ABOVE:This is why I go to the Adirondacks!
This fall I had 2 trips planned to the Adirondacks. I was very excited because the Adirondacks has such a rich history and lore about it that I just needed to hunt it. It was an unseasonably warm fall during the bow season finding me many days in short sleeved shirt and summer clothing. It should have been much cooler. We were having days in the upper 70's and lower 80's when it should have been in the 40's. Either way, the hunting was tough but very enjoyable. The first trip I hunted for 5 days (Sept. 28 - Oct2), seeing a few does but no shot opportunities, we actually saw many deer driving home as the warm weather kept them nocturnal, I dont blame them, who wants to be wearing a fur coat in 70 degree weather? I was also able to bear hunt a few evenings. The second hunt I went on was also for 5 days (Oct 8 - 13), the temps were just as hot but I have a few stories to share.
On the 2nd day of my hunt I woke to windy conditions and warm temps. So I told Anthony, my guide, that I want to try to bag a Gobler this morning since the deer were only moving at night, could you blame them? The deer already had winter coats and were ready for the cooler weather. Everyday I would notice the freeway of sign the deer left each night. Nothing much we could do.
So Anthony took me to a corn field that looked very promising. So I hustled to the corner he told me to set up in. On my way I spooked a couple deer, normally I would be a little upset but I was happy to know I wasn't going crazy and there were deer making the sign I saw every day. I quickly set up my ICE Blind and waited for the morning to break.
Just as the sun started coming up and daybreak greeted the cool night I heard deer cruising behind me through the forrest finding their beds for the warm day ahead. Suddenly I heard a very large deer right next to my blind. Hoping he would appear so I could get a look he started stomping. I quickly realized I had set up my decoys righ in front of a deer trail! Ooops! I cant see everything in the dark! The deer turned around and walked back into the forrest.
As the morning progressed thousands upon thousands of geese flew over. Their honking was deafening and the sight was amazing as they flew into the sunrise. About an hour later a flock found the field I was sitting in and they landed about 50 yds away. As they called to their friends I heard a distinct call, it was turkeys! I forgot to mention that as I set up I looked for my turkey call...forgot it! I watched for the birds but to no avail. About 9:00 I kneeled to stretch and check the area. As I peeked out the left window I noticed something that was not there earlier. I looked again...Turkeys! They had just seen my decoys and started feeding my way, but man the path they were taking would bring them 5 yards max from my blind. I had never used my blind for turkeys before so we were going to get a test and see how good it really was.
As the birds approached I could feel my heart racing. There were about 12 birds and I tried to locate a Gobler, but I found none, it was a group of young birds. They had now approached my blind and I had birds just feet from me. I needed to make a decision, so I decided to take the first bird that gave me a shot. Raising my shotgun, I waited for a clear shot, finnaly one of the birds scooted in front of the flock, I quickly sighted my gun and squeezed the trigger. BOOM! The flock jumped and ran about 40 yds off as the bird lay there on the ground. Smiling I unloaded my gun and went and retrieved the bird. As I waited for Anthony to pick me up I smiled and relived the events in my mind. Anthony came at 11:00, he asked if I saw anything? No, and as I handed things through the window I handed him the bird. Laughing he gave me a pat on my back and said,"Well, Pat has started things off, hopefully this gets the ball rolling!"
We headed back for another of Anythony's great lunches. One reason I go back to Bucklore Adventures is Anythony always makes sure you are full! I was hunting with a couple guys from western New York, Ron and Pat, two real nice guys. We took a quick rest and had Anthony take us back out. I left my blind there because I thought I had a chance at seeing that big deer without the turkey decoys out. I told the other Pat that he should hunt the stand I was going to, that it was prime for a deer to walk by and that I saw a deer come out that way a few weeks before.
Back at the blind I sat, and I sat, and like days before there was no movement. As it started getting dark, and near the end of shooting light. I noticed movement in the field about 250 yards out. It was a huge doe and a yearling. Excited, I knew my only chance was trying to call them in because they were very content with what they were eating. So I pulled out my grunt tube...blahhhh...no response...blahhhh..no response..I increased the tone...the yearling picked his head up and started moving my way. I had 10 minutes to get them to close the distance. I kept calling every few seconds. After about 5 minutes I had them to within 50 yards, still to far to shoot with my bow. I called a few more times, fearing at this distance I didn't want to give away too much. Finnaly, the doe was just too curious and headed my way. My heart racing again, she stopped at 10 yards and began feeding with the yearling 10 yards behind her and to the right. I brought my bow back to full draw and slowly put my sights on her vitals. 3..2..1..release....SWUSH!THUNK!THUNK! It happened so fast, but the doe took off running and I hear a thunk like a sack of potatos hitting the ground? Confused I looked out the window carefully and saw a figure on the ground! "What happened?" I said out loudly. I jumped out the blind with my bow and approached the deer. It was the yearling with a arrow sticking right between the eyes? I put one more arrow in the vitals just to make sure, he looked dead but not being a vital shot I didnt want any suprises. I looked as the doe spotted me and took off. She was big! She would have dressed 130 lbs. I sat next to the deer and tried to figure out what happened. I went back to the blind and noticed a V cut on the bottom of the window. When aiming I didnt check for clearance and I hit the bottom of the blind which severly reflected my arrow and sent it to the right, how in the world it hit the other deer between the eyes, and I am talking dead center will always be a mystery! I looked up and noticed Pat in the field, I told him I had one down, and he excitedly told me he shot a 6 pointer! About an hour of searching found his large bodied 6 pointer in a swamp! I was very happy, I was able to harvest a Turkey and a Deer on the same day! A good feat for NY!
Anthony had me in a bear stand for 3 days and I had the same bear try and come in twice, and the size of the paws showed it to be a big bear, and this time he outwitted me, but I ALMOST had a NY grand slam!
As the fall hunt came to a close I reflected on my time in the Adirondacks and realized how lucky I was. As I drove home I felt a bond with this new experience and looked forward to next year. Of course the day I left the weather dropped to the low 30's and it snowed! It made a 40 degree change in the weather. The lesson I learned this trip is that to take advantage of the hand you are given. I knew that shooting a big buck was going to be a hard task with the hand we were dealt. So I told myself to take advantage of the opportunities I was given, which I did. I got to try bear hunting for the first time and I am now hooked!
I was able to get out in Southern NY one more time and passed on a Turkey and Deer because I didnt get a clear shot. Overall I had a great year! I was able to get a Spring gobler, Idaho Antelope, Whitetail Deer, and a Fall Turkey!
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