Hunting News Daily » NYBowhunter.com

2011 Ties for Safest Year in New York Hunting History

NYBowhunter.com — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:29:00 +0000

The 2011 hunting season tied 2009 for New York State’s safest year of hunting on record based on the number of hunting-related shooting incidents.

“Hunting is a tradition in New York state that continues to be safely enjoyed by many” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “New York has an extremely safety-conscious generation of hunters thanks largely to more than 60 years of dedicated efforts of 3,000 volunteer Sportsman Education Instructors. All first-time hunters are required to attend a comprehensive hunter safety course of a minimum of 10 hours taught by DEC’s highly-trained instructors. Their hard work is paying off.”

In the 2011 hunting seasons, 26 personal injury hunting-related shooting incidents were reported and unfortunately included four fatalities. All of the fatalities occurred during the regular deer season, one of which was self-inflicted.

The hunter safety courses stress safe practices and ethics, along with information on New York’s game species and their management. All courses are offered free of charge, but students must successfully complete the course and pass the final exam before being eligible to purchase a hunting license.

The number of hunters in New York State is declining, but the hunting incident rate (incidents per 100,000 hunters) is falling at a much faster rate. Since the 1960s, the number of hunters has declined about 20 percent, while the incident rate has declined more than 70 percent. The past five-year average is 5.3 incidents per 100,000 hunters, compared to 19 per 100,000 in the 1960s.

While hunting is safer than ever, accidents do happen and it is important to remember that every hunting-related shooting incident is preventable. Many, if not all of these incidents could have been prevented, if only the shooter or victim had followed the primary rules of hunter safety:

Treat every firearm as if it were loaded
Keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction
Identify your target and what lies beyond
Keep finger off the trigger until ready to fire
Wear hunter orange

For more information, visit the Sportsman Education program section of the DEC website at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7860.html.

Extreme Archery Deal of the Day on Groupon

NYBowhunter.com — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:54:00 +0000

Maybe you had archery in gym class or remember shooting a toy bow and arrow as a kid. Either way you probably enjoyed it, so why not give it another try?

Extreme Archery is Westchester County's first archery shop with an indoor range. Located at 801 East Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck, Extreme Archery has a friendly staff that offers lessons for archers of all ages.

If you've thought about giving archery a try, but didn't know how to get started now is the perfect time. Extreme Archery is offering a Groupon deal for those thinking about getting into archery or just looking for something different to do on a Saturday afternoon.

Choose from the following options:

For $25, you get an archery outing (a $61 total value) that includes the following:

A half-hour archery lesson (a $30 value)
A half-hour of range time (a $10 value)
Three arrows (a $21 value)

For $49, you get an archery outing for two people (a $122 total value) that includes the following:

A half-hour archery lesson each (a $30 value per person)
A half-hour of range time each (a $10 value per person)
Three arrows each (a $21 value per person)

For $25, you get an archery package (a $81 total value) that includes the following:

Three one-hour range passes (a $60 value)
Three arrows (a $21 value)

Helmed by a team of veteran archers, Extreme Archery teaches the regal sport at its 20-yard indoor range. In the first two options, budding bow-persons equipped with three arrows apiece from the adjacent pro shop square off at the head of the range against haughty targets as instructors teach the fundamentals of stance, arrow nocking, and Robin Hoodian economics. Students then get a chance to let fly their feathered missiles for an extra half-hour of range time, aiming at distant clusters of concentric circles that represent packs of wild Pac-Men.

Late Season Bowhunting in New York

NYBowhunter.com — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:17:00 +0000

Mike Coyne and his dad were hunting in late December when they saw two different 8 pointers - a 90" buck and a 100" buck. A few days later Mike had a young 90" seven pointer come within 30 yards of his stand around 7:30 am.

Later that morning Mike caught movement as two deer headed off the hill towards his stand. The first deer was a bigger bodied buck, but as the buck approached Mike realized it had shed its antlers. With the an 8 pointer close behind the shed buck Mike prepared to take the shot. At 35 yards the buck gave Mike a slightly quartering away shot.

The buck ran off and was out of sight after crossing over a stone wall 40 yards away. When Mike found the buck he was just 20 yards past the stone wall. The buck scored 103 5/8" and was aged at 3 1/2 years old.

DEC Releases Draft Bobcat Management Plan

NYBowhunter.com — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:38:00 +0000

ALBANY, NY (01/23/2012) - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the release of a proposed five-year bobcat management plan for public review and comment. "The plan, once final, will guide the management of bobcat in New York State for the next five years, a wildlife species which continues to fascinate and intrigue both the hunting community and nature observers," said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens.

The draft management plan is available on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9360.html. The comment period on the draft plan runs through February 16, 2012.

