Newb Questions

[whiskey]

Thanks! I'll check it out tonight! I just happen to have $13 left on the ole iTunes card

I have been using the MotionX GPS, not the driving one, and have been pretty happy with it. It also allows you to download and use offline. Beware that using GPS for active tracking really eats up battery. A better way is to mark your waypoint and then shut it off till you need it again. I use mine for time and distance when hiking, so it has to stay active. I can get a close to 10 hours on a full charge, but that's about it. Don't make the mistake of leaving it running while you are sitting still in a stand, then not have enough battery to get you back to the truck.

[sjames90]

You have to decide what's right for you. I harvested a "spike" this year that had a gray face. He was aged (by teeth) to be about 31/2. He was huge by spike buck standards. I actually shot him while he was mounting a doe.....poor guy......

Ouch! What a way to go. Actually, I think that may be the way I'd like to die.

[whiskey]

So I guess I was mistaken about there being a strict limit on age harvesting? Not sure where I heard that. Guess it's an old wives tale that got passed down over the decades. I know not to kill the real young ones (that practically look like does), but always heard you're "supposed" to take out the older (I guess meaning 4 1/2+ yr old) bucks first. I'm not hunting for trophies (right now). So it's more important to know this since I'm not going for the rack.

You can learn a lot by reading up on the subject of QDMA. Every piece of land needs different management for the best herd. However, if you are hunting public land, then management is all but out the window. I don't shoot young bucks. That means I don't shoot 1.5 year old deer and I don't want to shoot 2.5 year old deer. I won't shoot a 3.5 year old deer unless it has a crappy rack. I want to shoot 4.5 and older deer. This is just a personal choice and is only because I don't need deer meat to feed my family. I hunt for the challenge of outwitting an old mature buck. If I want one to eat, I don't mind taking a doe or two.

I think every hunter should "hunt their own hunt". Take whatever you want that falls under the legal confines of the state laws.

[sjames90]

I have been using the MotionX GPS, not the driving one, and have been pretty happy with it. It also allows you to download and use offline. Beware that using GPS for active tracking really eats up battery. A better way is to mark your waypoint and then shut it off till you need it again. I use mine for time and distance when hiking, so it has to stay active. I can get a close to 10 hours on a full charge, but that's about it. Don't make the mistake of leaving it running while you are sitting still in a stand, then not have enough battery to get you back to the truck.

Dang, this one is pretty cool too. Thanks for the info. May get it too. Only $2.

[sjames90]

You can learn a lot by reading up on the subject of QDMA. Every piece of land needs different management for the best herd. However, if you are hunting public land, then management is all but out the window. I don't shoot young bucks. That means I don't shoot 1.5 year old deer and I don't want to shoot 2.5 year old deer. I won't shoot a 3.5 year old deer unless it has a crappy rack. I want to shoot 4.5 and older deer. This is just a personal choice and is only because I don't need deer meat to feed my family. I hunt for the challenge of outwitting an old mature buck. If I want one to eat, I don't mind taking a doe or two.

I think every hunter should "hunt their own hunt". Take whatever you want that falls under the legal confines of the state laws.

Great advice! I'm loving this board. Thanks for being so willing to share. I'm always open to opinion, as well as fact.

[DaveS]

You can learn a lot by reading up on the subject of QDMA. Every piece of land needs different management for the best herd. However, if you are hunting public land, then management is all but out the window. I don't shoot young bucks. That means I don't shoot 1.5 year old deer and I don't want to shoot 2.5 year old deer. I won't shoot a 3.5 year old deer unless it has a crappy rack. I want to shoot 4.5 and older deer. This is just a personal choice and is only because I don't need deer meat to feed my family. I hunt for the challenge of outwitting an old mature buck. If I want one to eat, I don't mind taking a doe or two.

I think every hunter should "hunt their own hunt". Take whatever you want that falls under the legal confines of the state laws.

"Well Said".....