NFA-ADK

[NFA-ADK]

October 5th LI Public land, Ahh felt good just to get out of the house and hunt!  I was bed ridden for the first week of bow, boy did that suck!  Happy I did not go to the ADK as I had bronchitis.  Still trying to shake the cold!  No sightings but nice just to get out and explore the woods.

[NFA-ADK]

Day 2 LI Public land.  I shut off the alarm clock for 3:50 and sleep in as its raining hard.  After getting the bills paid I shower and head out and get to the spot by 12.  Another hunter pulled into the parking area just as I pulled up, I find he is heading straight back so I go a different direction than him as I am still hunting and he is in a tree stand.  I still hunted the deer trails for about 400-600 yards using some calls, doe call 2 times, grunted and rattled 1 time with no luck.   I head back and notice a bunch of acorns dropping.  With less than 45 min left I try the Maa Maa call by mouth.  After about 7 min this small doe came in, I though it was a fox at first, I get off the downed tree and get into a bow stance as she spots me because I broke a dam twig under my boot!  ARG  She turns from my rs side and goes to my left, I draw as she goes broadside but have no shot, I draw down, she heads back to my left and now I have no shot between the twigs and cover.  I draw as she is coming into an opening but can't line up.  I get another opening and she stops broadside at 20 ish, I center my 20 and shoot.  I watch as she trots off slowly, with less than 25 min till dark I wait for 10 min then find my arrow.  The entire back 3/4 is covered but no bubbles.  Thought I was a bit forward.  With red leaves on the ground and dark upon me I had a hard time finding blood.  I walked for about 30 yards in the direction she went and did not see her or good trail of blood.  

 

After talking to a few friends and getting turned around in the dark searching for her I pulled out.  I went back in but had some issues with the dark, my lights and trying to navigate in thick woods.  (I should have pulled out immediately but didn't.)  Now I HAVE to get up and be at the site by 5 am so I can try to find and retrieve her.   Now I know what its like to wait for the NEXT morning! Arg

[NFA-ADK]

Day 3: 10/12/14  I wake at 5am sleeping though both alarms at 3:30!  Arg  I meet a friend at the site and I am happy we got the site before any other hunters.  We where able to track her for about 50 yards but the blood trail was not good.  Going back to the original shot site I found she was at 11-12 yards so my high shot went even higher than I wanted.  To say I was nervous would be correct I am just really upset that I did not concentrate more and not let my nerves get the best of me.  Searched several hundred yards for any sign of her with nothing to show. 

 

ARG

 

I hunted the area with my hunting partner looking further and further for any sign of her covering a large portion in the direction she went and came to the conclusion that she lived.  The thing that upsets me the most is the fact that I shoot really good but misjudged the distance and rushed it slightly due to nerves.  Funny I though the big bucks where only suppose to do that to me.  Well I guess I am over the hump of shooting at a deer now after 13 years with a bow, just wish I did not join the hall of shame.  Posting your mistakes sucks but I hope it will cause me to improve.

 

Conclusion:  I pride myself on shooting, shoot well but misjudged and rushed a shot causing a lost deer, hope to better concentrate on my next opportunity and seal the deal.  NFA GETSOME got none and is not happy with his first shot ever with a bow. 

 

I plan on logging all my efforts good or bad even if it gets ridiculed.  This post sucks!  Ok time to finish the clothes wash, shower, pass out and get up at 4 to hunt tomorrow.  Hopefully it will be a brighter day even if it is cloudy!

Edited October 12, 2014 by NFA-ADK

[Zem18]

I've been in your shoes as have many others before us. It does suck for sure. I still recall a few I lost and it is not fun. Learn from these errors and it will only make you a better hunter in the future. Good luck out there.

[stoneam2006]

Sorry to hear that. ...we have all been there weather we admit it or not it sucks and I personally have learned from the ones I or people I hunt with have lost....with all the practice in the world lady luck still needs to be on your shoulder....good luck with the rest of the season

[First-light]

It happens to all of us. You gave it yur best shot…….

 

[NFA-ADK]

Thanks guys, I intend to get another broadside shot and connect.  I notice I have been judging the woods further than thought with most shots being in the 30 yard or less range due to shot clearance and visibility.  Beyond 30 is just not realistic in most spots.  Ranger finder is proving its worth. 

