WNYBuckHunter

Congrats to her!

Nice buck!

On your first point, I disagree. I feel that most people are going to shoot the first deer they see if they can shoot either sex. The DEC has many ways it gets its data, and while it may not be perfect, its not just from people that report their harvests. Do some searches on the DEC website, or shoot your local office an email, they can point you in the direction of info on what you want to know. If the numbers on your land are that skewed, well, Id say there was a problem.I would also say that you cant base a good count on deer in an area upon what happened with 1 drive of 10 acres of land. You ever see what a smart deer does during a drive? He stays dead still and sneaks out after the pushers go by.

Why not practice holding the rifle at home, with the rifle unloaded, etc? Maybe take it to the range and practice shooting from the same positions you will be in while hunting? No reason to take it into the woods and create the possibility of problems for yourself. Also, youd better make sure its legal to have a centerfire rifle in the field (loaded or not) during early archery season. As a coyote hunter, I know that I cannot take a centerfire rifle into the field during bow season or even during regular firearms season in an area that does not allow rifles for deer hunting. The only way I can hunt coyotes is with bow, shotgun or rimfire until deer season ends.

Good question. I would say bow, but you might want to call or email the DEC and make sure.

Good for who? The hunters or the deer? A properly managed herd is good for both the hunter and the deer. What do you think an either sex tag in the hands of every hunter during gun season is going to do? Especially in the areas of the state with low deer populations?

Thanks to all the vets

Yep, stay out of it. If he comes to you, talk to him, but dont take it any further than that. If you do talk with him, try to listen but not give any advice you arent asked for. Just my opinion.

Heres a good read from the Texas Deer Association. If you read it you will get an idea what kind of effort it really takes to alter genetics in any herd of deer, wild or fenced. http://www.texasdeer...articles_id=275 I would suggest doing some google searches and reading more than one study on this stuff rather than just taking the word of one paragraph from one study.

Now that looks like an easy drag!

Ive noticed the take goes up on weekends, but Ive seen plenty of success this week. One thing to remember is that alot of guys are starting to prep for gun season, so they arent bow hunting quite as much as in previous weeks. Ive still been seeing plenty of bucks feeding in fields full of does and not chasing them. I have mostly seen the smaller bucks chasing, and still think that its not going to really blow up until the tail end of bow/first week of gun season. Just my opinion for my general area though.

Not too many after opening weekend Eddie. Ive driven by and hunted it during the first week in the past, and only seen one, maybe two guys other than myself. Have never had any luck there though.

Nope, I honestly believe that there is no way you can have an effect on genetics in a wild herd of deer. It would take strict management and probably 2 or 3 human lifetimes of it to change the genetic makeup of an area's herd. Ill see if I can dig up some links to studies that show it. Its been proven that spikes can grow into very nice bucks if given age. If you want to shoot them, go for it. No matter what QDM principals I read about, discuss and learn, I am a firm believer in people shooting whatever legal deer they want, and having fun doing it within whatever legal means they choose to use.

I agree. Even living out where I do Ive had many years eating tag soup. Its cool though, I just enjoy getting out there and enjoying nature. Meat in the freezer is icing on the cake and a nice rack is some ice cream to go along with it lol.

Have you read the actual plan? If not, you should because its not what you have been told apparently.

Yeah thats gotta make it tougher.

Wont work. You cannot make a dent in genetics of a wild herd.

Move lol. The only way to change genetics in a deer herd is if its fenced in, and you use very strict management techniques, including importation of deer with different genetics. YThink of the big fenced in ranches in TX. In a wild herd, you will never be able to control it. BTW, the move comment was a joke.

Great shot! Congrats!

HAHA, yep, there are some very steep spots in there.

Looks like a 3 1/2 to me.

Good to know!

Congrats! Gotta love those deer carts, they work great!

Other than opening day being a bust, Ive had a pretty good season so far. Only had 1 evening sit that I didnt see anything, have had some great bucks in range. The only part thats been a pain has been all of the standing corn in my area, most of the deer have been holing up in there.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/68802.html