Trad Gang

Anybody getting together for a hunt in '09?

I won't be able to make the 2010 JLMBH this year.  My wife is due mid January and sneaking off for a weekend with a 2-3 week old infant at home would be grounds for some serious harm done to me... I wouldn't be able to pry myself away at any rate    :)  

I could go back home for a weekend and maybe see a deer, but would rather get together with some of you that I only get to see 1-2 times a year, maybe see a deer and definitely get some laughs in.

Hey man, I have some small pieces of state land. I live near 750+ acres, but I can't bring anyone on it. Im looking into getting in on some other land locally...

There is always the Catskills....  :saywhat:

Getting ready, shooting every day, off to Ill. for an early season hunt in less than 2 weeks. Got a Nov. hunt in Ohio that should be fun. Going with some guys from Mohawk- Hudson Trad Archers. Hunting with Adk- Ken once in awhile, hope to have a good season. Going to hunt the Adirondacks some also, already got a ladder stand set up....won't be long now!!!!

I'm on vacation from 10/30 until 11/9.

You're welcome in my camp anytime.    :campfire:  


 (http://mysite.verizon.net/vzep2hbr/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/TentCamp2.jpg.w560h420.jpg)

You can hold 'em down....... I'll shoot 'em.  :notworthy:

Thats a beautiful camp Keith. Where is that?

It's wherever I happen to be Brian.   :goldtooth:  

In that picture, it's in Schoharie County in Burnt Hills State Forest, 10,000 acres.

I like your style Keith!

We should all get together for a hunt some time...

I am over near Rochester and up for a hunt.

Mark

I live in Florida but have flown back to the Finger Lakes every year for the past 24 years. This year I will be up for opening day until the 25th. That has not happened since I lived there. But I will be going to Canada two weeks later and could not fit both trips in any differently. At any rate I am always looking for new woods. These are getting kind of routine. Would love to scout out some new white tail hangouts

That's a nice camp Keith.

I love that on the video you saying, "Do you trust me?" can be clearly heard LOL!

I'll be up in Buffalo Oct 28-Nov 2. I'll be hunting near Freedom/Delevan(Cattaraugus County).
Let me know if anyone wants some huntin' company.

I have the 1st week of November off as well.Id enjoy getting out there with a few of you folks.Have land to hunt.

Jeremy, if you wind up stepping on a deer Im shooting 2 blades this year so I can probably shoot it safely through your toes.  :scared:

Don't shoot!! Don't shooooootttt!!!!

Killdeer   :biglaugh:

You guys act like that rabbit didnt run away to live another day and dodge another hundred arrows....  :jumper:

BBBBBBUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!  Those were good times for sure. Hope to make it back again this year.  Skippy

So...what are we doing about a get together? I have plenty of room if people are willing to camp...only we would have to drive to the state land(s). Im not allowed to bring people onto the land I hunt.
Or I could contact my Encon friends and find out the good spots in the Catskills...

Never hunted the Catskills, would like to though.Went to Moose River plains yesterday and was scared to death by all of the hunters up there.Never saw anything like it in 25 years.Every camp was packed and we saw nearly 100 hunters.I was the only feller toting a bow and I got a kick outa people taking doudle takes as they drove by me when we stopped to stump shoot and eat a bite in the only unoccupied campsite we could find. No bear sign this year, no beeches to be found.There was a lot of deer sign and we called in a doe with the fox pro.If any one wants to give it a go up there let me know.Deer, bear and grouse will be open next weekend and the hordes of hunters I saw will be gone.As a bonus we might see the 50" bull a fella had pics of.

Jamie,let me know if you get out in the Catskills and Ill meet up with ya sometime.Im always up for a roadtrip.As long as it doesnt conflict with plans Ive already hatched or my sons fallball games I like to get out with a few gangers.

Im already looking into it Izzy. I may have a line on some land in the Delhi area...

Hey, that's my neck of the woods!  :)

Figured that would raise an eyebrow or two...LOL.

Izzy,
I hunt the Backside of the Cedar River Flow at least once a year. I put my canoe in and that helps to get away from the crowd. Let me know if you ever would like to go. Know a nice mature Beech mountain top loaded with nuts. Good bear area too.

ok guys im in!! like izzy said, im always lookin for a good trip as well.. and i love campin, so lets do this..haha
the huntin will jist be a bonus, the good company would make the trip! jamie, ya wanna try to pick a weekend??

gaff

I'm in for a weekend  :)

So lets figure out where. Then we figure out when.