The draft plan describes three primary goals for bobcat management:

Maintain viable population levels and monitor trends in bobcat distribution and relative abundance;
Provide for sustainable use and enjoyment of bobcat by the public; and
Minimize negative bobcat-human interactions.

"DEC staff worked closely with trappers and small game hunters to gain preliminary input regarding the future management of the bobcat resource," said DEC Assistant Commissioner for Natural Resources Kathleen Moser. "Input obtained from these groups was used by DEC biologists and managers to develop the recommendations and management actions contained in the draft plan, said Moser." The plan includes proposals to greatly simplify hunting and trapping season dates by making them consistent throughout much of the state as well as establishing new hunting and trapping opportunities in several wildlife management units in central and western New York.

While hunters and trappers are the most common users of the bobcat resource, wildlife enthusiasts, nature photographers, and others also benefit from a healthy bobcat population. As is the case with hunters and trappers, many wildlife photographers also view the elusive bobcat as being a "trophy" species and a rewarding challenge to capture on film. "As evidenced by the number of observation reports fielded by Department staff, the public is very interested in bobcats and can play a role in their management by facilitating the collection of data on the species," said DEC Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resource Director Patty Riexinger. "DEC strives to provide sound management for bobcat and other furbearer species for the benefit of the resource and the people of New York," said Riexinger.

Comments may be submitted in writing through February 16, 2012 to NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife, Bobcat Management Plan, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754 or by e-mail to fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us

DEC Releases Draft Bobcat Management Plan

NYBowhunter.com — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:22:00 +0000

Maintain viable population levels and monitor trends in bobcat distribution and relative abundance;
Provide for sustainable use and enjoyment of bobcat by the public; and
Minimize negative bobcat-human interactions.

First Bowkill of 2012

NYBowhunter.com — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:52:00 +0000

Bowhunting has ended in New York, but continues for the month of January in neighboring Connecticut which just so happens to be a quick 15 minute drive from my house.

My favorite time of year to hunt is the late season and Connecticut allows me to stay in the woods a whole extra month - if they would just change the law to also allow Sunday hunting it would probably be where I spent all of my time.

Yesterday I took advantage of the freshly fallen snow to hunt whitetail deer as they scoured the covered landscape in search of food. The morning hunt was interesting and after arriving late due to my alarm not going off and the snow covered roads I walked up on four deer, drew back on one and killed a tree - so much for that.

By mid-afternoon I was back on stand and spotted two deer at 3:00pm. As the deer worked their way in a third ran towards them and instead of walking by my shooting window they all ran by it. It wasn't until roughly an hour and a half later when I spotted my next deer. With my rangefinder battery dead, I estimated a 45 yard shot and watched as my arrow sailed over the deer's back. The deer went 10 yards and I nocked a second arrow.

The deer then turned and walked back the way it came and I began to draw back in anticipation for a shot. The deer was a few steps away from an opening I know is 40 yards, but right before the opening the deer made a hard right and started walking right at me. I continued to hold at full draw as the deer slowly worked its way in. When the deer was about 15 yards away it knew something was up and I could tell the deer was getting ready to bolt. I had to lean around the tree to take the shot and as I released the arrow I watched as it buried into the deer's shoulder. Unfortunately, I didn't get a pass through, but I knew that at close range shooting a 425 grain arrow out of my 75 pound Hoyt Turbo the deer wouldn't make it far.

After 45 yards the deer wobbled, but then got a second wind and charged up the hill. With no blood in the initial area, I decided to back out and return in the morning to trail the deer. After following tracks in the snow for 40 yards I found the first sign of blood. The pictures below tell the story of what happened next:

Not exactly how I wanted to get my first kill with the new bow. Last season I saw several coyotes, but this year I haven't seen, heard or taken any trail cam pics of coyotes in the area so I figured they were hunting somewhere else. Obviously I was wrong and the coyotes are hungry - this is the deer after 16 hours. Looks like I won't be leaving any deer over night anymore.

The Quest Continues for the G2 Buck

NYBowhunter.com — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:22:00 +0000

For the last two years I've been after one buck - the G2 Buck. My first encounter with this deer was in 2010. This is when the buck showed up on trail camera for the first time, but would usually show up during the evenings after shooting hours.

Being a nocturnal deer during the summer, I knew this was going to be a really hard deer to hunt. I also knew that the deer was probably not bedding close to where my cameras were which was why I was getting pictures at night.

It was the second week of the season in Connecticut when I saw the G2 Buck for the first time. I was in the stand by early afternoon hoping the deer would filter out of the swamp and feed on the acorn flat I was hunting. Slowly does and young bucks started filtering in and eventually I was surrounded by deer.

