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

Deer camp, a sanctuary away from daily distractions, is where friends and family come together in the heart of nature. The shared excitement of a successful hunt, the laughter over jokes, the thrill of card games, the fun misadventures, or the quiet moments in your tree stand or during a deer drive, these are the experiences that forge a bond, creating priceless memories that last a lifetime.

In Chautauqua County, with our thousands of acres of grapes and farmland, we have multiple state forest lands that provide a diversity of cover types that allow a variety of wildlife species to thrive. Deer and bear are among these species. Hunting is allowed on most state forest lands for big game. Between the state lands and farmlands, hills and forests among the many privately owned lands provide cover for deer to thrive and grow all year. Many of these lands are never harvested for timber, and they are thick with underbrush and cover, even without leaves. The biggest deer find these areas and stay under such cover when the woods become busy during hunting season.

As the season moves from early to late firearm season, the deer hide in the thickest cover during the daytime. This is when deer drives with multiple hunters working together can increase the chances for success. The “drivers” push deer towards the “blockers,” safely positioned to intercept deer on the move. Teamwork helps cover more ground and creates more chances than a solo hunter might have.

During a deer drive last weekend, Brock Windoft of Lakewood downed a magnificent 10-point monster buck that might have been the king of the woods. Sharing the magical moments after the kill, Windoft said, “There’s nothing like going back to our roots. The camaraderie of deer camp and deer pushes (drives) will never get old. We created our own opportunities, and we can relish the moment when we capitalize.” Hunting with a group of 10 others, Windoft added, “The 2024 season will be a hard year for us to beat. A huge thanks to Ryan McChesney and the rest of the group for making it happen. My biggest buck to date!” The other hunters in deer camp include Denver and Jeremy Morrison, Jason Preston, Travis and Nick Fisher, Zach Weatherlow, Chris Lanphere and Craig and Don Hewes.

Deer drives, leveraging the natural behavior of deer, are an effective hunting strategy. However, it’s crucial for every hunter to prioritize safety, ensuring they only shoot when the target and beyond the target are known. This responsible approach not only ensures the safety of all involved but also upholds the integrity of the hunt.

Most of our state lands and wildlife management area properties allow hunting. For hunters with disabilities, specific roads on these lands can be accessed by motor vehicle after obtaining a special use permit. This easy access is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that all hunters can enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

Some of the 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 anywhere, all hunters should remember to practice “Leave No Trace Principles” to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, minimize the impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Gotta love the outdoors.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Nov. 16-Dec. 8: NYS Southern Zone Regular (firearm) Big Game season

Nov. 23-Jan. 19: Late Canada Goose Season – South Area. See syllabus.

Nov. 30: Last day of inland Musky Season (Great Lakes musky goes through Dec. 15).

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

Dec. 9-Dec. 17 and Dec. 26-Jan. 1: NYS Southern Zone Late Bowhunting Season