ncountry

What did you have in mind?

I live in 6a in St Lawrence county. Deer #s are hit and miss. The state hasn't issued a dmp for the area in years.. There is a ton of state land around though and some phenominal duck hunting.

Now that is goofy!...... ..the bird too!.

Sometimes they do the strangest things. Today while traveling down a seasonal rd., checking out a piece of state land, this guy lands on my tailgate. I'm driving 10-15mph and catch a glimpse of something in my rearview mirror. I look and this guy has his feet on the top of the gate and is flapping his wings like crazy trying to stay balanced. I stop and he balances out and stands long enough for a picture..

I'm not an avid ice fisherman. They are nuts.. The diehards have been fishing on the ice since Thanksgiving around here. Drove by a spot last weekend on the St Lawrence and there were at least 20- 30 guys out there fishing . 1/2 on the ice the other 1/2 less than a 100yds out in boats. Yikes!

That's what I'm talking about!

So, did anybody have any luck over their decoys this year? I'm going to try it next year.. there are a few spots that have small old meadows with goldenrod and brush growing up in them. What do you think of putting it on a stand so its feet are 3' or so above the ground , so it can be seen from a 100yds across the opening? Otherwise the decoy wouldn't even be spotted until a deer was 10yds or closer.. My buddies think I'm nuts, but I'm thinking the deer wont know it's not standing on the ground until its within range..

Lol.. . Not due to inexperience or skill...I find myself 20 -30 feet in the air often when hunting an open woods with little cover. If you are comfortable that high, your odds of being busted are much lower. I still would rather be 12' up in the middle of a cedar tree if I can find one..lol... In my early years of hunting I killed most of my deer from the ground(usually sitting on a pail) On the average I'm not fond of a stand in the 6-10' range. Unless you are covered up real well or dead still you are right in the deer's line of sight or peripheral vision and might be better off on the ground.

Funny looking squirrels too..

I saw a decent buck rub, just south of New Orleans, a few days ago..Looked like weird deer hunting territory

Yea I can only imagine what it would feel like falling from 14' A few years back. I was standing on the top of a 6' step ladder(I know , right on top of the words DON'T STEP HERE). somehow I landed on the ground on my back. Damn! That hurt. I was sore for a few days seemed to hurt more now in my late 40s than when I was younger.. I do wear fall protection most of the time while in a tree now. Still not 100% of the time but I'm working on it..

Not so much wrong end You are correct technically not the tenderloin. They are inside..I was brought up calling backstraps tenderloin.

There lies the misconception.. that shot is not below the spine.. below the top of back but not spine. Actually above the spinal cord.. non lethal shot with a bow or crossbow.. often lethal with a gun due to the shock..

Right through the tenderloin. Hate it when that happens

Well nothing like waiting till the last minute.. 1st deer of the year.. After passing up 4 smaller bucks this year I was beginning to worry I may go without venison for the 1st time.. Well was literally sitting on my pack, back against a tree napping when a branch breaks. I glance over and there are 3 within 15' and 2 more coming quickly. Slowly raise the gun and they bolt. I let out a bleat and they all stop , and I take the closest one. It was hard quartering away shot but exited her neck and she didnt take a step. Of course I'm sitting in my pack with my bag of mzl stuff (totally unprepared for a follow up shot). The rest all stand around while I fumble through and finally get my gun loaded. They didnt take off until I put a primer on. And I passed up 4 @$$ shots.. pic doesnt do her justice but she's a huge doe. Hard quartering away shot.

This is funny. I have buckets all over the place . I haven't sat a bucket much in years, but I probably shot more deer sitting on an old mud bucket than any other single seat including treestands. I've gotten spoiled with stands now. And it's always neat to stumble across one of my old spots and see how much it has changed over the years.

And this is why I never even get a shot off...;)

I'm firmly in the camp of dumping all the bullets energy in the deer. The 1st 20 years I used a 308 reloaded with 125gr speer bullet pushing 3000fps. Out of a dozens of deer I think I only had to actually track less than a handful. Most of my hunting and shots were taken where you couldn't see further than 50yds tops(lots of cedar swamps lol) I've been hunting with a 300win mag ,loaded with 150gr core loc, for a bit now . One of the 1st deer I shot was with factory 165gr in the 308. The buck was running, I gut shot him, it punched straight through, and i had track for a 1/4 mile. I've never had that problem since.. Funny how ones experiences shape their preferences.

I believe your story has gotten better..

Well that explains how you managed to get him.. . He was handicapped.. What a beauty! They always seem more impressive on the hoof..

https://northcountrynow.com/news/waddington-tracking-dog-handler-ends-season-early-due-injury-0270960

I forgot to add. It is all Moog's fault too. He kept on bragging about his shooting skills .. I had to try myself..;)

That is exactly what I have found also.. Not a fan of their performance on the animal. Punches right straight through with minimal blood trail. The last few put on their shoulder and that worked well.. I have 2 left. This will be my last season with them as well.

Sounds awesome! I bought myself a recurve this year, but never got the time to practice. Next year is the year for me too..

Not sure what brand , but I have one. It's always hanging off my pack , in case I decide to hunt off the ground. I find it comfortable. It does have a tendency to cut into the back of your legs if you dont it set up just right or use a small tree. If I'm planning ahead on using it I will usualy use one of those 1" thick foam pads, then it is awesome.