Hunting in New York has become one of my favorite activities. Why would a guy who is from NY say that? After having lived in California for the past 12 years, going back to NY is a blessing and one hunting trip I LOVE to plan for. I prefer to hunt there vs. hunt here in SoCal due to many factors, but it’s all personal. Traveling to see my family and hunt with them turned out to be one of the most memorable hunting trips ever.
To begin, I have to take you back to early September when my dad and brother were setting out trail cameras. They figured a couple spots were going to be gold mines and they were not wrong! They sent me pictures of buck after buck after buck. One buck they named Moe, due to Eeny, Meeny, Miny, and you get the idea. They didn’t see him in person, but he was there. Somewhere.
Weather is always a factor when hunting and hunting in NY during the rut usually means cold weather. The weather report mentioned 40s and rain. I packed my cold weather Badlands Approach camo fully expecting snow. I forgot to pack my High Unitas Vest (I love this vest for the warmth it provides) and was very disappointed. I had my Badlands merino wool base layers and that helped a great deal, but I was very cold at times.
We saw deer every day, from every stand, and had a blast! I passed on a yearling fawn the first day, but that didn’t stop her from eyeballing me for over an hour and walking up to my stand. Let me say this, I stand by my Dead Down Wind spray. I have said it before while hunting pigs and now with this hunt, the deer were downwind of me for hours, but they never spooked. Not one time did a deer snort or kick off due to smelling me. This particular doe was downwind for a long time and kept smelling the air, knowing I was there, but couldn’t place the scent. It was great fun to watch!
I was blessed to be able to harvest a doe on day three at 8 yards. Yes, 8 yards from the stand. Most of the deer I saw were within 30 yards all weekend. My dad sure can pick a good stand location.
Jumping ahead to the last day of my hunt, with thirty minutes of daylight left I saw Moe for the first time. He was beautiful! He came from downwind of me, walked into a shooting lane and I watched in awe as he walked by at 35 yards. After already filling my archery tag, I was left with only a doe permit, so I could do nothing but watch. It was an amazing sight. The biggest buck of my life had just walked by and there wasn’t a thing I could do but feel blessed to have witnessed him.
I came home with a cooler full of delicious venison, but the story doesn’t end there. The New York firearm season was about to begin in a few days and while I may not have been there physically, I was there in spirit as the two best hunting buddies took the stand with their rifles. What would happen? Would they see Moe? Stay tuned!
Be First to Comment