I will look into state land that is close enough to my place. I will also try to contact a buddy to find out the legal side of camping on said land...

I am flexible as far as a shcedule....so lets hear what you guys can do.

There are always plenty of open camp sites at Bear Spring Mtn (especially the Trout Brook site) and a ton of state land in the surrounding areas.  There's some real nice private land I'll have my dad check into when he gets back from chasing elk in CO - lucky dog.

It'd be nice if NYS actually put up a good map detailing all the stand lands...

Hey Jeremy (et. al.)

Try this. BobW found it and sent it to me.

  NYS state lands (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/45415.html)

I'll be damned!  That's a nice site.

I used go all over Bear Spring, though there wasn't tons of sign a few years ago.  Not sure what it's like now.  Over in the Cherry Ridge area (who knew it had a name) is nice, especially along Campbell Brook.  I never spent much time on the other side of Cat Hollow, but friends always seemed to see deer on that side of the road.

Sounds fun guys! Got room for another. I'll be gone for a week or more in Oct. and Nov. to shoot some Hoosier deer, but after that I can probably squeeze a hunt in.  I have some small properties that a couple guys could join me on and some knowledge of some good State ground in Dutchess County. I also have access to some private ground in Greene County at the base of the Catskills. I also have 5 different properties ranging in size from 89 - 400 acres within walking distance of my house. I can host a couple at my house, but probably not more than that.

BBassi, that's an awesome link!

Bear Spring, the campground anyway, was closed all season. The state cut it due to the "budget". Sounds like you know the area far better than I do Jeremy...

Sounds cool.

This sure sounds like a good time guys. I'll keep my eye on this incase I can make something work when you decide on a date.

Jamie, the campground was closed, but the various primitive camping sites are all unstaffed and the Trout Brook site at least was open last time I drove by.  If we decide on that area I'll try to get someone to drive by and check 'em out.

I have a sister and bro-in-law that live in Delhi...Platner Brook. Let me know if they can help...LOL.

Man a primitive camp/hunt sounds awesome.

I usually try and put together a little something early in the season before the weather gets too cold (better for camping or a one day trip for you albany area guys). If anyone is interested, I can set something up for a big piece of state land down in Orange county (Stewart). I worked that property for 4 yrs when I worked for the DEC, so I know it pretty well.  It is in a word it's "lousy" with deer and turkey   :pray:  .  Izzy:  Good to finally meet you at the bunny hunt this year, hope you can make it.  Fire off some dates and I'll see what works for everyone.  I'll be hunting up that way most of the season so just let me know.

Nathan

I know the first two weekends work for me.  Holloween is out and I don't have my calendar for November with me right now.

The more I think about it, the more I like the Cherry Ridge Wild Forest area.  It's a big chunk of land with some good dirt acess roads with a few parking pull offs and primitive camp sites set up for hikers.  The trails in the area would let us spread out quickly to four of the main mountains and countless little hollows with streams and ponds.  It's also within striking distance of The City property around the reservoir that was opened up to hunting a few years ago.

Should be some nice views from the mtn tops overlooking the reservoir if we catch the colors right.  If we hit it early in the season that'd let some of you who live closer get a chance to get a feel for the area and get back later in the season.

I guess I cast my vote  :)   What are the rest of you thinking?

Sounds awesome to me! Anyone else?

I won't be able to come the weekends of the 17th or the 24th.  The first weekend of the season I'm free is the 31st,  then I'm free until Christmas  :bigsmyl:

Cherry Ridge,sounds good to me!!!

Now you guys got me thinking about a NY roadtrip..........


David

Catskills in October. Looking forward to a date.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/Oarceas/bows/xAlderlake.jpg)
This is on a small lake not far from Cherry Ridge. Lots of bear sign all summer long (though, the last two years, the sign thinned out by mid October.)

If the stars line up just right, I might be able to make it as well. Just got a new Alaknak and need excuses to use it. What town is Cherry Ridge near? Are you looking at Halloween weekend?

Dang, Aram thats beautiful country.Looking forward to stretching the legs in them there hills.

Cherry Ridge is between Downsville and Roscoe.

So what weekend works for everyone??

