Opening day 2013

[stoneam2006]

Opening day 2013 my father uncle and me decide to do something different. We hinted somewhere we had never tried even tho we have always had good luck at the normal spots. We went to Allegheny state park. None of us had time to scout never been in any of the woods there just rented a cabin and started out before dawn opening day. My father and uncle stayed close as they didn't want to walk or drag to far. I walked in what felt like miles to a spot I had located on google earths satellite maps. It was a nice little clearing down in a gully. I got there around 11ish due to stopping for periods of time to listen and watch. When I got there I found all sorts of buck signs scat scrapes and rubs was a perfect spot so I sat for awhile. My dad had text me saying he was heading in with uncle to eat lunch so I headed back to camp.

After lunch they decided they were going to hunt the other side of the road and I choose to walk to the spot I had sat in the am. I walked straight there without stopping. I got there about 130ish and sat under this pine on the ground witch I hate to do. I sat there and was playing on my phone when it was starting to die...that was bad news I don't like to sit its not my style as I'm still young. So at about 3 I got up to take a piss and was gonna try some grunts and bleats maybe even some rattles. Well I had finished releaving myself and turned around to sit back down to see this nice buck walking my way. He had his head down to the ground crossing this little creek. So I dropped to one knee and put the 12 gauge scope on him. To my surprise I just watched for a min and he kept comming closer to me broadside. After what seemed like forever he was standing there broadside at 30 yards or less and I was on his heart so I squeased one off...down he went. I stood up shaking and couldn't believe it I had shot my first wall hanger. The. He stood up so I shot again and he went back down. So I cautiously approached with gun ready. He was dead.....I called my dad told him I had got one and sent pics to him he was pumped to he met me down in woods where I had him gutted and ready to drag out. Ended up dragging him for 3 hours till I got to the road and had him in truck just before dark. That's when It sunk in...

There he is. Sorry for long read just read a lot about people not liking state land so much and that's the majority of what I hunt especially up in fingerlakes. And its normally decent hunting if your willing to get away from everyone else witch normally means putting on your walking boots....

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[Lawdwaz]

Nice buck! 

[growalot]

great buck and hunt CONGRATS!

[BUCKANDAQUARTER]

congrats! he is a nice one.

[Terry]

Congrats!

[Red]

Congrats Very nice by I I've always wondered how the hunting was in the park I use to see plenty big bucks during the summer when I camped there as a kid

[stoneam2006]

I was there thru Sunday mid day can't hunt park on Sunday didn't see any other bucks hanging....few does...guys in next cabin down hunted state land in Dobbins? I guess its a short drive outta park. They had like 10 guys and had a hell of a day. Shot 6 little bucks and a few does..all 4-6 points nice day for them....wierd part was almost all of the bucks they shot were either missing a side or had broken tines must fight out that way a lot.

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[ididnotvoteforobama]

I have hunted Allegany state park for 35 years and have seen and taken many large bucks. Your right you need to get back in away from the road hunters. The past few years , the number of deer that I saw has been few and far between, I still hunt during wet or snowy conditions and sit when noisy. The park is in need of some thinning , which will never happen, to help to improve the habitat . 

I think the Saturday opener is causing hunters to only hunt a few days , then you aren't allowed to hunt on Sunday. Most hunters leave sat evening and then the remaining few usually leave by Wednesday. In a nut shell the hunting has been lousy due to the lack of hunters , then throw in a warm opening day and everybody sits.and nobody moves the deer. There are many big deer , but you need to put in your time. Also ,as the hunters get older , they won't walk in as far, not see many deer and get discouraged. No 4 wheelers, no rifles , or handgun hunting, 3 shells with a plug , no Sunday hunting,  no bear hunting , the park is over managed and over regulated . Desperately in need of Timber stand management. I'll be back next year for opening week as usual.

[stoneam2006]

We are planning on going again as well....not just about the hunting but its a good guys time too.

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[JALA RUT]

Nice buck, Congrats!

[Doc]

Nice deer, and great that you were able to zero in on him with just using Google Maps.

[stoneam2006]

Actually google topo maps and satellite maps is how I hunt up in the adks too. Works pretty good to get a general layout of land and water

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[NFA-ADK]

Nice buck!  Good work with the maps!  Nice when you get to an area you like on a map and it really is good!  Then to actually take a nice buck, wow talk about having a plan work out.  Very nice!!!