I saw the thread with the guys still driving the WMAs and I got to thinking to myself I haven't been in the tree in over a month now, January 2nd to be exact. I saw another post where a guy says if you are not finding deer in one spot (wiped out already) you need to move to another spot (to wipe them out) because their are still deer walking and I need to fill my freezer. I usually hang it up by mid January as most of the bucks I was after were either killed or shed their antlers. Usually killed. If I have a nice one around, I will stay in the game until he drops his antlers or the season is over. Not necessarily hunt, but watch cameras for an opportunity. I think our season is way too long. My property out of state ends on the 15th of January which I think is a good time as most of the deer are still holding and not getting shot as does in late season. I hope the state makes some changes to the bag limits and upcoming seasons, but I will to continue to hunt as I have been with taking one , maybe two does per season and holding out for one decent buck. Hopefully after this season, with a lot of guys seeing a dramatic drop in the deer numbers, start to adjust their harvests on their own instead of waiting for the state to put the brakes on. Usually when a state makes a change, its a few years too late. Any how, the season goes on for a few more days in my area, but Im done. I had a good season with one buck and one doe here in NJ and two bucks out of state.
When do you stop hunting?
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tcook8296
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I saw the thread with the guys still driving the WMAs and I got to thinking to myself I haven't been in the tree in over a month now, January 2nd to be exact. I saw another post where a guy says if you are not finding deer in one spot (wiped out already) you need to move to another spot (to wipe them out) because their are still deer walking and I need to fill my freezer. I usually hang it up by mid January as most of the bucks I was after were either killed or shed their antlers. Usually killed. If I have a nice one around, I will stay in the game until he drops his antlers or the season is over. Not necessarily hunt, but watch cameras for an opportunity. I think our season is way too long. My property out of state ends on the 15th of January which I think is a good time as most of the deer are still holding and not getting shot as does in late season. I hope the state makes some changes to the bag limits and upcoming seasons, but I will to continue to hunt as I have been with taking one , maybe two does per season and holding out for one decent buck. Hopefully after this season, with a lot of guys seeing a dramatic drop in the deer numbers, start to adjust their harvests on their own instead of waiting for the state to put the brakes on. Usually when a state makes a change, its a few years too late. Any how, the season goes on for a few more days in my area, but Im done. I had a good season with one buck and one doe here in NJ and two bucks out of state.
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5,111 Posts
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5,688 Posts
I've only been out 3 times since Dec 1. I killed 3 deer earlier in the year and I'm not that desperate for meat.
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6,749 Posts
Usually when my wife tells me she hates me and I ruined her life. [smoke]
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1,859 Posts
Usually by the second week of January if I'm still seeing antler.
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5,400 Posts
I try to take 2 deer for my own family and 1 or 2 for extended family and friends. So far only shot two bucks, will try to take a broken leg doe I saw last week and call it quits. I hunt private land with no public areas around.
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2,363 Posts
I hunt as many days as possible. Ideally I like to put 2-3 deer in the freezer each year, but even if I already have that many, I'd rather be in a tree or a blind than sitting on my couch watching TV. I wake up at 4:30am, work all day, have a wife and a baby, and have tons of other responsibilities and hobbies that keep me busy for 18-19 hours a day. When I get the time to spend a few hours in a tree, I'm doing it. As long as the season is open, dates on a calendar are 100% meaningless. I'll be in a tree
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129 Posts
One doe or Buck is good for me. This year, all opportunities came and went by mid November for me. I hunted one buck hard and had a meeting one day but missed low from the excitement. I still had cams out in January but was only looking to see if he came back. One of those rut bucks that's around for a while than goes back home. Hope he made it. Went out a couple times after but saw nada. I'm good with it. Still had fun spending time in the woods.
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1,699 Posts
I was done hunting Dec 22 in New York. Never did winter bow for Jersey. I have been enjoying Rabbit hunting, Trapping, and other things that i look to enjoy after the deer season.
I think Jersey season is a little to long IMO, there is no need to be killing Doe's this time of year.
I think Jersey season is a little to long IMO, there is no need to be killing Doe's this time of year.
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7,385 Posts
I am not done until they bury me. I am out 12 months of the year, if not actually hunting something I am preparing for hunting by looking for sheds, scouting land and getting ready for the next season, I hunt Deer, Rabbits, Squirrel, Ground Hog, Turkey, Pheasant, Fox & Coyote in between I go fishing. Now don't you WISH YOU WERE RETIRED to with nothing on the agenda that you HAVE TO DO.[drinking]
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8 Posts
Usually , I'd be focusing on predator hunting at this point , but I've got an empty freezer . Passed up a lot of deer with high hopes earlier this season , but mid November hit and deer vanished on the properties I hunt . Have not had a deer I would personally consider shooting infront of me since before Thanksgiving . Rookie move I guess .
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7,385 Posts
You need to have some backup spots and never hunt the same piece 2 days in a row if you can help it. I personally put one in the freezer 1st thing in the season that way there is no temptation during the rut to shoot anything but my target.
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9,758 Posts
Five deer is my "quota". usually 2-3 bow, 1 M/L, 1 shotgun. I like killing with all my weapons. I usually get it done by 6 day. The weather gets too unpredictable after that.
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8 Posts
I have 4 spots I hunt and spread my hunts across them evenly . Playing the wind as best as I can. Still dialing it in. I had a great season just being out there no matter what . I won't be making the mistake of passing early again though .
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2,120 Posts
I dont shoot more then I'm going to eat. I was out Saturday with no luck in Zone 8 but my daughter was the only one who got lucky back in September.
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5,960 Posts
latest ever for me, I hunted last day of winter bow, but usually done well before then. The one z2 spot just happened to have 2 nice 8's still holding otherwise I would not have bothered.
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