I can do any weekend but Halloween.

holloween is out for me as well.. so is the first weekend.. i'll be in russia ny. at deer camp.

gaff

Holloween is out for me too.  Oct 24-25 works and I'm pretty sure Nov 7-8 works too.

I would rather the 24-25th of Oct. Then I can play in my own woods during the rut...

Oct 24-25 sounds good. Nov is open for me too but I think the sooner the better.

That's four of us for the 24-25...  who else is coming?  :D

You guys have fun.... hunt safe.

im gonna talk to the warden when she gets home...
i dont see a problem, but i gotta double check.

gaff

I'll see how my season is going. I'll probably need that last weekend here in VT.

Thats my usual weekend in Indian Lake but I was thinking about passing on going this year.

I got the "It shouldn't be a problem" talk from my wife. Looks like Im in for sure...unless I mess up between now and then.  :D

I'm clear to leave the homestead, so I'm definitely in!

TTT

No more takers? Gaff...you get shot down man?  :goldtooth:

I just received orders to move to NY. I'll be teaching up in West Point for the next 2-3 years. Im looking forward to linking up with you guys when I get in town. I'll be there in December. Im really glad to see there is a great group of trad shooters up there. I was worrying for a bit, but then saw this thread.

Looking forward to learning how the boys from the North East do it.

Casey

Casey, I think you will like the Point. Great hunting right around the corner at Camp Smith too....used to be bow only when I was in, not sure now though as it has been a few years. Also, you wont be too far from Westchester, a bow only county.

Look us up when you make the move.

Jamie, Im 95% in. My current plan is to hunt hunt blackpowder and bow in Indian Lake on Wed,Thurs and Fri morn and leave to meet up with you guys on Friday afternoon .Im psyched for this year.Ive really been wanting to hunt the Catskills.I have 6 weeks off in the bank this year.Got a mess of weekend hunts planned, a bowhunt in Ohio with MHTA, cats in Nevada this winter and pigs with Ray in March.Where exactly are you all plannng on laying your heads for this weekend?

As far as I know Iz, there are usually "lean to's" spaced out along the trails...atleast there are where I worked.

Im bringing a tent, and its plenty big enough for I would say at least four of us....might bring a smaller one for gear too.

Im hoping Jeremy can answer better for ya...

You guys allow new hunters?  :pray:

You were new last year bub...no pulling that card this year. LOL.
Far as I know, there arent any requirements to play Brian...

hey guys, i just got back from my last bass tourny of the year.. had to make some adjustments, but i CRACKED UM!!  i gotta smooth it out with the wife. she wasnt to fond of me bein gone two weekends in a row.. go figure!!

i'll let ya know more in a day or so.

gaff

Jamie has it right.  There are a few "lean to's" along one of the main trails.  One of them is about .75 miles from either the main road or one of the dirt roads.  That puts some nice areas within easy reach for a morning hunt.

I'd like to get us a spot closer to one of the roads (easier to carry firewood in and easy to hop in a truck to get to a different area quickly) but that would put us right on top of the deer.

I'll know more after this next weekend.  Dad gets back from chasing elk in CO on Friday and I'll call in a few favors and send him out scouting the area to see where the sign is.

Man this is sounding good...

Do you guys know if the non-resident bowhunting license would allow me to hunt bunnies too?? I seam to remember reading something along those lines last year but can't find it now. Thanks Skippy

sorry guys, im not gonna be able to make it..
have fun, and dont forget to take alot of pics!!!

gaff

Thats ok Gaff, these things happen. I might make you pay for pics though...

Once we figure out who is coming, you guys want to divide the food stuff/firewood and other needed items so we dont have triplicate of everything?

I can't make that weekend either. I'll be getting back from a week in Indiana bowhunting on Wed. and then packing up for another hunt might be asking a little much.  Best of luck everyone!

I have the firewood covered.  The new regs state you're not supposed to import firewood from over 50miles away anyhow.  I'll be damned if I'm carrying all of it though!  :D

Dividing the rest of the stuff is a good idea.

Right now I'm planning on getting out there early Friday afternoon, throwing on a pack frame and taking some wood in.

Yeah I was going to mention those regulations. 50 mile radius, or a receipt showing the place purchased. All from the emerald ash borer and the longhorn asiatic beetle.

:saywhat:

So how many of us are there?

Sounds like you, me and Izzy for sure.
Brian?  Aram?  Anyone else?

