Just my opinion but I don't think its right that they made this deer the new archery state record. He didn't find it for 41 days after he supposedly shot it. No way to know for sure if his arrow killed the deer or it was taken down by coyotes. He found it over a mile from where he shot it.
I was to camp/hunt that same area the same week of October, but my Dr. suggested that I dont. We hunt it often but rarely if EVER see another hunter in our area. I hunt that area couple times a year. You'll see a few deer daily and you're doin real good. But The area is vast. The biggest rubs Ive ever seen were up there 3 years ago. One day during a late october, I took Jami up there to bowhunt. We turned a corner only to come out to a field with well over a dozen pick up trucks parked along the road. Not another vehicle along the 10 mile drive. They knew where a big buck was, due to trail cameras. So there are big bucks up there, but they are all over Westmoreland and Somerset. There have been several 160"-170" bucks taken outside of Latrobe the last three years. Theres a 170" class buck that made it thru this season within 1/2 mile of my house. Everybody local knows it too. But I have a secret weapon:) Also My bud has 4 P&Y somerset cty bucks going back 20 years. I would assume B&C/P&Y wont recognize this deer due to these circumstances. But the Pa listings are not a listing org as such.
The DCNR has several-6, camping spots some with water and power set up along areas near/within Forbes State Forest and bordering sgl's. Remember its a pretty big tract for that area. You can get DCNR permits to camp and hunt. There are parts of Somerset near the old Rockwell property, Mt Davis area in Somerset cty where you can do this. ITS RUGGED AS HELL but there are monster bucks in those areas. If youre up to it and willing to deal with boredom for a good opportunity to be in the same big valley as a great deer, that you may never see call the DCNR and give it a go! Its actually pretty cheap.
Heres a thought.......wouldnt a blood tracking dog have helped here? There wouldnt be any speculation then:)
