dinorocks

Heading out with my son for the PM archery hunt...I would love to see him get a deer with the self-bow he made a few years ago. (Just finished butchering my daughters deer...wish I could have hung it out for a couple days).

My daughter harvested this morning during the youth hunt! She is extremely excited ! I posted a few Picts on the harvest thread. And thanks again TreeGuy (Andrew) for lending her your go-to deer gun...a bit simpler for her than the flintlock.

Cool, first gun harvest post on the thread! Carly's first deer hunt (Youth Hunt) A couple weeks ago, my daughter Carly (14 yrs old) successfully completed her hunter safety training. She has a lifetime sportsman but unfortunately, I didn’t realize that we needed to submit her certificate to NYSDEC so they could mail her tags out to us. As we would not have received them in time for the Youth Hunt (I was informed a 2 week mailing time), I had to buy replacement tags. We borrowed a Savage 220 20 gauge bolt-action from a friend a few days ago as I thought that my 12 gauge would be a bit too much for her (thanks again TreeGuy (Andrew) for lending Carly your go-to deer gun) . Carly shot the gun a couple times to get familiar with the feel of it…the gun shot great as expected, and hitting the bullseye boosted her confidence. This morning around 6:45AM we headed out in 9F behind the house to my ground blind. The forecasted rain held out for a bit and the wind direction was in our favor. Around 7:30AM (sunrise at 7:24AM), Carly spotted a deer…I was not able to see it at first and thought she was looking at a squirrel. The deer was approximately 25 yards away and starting to feed under some wild apple trees. When the deer was broadside, my daughter sent it. I saw the deer jump in the air and run out of sight. She felt she made a good shot, as earlier, we spent a lot of time discussing shot placement. After several minutes I took a quick look for blood as it was now starting to rain…no blood. After a 20 yard walk in the direction the deer ran, I found one small drop of blood and then went back to the blind where we waited for another ~20 minutes. I would have ideally liked to wait longer but the rain was starting and I wanted to find a little more blood so I had a better idea of which direction the deer ran. No more blood was found. We decided to quietly take a trail along the creek to see where/if the deer crossed the trail…nothing. We then hiked up a ravine to re-group at the blood drop we first found…my daughter found the deer piled up under some wild rose bushes…about 75 yards from where the deer was shot…there was virtually no blood from where it ran when we back-tracked! After gutting the deer and a drag (uphill) to the main trail, I was able to bring the deer up to the house on the tractor. Carly was extremely happy and I was as proud! Now time to butcher!

My daughter Carly was successful this morning on the youth hunt...I'll post details in the harvest thread soon. Good luck hunters and mentors!

A bunch of birds, some nice fish in the pond...now I just need a deer for the trifecta!

Fun morning in Darien! Primer for my PM hunt!

Looks like Turkeyfeathers trunk except he has more “stuff”! Good luck everyone and wear your harnesses! Most falls happen going up and down the ladder ...about equal falls from ladders, climbers, and pegs. I keep an extra harness (like the basic one that comes with the stands) at my go-to stand in the event I forget it in the mad rush between end of work and sunset.

Thanks all! Had a great day...actually a great couple weeks...spent my time off camping, hiking, fly fishing, canoeing, etc with my wife and kids in the ADKs....now back to reality!

I’ll take 4 rolls of your fletch tape...PM on the way. thanks, dino

...Also known as the pedal bone, the bottommost bone in the deer leg and is encased by the hoof capsule.

Coffin bone from a whitetail deer.

Erie County Trappers Association Fur Demo on Sat. Dec 29th (9-1) at Collins Conservation....very helpful event to attend!!

Not much now... https://register-ed.com/programs/new_york/128

Thanks for organizing Jay! ....I’m sorry, I’m not sure who drank your beer??

You going to stay ;-/

No deer seen on my last hunt yesterday, but did end the year with a nice view during my paddle back. Fun watching the posts although I wonder how many deer walked by me while my eyes were not where they were supposed to be! Hope to meet some of you tomorrow at the Goat! happy holidays! Dino

Well I was skunked in more ways than one! Plan to return a couple hours before dusk. Good luck to those trying to squeeze the last bit of water out that rock today!

Was planning on calling in “sick” today for the last hunt of the season...well, i woke up sick (probably from my daughter). Careful what you wish for! I do however plan to sit in my blind for a bit as I need to check traps out back anyway. BTW, check out what’s was waiting for me after my Sunday hunt...safely released unharmed.

Nice! Is that a center pin?

Got my schedule figured out...I’m planning to be there!

...here comes the rain in 9F. And I forgot my cows knee, dang!

Jay, what happened to the deer sled (plastic from the dome)?

Heading into the finish line primitively! ....and feasting along the way! No deer tonight...but still time left!

Good job guys!

50 cal