WNYBuckHunter

Always. Just common sense.

My current slug gun is a Mossberg 500 20 ga with a rifled barrel and Bushnell 1.5 - 4 scope. I found that it shoots Remington Copper Solid sabot slugs best. It has sent many deer to my freezer. It was my very first gun and Im going to be restoring it and setting it aside to pass down to my daughter when shes big enough. I havent decided what or if I will get another slug gun. I can use my TC Encore handgun anywhere and its alot less expensive to shoot.

This one http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-crossfire-4-16x50-ao-riflescope-mil-dot-illuminated-reticle

When I first started shooting archery, I used to grip the bow and while I could shoot pretty good, I never was consistent. Out of 5 arrows, 2 would be off, sometimes by quite a bit. I shot my bow for a year before I hunted with it because I didnt want to shoot like that in the woods and injure something. One day I was shooting at a range and a guy noticed I was gripping it and suggested that I try shooting with no grip and just let it rest in my palm and things started coming together with my consistency. Trying new techniques is not always a bad thing, it can help you out alot if you find some that work well for you.

Ive found myself starting to revert back to the music I listened to in high school and the 10 or so years after that. I just cant get into most of the new stuff lately. Its a big variety though, on my ipod you can find anything from Johnny Cash to Kid Rock to Aerosmith, Dr Dre, Beastie Boys, Pink Floyd, Eminem and all kinds of other stuff.

I carry a bottle in my pack (well, in a separate pocket) and I keep one or two in my ladder stand. If I forget a bottle, Ill just let it go.

On the optics, take a good look at Vortex, very good quality at a reasonable price. They are American made, lifetime warranty, all of the good features, crisp, clear glass and affordable. They are kind of new on the scene, but they are gathering a strong following quickly. Every time I have my SPS at the range, guys are asking me about my Vortex, many of them shoot high end scopes and they take a few looks through mine and are surprised at how good it is, then I tell them how much I paid and they are shocked. http://www.vortexoptics.com/

Nice choice, very similar to the one I use. I cant remember the model name of my Tru Fire.

How comfortable is that tree saddle? I dont mean for short term, but for say, an all day sit? I have looked at them, but dont want to spend that kind of money for something that I have never tried out.

I am always trying new ones out because I havent found any that I really, truly like everything about. The ones that I have used on deer were Crimson Talon XTs and Wasp Jakhammer SSTs. Both worked well and I would use them again. I have Rage 2s and Grizz Tricks waiting for this season.

Doc is right on the grip, they are designed that way. I wouldnt mess with it unless it is very uncomfortable. I know when I shoot, the sides of the grip arent touched much, mostly the back of it that sits in the palm of my hand. As far as the string silencers go, Id get some string leeches, they work just as well as those big floppy or fluffy ones, but they dont kill your string speed as much, or get wet and/or frozen in bad weather. Just my opinion.

Yep, remember guys, being an active participant in your government is a waste of time. Oh, and its nice to know that Im being comared to an anti because I dont agree with NYB's stance on much and because I dont promote joining them so that their elitist voice becomes stronger. My emails have been sent.

I used to party it up, but have stopped doing that the last few years and started taking my hunting a bit more seriously. I am in bed early the night before opening day, and in the woods early with no hangover or headache to get in the way. I actually keep with pretty much the same routine everyday that I hunt, regardless of the season. Opening weekend is always a little more exciting though.

Two questions for you. Does everyone that hunts with a rifle or shotgun hit every deer they take aim at? What makes a crossbow so magical and user friendly that anyone would be able to pick it up and use it effectively without a whole lot of practice? You are still shooting an arrow, at a relatively low speed at a relatively short distance (50ish yards tops). You still need every single bit of woodsmanship and skill to get close enough to a deer with a crossbow as you do with a compound. I just dont see any unfair advantage to them.

I did absolutely zero shed hunting this year. Never had the time.

