Leaderboard

God Bless the VFW & Volunteers !

Mounted by John Noon Taxidermy in Sussex. I was able to participate in the process by first picking the form - the Mears PD-74 (pictured) in LT, which for my first pedestal mount, exactly represented the way the buck was looking as I release my arrow last Veteran's day. I wanted that look and orientation along with some neck wrinkle and am pleased that all that was achieved. I had a cedar pedestal made by The Taxidermy Woodshop. I wanted to use a Natural Cedar stump from a downed tree in my yard as the mounting post. I have not totally figured out the "base" just yet but leaving it flexible. Just surrounded with some fake moss for now, but it's a bit too green for my liking and already had a browner version on order. I can easily remove and add leaves, rocks, grass, ferns, etc. So it's "done" as far as the mount, the pedestal, and cedar stump. The rest may still be work in progress - very much open to ideas. For example thinking of running a fake 28" cedar tree (pictured) up the back side of the mount. Some obviously feel this buck is a bit over-exposed and yeah I am sure it is. But I cannot lie - damn proud of this one and experienced enough to know that it was my BOAL and would not expect something like this ever again, in any state let alone NJ!

Been hunting two birds for awhile now and they kept on giving me the slip until today. Amazing how the day can change in an instant. Called in one bird to what I estimate to 60-70 yards but would not commit and never got a look. About an hour later I decided to call it quits for the day as the woods were dead. On my way out I stopped on the side/end of a ridge and figured it was a good spot for my call to carry into the distance so I gave it a quick shot with some cutting. Bird instantly responded but it was right on the other side of the ridge where it dropped down so we couldn’t see each other. I couldn’t do anything but sit down right where I was as the bird was definitely within 30 or so yards. I thought I was in trouble as the ridge top was wide open and I had no cover but thankfully I could hear him walking in the leaves so I was setup for him when he popped over the top. Without hearing those leaves I would’ve be done for as he walked down the ridge a bit and popped over not in the direction I heard the gobble. Called this one in with a Jimmy Schaffer crystal. 10.5” beard, 1 1/8” spurs and 20 pounds.

Was working a hen that had gobblers with her and just before she came into view I noticed a coyote bearing down on me. The hen came up over the rise in the cornfield just as the coyote came down the edge and right in front of me. Neither one could see the other but it was a matter of seconds before the hen spooked. So, should I shoot the coyote and risk blowing the hunt or pass the coyote and hope the hen doesn't run off , putting and take the gobblers too. (Which last I heard were about 70 -100 yards behind her. ) I've shot many gobblers that had buddies right along side of them and didn't spook at the shot so I risked it. Just as it got even with me the coyote stoped broadside at 10 yards and looked around for the 'hen' it heard and as it looked right at me.... Bang ! The hen flew off and the gobblers gobbled. I waited a few minutes and called and they gobbled in the same spot but I never could get them to commit. Next location I called in a gobbler and just as I was ready to shoot I saw 2 more heads. All were red, I identified the last one as a longbeard and squeezed one off, a branch in front of me disinagrated. A miss. Next spot I heard a bird gobbling on his own but no real good place to set up. I grabbed a Jake decoy to put in the field and hold his attention as I was backed into some brush. Two calls later he was on his way, as soon as he saw the decoy he zeroed in on it and I dropped him after he beat the crap out of it. Great morning to be in the turkey woods.

Amazing morning for the New York opener..... Rain all night stopped around 5 birds gobbling in the roost. First to the field was a big hen came into decoys and beat up a hen decoy. She left after about 2 minutes then had two long beards come in gobbling.... Once they saw the Jake decoy it was game on.... Put on one heck of a show!!!! Dropped him at 25 yards....big mature bird great Spurs and beard

After missing a gobbler 3 times on his first solo hunt , second time was the charm . Set up in the same pasture he had 4 Jakes , 3 hens and a gobbler pitch down on the opposite side . With a hen deke out he called one of the hens over and the rest followed . This time he didn’t miss . 22lbs , 10” beard and 1 1/4 hooks .

