Camps and forests can mean some giant deer | News, sports, jobs

During a deer hunt last weekend, Brock Windoft of Lakewood harvested a magnificent 10-point monster buck that could have been the king of the Chautauqua County woods. Photo by Ryan McChesney

A sanctuary away from daily distractions, Deer Camp is where friends and family come together in the heart of nature. The shared excitement of a successful hunt, the laughter at jokes, the thrill of card games, the funny mishaps or the quiet moments in your tree stand or during a deer hunt – these are the experiences that create a connection and create priceless memories that last a lifetime.

In Chautauqua County, with our thousands of acres of vineyards and farmland, we have several state forest lands that provide a variety of cover types that allow a variety of wildlife species to thrive. These species include deer and bears. Big game hunting is permitted in most state forest lands. Between the public land and the farmland, hills and forests, as well as many private lands, provide deer with protection and to thrive and grow year-round. Many of these areas are never logged and there is dense undergrowth and vegetation even when there are no leaves. The largest deer find these areas and stay there when the forests are busy during hunting season.

As the season transitions from early to late gun season, deer hide in the thickest cover during the day. Here, deer hunts with several hunters working together can increase the chances of success. The “drivers” push the deer toward the “blockers,” who are securely positioned to intercept the moving deer. Teamwork helps cover a larger area and creates more opportunities than a solo hunter.

During a deer hunt last weekend, Brock Windoft of Lakewood harvested a magnificent 10-point monster buck that could have been king of the woods. About the magical moments after the murder, Windoft said: “There is nothing better than returning to our roots.” The camaraderie of the deer camp and the deer drives never gets boring. We have created our own opportunities and can enjoy the moment of capitalizing on them.” Hunting with a group of ten others, Windoft added: “The 2024 season will be a difficult year for us to beat. A big thank you to Ryan McChesney and the rest of the group for making this possible. My biggest buck yet!” Other hunters at Deer Camp include Denver and Jeremy Morrison, Jason Preston, Travis and Nick Fisher, Zach Weatherlow, Chris Lanphere, and Craig and Don Hewes.

Deer drives, which take advantage of deer’s natural behavior, are an effective hunting strategy. However, it is critical for every hunter to prioritize safety and ensure they only shoot when the target and beyond are known. This responsible approach not only ensures the safety of everyone involved, but also maintains the integrity of the hunt.

Most of our state lands and wildlife refuges allow hunting. For hunters with disabilities, certain roads in these areas may be used by motor vehicles upon receipt of a special use permit. This easy access is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and ensures all hunters can enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

Chautauqua County State Lands include Alder Bottom Wildlife Management Area, Panama State Forest, Watts Flats Wildlife Management Area, Chautauqua Gorge State Forest, North Harmony State Forest, Mount Pleasant State Forest, Hill Higher State Forest and several others.

When hunting in any location, all hunters should remember to follow Leave No Trace principles to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, minimize impact on natural resources and avoid conflict with other users.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. You have to love nature.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Nov. 16 – Dec. 8: NYS Southern Zone Regular (Firearm) Big Game Season

Nov. 23 – Jan. 19: Late Canada Goose Season – Southern Region. See syllabus.

November 30: Last day of inland musky season (Great Lakes musky lasts through December 15).

Nov. 30 – Dec. 14: Pennsylvania Regular (Firearms) Deer Season. See https://www.pgc.pa.gov

Dec 9 – Dec 17 and 26 – Jan 1: Late bowhunting season in the southern NYS zone