That's when the G2 Buck stepped out of the swamp and headed right towards a smaller 90" eight pointer to challenge the smaller buck. At the same time a doe was working her way within 10 yards of my stand. I had the G2 Buck at 50 yards broadside when the doe picked up my sent and snorted at me. As she turned and ran back towards the swamp she took every other deer with her, including the G2 Buck that I was getting ready to shoot. That was the one and only time I saw that buck while hunting in 2010.

Fast forward to 2011 and the G2 Buck continued on his pattern of sparingly showing up after shooting hours. After showing up on trail cam a few times after shooting hours the G2 Buck starting moving at first light. It was mid-November and at the time I was in Kansas.

My father was after the same buck and finally got his chance at the G2 Buck at first light. With the buck at 40 yards he released an arrow, but the arrow just barely skimmed the bottom of the buck's chest and the deer ran off and would recover from the minor wound.

One month later, I got my first trail camera picture of the G2 Buck during shooting hours. He was 20 yards from my treestand, but only stayed for a few minutes. It would have been plenty of time for me to get off a shot only I wasn't hunting that day, I was working. I was thrilled with a picture of the buck during shooting hours and was determined to continue hunting the stand. Several sits later all I was seeing were yearling bucks. I couldn't even get a doe to come in.

Then once again in early January 2012 the buck showed up. Unfortunately, he was back to his after hours routine and he was there and gone just like that. Now there's two Saturday's left for me to hunt in January (you can't hunt Sundays in Connecticut). Time is quickly running out and all I can do is hunt hard and hope we cross paths. Guess we'll see what happens tomorrow, who knows, maybe the G2 Buck will show up.

Muzzy Introduces New DX-3 Broadhead

NYBowhunter.com — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:01:00 +0000

I'm really excited about Easton's new Injexion arrows with the smallest diameter of any hunting arrow on the market (just .236 compared to .294 for a standard diameter carbon arrow). The smaller diameter arrow shaft allows for increased penetration and decreased wind drift. The smaller diameter arrow, however, required Easton to develop the Deep Six insert.

Deep Six inserts, which use a non-conventional thread pattern (40 threads per inch instead of 32 threads per inch), provide 25% more thread engagement to keep points secure inside the insert. Additionally, the inserts are made from stainless-steel instead of aluminum for a 25% increase in strength. It also means your standard broadheads won't work with the new Deep Six inserts and only specially designed broadheads will work. One such broadhead is the new Muzzy DX-3.

I had a chance to stop by the Muzzy booth at the ATA Trade Show and get my hands on a DX-3. Speaking with the guys in the booth I learned just how painstaking of a process developing the new DX-3 was - moving 1/10 of a grain from one end of the broadhead to another while still maintaining the 100g final weight was no easy feat.

The DX-3 is in essence a modified MX-3 with a slightly thicker ferrule and a tapered end to meet the shaft diameter for less friction and drag during flight. The same .025" blades found on the MX-3 are used on the new DX-3 which also has a cutting diameter of 1-1/4".

The Muzzy DX-3, coupled with the Easton Deep Six System, produces less wind drag than other larger broadhead-arrow combinations, resulting in increased accuracy and deeper penetration. When the same amount of energy is concentrated in the smaller Deep Six/DX-3 package, the result is devastating. The DX-3 also fits Easton's Axis and Full Metal Jacket with Deep Six inserts. The Muzzy DX-3 has an MSRP of $29.95.

I'm really looking forward to shooting the new DX-3 and comparing the penetration against a MX-3 on a standard shaft. I have a feeling there will be a very noticeable difference in penetration. Now I just need get my hands on some Easton Injexion shafts!

DEC Amends Chronic Wasting Disease Regulations in Response to Maryland Discovery

NYBowhunter.com — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:49:00 +0000

DEC Amends Chronic Wasting Disease Regulations in Response to Maryland Discovery

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has revised its Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) regulations to prohibit the importation of certain parts of white-tailed deer taken in the state of Maryland effective immediately, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.

The first case of CWD in the state of Maryland was confirmed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources last year. In response, DEC has amended its CWD regulations to prohibit the importation of the following parts of deer taken in Maryland: brain, eyes, spinal cord, tonsils, intestinal tract, spleen or retropharyngeal lymph nodes.

"Hunters who take a deer in Maryland must butcher the animal and remove the prohibited parts before entering New York State," Commissioner Martens said. "Most successful hunters will opt to butcher a deer and put the meat in a cooler before traveling back to New York."

DEC has conducted an extensive surveillance program since CWD was first confirmed in New York State in 2005 and has not discovered any additional cases of CWD since that time. CWD is a contagious neurological disease affecting deer, elk and moose. It causes a characteristic spongy degeneration of the brains of infected animals resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and death.

