RangerClay

I will never forget this. My first trip out bowhunting ever. It was Oct. 1st, 65 degrees at first light and climbing. I carried my climbers stand and all my gear for about 3/4 of a mile. I was hot, I was sweating profusely, and swatting mosquitoes like crazy. I climbed the tree got all settled in and it hit me...... no release. ARGGGG! So I climb back down during prime first light. Walk all the way back to the truck to find my release on the seat. Walk all the way back and I re-climb the tree. I am now even hotter and sweattier. The mosquitoes had a field day with me. It was not pretty. I will NEVER leave without a back-up release in my pack again.

I have been using this 4" Buck Woodsman for quite a few years. I like it and it holds a wicked edge.

I have always had my best luck at first light. I use a cottontail distress call and a .243.

Years ago I got invited to hunt pheasants and quail down near Cooperstown on some club. As I stood there waiting to go out I watched them throw the birds from a 4-wheeler. We then had coffee and split up into different areas. They told me that the birds probably wouldn't flush, even with a dog. Ok fine. So I shot two birds off the ground. There birds tasted just the same. It wasn't as much fun and I never went back. Every situation is different, it's your call. We will never have the wing shooting that they do in the midwest so take what you can get.

Will you guys please take CWD conversation elsewhere.

Wdswtr, As far as I know, No one is blasting every deer they see. On a funny note, the last 2 years I have had a bumper crop of wild grapes on the property. I'm beginning to think the bucks are all hung-over and sleeping it off on the adjacent property.

No these broadheads are not barbed. Plus, and I'm not sure about this, but I believe the barbed rule applies only to deer hunting. My set-up is a 2010 Hoyt Turbohawk, set at 65#, CX Maxima Hunters, Tru-Fire Hurricane buckle foldback, NAP Gobbler Getter broadheads, Extreme RT 900 sight. Nope it's not going on the Thanksgiving table. My daughter asked me if I would grill the breasts for her birthday dinner in 2 weeks.

Dialed up the phone to report my turkey kill to the good old DECALS report system. Things were going ok till after telling them what town I killed the bird in, the phone went silent. Just great!! Now what do I do. After calling the Encon Office I was told I have to call another office to make sure that the kill was confirmed. More wasted time. This was also another stinkin great feature!! "Be sure to have your DOC number ready" the stupid machine says. So I got it ready. Then it asked for the tag number that was different from my DOC number. So I run out to the garage with phone in hand where the dead turkey (tag is tied to the leg where it is supposed to be) so I can get the tag number. I'm telling ya folks, this new DECALS system SUUUUUCKS!! Be ready to pull some hair out this fall.

About 8:15 on Saturday morning a flock of turkeys walked into my food plot. Unfortunately this hen stopped at 18 yards. THWACK!! The 100gr. NAP Gobbler Getter planted her right on the spot. I was trying the Gobbler Getter for the first time. They claim it has more knock down power. Man were they ever correct. Sorry this one from the food plot is a little fuzzy. I took it with my phone.

That could be. Sorry for the long absence. Its been a long weekend of bowhunting and for some reason my Internet Explorer won't run your new format here at home. But I got it fixed. Thank you for all the helpful comments. I'm not sure why my property has never held any of the bigger bucks, it just never has. This year will be my 30th year in the deer woods and I still don't consider myself an expert. I was hoping someone might have some insight that I have not heard about. Thanks again for all of your help.

2 years ago I had an awful time with the Rage 2 blades and I dumped them. I went back to my faithful 100 gr, Slick Trick mags and I'm staying there for good. You did ask about trying something new. This year I tried the NAP Gobbler Getters for turkey. These things are awesome!! Drilled a hen yesterday and she dropped on the spot.

Yes I've seen a couple within bow range and I could have killed one or two with a gun years ago but this is now and no bucks at all. I think you are straying from the topic.

It is a really unique I have spruce & pine on one part, an old apple orchard on another part, but it is mostly hickory with some maple and ash. There is food and a ton of cover. To answer the other question, no I have not killed a buck on it yet. Plenty of does to fill the freezer. I primarily bow hunt it then kill my bucks when I go to the southern tier. I have had bucks within range once or twice but have never had them turn broadside. But I would really like to kill my first buck on the property.

You need to read more slowly!!

Niiiice! I couldn't agree more.

I have 22 acres behind my house in Jefferson county in the northern zone. I have owned it for 12 years and have put trail cameras out for the last 8 years. Since I started putting out trail cameras I have always captured 1 or 2 bucks every year. Never any B&C bucks but spikes and crotch horns. I think the largest buck captured on camera was a 5 point. However last year was different. Not a single buck on camera. No buck sign on the property. Plenty of does and fawns but no bucks. Finally a spike showed up on camera in later November but by then I was hunting the southern tier and had filled my buck tag. Fast forward to now. No bucks on camera this year either and no buck sign on the property. Plenty of does and fawns coming and going through my food plot. I have racked my brain for an explanation why the bucks have gone but I am out of ideas. Nothing on the property has changed. Have any of you ever experienced this? It is really starting to bother me.

I saw nothing but turkeys. Hopefully it will cool down enough this weekend to get the deer moving. Congrats on the doe!!

The weather girl in Watertown is calling for rain and 40mph gusts. I treestand is no place to be in that kind of weather. I'm going out just to make sure my ground blind doesn't fly away. I know everyone is anxious to get out there but remember we have loved ones at home that need us.

Good luck with the new bow!!

I finally got out yesterday morning for 3.5 hours. I didn't see a single deer moving. I did have about 20 turkeys at 15 yards about 10am. But they will have to wait till season opens this weekend. Looks like a nasty opener tomorrow.

You were a braver man than I. There was no way I was going out in that kind of weather. Hopefully it will be cooler tomorrow afternoon my my first trip out. Definately looking forward to the cool temps this weekend.

I have a yellow tag!!! Not sure if I will be out though. 80 degrees and rain just don't sound like much fun. I will probably wait a day or two. Good luck everyone! Stay safe and wear a harness!!!!

Yup! It is easier to see blood. I get white wraps with white blazers. The color of the blood and the amount on the wrap helps to tell me if my arrow hit home. They do not affect your arrow flight and they do not rough up WB's They have helped me on numerous occasions to find lost arrows. Got mine custom made from Onestringer.com , Mindy does awesome work. By the way Eddie, your Marine wraps are cool!!

I love my Woolrich greys when there is snow on the ground. You are absolutely correct, it is an awesome camoflage.

The last 5 years I have bought 6 Lumenocks. 90% of them worked great buy sometimes you have sand the end of your arrow to make them work well. last year I bought 2 Nocturnal nocks and they worked great. Plus the Nocturnals are MUCH cheaper than the others. The first arrow I will fling this year will have a Nocturnal nock. FYI, I'm a meat hunter so this doesn't apply to me but if you like to hunt for big horns a lighted nock will DQ you from a Pope & Young entry.