We are SO pumped beyond belief! 2nd year in a row we doubled in D week! Story and pics to come. High 5's and hugs flying. This NEVER gets old! It has been a tough season. Between work, predators, other factors beyond our control it has been tough but fun as always. Had a weird feeling all day knowing this was my only day this week I could take Jr out as it's my last day off this set. Had several opportunities recently but decided to pass because i wanted to give my son the opportunity to be with me.. We got settled in the blind at 1645 sharp. Did some light calling, very light. 30 minutes later, Christopher says "Dad, hen coming at 40 yards pineapple." Code word since he was a toddler in the woods hunting with me for "totally serious", here comes a lone hen searching for the other. No Toms trailing. It goes to other side of the farm and disappears until it circles back 15 minutes later at 80 yards from us and disappears again. We are talking about the season, the amount of foxes around, calling lightly etc and about 40 minutes later Jr says "Dad red head at 60 yards, pineapple " Zero gobbles happening, he says another bird is with him. He is on the Ulti-Mag set up on the Field Pod ready and I see them appear out the left window. Looking for the source of the hen, they are inspecting everything in sight. The second one appears to be a jake and I tell Jr to get ready as the gobbler is all his. When they came into view of the decoy together, I said quietly, 1, 2, BOOOM! Just like last year, we planned that on "3" we both squeeze the triggers together. BOTH birds were down instantly. Almost identical to last years hunt when we dropped two gobblers simultaneously. When I asked Jr how the kick was from the 3.5" Winchester, he says What kick?!? High fives were flying. Took some pics and he reminded me these are the 1st birds we took together with his truck. I had him pull it up to take some pics, all good stuff. Would not trade these times for anything....

Roosted a gobbler in the same area as the other day and was feeling pretty confident that he would do the same thing in the morning as his deceased counter part. A call to my buddy and a plan was set in motion. Daybreak found us set up on a corn field and sweet talking a longbeard, he flew down and retraced the previous gobblers footsteps right to us. At 15 yards I squeezed the trigger. All captured in 4K and likely will air on the Sportsmans channel next winter.

This past Saturday I was able to complete my goal of harvesting a turkey. It’s was a short hunt, it was all over by 6:15 in the morning

Tried for stripers but this guy saved the day for us!

Finally was able to kill this tom after 5 sits with my bow. He would gobble off the roost once or twice and follow the hens silently the field. Several attempts at getting him away from his hens but no luck. Tried to film it but it didn't work out like I planned. A tough year and very few Tom's in zone 4. But this morning I was able to put a grim reaper in his chest.

This NEVER gets old! It has been a tough season. Between work, predators, other factors beyond our control it has been tough but fun as always. Had a weird feeling all day knowing this was my only day this week I could take Jr out as it's my last day off this set. Had several opportunities recently but decided to pass because i wanted to give my son the opportunity to be with me.. We got settled in the blind at 1645 sharp. Did some light calling, very light. 30 minutes later, Christopher says "Dad, hen coming at 40 yards pineapple." Code word since he was a toddler in the woods hunting with me for "totally serious", here comes a lone hen searching for the other. No Toms trailing. It goes to other side of the farm and disappears until it circles back 15 minutes later at 80 yards from us and disappears again. We are talking about the season, the amount of foxes around, calling lightly etc and about 40 minutes later Jr says "Dad red head at 60 yards, pineapple " Zero gobbles happening, he says another bird is with him. He is on the Ulti-Mag set up on the Field Pod ready and I see them appear out the left window. Looking for the source of the hen, they are inspecting everything in sight. The second one appears to be a jake and I tell Jr to get ready as the gobbler is all his. When they came into view of the decoy together, I said quietly, 1, 2, BOOOM! Just like last year, we planned that on "3" we both squeeze the triggers together. BOTH birds were down instantly. Almost identical to last years hunt when we dropped two gobblers simultaneously. When I asked Jr how the kick was from the 3.5" Winchester, he says What kick?!? High fives were flying. Took some pics and he reminded me these are the 1st birds we took together with his truck. I had him pull it up to take some pics, all good stuff. Would not trade these times for anything....