It is not known exactly how CWD is transmitted. The infectious agent, a prion, may be passed from animal to animal through feces, urine or saliva. The minimal incubation period between infection and development of clinical disease appears to be about 16 months. The maximum incubation period is unknown, as is the point at which shedding of the CWD agent begins during the prolonged course of infection.

The movement of infectious material is believed to be one route of transmission. This amendment to the CWD regulations will prohibit the importation of those parts of a deer where the disease is most likely to be found. DEC advises hunters not to consume the meat of any animal that acts abnormal and to exercise precautions when butchering animals, such as using rubber or latex gloves.

2012 Bowtech Insanity CPX and CPXL released at the ATA Trade Show

NYBowhunter.com — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:28:00 +0000

Following on tradition, Bowtech once again unveiled it's new flagship bow at this years ATA Trade Show in Columbus, Ohio.

Advertisements with the phrase "Contain the Insane" were showing up everywhere and fueled anticipation for the unveiling of Bowtech's latest creation. At 9:00 am on January 10th it happened - the Bowtech Insanity was unveiled to an enthusiastic crowd on the showroom floor at the ATA Trade Show.

The Insanity comes in two versions, a 32" model shooting 355 feet per second and a 35" model shooting 340 feet per second.

Featured on the Insanity bows is Center Pivot Extreme Technology, which resists shooter induced torque for greater forgiveness and accuracy. The OverDrive Binary Cam System to eliminate cam lean issues and provide exceptional tuning to produce cleaner arrow flight for greater accuracy.

HardCore limbs boost efficiency for more speed without a harsh draw. On typical limbs, most of the bow's energy is stored near the outside of the limb, while the core stores minimal energy and serves as little more than a spacer.

HardCore Limbs put the core to work, storing energy not only near the surfaces, but also inside the limb. By sharing the workload, stress is reduced, producing exceptional durability. The carbon core is also significantly lighter than other limb materials available today, which produces a tighter physical response for increased energy efficiency, less noise, and less vibration.

The FLX-Guard greatly reduces cable guard torque to produce better arrow flight and easier tuning for greater accuracy. As the archer draws back, the cable guard flexes inward absorbing the cable guard torque that would normally be transferred to the riser. This also reduces lateral nock travel which increases the tuneability, forgiveness and accuracy of the bow.

The Carbon Rod String Stop is made of carbon, an extremely strong material with vibration-dampening properties. It is positioned directly in line with the stabilizer to effectively transfer vibration from the string to the stabilizer. This optimizes bow balance and dissipates noise and vibration efficiently.

Both bows come standard in Mossy Oak Treestand. Alternative finishes include Mossy Oak Infinity, GORE Optifade Forest or Open Country, Realtree APG HD and BlackOps. Target colors AnoRock Onyx and Inferno area also available. All finished except Mossy Oak Treestand include black limbs.

The insanity CPXL has a longer axle-to-axle length for added stability and forgiveness, which makes it the perfect fit for archers with a draw length up to 32". The Insanity CPX will have a suggested retail price of $999 and the CPXL will retail for $1,049.

I had a chance to shoot the Bowtech Insanity side by side with last year's Invasion at the Bowtech shooting lane. Shooting the Insanity was exciting as the bow really put some heat behind the arrows as it sent them down range.

One thing that stood out to me when drawing the bow was the short valley. Upon releasing the arrow I felt a lingering vibration throughout the bow. However, this was a bare bow so some vibration is to be expected and a hunting rig outfitted with a stabilizer and other accessories should significantly decrease if not completely eliminate any vibration.

Another notable mention was the overall balance of the Insanity. When shooting last year's Invasion, the bow slightly kicked back after the shot. The new design of the Bowtech Insanity makes the bow extremely well balanced and the Insanity remained steady even after the shot.

Overall, I think Bowtech did a good job with the Insanity and there were noticeable improvements over the Invasion, specifically in the overall balance of the bow. The bow was fast, the grip was slim and the bow was easy to keep on target. The valley was short, however, and I did have one draw where I let up a little while at full draw and the bow pulled me forward.

If you have a chance, take a trip to your local Bowtech dealer and shoot the Insanity to see what it's all about.

SPECIFICATIONS

CPX

Brace Height: 6"

Draw Weights: 50, 60, 70, 80

Draw Length: 25.5-30 inches

Axle to Axle: 32"

IBO/ATA Speed: 355 fps

Kinetic Energy: 98.0 ft.-lbs. at 70 lbs.

Effective Let-Off: approx 80%

MSRP: $999

CPXL

Brace Height: 7"

Draw Weights: 50, 60, 70, 80

Draw Length: 27.5-32 inches

Axle to Axle: 35"

IBO/ATA Speed: 340 fps

Kinetic Energy: 89.9 ft.-lbs. at 70 lbs.

Effective Let-Off: approx 80%

MSRP: $1,049