I'm still thinkin about it. I'm having hard time pulling myself away from a nice, new spot. 5 bucks have been seen hanging out in a field together on a regular basis.   :eek:

I'm in. And so is Ru.

This is gonna be good...

I'd luv to guys, but I have a spot in Westchester that I've hardly got to spend any time at the last two years....this year will be different!

I'm sure it will be a great time! Please take a lot of pix guys...good luck!

Went to a yard sale today. I got a Loc-on stand, a NEW yellow jacket block target, and a blaze orange pack from with a blaze orange ruck for 35$. Now I can carry stuff in an organized fashion, albeit bright.  :goldtooth:

I can check again but we might not need to worry about firewood: if I remember well we are allowed to use all the dead wood on the ground. And there is plenty. I never had to bring in any wood and I spent as long as a week with a party of seven, primitive style camping and no other fuel source than the wood on site.

Talked to Dad this afternoon and he'll be doing some scouting for us.  He said when he was up to the lean-to last winter there was plenty dead wood around, so no need to pack in some wood  :)   He thought the general plan sounded good for the area too.

I'm planning on getting up there early Friday afternoon.

Dead and down is the rule-for firewood... I shoulda said that earlier...LOL.

Really looking forward to this. I have been out in the woods a bit, but not enough. Picking wild mushrooms, setting stands. Turkey scouting.

It will be nice to hunt with friends in the Catskills.

:campfire:

Who's showing up when?  

The parking areas aren't very big.  Those of us showing up on Friday afternoon should probably meet at my parent's house (Downsville) and ride over together.  Dad could always drop some guys off too.  He'll be doing a little guiding and showing us where the good apples are and some major trails... he hasn't decided if he'll join us around the fire.

I redid the tips on my beloved '59 Grizzly and the '59 KSpecial will be making the trip with me as well.

I believe we'll be there Friday pm. Would love to have your dad around the fire. There must be something we can do to make it more tempting.  :)
  :campfire:

Im showing. Might be friday, but Im thinking it will more likely be sat....all depends on the wife's work schedule...will let ya know asap.

Getting closer now boys!  :D

What do y'all want to do about food  ;)

I plan on borrowing one (or both) of Dad's coleman stoves, but don't have much beyond the old Boy Scout mess kit for cookware.  I'm not sure what Dad has.

I made up a spice mix a few nights ago for some cajun blackened fish... figured that's a good one to warm you up after a day on the stand.

Potatoes?
Quick-cook rice?
The last venison steaks in the freezer?
Apples/pears?
Oatmeal?
coffee (a must as far as I'm concerned  :) )
Bread?
PB?
Greenery of some sort

It looks like I might make it. It's my B-day but my GF said she'd push any plans off a bit. I can bring anything, just depends on if it's a back pack trip or closer to the trucks on which gear I bring. i have plenty of venison and wild boar and I'm sure I'll have fresh meat by then anyway. just let me know

I hunted the Catskills back in the 70s. I think the name of the town was Prattsville, near Roxbury. 5 of us leased 100 acres from a farmer named Tony Zoccaro, excellent hunting...PR

10...
:)
How far is parking from camp?
We'll bring some bacon for the fire, bread, and a cold dish (potato salad)

I'm waiting to hear from my Dad where the good sign is.  If it's where I'm hoping, there's the lean-to about .75 miles from the access road.  If sign is scarce and abundant elsewhere we'll just camp 200-300 ft from one of the roads.

ttt

Just got some news that makes me think I will have to bail out. I will know more in a few days and let you all know...

...9...
:)
Oh, no, Jamie.    :(

Let us know Jamie!

Just got a report from Dad.  The lean-to is in good shape.  The apples near the site (a little over 1/4 mile) are good, but there's not a whole lot of tracks going into them.  He hasn't checked out the stand of oaks nearby, but nothing else in the area is producing, so if they are...

There's an area ~1mile from the site with lots of apples that's all tore up with tracks though.

He'll do some more poking around in between rain drops and we'll figure out if we should use the lean-to or if it makes more sense to camp just off one of the roads.

You still in Izzy?

How 'bout you Greg?  I'm not sure we met at Shawn's in Feb?  I had to leave unexpectedly just as the hunt got started Saturday, though I did get my catch and release rabbit  :)

ttt

It's snowing here in CT??  In October?  ~3/4" on the ground and no signs of stopping!

