last day of northern zone!!

[adkmountainken]

today is the last day of hunting season alltogether in the northern zone of N.Y. and i am headed out in a few minutes to try and make meat. ole "Elvis" is still running around and his girlfriends will also be in trouble if i see a big one today! good luck to all who are going out today.
Ken

 

[Stumpkiller]

Hope your day was a good one. We still have a weekend here in the Southern Zone. Nine days starting tomorrow.

 

[fvigo]

From past experience, do you think that the late muzzleloading season in the southern part of NY is worth the hunt?

I have the opportunity to hunt in Orange County NY in Sterling Forest. I was out there today and with the snow was able to find some nice spots as well as some does. They of course were probably watching me the whole time before they decided to run.

I am of the impression that the deer are easily sppoked after the rifle season and that the muzzleloading season is a waste of time. Just wondering what more experienced hunters thought.

 

[adkmountainken]

in my opinion late muzzleloader is better than early and regular rifle season. i say this as this time of year there is alot of snow, makes finding them real easy if you have a good spot to hunt. they are also bunched up this time of year. a good place to look is in the thick stuff and pines. we saw 5 deer yesterday but couldn'tget a shot at any of them! i will be hunting sat, sun, mon, & tues next week trying to fill a few more tags, good luck to all,
Ken

 

[Stumpkiller]

From past experience, do you think that the late muzzleloading season in the southern part of NY is worth the hunt?

No, but it's what I've got.

Took a five-point buck last year in m/l. Most years I don't even SEE a deer in m/l season. There is no "late" m/l season. It is the ONLY m/l season after a six week bow and three week regular. This year it's nine days instead of the normal seven. I don't save vacation time because it's just not worth it for the "leavings" from bow and regular. So, I get two days annually of m/l (now that Sunday hunting is allowed :shake: ). Talk about the stinky end of the stick. We pay the same as the archers but get 1/7th the number of days of special season, and even then we have to SHARE the m/l season with late bow. :cursing:

Yes, the deer are jumpy and pretty much nocturnal, and there are few hunters out moving to kick them out of beds.

I usually hunt during regular with my m/l (after opening day and when it's not raining/sleety).

 

[roundball]

I really count my blessings every time I see these kinds of posts about seasons in other states.

The central section of North Carolina where I hunt, muzzleloaders have a week from November 5th through November 11th...then regular gun opens the 12th through New Years Day.

My two weeks vacation are during the first week of muzzleloader and the first week of gun, since they are right during the heavy buck movement of the rut...and I use Flintlocks for the whole vacation.

NC has an awful lot of deer, the weather was cool but not cold, the woods were beautiful at their peak of fall colors here, hunt a posted farm so there's rarely another hunter within a half mile, etc...I really, really have it good...wish everyone had it like this

 

[bbassi]

I am of the impression that the deer are easily sppoked after the rifle season and that the muzzleloading season is a waste of time. Just wondering what more experienced hunters thought.

I guess it depends on your attitude. I love it and have had good luck in the late season for several reasons.

1. the pressure has been off for a couple off weeks (after the first week the pressure really dies off where I hunt) so the deer are a little more relaxed
2. late season cold has them keying on food sorces that are easy to find (corn, old apple trees, etc.)
3. the secondary rut usually falls within the late season, so there is always the chance to catch a buck cruising.

Add to that the feeling of solitude and the beautiful scenery at this time of year and I'll take it every time.

My only gripe about our late MZ is that it isn't late enough. I wish it were like PA where there are a couple of weeks between the end of rifle and the start of MZ. I hunt in the late PA season and it's incredable how many deer you see and how "stupid" they seem at that time of year.

 

[ryoung14]

Gotta agree, bbassi. That's exactly what I found this year. Last two weeks of gun season, hardly a deer could be found. Guys gave up and left the woods. On Dec. 15th the deer were out in the fields feeding like cattle in midday. Not spooky at all. Of course a storm was coming.

Don't think I'd want it later though. Too much going on over the holidays as it is.
Bob