My Bow Hunting Season

Dr. Spec

With early archery season for deer winding down and gun season fast approaching, I wanted to briefly share my successes and experiences with any fellow Polksters who might also happen to be sportsman.

It has been a fabulous bow hunting season in upstate New York, with a mild previous winter, a plentiful deer population, and nearly unlimited deer tags in high density areas.

I have been blessed to have taken the following animals:

- a mature 7 point buck that gross scored nearly 100 points and yielded 83 pounds of boneless

- a mature doe that was part of an immunocontraception study that has now ended and the NYSDEC asked us to harvest them for autopsy - she weighed 150 pounds but was inedible due to the birth control drugs and I received a replacement tag for her - the wildlife biologist was very grateful and did all kinds of tests on her

- a 247 pound mature 9 point buck that gross scored 110 points and yielded 90 pounds of boneless

- a 5 month old button buck taken in a controlled archery program in a town overrun by deer - he was donated to feed the less fortunate

- a yearling doe that yielded 33 pounds of boneless

Well the freezer is full and the population is a bit smaller and what a fabulous season thus far. Any additional deer harvested during gun season will either be donated to feed the poor, or given to friends who were less successful than us this season.

Happy Hunting to all sportsman out there!

Doc

-justin-

I was driving and someone hit a deer in front of me. I guess that's not as exciting though....

~Justin

Ron-P

Excellent Doc. I am jealous, to say the least. Been bow hunting up in the local Sierra's many years ago, but once the daughter came along all that got put on hold. Hopefully with in the next two or three years I can get back into the game. Although bow is fun rifle hunting is my favorite.

Can you ship some my way:) I love venison over the BBQ.


Peace Out~:D

Frank Z

BAMBI!!!

Dr. Spec

Thanks, Ron - I might be able to arrange that. I'd need some dry ice, though.

We can't hunt deer with a rifle in New York except way up in the northern zone. Most of us use bow or slug.

Ironically, any centerfire handgun is legal in NY for deer hunting (providing you have the separate handgun license), and many enthusiasts are turning to the Thompson Encore chambered in .270, .308, .30-06, etc. It's basically a short rifle......some hunting regulations are so bizarre. I prefer the .44 Mag wheel gun as my firearm for deer hunting - it's more traditional and still packs plenty of power at typical whitetail ranges of 25-75 yards.

The latest generation of fully rifled slug barrels and sabot slugs are very accurate, but they are still pretty much 100 yard guns. It's just not the same as a real rifle - I agree with you - there is no finer or more humane hunting tool for harvesting deer than a high power rifle. My Ruger .30-06 absolutely crushed all game I have taken with it out west - very decisive and authoritative kills.

Doc

Systems

Here in Wisc, one of our state legislators has advocated search lights & helicopters to help hunt down all the deer in the chronic wasting disease eradication zone. Of course, you wouldn't get to eat them, but you could certainly get some shooting done!

Dr. Spec

I've been following the Wisc. CWD issue closely - I have hunters / friends in that state who are very concerned about it. Do you have any updates?

Honestly, I have no desire to slaughter deer afflicted with CWD, and I doubt anyone in the CWD eradication program derives perverse satisfaction out of it either. Like mad cow disease, CWD is a tragedy and a monumental waste of a natural resource and yes it needs to be controlled but it is so sad to see it happen this way.

Contrary to popular belief, pulling the trigger (or the arrow release) is the least enjoyable part of hunting. The job of the hunting implement is to provide a quick and humane kill - period. That is easier said than done and that is why sportsman may seem to be obsessed with the performance of their bows or firearms - it is a very important means to an end. No sportsman wants to witness a lingering death or a bad hit. And even then, the day a sportsman stops feeling remorse and no longer feels the weight of taking a life on his shoulders, is the day he should hang it up and find another hobby.

The mental and physical preparation, the training and practice, the equipment and gear, the scouting, the comraderie, conservation and game management, and the stories over the meals - that's what I like about hunting the most.

Doc

Systems

here's the official "gummint" site

www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/whealth/issues/CWD/

hlalanne

so are going to package her up and share with the club members ?:D


I would more than happy to send you my address.

audionutt

deer steak is the best and the sausage is not that either. hell the whole state of michigan shuts down when deer season comes in!

joe

Peaceman

Awesome. Thanks for sharing success stories. I'm totally with you when it comes to your style and ethics. Hunt here in PA, and there are all kinds of hunters. I myself only
squeeze the trigger when I know the deer is going down. Two weeks ago kicked up a beautiful buck out of some laurel, could have shot but, wasn't absolutely sure how clean it would have been. Only harvested 3 deer in my life so far: A nine point with a down tine-rifle. A spike when it was legal-rifle, now they have to have 3 points on one side, and lastly a doe first time out with my flintlock. Love the outdoors. Keep up with your attitude and I'm sure it will be contagious.

ben62670

Sweet. I was really hoping to get out finally this year. I used to deep sea fish in Ft. Lauderdale to the keys. I was hoping to get in the woods again.
Again Congrats. I'll take that 150# doe off your hands:)

Ron-P

Damn! Yet another thread from the far reaches of CP. Miss the Doc. He helped me dial in my DIY Tempest sub real good.

Pauly

Actually thought Doc Spec was posting again... Damm.

Pauly

seeclear

ben62670 wrote: »

Again Congrats. I'll take that 150# doe off your hands:)

Yeah, I'll bet that meat would have some serious freezer burn by now.:eek:

Old thread, Ben.