...8...
Will travel for good sign. It's snowing here too. I heard 3 to 6 inches for the Catskills.    :scared:

Still no word on whether or not I will make it. Yet another situation arose which may bar my attendance. Im hoping against hope and will let everyone know as soon as I do.

Good luck this Saturday everyone.

good luck to all and hope you get a buck or two...I read this and for the life of me can not find were you are going to camp and or meet. I am in Oneonta NY are you guys going to try to camp off of rt 17 in the mountains or where..

Bill

Bill, we'll be between Downsville and Roscoe in the area just to the west of Rt 206 and south of the Pepacton Reservoir and Rt 30.  I doubt anyone is going to trek down as far as Rt 17, but the trails do go down that far.
It would take you about 45-50 minutes to get to my Dad's house and then another 10 or so to get to where we'll be hunting.

...7...
Good luck all tomorrow!
Bill, common down. It's north of rt. 17 (but closer to 17 than to Oneonta.) Would love to meet you.

Jeremy,

I owned a place off Rt206 just pass Jug Tavern Rd on Brock MTn. Use to be great hunting but haven't been up that way in years.

Rob

...6...
I think we just lost  Jamie (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=079521)
Really happy for him too.

Still not sure Aram...besides...I have an antlerless tag, and turkey tags...and a bear tag.   :D  I should know more by Tuesday.

I'll send out an email tonight or tomorrow with directions. Getting close now!!

Rob, that's the general area we'll be in.

...5...4...
Looking forward to it.

Broadheads are sharp and I'm about half packed.  I'm also still down with the flu (day 4 and counting)!

Doesnt look like I can make it. Some issues have come up that trump hunting with a great bunch in a great place. I hope there will be lots of pics, lots of smiles and maybe a blood trail or two.

Best of luck guys! Im real sorry I cant make it...
if I play my cards right I might be able to get out locally on saturday.

I really was looking forward to it too! If anyone needs to borrow a pack, sleeping bag or sleeping mat, let me know. Sigh.

Sorry you can't make it Jamie!

My son (he just turned 2) overheard my wife and I talking about the plans and who's coming... he got all excited that his daddy was going camping with "Roo" the kangaroo LOL!  I didn't have the heart to correct him  :)

I had a proud daddy moment yesterday too... he told me he wanted to go hunting.  I asked him what he wanted to hunt and he tells me, "deer.  And a turkey.  Maybe a rabbit."  My wife asked what he was going to do when he caught them. "Run." LOL!

Jeremy,

Are you hiking up the Blue chip trail off of 206?

Rob,
The trail has a name?   :)    The lean-to is on the trail on Campbell Mtn.  I need to confirm with dad today that it makes sense to camp there rather than somewhere else where there's more sign.  In either case, we'll probably be parking at the trail head on Campbell Mtn Rd rather than on 206.  Are you thinking of coming down?   :)  

Who else is thinking of joining us?  I'll be getting out there early Friday afternoon and set up camp.  I think Aram is coming out later Friday?  

I'll get an email sent out in a bit with directions to dad's place and some info.

Just got off the phone with dad.  I think it makes more sense to camp closer to where the sign is abundant, so it'll just be a short 150-300 ft walk from the trucks to the campsite.  Dad's going to pick out a sight this afternoon and do some more scouting (OK, and hopefully put an arrow in something).

I sent a few emails through TradGang to some of you who expressed interest.  To those who I had an actual email address I sent out directions and a topo map of the area.  Please let me know if you're coming  :)

...3...2...
I'm drooling over the map you sent, so many good looking spots.

What I didn't put on the map are the major game trails, the orchard that's all tore up with sign and a bunch of other goodies  :)
It's a nice area that should be easier to hunt than normal since none of the oak stands are producing acorns.  When the mast is good and the apples are everywhere it makes it difficult to pattern them. When they're just going to a few of the apple stands though...  :)

When do you think you and Ru will be up?  I'll make sure I'm back to the house by then to meet up with you, though I think you guys will be coming through Roscoe and over Cat Hollow on Rt 206, right?

I hunted near the Pepactin reservoir last November.  Great area.  helped a friend get his first deer while his 10 year old son watched.  Great times. I wish I knew about you guys sooner or I would be joining in on the hunt. U unfortunately it's a bit far for just the weekend.  Perhaps if you go again next year I will come along.

