I started the season bagging the biggest trophy of them all! Big Ben
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Started bowhunting in NY on Oct1. Opening morning I was graced with a nice basket rack 7 point under my stand. I kept having recollections of last year on how I got the 2 for one on bow opener and remembered how happy I was then how sad I was that I couldn’t bowhunt the rut, and I let him walk past me. It was agony. AGONY! watching him walk away.
I changed up strategies this year in NY. New spots. I let a lot lot lot of does pass. Ill inform you of my reasoning later in this post…. But one reason was I was eying a nice big buck that I had close encounters with but he never came close enough. I kept waiting for him to pop out but all that came were does and young bucks. I kid you not. I sat in my stand one pm in early Oct and saw 10 young bucks (forks and spikes) all skipping and knocking themselves around. I wish I had my camera. That was then though and the best is yet to come. Cant wait to get back for the rut that’s kicking in full swing. On another note, I did shoot this coyote with my bow. Wasted it at 25 yards with a double lung pass through. Ran 40 yards and dropped dead with a yelp. Deer Killer Down! 
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Then a week later, I had another filthy coyote under my stand at 10 yards. I drew my bow back, let the arrow rip and my cables jumped the cams! Almost send me flying out of the stand. Left me wondering …
Resolved that issue and kept on keeping on. Meanwhile back in VT I got this lovely doe on day 3 of the season. I couldn’t take it any longer.
My itchy release finger just had to let it rip. She will eat well.
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My bowhunting days in VT were very few. They have been few because luck of the draw sent Ben and me on a good ol’ VT moose hunting honeymoon. Hence the reasons for letting so much tasty meat pass me by in NY.....
I had to anticipate for a "potentially" full freezer. 
Let me tell you… it was AWESOME! What an experience. Moose hunting isn’t like it used to be though so I have heard (I guess experienced as well). I had dreams and visions of big racked bulls being called out of the bogs… WRONG! We didn’t see a moose until the 3rd day and we hiked in and out and all over god’s country... for miles though bogs... up ridges... into cedar and spruce swamps so thick bunnies cant even go thought! Lost about 10lbs and only saw 4 moose. No huge bulls like in my mind. Sign galore but where are all the moose? On day 5 luck was on our side and we were graced with our so called honeymoon moose we stumbled upon way back in the bush. We both open fired and dropped her on the spot.Our Honeymoon Moose
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She will eat well….. as well!
Thanks to Hayden Tanner for helping us get it out and giving me the one of the coolest experiences EVER! If anyone ever needs a moose hauled this guy is great! After talking the poor guys ear off hiking back telling him my whole horsey life story, he let me personally ride his horse Tori and haul the moose out of the bush to the trucks (after he hauled it out of the bog) To a lifelong horsewoman this was heaven!
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Most of all though we stayed at the best place in VT. Jacksons Lodge in Canaan. Gloria & Mark are the best! What other place for a deal gives you fully furnished personal cottage, game supper when you get home on opening day, and will personally hang your moose for you on their game pole. If anyone is ever looking for a little escape to the most beautiful, rural and wild place in VT check them out. I wish we had more time to really enjoy the week but it went by so fast and I never wanted to leave.
Well that’s it for now. Wonder what November will bring?
Good luck in the woods and on the water everyone!
