fisherman21

Well, ventured to state land yesterday morning with my brother for opening day. We were unsure how the day would unfold, as you hear many horror stories of state land hunting on opening day of gun with bullets flying by and guys being everywhere. My brother and I hunted different locations within 5 miles of each other. We figured divide and conquer. We got in early to try and beat the crowd as we both started our trek in around 4:20AM. The leaves were crunchy, and it took me 40 minutes to get to the area I wanted to hunt. Got settled in and just sat in the pitch black until the sun came up. I never saw any lights coming in where I was hunting, but my brother had seen a couple others. The wind ended up being no good for the spot I was sitting in, as I felt like it was blowing right to where the deer would be coming from. I decided at 7:40 that if I wanted to see deer, I had to move alittle further south to get my wind blowing in a manageable direction. While it sucked to have to move so early, I made the move very slow scratching the ground with my feet letting out turkey yelps and clucks. I made it about 60 yards south, and felt like that would be better than where I was at. Well, about 30 minutes later I see a good sized deer running through the woods. It ran directly to the tree I had originally set up at, and I could tell it was just a small buck. When it hit that tree, it must have caught my scent, turned to the south and ran right at me. It stopped broadside at 16 yards. At this moment, so many thoughts were running through my mind (your target buck back home 140” to 150” buck got hit last week by a car, you just hiked up a mountain, it’s state land). I’m not going to get into my season prior to this, but it’s been a disaster. All that added up in the quick decision to settle on the deer and pull the trigger. It was no where near some of the bucks I have on camera this season In fact this buck probably scores 13” [emoji23]. But to tell you guys the truth, I couldn’t be happier with this little buck, and it really is just a great representation of my 2020 season lol. I later got a call from my brother saying that he shot one. Long story short he ended up not being able to find it, which was a real bummer as it would have been a first deer. We were hunting the whole day, so I told him to just sit right as he could have another chance. Another chance did not come for him, but he had a great experience and took some knowledge away to learn from. At about noon, I decided to move again further south and found a nice funnel along a thick transition. At about 1:30, 8 or 9 doe came in at 30 yards right up the funnel along the transition. I settled on a nice mature doe, and shot. I don’t know what happened, but I made a terrible shot that lead to me tracking this deer for 2 hours and ended up having to make a followup shot around 4pm. It was devastating to me that the deer was running around that long injured, bu I was glad it all worked out, and was a pretty cool experience on state land. My brother didn’t end up having anymore luck. It was a heck of a job dragging them both out, and my whole boy is sore today. Those two deer make four in the freezer for me this year, so I will be done for now. I may get out for late season to try for a could of the other good bucks I have on camera back home. Good luck everybody! Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I’m hunting public ground down in hemlock. First shot was 6:07. It was pitch black lol Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Exactly what I did[emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Nice work Andy! Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Sounds like you need a Raven! “Shoot It” Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Don’t do it lol Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Saw 3 bucks and about 15 to 20 doe last night. Two of the bucks were shooters. Unfortunately the bucks came out 90 yards away. No chasing going on last night for me. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Had a raccoon walk under me, and saw 3 does 357 yards away lol. I’ll be in the stand till at least noon. Fingers crossed a big buck comes by Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Good luck boys! Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Lol, that deer does have a huge body though! Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

4 does in the beans this morning. Had another one walk right by me at 15 yards just before shooting light unfortunately. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Almost hit 2 deer on the drive in today. Saw a doe and two yearlings, and a 2yo buck from the stand. Beautiful sunrise this morning. It feels great to be back in the woods the last few days. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Should be a perfect morning for it! Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

The trees rocking this morning with the wind. 3 does in the beans early. Pretty quite morning overall though Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

First sit of the season for me. Beautiful crisp morning, with deer on their feet. Had a few does work the fence line about 100 yards to the right of me at first light. About 10 minutes later I caught movement about 80 yards to my left out came 2 does in a spike came out into the beans. One doe worked to 37 yards, and I let her have it. Veal parm baby. Off to work by 9AM. Time to wait for a big buck. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

It’s a fantail rainbow. I have caught 2 of them over the years. It’s a genetic mutation as to where the fins and tail don’t stop growing. You can sometimes see the same mutation in carp, koi, and goldfish Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I have also done that......more than once [emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I hung a new stand last week and noticed as I was hanging it that the tree right next to me that I was leaning on was covered in poison ivy. Next morning I woke up with poison ivy all over the left side of my neck and face. That’s always a fun time! Anyway, it’s going to be a nice set. Looking forward to the season. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app