Charlie

This year you can take me along with your posts.   :campfire:

...1...

:)
This will do my soul good.
Anyone thinking they might stop by should contact Jeremy, I guess, for a cell #. Sorry, I don't have a cell phone.
Jeremy, we should be there around 1pm. We're coming rte 28 and along the reservoir. If it makes it easier/ better meeting place we can come through Roscoe, otherwise rte 28 through Margaretville, to your father's house.

That should be a nice ride Aram.  I should be rolling into my father's place around the same time.  I'll make sure dad's there just in case I'm delayed.

I can be reached my email or PM through tomorrow morning.  If you think there's a chance you'll come up shoot me a message and I'll send you my cell # (last time I posted my # on an open forum I ended up on some, uh, interesting calling lists!)

Well Ive been waiting til the last to see how I was and goofed up yesterday.Ive had bronchitis for a week or so and thought I was better yesterday.I headed out at 0400 and finally arrived at my hunting spot at 6 after a long drive.I hunted til 2 and now my lungs toud like a rubber duckie eeverytime I breathe.It sucks to get old man.Have fun out there fellas and put some meat on the pole.

                       Izzy

...Take off!
Sorry to hear that Izzy. We'll be there till Sunday and there should be some deer left in need of a good freezer.
Wish us luck.

Man I hope it isnt raining there like it is here!! Either way, best of luck guys! Cant wait for the stories...

i hope they brought a canoe... its pretty soggy out there!
gaff

It was a wet day, but a good one!  :)

Aram got out here late Friday night with Ru, so it was just me getting rained on Friday night.  Saw one doe at about 40 yards and found out I'm still not healthy enough to go climbing mountains.  :(

This morning I was in the right place at the right time while still hunting and had 5 shot opportunities at a group of 4 deer.  I passed up on 3 shots for various reasons and messed up the other two b/c of tunnel vision (there were 4 deer, but that last shot was screwed up b/c I only saw the first 3)

Aram saw 4 tonight and had two of them real close w/o shot opportunities.

LOTS of sign, but most of them are getting to the areas we're hunting at dark-thirty.  We'll try to put Ru on some deer tomorrow morning and ambush them as their going to bed.

Best of all, NO RAIN forcasted for tomorrow AM!!  :D

We'll fill you in with stories in a day or so.  I'm afraid there aren't many picc though... the camera has been staying in a ziploc.

good luck to all of ya, fine bunch of hunters there!

I hope there are alot of smiles and a red arrow or two...

Since Aram and Ru were delayed in getting out on Friday, I went and found a good spot to sit for the evening.  Then it started pouring and I headed back to the car.  By the time I got there it had let up enough and I decided to go up to the top of the next ridge to take a look around.  Not much sign and my lungs hadn't recovered enough from the flu for the climb... spent the night hacking up a lung in punishment.

We ended up staying at my parent's house for the weekend.  Rainy nights in a tent didn't seem like the smartest idea to us when there were warm beds 15 minutes away   :)  

We went out just after first light Saturday.  I put Ru right near the highest concentration of deer sign hoping he'd catch them as they were leaving the apples and the only acorns on the mountain.  Aram was about a half mile away in a stand of pines by more apples trying to stay dry; both of them were right near major travel corridors.  I decided to go another quarter mile down and still hunt while checking for sign.

My real excitement was around 8:30.  As I was still hunting my way through the deer woods I catch movement off to my left - a doe!  I drop to my knees and see a yearling follow here out of the stand of pines and pass her on the trail.  A short minute later puts that little one through my first shooting lane at 25 yards.  Pass on that one; the doe is trailing behind and I haven't been shooting enough to take that shot at an animal comfortably.  Another 10-12 yards puts it in my second shooting lane at about the same distance - pass.

The doe picks up her pace a little bit and goes through my first shooting lane a bit faster than I'd like at about 20 yards.  Pass on that, as she'll soon be in my second lane a little bit closer.  Her head is in the clear, then her shoulder, I start my draw then two things happen: I see a third deer come out of the pines and she stops with her vitals still behind the brush!  As I'm watching the third deer, another small one, to see if I've been made the doe continues on through my lane and out of my life.  Chalk another missed opportunity up to tunnel vision!