[ny hunter]

I lost one a few years back,it is a real crappy feeling.They say if you bow hunt long enough it well happen.You know you did what you could to find the deer,thats all you can do.When the next one comes don"t think about it.......

[philoshop]

It hurts for sure to lose one, but we have to learn from it and keep at it. Best of luck!

[NFA-ADK]

11/13/14

I wake at 4 shower and get to a new site by 5:30 ish and get dressed.  I hiked in a few hundred yards on a trail and found a deer trail and followed it to another deer trail then mother nature called, great!  So I pick a nice tree to lean on 15 ft away, I take two steps and 2 doe jump off the deer trail.  Yep perfect timing, I snort at them and they quietly escape.  I dig my hole finish and think perfect spot and I just shit in it.  Arg  Lucky for me the hole was deep and the wind was in my favor! 

 

I head in the direction the 2 doe came from and find a nice slightly open area and settle in to the right side of it.  As daylight approaches I notice I am fairly exposed and move down 10 yards into some cover.  After adjusting I tried the Maa Maa call by mouth with a doe call 2 min later.  5 minutes after that 2 doe came in.  I saw her at 10 but did not draw because she was coming head on.  Frozen she pegged me at 7 yards ears pointed and now they both saw me.  I did not even try to draw, completely frozen, she snorted and bolted out with the other doe.  Amazing how she pin pointed me but the call I am doing is pretty loud and she was apparently close. 

 

I saw 5 people on bikes and heard one lady with a dog named honey.  I gave them all a pass but the solo guy with the white shorts caught my eye, couldn't get him to stop.  LOL j/k 

 

I met up with my buddy and his son and we checked 3 fields and found one old dead deer, looked like a fawn.  Found some rubs in the field but the food value was not present to attract deer.  I found some old rubs behind the field but few scrapes.   I head back as deep as possible and find some small fresh scrapes and a few rubs.  My buddy and his son are leaving at 3 or 4 so I still hunt back.  They text me at 2:45 that they are leaving, I pick up the pace and cover some ground.  I get to the truck and meet them.  I gave them the dead head and jaw bones and they gave me back my release.  Always good to carry an extra, I just put it in the back pack the night before, just in case. 

 

Exciting morning with some nice sign in the back, all the extra hikers and movement on the trails is interesting to say the least.  The last rub I found caught my attention!  But it's not on a rub line or a communal rub, looks like a one time frustration rub, I have an arrow to help save these innocent trees and relieve this bucks anxiety.  Poor trees, I will try and save you!  I promise. 

 

 

[NFA-ADK]

Better view.

[NFA-ADK]

10/18/14

Hooked up with a couple of friend whom I helped set a bunch of stands.  Saw 2 bucks and about 10 doe on the highway going to the hunting grounds.  My first time hunting this area, no sightings from me, one other hunter saw one deer.  Predicting good movement tonight for my buddy Joe who is heading out to check some open area I saw on Google maps.  Looking forward to tomorrow morning. 

 

My other buddy Al saw a 350-400lb Black bear a few minutes ago, called and you can tell he was rattled from his sleep, lmao.  Bet a million he will be awake the rest of the day!  Good luck to ya AL!  My other buddy Tom got his first deer, CONGRATULATIONS Tom on your first deer! 

Edited October 18, 2014 by NFA-ADK

[NFA-ADK]

I hit the alarm clock at 3:40am and went back to bed, to windy.    I go to the parking spot around 1pm and see about 70 people on bikes 1/2 mile before I enter, great...  Only saw 6 while hunting.  I gear up and head out from this new spot.  I take a deer trail 30 yards in and jump 2 doe 20 yards later in thick bush its crunchy and hard to move quiet.   

 

I tried a few calls but had no luck.  Ended up checking the area by the road to see if anything was hiding, found 2 rubs.    Wind was NE vs NW dam weatherman.  Nice day but wind was shifty and movement seemed low but I got out late.

 

My buddy Al saw a nice 8pt he had no shot on, going crazy jumping like a rabbit.  Sounds like the rut is getting close!!!

