It seemed like deer hunting season opened just yesterday and we are already looking at the final week. This year, both southern and northern zone seasons close on the same date, December 8. There have been a lot of deer seen by hunters but that does not always translate into deer harvested.
So far this season there has been the typical mix of interesting stories and trophy deer taken. Some of stories include people shooting deer and then wondering if it was the right deer. Both Ken Cronn and Terry Yardley shot what they thought were 6 point bucks but when they got to the deer they thought that it was a doe or spike. In each case the buck had one antler broken off or a pencil sized spike while the other antler with 3 points was buried in the leaves.
Joe Pomerleau had filled his buck tag and was looking to fill his deer management permit (doe tag). He was about to pull the trigger on a large doe when the deer turned its head and revealed that it was a spikehorn. The four inch spikes were concealed by six inch ears. Joe obviously let it pass and did take a doe later.
There was no mistaking the 10-point buck with heavy antlers and long tines that Loren Faulkner shot during the first week of southern zone season near Vernon Center. The big buck weighed over 200 pounds and took three people to load it in the back of the truck.
Jake Behan’s deer was not nearly as large but he was justifiably proud and satisfied that the trip from Brooklyn to hunt with family and friends was worth it. It was equally rewarding that the deer was recovered on neighboring property after getting permission to go onto the posted land to recover the carcass.
Later that day, two members of the same party, John and Rod, were discussing their misses and analyzing the angle and aiming of their shots. Dick Cooper listened to their discussion and offered the observation that if they would shoot at bigger bucks they wouldn’t be as likely to miss!
Randy Wilzak obviously had that idea in mind when he was hunting during opening weekend. He took a trophy sized 12-point buck while hunting near Durhamville.
Buzz Moschetti was hunting near his camp north of Glenmore and took a very nice 8-point buck there on Veterans Day. Other friends like Bill Batdorf and Bob Hamner also scored on 8-point bucks in the same area.
Yukon Tom VanPelt took a change of pace from his Adirondack hunting camp and hunted at a Tug Hill camp and got a nice 8-point buck there on Veteran’s Day. A week later both Ed and Gene Manley were hunting at VanPelt’s camp at Big Moose and each took 8-point bucks from the Adirondacks.
Meanwhile Ted Collins decided he wanted a change of pace and a different type of challenge. After successfully hunting with compound bows for several decades, Ted decided to go back to using a recurve bow. His patience and skill provided him with a dandy 8-pointer. When the southern zone opened Ted decided to hunt with a handgun since he had never gotten a deer that way. That resulted in getting his first deer, another 8-pointer, with his .357 magnum revolver. His nephews also were successful with one getting a 10-point, 174-pound buck, and the other getting one that tipped the scales at 198 pounds.
Good luck to all hunters and we hope to have lots more stories of success to share next weekend.
SHORT CASTS
Venison Donation: Any hunter interested in donating a deer, please call 866-862-DEER or visit the Venison Donation Coalition’s website (www.venisondaontion.org) to locate a processor near you. Remember, you must call ahead before dropping off any deer for donation.
You can also help by donating $1 or more. One dollar will feed four people. Financial donations are appreciated and tax deductible. For every dollar that is donated to the Venison Donation Coalition, $.90 is used towards processing the venison.
Financial donations can be made at your Town Clerk’s office or anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Just inform the D.E.C.A.L.S. licensing agent that you wish to make a donation to support the Venison Donation Program. All donations through D.E.C.A.L.S. are deposited directly into the Venison Donation Fund. Donate today! One deer or one dollar goes a long way to help curb hunger throughout New York State.
Phil Roe Deer Processing: Based on the number and size of the deer that Phil Roe has been processing so far this year, it has been a good hunting season.
Not only have there been a lot of deer turned in, many of them have been impressive in size and racks. Phil Roe has a state of the art facility on Randallsville Road in Hamilton and processes a lot of deer every fall. He is popular for his quality butchering service and also will custom cut, vacuum pack or smoke your venison. Call him at 824-1426 for more information.
Deer Hides: For the deer hunters who have been successful and like to process their own venison and are wondering what to do with the hide, Jim Ward of Oneida Trap Supply is again buying hides. Call Jim at 363-2913 for information and hours.
DMP Transfers: With the end of the regular season in sight a lot of hunters will not have filled their Deer Management Permits (“doe tag”). Many will probably not have the opportunity to go hunting this final week. A recent change in the hunting regulations allows hunters to transfer their unused permits to other licensed hunters.
However the hunter who receives and carries this permit must record the number on his or her own license. One of the plastic tags in our string of tags and permits has a space for recording the numbers of the DMPs that we receive from others. Once you have taken a deer on that permit you must fill it out and attach it to the carcass as you normally do. You must report the kill by calling 1-866-426-3778. See page 28 of the current Hunting Guide for instructions.
Remember Landowners: At any time of year, but especially now with the end of hunting season and the onset of the holiday season it is appropriate to remember the landowners who let you use their property with some gift. Some small gift will show your appreciation for them letting you hunt or fish on their property. It also helps mark you as a considerate and responsible sportsman and may go a long way towards getting permission to hunt or fish there again next year.
Shop Local: I sincerely hope that you are enjoying the holiday with friends and family and probably going hunting sometime this weekend. Forsake the chaos of “Black Friday” and shop locally. Personally, I believe that we should boycott the “big box stores” that ruin the holidays for their employees by making them work on Thanksgiving night or other family time.   
Shopping locally can mean patronizing the smaller, locally owned stores whether in this area or the marinas, etc. near your camp where you spend the summer. They are the ones who contribute to our community in many ways and deserve our support, now and throughout the year.
There are a lot of items, both large and small, that are made locally and in New York State and provide quality at reasonable prices. They range from lightweight carbon fiber canoes to snowshoes and fly rods. Smaller items include turkey calls, fishing lures, and backpacks. Check the websites or look for next week’s column for suggestions.
Think about gift certificates for marine services or guided charters and hunting trips. Edible items or cooking aids and spices are always popular. Use your imagination and help make it a good holiday season for everyone.
Happy Thanksgiving!