Awesome morning, had bird on the roost then had another slip in from my right. Had him at 60 yds then the joined up with the other bird and a hen and went the other way. Made a couple moves and eventually called the hen away from them. They got fired up and came in all balled up double and triple gobbling the whole way. When he got to 25 yds I dropped the hammer. 11.25" beard just over 1" Spurs and heavy, didn't weigh it but definitely in mid 20's. Happy is a understatement after the season I been having.

I have had a doe drop her fawns in my backyard 4 years in a row. Right behind my detached garage . Today this fawn stumbled across the front yard with her . As it got to my street a car was flying down it . I yelled at the top of my lungs to watch hitting the deer . Guy screeched to a stop just as the fawn laid down in the road . . I knew it would be minutes some other car would come flying by. So put on a pair of surgical gloves . Scooped it off the road and sat it ten yards from its waiting mother . Took about ten minutes for the fawn to finally get back up and join it's mother in the edge of the field . By then 4 cars had flown right past it ., Happy Mothers day to all here who have them . And for those of us that do nt. hope they are happy in heaven until we meet again.

Didn't plan on fishing today (holiday weekend) but woke up around 6 and it was light rain and foggy out. So I figured figured that would keep a few people off the water. Called my uncle at 7 and said meet me a 8 at the ramp. Fishing was decent at first but slowed way down after the tide change. Was able to box 4 nice keepers from 19" to 21" and a nice little bluefish (which is saved for shark fishing). Was still a lot of boats on the water today.

Dogwoods are in bloom.... Crappies are in the shallows!!!

The two birds I Roosted last night turned out to be hens, but as I was waiting for one to gobble, a gobbler sounded off in the distance. Once I realized I was sitting on hens, I was off to find the distant gobbler. I soon found him but he was on the ground and headed towards the fields. I called but he wouldn't budge. I moved a few times but he was stuck like glue. Soon a different gobbler sounded off to my left. I readjusted but the two gobbles started heading towards one another. Some fast Cutts and the new arrivals started my way. Bringing the boss with them. Four redheads were running right at me. The first three turned out to be Jake's but the original gobbler was on their tail. At 20 yards I dropped him. Later I called a friend about morels and he was already looking for them. We met up and he already had a batch, we only found 5 or 6 together. Now's the time. Guess what's for dinner ?

Last hunt for the season and it was an exciting one. After what seemed forever and having gobblers hammering behind me for over 40 mins. I had 2 hens come by one at a time and the second hen brought with her 2 longbeards but only one left. Great ending to a tough season but ended off with some nice daggers and more meat in the freezer! Can't wait till we can do it all over again! Best of luck to all who are still chasing the mighty thunder chickens

After two months of home isolation, the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders report for practice!

A friend of hers had a crap piece of furniture I wanted to get drunk and burn. She had a different outcome I set her up in my little shop, quick run down on spray guns and glazing. Washed my hands of situation and poured a drink. With all that's happened to say I was extremely surprised with outcome would be an understatement. It's all water base and we're burnt on the mask thing.

Chris at Polowy Brothers Stone in Hampton is always a gentleman, with tons of material at their place. Took out the stones that have been in the patio forever, left enough for drainage, and picked up a yard of stone dust leveling it about 3" deep. Placed the slate stones under the pergola today. Going to let the stone dust settle and then sweep more into the slate this week. Huge thanks to @3Blade for the countless tips for this over the phone, and @Live to Hunt for the table. Come up this summer for Ribeyes and brews boys!

With one tag left and riding the struggle bus this season, I went back to my favorite spot. At day break I had multiple Tom's gobbling off the roost within 60 yds of me. At day break they all pitched right in to my decoys and gave me a perfect morning.

All came together this afternoon. Not much of a story. Saw 6 longbeards in a field mad 2 yelps and here they come running. Hunted for 5 minutes. BOOM.....I did not weigh him. Ill say 20. Beard was 9inch spurs at an 1- 1/2

Some of you may remember from last year I have this stick in the lake birds like to rest on but so far, despite some minor improvements, I was getting no costumers. Things changed instantly today. Despite the fact it looks like the Three Stooges put it together it was a hit today.

Just got a call, I’m back to work tomorrow. I am glad but it feels weird. It was nice to live at my own pace for a while. My liver is happy for the news and I will not be torturing you with my pictures.......as much. Wish all quick return to work, time to get beck to normal.