[incognito]

Tom1.jpeg10/18/14

My other buddy Tom got his first deer, CONGRATULATIONS Tom on your first deer! 

 

Thanks.

I got 50 lbs of deer meat after butchering. So far fresh venison dinners three nights in a row.

 

Edited October 21, 2014 by incognito

[NFA-ADK]

Very cool, looking forward to you next adventure!  Keep me posted! 

 

PS:  Good food right!!!  3 nights in row says it all.

Thanks.

I got 50 lbs of deer meat after butchering. So far fresh venison dinners three nights in a row.

 

[NFA-ADK]

Went to a new spot yesterday and tried from 1pm to dark, no sightings.  Site # 20 

[NFA-ADK]

Moose River:  10 days of pure fun!!!

 

11/6714 Thursday:  I get up late and make it to the camping area and find some other hunters setting up camp in the spot we wanted.  I found another spot right across the dirt road that was a little smaller but fit the tent just fine.  So with little time before dark I raced to set up the main base camp site alone.  Just before dark I finished staking down the tent when the other hunters from across the dirt road came to say HI.  Matt, Rob, and a few other guys they said where coming later.   I talked with them for about 10 minutes, young guys in their early 20's and a both seemed pretty enthusiastic about hunting.  I was excited!  I eat some food, finished setting up the cots when I heard a truck and meet my old friend Murry from Oneida lake, he was proud to show off his new truck and camper when another old hunter (71) I met back at Indian Lake showed up and we all knew each other and chewed the fat for a bit.  Bed came early that night at 8pm. 

 

11/7/14 I get out early and head up.  I cut across 4 sets of tracks but nothing worth tracking.   I hit the ridge where my 2010 buck fell and said a prayer.  I hunted down the valley to the road and came out about 400 yards from the camp site just after dark.  Cold conditions with snow, nice day out.

 

Saturday I finished setting up the cook shake and was out by 10.  I posted most of the day as we lost snow and I wanted to check this funnel area.  No sighting.  I still hunted down the mountain the last hour with no luck.  Nice day out but a bit warm.   I meet my friends Greg and Shawn back at base camp and celebrated their arrival.

 

Sunday I pushed up from the road to about a half mile then skirted across the ridges on some old logging trails.  I crossed the river then circled back after 3 and was on the road just at dark about 700 yards from camp.  I cut a few tracks on the ridges and spotted a tail flag from what appeared to be a doe.  

 

Monday was warm and I went on a hike for a few miles looking for sign with no success, nice day to just enjoy the woods but warm for deer movement.

 

Tuesday was hot and I needed a brake.  I cleaned the camp, said good by to Greg and took a nice hot shower!  Boy did I need that!  I ate like a king and prepped for the next day.  I was in NO shirt it was so hot.

 

Wednesday I was out early and headed for a swamp I wanted to check since two years ago.  After crossing a beaver dam I explored the area and headed into the swap and was stuck for about a hour in it.  Shawn called on the radio and said he was leaving early.  I finally got back up on the ridges and crossed the beaver dam to the other side of the swamp then crossed another river to check the other side.  I found a rub and some scrapes so I relieved myself in one and headed up the ridge with about 20 minutes till dark.  10 minutes later a doe came in and freshened the scrape for me and head up the ridge behind me.  2 minutes later a small buck with split spikes came in.  Having my buddy Chris's gun which had sentimental valued I wanted to get any buck with it and shot when he was broadside quartering away.  I waited a few minutes then checked for blood and found nothing.  I pulled out and made the hike out  900 yards uphill it was like rock climbing it was so steep.  Mark a tracker I meet in 2010 came back to the campsite and we feed him as our food supply was excessive and explained the story.  He offered to check for blood the next morning as snow was predicted for late morning.

 

Thursday we drive out and head to area and Mark, Mike and myself check for blood and find nothing for a 200 yard radius not even hair.  600 yards away on the road Mike finds 3 drops of blood.  I check for any other signs for blood and find nothing as the snow comes down an hour later.  I run the ridges above as he headed up from the original spot but find nothing.  I hunt the area for the rest of the day with no luck, cover many miles hoping he is close, I saw one doe around 10:30.  I concluded I shot high and hit no vitals.  To say I was disappointed in myself in more ways than one would be an understatement.   That night Mark has dinner with us again and tells us the many stories of his tracking adventures, he is a true wilderness hunter and I can tell he is a great tracker.

