting for three hours I covered a little over a mile and did not cut any fresh tracks but saw lots of old ones. Back out in a little bit for an afternoon sit and hope for the best. Good luck to anyone else going out.

To each their own. The 17WSM is a pretty impressive round and won't damage the hide as much or often as a .204 has been known to do. It is still a nice round and hope Santa is good to you.

@Dom the infamous beer thread.

You are probably right but unfortunately I still have to see myself when I look in the mirror. If I shoot one I want to feel good about it

I thought I would change things up and take the rifle for a walk instead of the shotgun. Cold day to sit in a tree with a nw wind and a steady snow. Heard a few shots off in the distance but didn't see any deer (of course). Back at it tomorrow on the ground an hope guys are out moving them around.

My choice would be this one: https://www.jardinc.com/jard-j71

I was...just got back from a morning sit and some scouting. Saw 1 squirrel all morning. Started raining about 11:00 so I finished up the scouting and came out. This area I am hunting has got some smart deer. I make it a point to go in one way and come out another. The other day on the way out I noticed the deer were walking right in my tracks. The last couple of days I have purposely walked a zig zag pattern on the way in. Sure enough I go in this morning and they walked right in my tracks right up to the spot I was sitting. If I walked around a tree on the right so would they. If I walked on the left side they would to. Now they have me figured out but I have a few tricks up my sleeve I hope will work. As much as I dislike gun season I wish there was a few more days to play with them but I would probably end up being more frustrated than I am now.

When I hunt the afternoon I always set the alarm on my phone for the end up legal shooting time. Went out this afternoon and sat through the swirling winds and blowing snow until dark(legal). I packed my stuff up and headed out, go about 25 yards from where I was sitting and see two deer about 60 yards away. I head their way and drop down into a little dip and when I come up there they are broadside 50 yards away. Couldn't see any horns but I have two doe tags for that area. I pull the gun up and can see them clear as day through the scope. I look at my watch and it is just about nine minutes after legal so I lower the gun and watch them feed for a little bit then mosey on down the hill to my truck. First deer I have seen in fourteen days. With only three days left I know I did the right thing and will just have to take my chances for the remainder of the season.

Made it out for a morning sit in the same area as yesterday afternoon. Tracks everywhere that were not there when I left at dark. To add insult to injury three deer actually came up the hill last night and walked in the exact same track I took on the way out Pretty frustrating to say the least. They have been hitting the beech nuts and acorns big time.

Made it out for an afternoon sit. I saw a few tracks indicating they are moving after dark and places they have been digging up acorns but no deer. Pulled a trail cam that has been sitting for two weeks and the only movement is at night. No bucks but a nice fat doe for sure.

With 6 days to go (counting today) and 5 tags in my pocket went out for a afternoon sit. Walked in for about 1/4 mile and only cut three sets all tracks made last night; all of which were 75 yards or less from the road. Sat til dark and didn't see a thing. At least it turned out to be a nice day.

SURVEY LINK: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GNQZCDZ DEC Encourages New Yorkers to Complete Survey on St. Lawrence River Watershed to Help Guide Revitalization Plan for Region Opportunity to Share Information to Help Protect Natural Resources St. Lawrence River Watershed Project partners, including the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), today released a survey seeking input from New Yorkers with knowledge of the watershed. The short online survey seeks information from the public about interactions with these land and water resources, and how a revitalization plan can address regional concerns. The survey will be open until January 15, 2020. Survey results will help guide St. Lawrence River Watershed Project partners in the development of a revitalization plan. The watershed planning process gives communities in the area a chance to consider projects that could spark natural resource protection, economic investment, regional sustainability, and community revitalization. The St. Lawrence Watershed lies at the border of New York State and Canada. The St. Lawrence River serves as the gateway between the North Atlantic and the Great Lakes. At its most downstream point in the United States, the Saint Lawrence drains an area of nearly 300,000 square miles. The area within New York State covered by the watershed revitalization plan includes a 5,600-square-mile region that spans the northern and western Adirondack mountains and the lake plains of the St. Lawrence Valley, including the villages and cities of Clayton, Alexandria Bay, Theresa, Potsdam, Canton, Tupper Lake, Paul Smith's, Ogdensburg, Malone, and Massena. To learn more about the St. Lawrence River watershed, contact Emily Sheridan, Eastern Great Lakes Watershed coordinator, at 315-785-2382 / email: [email protected].

Saddest thing that ever happen when "groups" of people started getting categorized and categorizing others. We all pull our pants on the same way and if he have social differences so what. I am what I am and am not going to act different just so I don't "offend" or hurt someone's feelings. People need to take of their own image and not worry so much about others.