My mom's next door neighbor found these sheds. We've never had this buck on the cameras at all and the neighbor never saw him as well. Hopefully, he will stick around.

You had a GREAT childhood!!! I remember all the days running around the yard with my brothers shooting everything and anything we could.

painted up this rainbow trout reproduction for a young fisherman. Real nice fish. Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

Been a lot of tough hunting, but my son finally got a bird before his online schooling. 19.5#, 10", 1.25 spurs. Got soaked on the walk out. lol Been hunting this bird since the beginning of the season. Likes to gobble like crazy while walking away, with or without hens. I got my son is position where the bird always goes, while I called as usual. When he got near my son he made a few clucks and the bird came into view and he shot it.

I got my mount back today, and I can say I am very happy with the way it came out.Another great job by Joe Cicchino of Denville. Thanks Joe! I named this one ROCKY with the one brow tine missing.

Tough week overall but today made up for all that. Started morning off slow with only one gobble but then it heated up fast and before I knew there was several gobblers around me. I was able to shoot this nice gobbler ending a tough week with a smile and more turkey breast in the freezer! Love chasing the thunder chickens!!!!!!!! SS!

We hunted all day and didn't hear a single bird until almost 1130am. Then out of nowhere, a couple toms are gobbling right in the area we have had luck in the past. MikeStaten got them interested with a box call and soon switched over to a pot call. Our setup was rushed and somewhat awkward with a very narrow shooting lane looking down thru the brush. It seemed like they weren't going to commit the last 40-50 yards we needed, and we still had not seen them yet. Mike switched to a mouth call and it was game on. They crossed a small creek and made there way up a steep hill and eventually over a rock wall. I sat ready with the gun shouldered aiming down the narrow trail. as soon as that bright red head entered my lane, I let one go. The shot rolled him hard into some brush. Mike got right back on the call and prepared to shoot the second bird if he could. The second one was gobbling and showed interest, but there was a hen we did not know was there and she was doing some clucking and putting and convinced the second tom to skidattle. Light bird at 16 pounds, 10" beard, 3/4" hooks

Few more mounts out the door. http://www.jerseyjaystaxidermy.com

Picked up my buck this morning from Dave at Delaware Hudson taxidermy , as always looks great and the wife picked out a cool pose. His head is pointing slightly down with ears tucked back. ( she dropped it off for me in the fall) My taxidermist was working on a cool eagle too.

Just like my good friend Riggsjr......I received a call yesterday that my extended bow buck was done from Joe Chicchino. This is the fifth buck that he has done for me in the past 10 years or so, and I couldn't be happier. I didn't have a clue what to get my wife for Mother's Day.......and I am sure she wasn't expecting "another" head on the wall......but that's what she got !!!! LOL....... There was an empty spot on the wall in the upper left corner.......now the wall is balanced !! Danny V

Went out this morning and here he comes walking up the skidder trail. 20 yards, Darton Maverick XT 40lb limbs, 100gr. Ares Broadhead. 23.26 lbs. 9" Beard 3/4" Spurs

