Got my Hunting License today

[allingeneral]

I sat through 10 hours of Hunter Safety Course today, then promptly came home and purchased/printed my state hunting license and Deer/Bear/Turkey tags. w00t!

[Paliden]

Oh no, another rookie in the woods!
Good luck to you Rick, I'm still wait to shore up my hunting grounds What are you going to be hunting this year?

[allingeneral]

I'll be happy getting a deer of any kind for my first year. Still don't have anyplace to hunt. I don't have a clue what I'm doing. I have some reading to do over the next month or so.

[Vahunter]

Go get 'em Rick Now if you think that maryland cop that hassled you was a ahole just wait 'till you have a visit in the woods from a Possum Cop who has had a bad day. Scratch the bad day, some don't even need one to bring it out in them. Good luck

[SgtBill]

Good luck Rick, if you get down this way I am sure I can find you a place to hunt on my100 acer's.I got one last night and it is over at the butcher's right now.
Bill

[Vahunter]

Good luck Rick, if you get down this way I am sure I can find you a place to hunt on my100 acer's.I got one last night and it is over at the butcher's right now.
Bill

About time I guess even a blind hog can find an acorn now and then.

I thought I heard that .270 go off.

[OakRidgeStars]

Guns are not required to hunt deer in Virginia



But it is recommended

[zephyp]

Rick, a couple of tips.

- Scout the woods at the range you belong to. I remember they allow hunting.
- Find open areas where deer like to browse early morning and evening. Look for the places they come in and out of the open area. Usually not hard to do. Most of the time they will hide in the woods a few yards back and watch. Once they're satisfied they'll come out into the open and browse.
- Look for a stand site nearby where you can watch those trails. Check local wind conditions and figure out how to orient your stand based on how they generaly blow. Stay at the edge of the open area a few feet inside the tree line with a view of the trails and the open area. Check your shooting lanes.
- Stake your tree with orange tape so you can find it in the dark.
- Put your stand at least 15 feet up. 18-20 feet is the sweet spot.
- For stands, get a good climber and practice on a tree in your yard before you hit the woods. Pack a good set of pruning shears so you can snip small branches on your tree. Good so you can get up to where you want and handy to make hooks for your gear.
- Be sitting in your stand ready to go before it gets light.
- Dont forget to brush up on field dressing a deer. Nothing worse than having one down and not knowing what to do. The most important part is to dry and keep the cavity dry once you get them dressed. I also usualy put a stick to spread the ribs to allow air circulation. Dont forget to save the liver and heart.

Here's a recipe I use to make sandwich meat from the heart. Sqeeze all the blood out after removing from the deer. When you're home wash it good and boil it until its tender. Put it in a mason jar and cover it completely using 1/2 the broth and 1/2 vinegar. Add a few spices if you like. Put the lid on, shake, and stick in the fridge for a few days. Great sliced meat.

[GS78]

Some lucky hunter got a fawn the other night with a spotlight in my area...

[Vahunter]

Doubt it was a hunter if a spotlight was used.

[SgtBill]

Why Henry your battery went dead.

[GS78]

Doubt it was a hunter if a spotlight was used.

Actually they do that quite a bit out here.