 

Friday we had snow and again I hunted the area with the small buck really hard.  I cut across 2 sets of tracks early and saw no other tracks or deer the entire day.  With snow I tried covering some ground looking for any lame deer to no avail.  Again that night Mark came and had dinner with us but he came out 2 hours after dark and I could see he had a long day.  (We meet him at a trail head concerned he was so late.)  His story telling and good spirits kept my disappointment at bay thankfully.  I made Mike promise that if Mark shot a buck we would help him drag it but it did not happen.

 

Saturday we said goodbye to Mark and wished him good luck as we packed up to go home.  He was heading back 7 miles again to look for his buck!  Can't wait for next year! 

 

Today Mark sent me a picture of his buck.  Mark Albin you are one determined hunter and a hell of a tracker!  I look forward to more of your epic stories about tracking in deep woods.  We always have a plate ready for you at camp NFA!  You are the Man!!!

 

Today I was sent this picture from a buck he tracked for six miles Saturday, and he goes back at least 3.5-10 miles!  He is 9 years my elder and puts me to shame.   His story telling, great spirit and love for deep woods hunting was the highlight of this trip and I look forward to spending time with him at camp NFA next year.  Congratulations Mark on another deep woods buck!  Your drive, determination and tenacity is astounding!  Hope our friendship only grows stronger as time goes by you are amazing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 17, 2014 by NFA-ADK

[NFA-ADK]

Not sure why everything came out so small up above so I reposted this:

 

Moose River: 10 days of pure fun!!!

 

11/6714 Thursday: I get up late and make it to the camping area and find some other hunters setting up camp in the spot we wanted. I found another spot right across the dirt road that was a little smaller but fit the tent just fine. So with little time before dark I raced to set up the main base camp site alone. Just before dark I finished staking down the tent when the other hunters from across the dirt road came to say HI. Matt, Rob, and a few other guys they said where coming later. I talked with them for about 10 minutes, young guys in their early 20's and a both seemed pretty enthusiastic about hunting. I was excited! I eat some food, finished setting up the cots when I heard a truck and meet my old friend Murry from Oneida lake, he was proud to show off his new truck and camper when another old hunter (71) I met back at Indian Lake showed up and we all knew each other and chewed the fat for a bit. Bed came early that night at 8pm.

 

11/7/14 I get out early and head up. I cut across 4 sets of tracks but nothing worth tracking. I hit the ridge where my 2010 buck fell and said a prayer. I hunted down the valley to the road and came out about 400 yards from the camp site just after dark. Cold conditions with snow, nice day out.

Saturday I finished setting up the cook shake and was out by 10. I posted most of the day as we lost snow and I wanted to check this funnel area. No sighting. I still hunted down the mountain the last hour with no luck. Nice day out but a bit warm. I meet my friends Greg and Shawn back at base camp and celebrated their arrival.

 

Sunday I pushed up from the road to about a half mile then skirted across the ridges on some old logging trails. I crossed the river then circled back after 3 and was on the road just at dark about 700 yards from camp. I cut a few tracks on the ridges and spotted a tail flag from what appeared to be a doe.

 

Monday was warm and I went on a hike for a few miles looking for sign with no success, nice day to just enjoy the woods but warm for deer movement.

 

Tuesday was hot and I needed a brake. I cleaned the camp, said good by to Greg and took a nice hot shower! Boy did I need that! I ate like a king and prepped for the next day. I was in NO shirt it was so hot.

 

Wednesday I was out early and headed for a swamp I wanted to check since two years ago. After crossing a beaver dam I explored the area and headed into the swap and was stuck for about a hour in it. Shawn called on the radio and said he was leaving early. I finally got back up on the ridges and crossed the beaver dam to the other side of the swamp then crossed another river to check the other side. I found a rub and some scrapes so I relieved myself in one and headed up the ridge with about 20 minutes till dark. 10 minutes later a doe came in and freshened the scrape for me and head up the ridge behind me. 2 minutes later a small buck with split spikes came in. Having my buddy Chris's gun which had sentimental valued I wanted to get any buck with it and shot when he was broadside quartering away. I waited a few minutes then checked for blood and found nothing. I pulled out and made the hike out 900 yards uphill it was like rock climbing it was so steep. Mark a tracker I meet in 2010 came back to the campsite and we feed him as our food supply was excessive and explained the story. He offered to check for blood the next morning as snow was predicted for late morning.

