Deer camp is located in the town of Andover, Allegany County, on property owned by the Kent family. The Kent’s are the proprietors of Kent’s Tree Farm and Tall Pines ATV Park.
Tom and Kate Kent grow Christmas trees on their 5,000-acre farm and they recently recognized the need from the ATV community for a friendly and legal place to ride. The ATV trails shut down come deer season and the Kent family opens the farm for deer hunting.
Featuring a mix of hardwood forest, Christmas tree groves and open meadows amid a rolling landscape of hills and deep ravines, the farm property has some of the finest deer territory in the state.
Wednesday morning I picked up my hunting buddy, Ed Noonan of Saratoga Springs, and hit the road. Six hours and 300 miles later we pulled up to the camp where we were greeted by Timmy Guy of Glens Falls, the heart and soul of our camp.
We unloaded the truck and settled in as Tim gave us the latest reports. We didn’t hunt that afternoon, but we planned to take advantage of the last two days of archery season.
Despite our best efforts, early archery season ended without success.
The upside was that we figured out where we wanted to spend opening day. Friday saw the arrival of the rest of the hunting party (mob or rabble would describe them equally as well). The assignment of stand locations, preferential placement given to the youthful hunters took place after supper and transportation to the various stand locations was arranged.
Saturday, Nov. 15 was opening day of the regular season and thanks to the lake effect, we had 3 inches of fresh snow on the ground. Everyone was up by 5 a.m. in anticipation of the day’s hunt. We were all bumping into each other as we got dressed and grabbed something to eat. The camp emptied at 6 a.m. as we set off for our stands. I drove an ATV to an area known as Jonestown, parked and hiked the remaining quarter mile to the ladders stand where I intended to stay until sundown.
Tip No. 1
When planning to stay in the woods all day, it is essential that you dress for the conditions. Bring an extra jacket, hat, gloves, socks, etc. You’ll be glad you did if the weather gets foul.
Tip No. 2
Bring food and water. I like the time honored PB&J. It packs easy, doesn’t mind when it gets smushed in my backpack and tastes good no matter its condition. Leftover Halloween candy is good too!
Tip No. 3
Bring what you need for natures inevitable call, ’nuff said.
I settled in the stand and waited for sunrise. When the time came, I loaded my rifle and chambered a round which brings me to…
Tip No. 4
Remember what they taught you in hunter safety training. Before loading your firearm, check the muzzle and the bore to make sure they are free of obstructions!
Some of the snow I brushed from the stand found its way down the barrel and lodged in the chamber. I knew I had a problem when the bolt failed to properly load a bullet into the chamber. It’s hard to find sticks of the proper length to reach down the barrel of a .30-caliber rifle. Twenty minutes later, I cleared the barrel and was back in business. Reports echoed from the surrounding hillsides as other hunters filled their tags. Finally, after passing on some questionable shots, I filled a doe tag.
After field dressing and tagging the deer, I returned to the stand hoping to have an opportunity at a buck or another fat doe. The day ended without any more shot opportunities. I returned to camp and added mine to the ones already there.
The next day, the guys had more luck adding a 10 pointer, an 8 pointer, several smaller bucks and herd of does, bringing the weekend camp total to 24.
I couldn’t will antlers to grow on any deer that I saw, so I shot another doe for the freezer. There’s still plenty of time left in the season to fill my buck tag.
Last Tip
Try not to shoot a deer standing at the bottom of the ravine. The real work begins after the shot!
Camp honors go to Timmy Guy with a 10 pointer, Shawn Allen, of Andover, for his 8-point buck and to 16-year-old William A. Allen III, also of Andover, for his first buck. Congratulations to all the rest of the hunters in the camp. I have two deer to butcher, so it’s time for me to go. Until next time, be sure of your target and shoot straight.
Tim Blodgett, owner of Saratoga Tackle & Archery, can be reached at (518) 584-3952. His store is located on Route 9P, Saratoga Lake next to the state boat launch. For further information, visit Saratogatackle.com or find Saratoga Tackle on Facebook.