Went upstate with my good hunting pal and my wife. Hunted the opener and had great action. Heard a gobble right off the bat but he got hung up out of my sight. Big smart gobbler. Started to rain so sat in one of the blinds we set up overlooking a field. Friend starts calling and had a huge group of Jakes come in and a few hens. I passed, waiting for the Tom, but he didn't come in. Had a late night but told the wife to meet me in the blind at 8, but we were still going to try for the Tom early in the morning. Set up on him a little deeper and my man had him going right out of the gate. We were competing with the neighbor,,,,as we can here calls in the distance. Tom went toward them but turned around as he must have liked buddy's call a little better. Again,,,,,he comes in but out of range! 5 Jake's follow him, but I pass. Getting close to 8 so I make a move to the blind, set up a Jake decoy, and meet the wife. She is in there maybe 5 minutes and I here a gobble from the other direction. I scratched the call and sat. I peak out and see a bird,,,,,, it's him, the big boy! I freak out and tell her to get ready. Told her as soon as he picks his head up, put the bead on his neck and squeeze the trigger. Next thing ya know,,,,,BOOM. The 1187 barks. I peak out and he's flopping around. Unbelievable experience that all happened so fast,,,,we were both happier for her than if it were us. Huge congrats to her. Maybe the secret is to sleep in and hunt for 15 minutes, lol. Moving on to day 3, I told myself now I will be taking the biggest Jake I see tomorrow, lol. We set up and heard gobbles from every direction. It was unbelievable. After a few calls, 8 Jakes cross the top of the ridge and come down into the field. They were met with 4 more Jakes and a few hens. Birds everywhere!! I wait because we are still getting answers from across the field. Look up and 4 more Jakes are making there way to some hens. We Have 20 birds around us at this point. I get the Mossberg 835 up on my knee. The Jakes are gobbling but so close together, I can't shoot or I will take out the pack. One Jakes fans out and the other 3 step away. He was the one. I put the bead on his neck and Boom! Dropped him in his tracks. Beautiful, nice sized Jake, my first turkey kill. Super pumped. Sat another day trying to get my buddy on a bird but it was a slow morning. 2 Jakes out of range and a big hen. Left NY with 2 birds, wife taking the trophy but I couldn't be happier. My buddy didn't even care that he didn't shoot anything, but helped us each get our first bird and I am grateful. Thanks to my other pal for letting us hunt his property. When I showed my wife my bird, she said " Oh, he's cute" . It's gonna be a long ride home, but I couldn't be prouder. Add a Jake to Team Pork Roll.

Was nice this morning being able to make my own coffee again at Wawa. Seeing more and more vehicles on the road (maybe not so good). Good to be safe but everyone has to live their life again and can't hid for ever. Have to make a living. I know thing will not get back to "Normal" and we will have to get used to the new normal. Be safe out there and lets keep life moving on!!!

Looked at the recent best truck post. Full-size trucks are nice absolutely I am not doubting that 100%. Found a Tacoma that was just about built for me. She just fits in garage, anything more and I would have been screwed lol After 30 years of owning nothing but Ford's I feel kinda dirty lol

I filled a hollow hickory slice with black epoxy then laid coyote teeth in and then flood coated it with clear epoxy.

Been eyeing this public land gobbler all season and Every time I get him Roosted, someone else is parked there in the morning. Last night I put him and a hen to bed and got there early this morning. Knowing that he's been pressured, I knew it was going to be a different game. Being windy, I was able to get in as close as I dare and when daybreak came it was all soft talk.. Low tree yelps and light clicks. He never gobbled. Soon the hen pitched down in front of me and started looking for the 'hen'. He down to my right and out of sight. With the hen close by , no movement was made. A few tense minutes later I could hear walking in the leaves, a two step stride, it was a turkey or a human, since the hen was unlearned it had to be him. He came around the tree I was at and nearly stepped on my outstretched leg before him did a head jerk ,a slight putt and started to walk away. Once he passed behind a large tree I made my move. He was down before the sun was up and he never made a sound. Public land birds are a whole different breed by mid season