 

Thursday we drive out and head to area and Mark, Mike and myself check for blood and find nothing for a 200 yard radius not even hair. 600 yards away on the road Mike finds 3 drops of blood. I check for any other signs for blood and find nothing as the snow comes down an hour later. I run the ridges above as he headed up from the original spot but find nothing. I hunt the area for the rest of the day with no luck, cover many miles hoping he is close, I saw one doe around 10:30. I concluded I shot high and hit no vitals. To say I was disappointed in myself in more ways than one would be an understatement. That night Mark has dinner with us again and tells us the many stories of his tracking adventures, he is a true wilderness hunter and I can tell he is a great tracker.

 

Friday we had snow and again I hunted the area with the small buck really hard. I cut across 2 sets of tracks early and saw no other tracks or deer the entire day. With snow I tried covering some ground looking for any lame deer to no avail. Again that night Mark came and had dinner with us but he came out 2 hours after dark and I could see he had a long day. (We meet him at a trail head concerned he was so late.) His story telling and good spirits kept my disappointment at bay thankfully. I made Mike promise that if Mark shot a buck we would help him drag it but it did not happen.

 

Saturday we said goodbye to Mark and wished him good luck as we packed up to go home. He was heading back 7 miles again to look for his buck! Can't wait for next year!

 

Today Mark sent me a picture of his buck. Mark Albin you are one determined hunter and a hell of a tracker! I look forward to more of your epic stories about tracking in deep woods. We always have a plate ready for you at camp NFA! You are the Man!!!

 

Today I was sent this picture from a buck he tracked for six miles Saturday, and he goes back at least 3.5-10 miles! He is 9 years my elder and puts me to shame. His story telling, great spirit and love for deep woods hunting was the highlight of this trip and I look forward to spending time with him at camp NFA next year. Congratulations Mark on another deep woods buck! Your drive, determination and tenacity is astounding! Hope our friendship only grows stronger as time goes by you are amazing!

 

Here is Mike and Mark helping me try to find blood. 

 

 

 

[Fletch]

Love the big woods! Used to hunt Jenkins Mountain area Out past Paul Smiths years back. Had a real camp in Regis. Would love to spike camp before I get too lazy!!

[Zem18]

Awesome read. Thanks for sharing.

[NFA-ADK]

12/4/14 Nice day but no sightings again.  Found one nice scrape.

[NFA-ADK]

12/12/14 Really wish I could have gotten out the day before as we had some snow, arg...  I get to Otis Pike and find only one other vehicle parked on the other side of where I am hunting.  I spoke to the DEC officer who was hunting site 33 and he said the same thing I was thinking.  "Not many deer in this area" he said.  I agreed and stated how it was very similar to hunting up north in the ADK.  I get to site 34 and head in.  I covered some good ground and saw some fresh sign of bucks just not the one I am looking for.  Nice day of hunting but no sightings again.  I saw 2 doe entering the area I was in when leaving.

 

 

The 2 first pics where old rubs, the last small one was new.  Prints indicated it was a small buck.  Going to try a different location with larger population and get up into a tree stand, see if I can at least have a chance at seeing a deer!  Small private properly I helped to set up a bunch of stands on a few parcels.  First time in years going into a tree.

 

[NFA-ADK]

Wow what a difference!  Saw 2 bucks and 9 doe.  Called in a little spike.  Went out for lunch/breakfast and saw nothing on the afternoon stand.  Highlight was having the spike bed next to me and watch him eat his cud.  

 

 

[landtracdeerhunter]

Thanks for posting your journal!

[NFA-ADK]

12/18/14

Hunted the same spot as Sunday with no sightings for the morning and after lunch I was placed into another stand that I love but some workers making a lot of noise did not help, no sightings.  One guy saw a buck and the other a few of doe, very low movement and even the fields we check before leaving where empty.