So a few of you have read my postings about hunting in the big woods of NY's Adirondacks. It's something I've been doing now for three years, and I've got to say I'm hooked. After years of bowhunting agriculture and small wood lots, hunting in the Adirondacks is an experience that everyone should try at least once in their lives. Not so much for the deer, but just to participate in the rich tradition and to see the beautiful scenery. For the better part of 15 years, I haven't been much of a gun hunter. I really don't like the "Orange Army", and the slob hunters typically associated with it. As an example, I have exclusive access to a great piece of hunting ground in PA, yet I've only rifle hunted it 2 times in about 7 years. With that said, rifle hunting Adirondack style.......is the most challenging hunting I've been fortunate enough to experience and it's now starting to compete for my favorite way to spend time in the woods. I know when most hardcore bowhunters hear about guys driving and hunting in a gang with firearms, they most likely cringe. Afterall, most areas I’ve hunted this would present very little challenge and tends to be more about results than the pursuit. What I have found is in the big woods, with deer populations of less than 5 deer per square mile, I can't even imagine rifle hunting successfully while sitting, much less with a bow. In 3 years of hunting up north, I've now seen a total of 3 deer. Before today, I hadn’t seen a deer up there since 2008. Out of our camp this year (10 members) almost exclusively driving, we haven't seen a single buck all year (season starts 10/23), and only enough does to count on one hand. Seeing any deer is a big deal. I won't give up the exact location, but our camp is located in the southern half of the Adirondack park. We drive trucks through skid roads and standing timber for almost 3 miles to the actual camp. When it’s time to hunt, we then head out on wheelers another couple of miles, and then walk up to a dozen more miles in a day covering ground during our drives according to my GPS. So anyway……….a long story short…….we managed to kill a buck this morning. When someone manages to take a deer in these conditions it’s much more of a team feeling than any hunting experience I’ve come across. One of the worst seasons (according to our log book) turned into a new camp record buck out of almost 20 years of guys hunting out of this camp for the original members. I’m glad I got to share this day with my wife’s cousin Timmy, the lucky hunter of the day. We had a string of 4 watchers this morning, and we put him on the furthest watch, about 150 yards from me. He caught this buck trying to go out the side of our drive this morning, we jumped him out of a vly (Adirondack for swamp) where he was bedded on a small hummock that was surrounded by water that would go to your hips. He was bedded with a long nose doe and her fawn. Timmy shot him at about 30 yards and piled him where he stood. Congrats Timmy, this is a day we will all remember for quite some time. I'm looking forward to hearing you tell this story for years to come.
That last pic is awesome Matt. I can tell you guys really worked hard and that buck means so much to you guys. Congratulations on a team effort to get it done.
Being from the south I cannot even imagine the terrain, weather, low deer numbers etc...Congrats on a great hunt, and a great buck as well. I thought this story was going to be about your dog finding a deer for someone.
Funny...I see you somehow sneaked your gun into the pic you little weasel. The old girl had to get into the spotlight huh... Well...Ummmm...AWESOME. I know of what you speak, I "hunted" more like "hiked with a bow" over 6 miles in 2 days this early archery season up there and saw 5 sets of tracks. Woo Hoo. He is a brute and your camp did a great job. It was damn cold in Albany this mornin too, I can only imagine sittin up there in the 'Dacks son. BUT...30yds...he shoulda used a bow!!! Maybe you should bring yours and hang it with ya...just in case...
OK Matt, after reading your story and viewing the photos, I have to give you a lengthy response..... SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTT!!!!
That's one of the best stories I've read in a long time! Awesome buck, congrats to Timmy! Priceless!!!
I really just wanted an AR platform rifle to hunt deer with. Almost 100% of the deer are moving quickly up there when someone is shooting so most guys are hunting with an autoloader, usually Browning or Remington, the problem is these guns jam up all the time and are really heavy. AR's are a lot more reliable and a lot lighter........but the .223 just doesn't have enough snot IMO, so I went with the 6.8 SPC. I've got it shooting a .270 110gr Accubond at about 2700fps.