Another great morning this morning! Public land spot ... I park the truck pre-dawn and slowly creep to a spot I want to sit. As I get closer to the spot, and as the time ticks past shooting time, I let out a subtle cluck or two. Then I walk another 20 or 30 yards, and give out a purr. Pretty much pretend I'm a walking hen who just got off the roost until I get to my spot. Once I get to my spot, I sit down and go quiet for about 30 minutes. I hear a gobble that is about 150 yards away I would guess. I let out a yelp and the gobbler answers back. Well, at this point, this gobbler just won't shut up. He is letting me know where he is at all times... he's walking back and forth from the sound of it. I decide then to put my calls away and shut up for the rest of the morning, because this bird is hot and I just know eventually he's coming in. For the next hour I listen to this gobbler sound off until finally his curiosity can't take it no more... as I hear his gobbles get louder and louder I raise the gun up to my knee and just wait. He eventually shows himself and at about 30 yards I take the shot. BANG!!! All of a sudden, this bird jumps in the air and flaps his wings and I immediately think, "OMG! I just MISSED! No WAY!" It looks like he flew in the other direction, so I stand up and quickly get over there hoping I can get a second shot on him, and to my surprise, it was NOT a miss yet somehow he moved another 20 yards or so and ended up in the brush, and when I get there he's flapping around. I immediately think of the stories I hear about people getting ripped up by spurs when trying to handle a not-yet-dead bird - I look at his feet, and sure enough he does have a set of spurs on him that look like they would do some damage. So now I'm trying to hurry up and think what to do before this bird decides he's had enough and gets up and runs or flies away or something (I was still not sure how hurt he was at this point - though, looking back now, I don't think this bird was going anywhere - at the time though, I had all kinds of crazy thoughts racing through my head LOL) . I put my boot on his neck to try to end it quickly, and he immediately starts wildly flapping and kicking his legs - damn, this is a tough bird! I'm not messing around with those spurs, so I load up a spare round in the chamber and take a shot at his head to end it. OK, so now there is a hole in his head and literally smoke is coming out of it, and yet this bird is STILL not dead! It's like The Thing! Are you kidding me?! He's still trying to lift up his head, kick his feet and flap. At this point though, he's weak, and I'm guessing it was just electrical impulses in his nerves causing the death throes, so I was able to put my boot on his neck and then when he was still, I grabbed his head and gave it a twist just to make sure. It was crazy. This has to be the toughest bird I've seen - never saw a bird be able to jump and fly even a little bit after getting shot. Anyway, I'm already calling my season a great success - 2 harvested birds and I'm seeing or hearing turkey almost every time out (even though it was hens my first several hunts). We'll see what the rest of the season has in store - I still have a D and E permit in my pocket. Wife starts chemo next week, then radiation after that - so I'm gonna try to enjoy myself these final two weeks - this summer is going to be hard. God is still good, and looking forward to coming out the other side come Fall.

Big 'ol rainy day rainbow. Snapchat-993980046.mp4

This is my biggest NJ Buck, but far from my biggest buck overall !!! Just thought I would share, I was looking for something in my basement and came across the picture It was opening day of NJ's 2005 muzzleloader season, I was planning on hunting alone as my friend started a new job. I was living in Bergen County at the time, and woke up to warm temps and rain, looked at the weather forecast for the area I hunt and saw that the rain was ending soon, so I went. Got there and the fog was dense. Got to the tree and climbed up, once daylight came I could only see maybe 30 yards at best, but the fog lifted quickly. It was just before 8am and I was looking to my right when I heard a sound of walking in front of me, I see a doe heading right to me with a 6 pointer behind her at 15 yards I was going to take him, then behind him was this buck he was maybe 30 yards behind but he was parallel. The doe walked under and pass me, the 6 pointer is directly to my left at 20 yards. I'm following the bigger buck thru the scope, and he stops at 50 yards at 11 o'clock he is focused on that doe, the 6 pointer was watching the bigger buck....Crosshairs behind the shoulder, I was using at the time a Knight BK-92 with two pyodex pellets and a Barnes Expanders 250 gr., I fired and he dropped in his tracks. He wasn't at all a big body deer, but at the time he was well above average buck antler wise for this area. They always seem bigger in the field then on the wall !!!

I fished hard in April at my favorite big brown spots and covered serious miles hiking because my spots were totally dead. I enjoyed the hell out of it even though I caught very few fish I just like being out there. The largest was maybe 15 inches. I told myself may will be my month. Well may rolled in and it was like a light switch. But I new why the fishing got good. There was so many alewives in April the trout didn't need my artificial presentations. This month of may has just been better with several fish caught and a few real good ones. My stream just hit 53 degrees today so June will be insane this year for big hungry browns I can't wait. I leave my best spots for when the water hits 56 degrees and that's coming soon. But here's some browns that meant the most to me so far because of creek size not fish size so much. Hope you like it.

First keeper of 2020.. 19-1/4" caught at 5:58am

I was out turkey hunting this morning and I almost stepped on this fawn. I snapped a quick picture and then left it alone.

Got my opening day 7 pointer back Today Came out awesome 1st mount ever

Wife scored! First bird,,,,,,for either of us. Awesome moment. Now I'm back at it