Legacy -The 2025 Deer Season-

[Gator]

IMHO, it's not about accuracy...so long as you know precisely how far you are shooting (big "so long as"), they are tack drivers...but instead it's sound. Crossbows are so loud that the deer jump out of their skin. We have video of my buddy's shot last year and you wouldn't believe how much drop there was as the buck jumped the string. And this was at 22 yards. At 40-50 yards you might have to aim underneath them. Not lecturing, just my 2 cents.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb though (pun intended) and say that there are going to be more injured deer this year than ever before. But I will be out there with both weapons, hoping it's not me doing the injuring! 

[wrinklestar]

17 hours ago, Gator said:

IMHO, it's not about accuracy...so long as you know precisely how far you are shooting (big "so long as"), they are tack drivers...but instead it's sound. Crossbows are so loud that the deer jump out of their skin. We have video of my buddy's shot last year and you wouldn't believe how much drop there was as the buck jumped the string. And this was at 22 yards. At 40-50 yards you might have to aim underneath them. Not lecturing, just my 2 cents.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb though (pun intended) and say that there are going to be more injured deer this year than ever before. But I will be out there with both weapons, hoping it's not me doing the injuring! 

I agree.    I think there will be more gun hunters "bowhunting" this year which is different than bowhunters transitioning to crossbows.   I used a crossbow for a while when i was having shoulder problems and they are great but i still prefer my compound.    I gun hunt as well so not shaming by any means.  Have a  fun and safe hunting season gentlemen!

[GAMBLER]

1 hour ago, wrinklestar said:

I agree.    I think there will be more gun hunters "bowhunting" this year which is different than bowhunters transitioning to crossbows.   I used a crossbow for a while when i was having shoulder problems and they are great but i still prefer my compound.    I gun hunt as well so not shaming by any means.  Have a  fun and safe hunting season gentlemen!

I doubt there will be significantly more hunters now.  Seeing they have to take a bow class will keep them from doing it.  If they didn't buy a crossbow and hunt without having to take the class, they more than likely will not take the class.  

[Legacy]

19 hours ago, GAMBLER said:

I doubt there will be significantly more hunters now.  Seeing they have to take a bow class will keep them from doing it.  If they didn't buy a crossbow and hunt without having to take the class, they more than likely will not take the class.  

 

I agree. Requiring everyone to take a bow class slows the process and we dont have a high level of recruitment in the hunting and fishing world.

As for more injured deer... probably. But I would also guess a increase in deer kills for this year during the archery season. I would be interested to hear from deer trackers to see what their thoughts are in hind sight at the end of the year.

[Legacy]

[Legacy]

[Chromeslayer]

First tag of 2025  is punched

 

 

[fisherman21]

7 hours ago, Chromeslayer said:

First tag of 2025  is punched

 

 

Love it 

[Legacy]

Well I am a week away from the start of my 2025 season. I will once again be in Ohio for the bow opener there. No doubt I am looking forward to spending some time in the woods. The outfitter has shared pics on what seems to be an impressive herd of some really great deer. Ohio has been nothing but nothing but a nemesis for me and last year was heartbreaking. I shot a stud there last year that we never recovered. After sunset that evening we were met with heavy rain and fog which quickly ended our search. We even tried with a drone that night but the fog made it impossible. That lead to 2 days of blind searching which turned up nothing. It was a tough way to start the 2024 season. Fingers crossed the 2025 season starts off with some success in Ohio.

 

 

 

[whaler1]

Good luck Rob. Ohio has some amazing deer. Few days at deer camp is pretty special. Looking forward to reading about your trip. 
I think last years buck lived. Although they worked hard to recover it, they also didn’t find it dead after last years season if I’m correct. 
You never know. 

[Legacy]

If anyone is on the fence about buying an Ozonics unit the time to buy is now...https://ozonicshunting.com/collections/scent-elimination-devices

 

[fisherman21]

Huge shoutout to Isaac for letting me get out over his food plots early season every year with the kids. It has been an awesome experience for them now the last 3 years. I also got to teach my little guy some patience as we had a big doe and yearling come into the plot. He wasn’t thrilled I wouldn’t shoot lol. About 20 minutes later we had a solo doe come out, and was able to take the shot.  Unfortunately I hit her alittle back and ended up jumping her on the track. We decided to back out and came back this morning to recover her. She had died 20 yards from where we backed out, and unfortunately the coyotes got her over night. My son got to see what can happen when you make a marginal hit. It’s unfortunate and not something you ever want to happen….but it’s the reality of hunting sometimes. Either way, blessed with some awesome time with my son in the field and memories made.

[MeanMachine]

On 9/20/2025 at 11:43 AM, Legacy said:

Well I am a week away from the start of my 2025 season. I will once again be in Ohio for the bow opener there. No doubt I am looking forward to spending some time in the woods. The outfitter has shared pics on what seems to be an impressive herd of some really great deer. Ohio has been nothing but nothing but a nemesis for me and last year was heartbreaking. I shot a stud there last year that we never recovered. After sunset that evening we were met with heavy rain and fog which quickly ended our search. We even tried with a drone that night but the fog made it impossible. That lead to 2 days of blind searching which turned up nothing. It was a tough way to start the 2024 season. Fingers crossed the 2025 season starts off with some success in Ohio.

 

 

 

This is your year!

[Legacy]

Locked and loaded! First sit in Ohio!

[whaler1]

Good luck Rob! 
Older boy hunting in northern Adirondacks this afternoon as well. 
Great time of year. 

[Legacy]

BBD!

[Chromeslayer]

Congrats Rob!

[Legacy]

The Ohio curse has been extinguished!

 

[Reel Chaos]

Sweet!!!

Edited September 28, 2025 by Reel Chaos

[Gill-T]

Very cool antler shape

[whaler1]

Beautiful buck!  Looking forward to your report. 

[whaler1]

[fisherman21]

Nice work Rob! Way to start the season 

[Legacy]

Ohio 2025

My luck in Ohio has been far from good but that ended last evening.

After a decent walk from the road and through 2 corn fields I found my set. It was a turtle blind on the ground 30 yards off the field edge in a thick staging area. The woods is extremely thick there and it is on a ridge leading from bedding into the crop field. First deer to come through was a 2.5 year old buck about 545. He seemed preoccupied by something behind him. And eventually my target buck showed himself. I could just make out his tall brows through the thick stuff. About 605 he finally made his way past the blind and I smoked him with the new Xbow at 27 yards. I saw the bolt enter behind the shoulder and I knew he was a goner. He ran about 40 yards, stubbled, and tipped over. Couldn't have asked for a better playbook from the boys here at Southern Ohio Outfitters.

 

[whaler1]

Great stuff!