Will_C

I have details about every deer I've killed-sex, weight, weapon, where I was hunting, who I was hunting with, shot distance, where the shot hit, and distance ran after the shot, I wished I would have taken more pictures. I'm envious of those of you that have more detailed records and pictures. Sad part, way too many of the people I hunted with have passed away. It's a great way to remember them when I read my record book.

Great article. As a long time reloader and rifle freak, that's common knowledge for guys like me, but should be helpful to those who want to broaden their understanding.

Good post Hunterdan 44-that buck of Don C's will be the goal. I am heading for Pa tomorrow with a buck tag and a doe tag-and still have a NY doe tag-but have already put 5 in the freezer (not hard between PA DMAP tags, archery, crossbow, rifle, etc.). Not sure of my intentions-not sure if I'll shoot a doe if I see one-but something close to that buck will make it 6 in the freezer!!

Go back and keep after it. Many years ago, I shot a broad side doe at 70 yards and hit the front leg right under the torso. Found out later my scope base was loose. Followed the blood, lost it, but kept going in the general direction the deer had travelled. Found it about 400 yards from where I shot it-alive, but so weak I walked up next to her to finish her off. Good luck.

Looks like an older small bulldozer/.track loader. Flatbed trailer beside it.

Thanks. The quarters are on top of the bagged ice-not saying there isn't some moisture from meat touching the bags, but the meat isn't soaking in a bathtub, so to speak. I'll rotate the meat tonight. It's a 120 quart cooler, so there's room to put the bags in and lay the meat on top. I'll check the temperature, but it has to be lower than 44 degrees in the cooler-still had 1/2 full bags of ice left from last Saturday when I put my NY buck on ice. Thanks again.

I shot a DMAP PA doe yesterday at 8:30am. Had it quartered by 1:00pm, on bagged ice in a cooler by 2:00pm. I could butcher tonight, but then I won't be able to until Thursday. Making sure the cooler is drained daily and putting more ice on the meat (if needed), would I be ok to wait until Thursday? I usually ice it down and butcher the next day, but tonight isn't real convenient-I could do it but it would be easier to wait until Thursday. Thanks.

My kills are probably about 2/3 mornings, 1/3 afternoons. Much rather kill them in the am-no rush to get them out of the woods, no skinning at 7:oopm or later, etc. Today was about perfect for me. Got up at 4:30am, plenty of time to get things organized and have a little breakfast, drove 25 minutes to my cousin's farm in Pennsylvania, walked slowly 250 yards to my stand (it's steep, and I avoid breaking any sweat). Settled in with gear situated and having a cup of coffee by 6:06am. 8:31am shot a nice bodied adult doe (I get DMAP tags, so it's legal), dressed it, got it to the truck, went back and hunted until 11:00am, took it back to their barn, skinned, quartered, put meat in the cooler and came home, took a nap and now am typing this. The only better day would have been if it was a big buck!

Just put Wildpeaks on my Tundra. Haven't put them to a test yet.

No corn within 2 miles. Hasn't been in previous years either.

I leave mine during late MZ season-for me it's Saturday and Sunday only, and I'll leave the rifle in an unheated pole barn overnight. When I hunt PA early season, I hunt one Saturday and then the next Saturday-I'll push the charge out.

Maybe it's lack of acorns, but my turnips have been hammered over the last month, Never seen deer touch them until the first part of December before.

I think it will be my 26th year hunting on a hillside at my brother's house. I am overlooking 1.75 acres of decent clover, a half acre of radishes and turnips, and an acre of winter wheat. Hunted that spot from a permanent stand in a cherry tree for 20+ years, now have an enclosed hut to hunt from.

Shot many deer sitting on the ground with a shotgun or rifle, never with a crossbow (only have hunted 3 years with a crossbow), Probably 1/3 of the ones I shot could have been shot with a crossbow-40 yards or less.

I'll spray down when I'm hunting with the crossbow if I remember, but if I don't remember, I don't panic.

I think I will use my Savage American Classic Modal 14 in .250 Savage, topped with a Leupold VXII 3-9 scope, shooting 110 grain Nosler Accubonds.

I always pit a patch through the barrel and snap a primer before loading. If I do it in my garage I'm rural enough so no one can hear.

Shot this buck at 8:45am this morning. Came crashing through the woods, crossed in front of me, grunted at it, shot at 24 yards. Made a poor shot, but got lucky-spined it.

I actually use my side by side for much of my food plot work because I find it easier than getting on and off my tractor to pick up rocks, etc. I also find it easier to get on than my ATV-but I can see where some of the more performance UTVs with half doors, netting, and a more fitted driver's compartment could be difficult to get on or off than an ATV.. It is also more nimble to maneuver than my tractor. Tractor used for tilling and spreading fertilizer and rye/wheat/oats through the spin spreader, the RTV used for spraying, dragging, and packing. My RTV spends its life on my 10 acres, my brother's 80 acres across the road, and the 75 acres next door that we lease-so speed isn't an issue. I don't think it has been out medium or low range in 3 years!! Will

Just read your reply. I use my Kubota for spraying, dragging, and cultipacking my food plots. I also use for clean up around the property-love the hydraulic dump for that. It only does about 25mph top speed-don't know how important that is for you.

Sounds like you are looking for a side by side. I have a Kubota-I use it like a second tractor-would do the work you mentioned with ease but not a lot of fun for tooling around. I think you on the right track with the Yamaha, Honda, Gator, etc. Get to the dealers and look them over, considering what' features are most important for you

I'm ready! Been doing the work around the house (mowing for the last time, storing the mowers, keeping ahead of the leaves, putting snow tires on the car, turning water off to the barn, etc.) so weekends will be free to hunt. Shot the crossbow last week and it's ready too.

I never knock things I don't know about, only comment on what I have experience with. 2004 Tundra, bought new, had for 11 years and 100k miles, no repairs (tires, brakes, oil changes of course.) Traded it on a new 2015 Tundra, 30k miles on that, just changed tires today, no problems (wouldn't expect any at only 30k.)

I remember those party permits. We needed 4 hunters on one my first deer season in 1979. Sometimes in the 80s it changed to 2-my brother and I got several that way. He always managed to fill those! I'd say we got individual ones in the late 80s.

I ordered from First Lite direct, I'll check out other places if I buy more. Initial impression is that it is good stuff. Use it this weekend in Pa for early muzzleloader and then for NY crossbow-it should be a decent test.