The third deer continues along the same general path without any clue I'm there, but closer to me.  I let down (I was still at about half draw) and the dang arrow falls off the string!!  I pick up the arrow and look back at "my" deer.  She'll go through the first shooting lane at 15 yards, but I'll need to stand up to shoot.  The other two deer are walking away from me, so there's no issue there.  The deer approaches the lane, I slowly stand and start my draw and the fourth deer, another adult doe, starts blowing from where she had come out of the pines, unseen by me.  They all take off 30-40 yards back they way they came, then stand there for 5 minutes to figure out what just happened.  Then they start walking back the way they came - along a trail that led right to where Aram was set up.  They never arrived.

So 5 shot opportunities on 3 deer that I snuck up on!  A pretty good morning in my mind!

I was in the same general area that evening getting rained on and didn't have anything come through.  Turns out the deer all get to the area at least 30 minutes after sunset.  We saw at least 2 groups going in as we were driving out.

We went in before first light Sunday morning; Aram went back to the same spot and Ru went in about where I ran into the group of deer.  I went up above to see if they were leaving the area that way.  I saw nothing... hardly cut a fresh track at all when I decided to scout around after sitting just off a trail for a few hours.

As for bloody arrows... well, Ru decided to start taking shots at the red squirrels and when I left for home after the morning hunt he had two of them for the pot.  Aram and Ru went back out Sunday afternoon, so hopefully they'll chime in with their version of events.

Sounds like a lot of fun Jeremy. Im really sorry I couldnt make it.  :banghead:

Just quick lunch break to squeeze in a big THANK YOU! to Jeremy and his father John.    :notworthy:    :notworthy:
  We had an awesome weekend! We drove home late last night and we were sooo happy. There's no better way we could have spent this past weekend. I hope we can do it again sometime and share it with more good people here.
Jeremy, I called your father this morning to tell him about the excitement of the afternoon hunt. After we said good bye, Ru and I decided to hike to the lean-to and have lunch there. It was a gorgeous day. I was just making a mental note of how unwoodsman like we were thrashing along the path, dragging our feet noisily through the fresh fallen leaves, when I saw Ru freeze and drop on his knees. I dropped too, forty yards over his shoulder, just at the bend in the road I could see a doe grazing on the path. Later Ru signaled behind his back that he was watching three more does. We both scrambled to nock our arrows and fit our face masks. I watched Ru for about twenty minutes watching and waiting for a shot. I couple of times I saw his draw arm tighten but ethics prevailed over excitement. The does stayed just out of reach and then disappeared as fast as they appeared.  I tried to circle over the cliff and push them back towards Ru but I never saw them again. By the time I reached Ru we were being snorted at repeatedly and persistently by deer on both sides of the saddle. More later...

Sounds like a good time for all,You will not find two like Aram or Ru .The first time I met Ru I new he was going to be some hunter,Good on you Aram.>>>>------> ED

First day on the evening hunt I had just spooked two does walking into my position. Not five minutes later aI caught movement with the corner of my eye. Another doe was passing at under fifteen yards. She was in a hurry to get to an apple tree I had set up on. She started munching on the only wrong place, putting some nasty brush between us. For what seemed like eternity she gorged herself just out of reach. Then left never offering a shot, never knowing how narrowly she escaped. Later that evening it started pouring again, and with night approaching I decided I would not shoot one if she fell on my arrow. And one almost did. I was scouting trails for next day's hunt when I almost tripped on another doe. Not sure who got more scared. We both froze, then she did her studying dance, trying to figure out what I was. Finally she left, not sure what I was but confused about the loud drum in my chest I am sure.
Next day, Sunday, I spooked two more and saw two more unaware but both out of reach. There are lots of crisscrossing trails that could have sat many more hunters. The place is loaded. We saw twelve deer between the three of us (not counting the four flags waiving me off.)  Jeremy and John, his father did an awesome job putting us on deer (and housing and feeding us too.    :notworthy:  Thanks again!) Yeah, the rain chased us indoors but what an inspiration it was to hang out with John. Jeremy, you are blessed!

I'm glad Ru finally got into some deer!  Dad told me you called, but didn't fill me in with the details.

The rain was a disappointment; I really would have liked to get out around a campfire, but dad and I did have a great time with you two at the house.  I hope you didn't walk away from it with too many new projects for the winter! LOL!

Good food, good company and uncooperative deer within bow range - what more could you ask for?  :D