I live in Honeoye Falls, NY I hunt all over the place (9W, 9P, 8G, 8N, 8M) but mostly in 8H

Yes you're absolutely correct. There is no point in continuing this discussion. I have stated my opinion and I have shown that the only people officially representing bowhunters in NYS (including you), that have any impact is NYB. You can go on with your "if all bowhunters did this" and "if all bowhunters did that" all you want, but the plain fact is that the only ones that are dedicated to doing anything for NYS bowhunters and who actually are doing anything for NYS bowhunters is the NYB. Your eagerness to keep bowhunters in a disorganized state will not allow you to admit the obvious, so what is the point of continuing the discussion? Also now that it has been pointed out, the link between the hostility toward NYB and desire to cram crossbows into the bow seasons is actually quite clear now too. I was wondering what was behind all this and now it is obvious that there are those that will put their need for crossbows above the need for organized bowhunters. I guess there is no need or value in discussing that. Might just be possible that organized bowhunting (NYB) is really better off without those people. Doc Wow, you have outdone yourself this time. Now Im trying to disorganize bowhunters? Im doing nothing of the sort, Im encouraging hunters (gun and bow alike) to take a more active role in their government and let their voices be heard. Like I said, you dont need to be a part of an organization to do that. Try and spin it all you want, but my opinion is what it is and the motivation behind it has been clearly stated.

16 feet for my ladder stands, and I go up a bit higher than that with my climber. Im usually under 20 though, I dont want that steep of a shot angle with my bow.

Yep, those are antlers. Ive seen 2 bucks hit on the road lately with velvety stumps and one or two out in the fields with them. I need to get my cameras out soon.

Great pics and thread Elmer. Great story Doewhacker. Sounds like you guys have them started out right! My daughter is now 6, and she is all about hunting. Ive been taking her with me the last 2 seasons and she loves it. She scouts with me, puts up and checks trail cameras, helps with my little food plot, helps to hang and check stands and last season got her first education on how to gut a deer. I couldnt believe she didnt get grossed out or anything, just watched and asked questions when she had them. My buddy that got the deer thought it was the coolest thing ever, his daughter will barely look at the deer when he gets them. Heres a pic of us in the ground blind last season...

I dont own a crossbow, and I doubt I would go out and spend the money on one right away. Im fine with my compound. The reason I am taking any shots at NYB is because they put themselves out there as the definitive voice of bow hunters in NY, which they most certainly are not. I also speak out that I believe crossbows are a good thing and not the evil weapon, poacher weapon of choice or gun that some make them out to be. They are simply another tool available for the ethical harvesting of game. I also believe that the crossbow has alot more in common with the currently legal forms of archery equipment, so its only natural that it be implemented in the archery season.

Doc, if you are tired of this discussion, then stop commenting on it. You can stand your ground on your opinion all you want, but the simple fact is, NYB does not represent me, nor do they represent every bow hunter in NY. I am represented by my letters and emails that I send to my local and state representatives, and so is every other hunter and individual in the state. NYB can gripe about these issues all they want and spout all the misinformation they want, but if all hunters with an opinion contact their local and state representatives, the majority can prevail over the voice of NYB. You dont need an organization to do that. If you watch the video, the one council member states that the crossbow issue has by far received the majority of calls, letters and emails to the offices and the overwhelming majority of those have been in favor of legalizing crossbows. My impression is that things are looking better for crossbows in NY than they have in a long time, and that NYB may end up losing their fight.

Oh I agree on the Remmy 700 SPS, my SPS in 223 is a sweet, sweet shooter.

Hey Sits, I hope you dont mind me bringing your senate video over here from AT

Hang on there, they do not speak for me, my letters to my state reps do, as well as my non-membership in NYB. I wouldnt have the time to try and change anything from the inside of that curmudgeon organization. As far as starting an organization, I kind of remember a couple of guys talking about that on the old site and I also remember a few guys that vehimently tried shooting their idea down, saying things like "there are already enough organizations in NY" and "others have tried and not succeeded". Im not sniping, like I said, my next set of letters will be round #3 for me. I just choose not to join an organization full of elitists.