Ahhhhhh. Here it is. http://forums.bowhunting.com/bowhunting-talk/11561-honest-what-does-legal-shooting-light-mean.html
I think the legal times in NY are structured for gun season. My theory anyway (could be completely wrong) is they want people out of the woods while there is still enough light to see what is or isn't a deer. Yes... sad but true. Not that it matters, because hardly anybody abides by that. Matter of fact during gun I won't shoot past legal time, but I'll be damn sure my butt is sitting in a tree until well after dark settles in. I'm not heading back to my truck down a hedgerow and made into swiss cheese. Also, I'd be willing to bet over 50% of deer taken in NY are "illegal" by the letter of the law.
That sucks. In WI, they cut the state in half-north and south zones. Each zone is then broken down into zones from east to west. There are about 6 of these. You have to know what zone you are in and then you can adjust the published legal time to your local time.
this happend to me last saturday. Was getting ready to get down out of the tree it was 5 mins before sunset. As I turn around from getting my quiver back on my bow and gathering my things....a buck is making his way right to me. He comes in and starts to make a rub about 20 yards away but couldn't see him from the canopy of the white oak in front of me. I checked my phone quickly to check the time to see if he walked out if I would still have some "legal" shooting time left. It was 3 mins after sunset and I will be honest with you guys, I was for sure taking that shot. Anything after 5 mins is a different story. I feel that there should be a window given because I have checked sunset times and my buddies have also and there are some days we all get a different time. This is a law I happen to not agree with. Wish it was half hour before and after.
Wait a minute. Tony are you admitting you might "poach" a deer? http://forums.bowhunting.com/bowhun...s-legal-shooting-light-mean-6.html#post170126
Just to add my two cents if it is in deed legal shooting hour your sure of your target and what is behind it and its a shot you are confident on what is the problem? if he had came in an hour earlier would you have made the shot? your obeying the regulations you can accurately identify your target and what lies behind it and your comfortable with the shot what is the problem?
rules and regulations are made to ensure safety, the ability to accurately identify what you are shooting at and what is behind it.
If you can make an ethical shot the I take that shot 100% of the time. Laws like that are there to make sure you can see what it is behind your target so you don't hurt someone/something. In IN we have a 1/2 hour before sunrise and most of the time I can't see my pins which then makes it an unethical shot. Even though I'm legally allowed to shoot a deer if I can't make an ethical shot and know what I'm shooting toward then I don't take the shot.
Totally understandable, but this happens to be one of those rules/regulations that seems to be a little ridiculous. I happen to not agree with it and know many other New Yorkers that feel the same way. IMO there is plenty of time before and after sunset in which we can see clearly and "identify" what we are shooting at and what is beyond it. And maybe its just me, but people really will take a shot not knowing what it is? Come on now, thats just crazy and flat out dumb! I think anyone with common sense would or SHOULD know better.
Lol. Just my buddy that wanted to film me shooting that buck. The one that was begging me to take the shot.
Im hunting and shooting up until I can no longer identify the spot I will be shooting. This is well after sunset and before sunrise but it's legal here. I'm certain I can make a determination what is safe and ethical. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
I will say, I have to make myself get out of the stand on those full moons. Lol Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
