I don't believe that it is illegal. I have hunted in PA for many years and have never heard anything about it being illegal. I think that if the deer is swimming it is unethical and unfair but I don't think that it's illegal. I looked in the game commission digest and couldn't find anything on it. So I would guess its legal just unsportsmanlike.

the 870...i've used this on both animals and it has never let me down

That's a good question. Probably the best way would be to hunt over some dogs. But if you don't have that luxury (I sure don't) then the best way would be find a hidden patch of honeysuckle and work it very slowly with another hunter. One of you kick the bushes and the other stand ready. Last week I went out in PA and found a small honey suckle patch not much bigger than my living room and I worked it thoroughly and managed to kick out 8 rabbits. A little bit of snow helps with this as well.

All I can say is that that's happened to me a number of times and I instinctively squint my eyes in an effort to hide them. Can't say if it works or not but the thought runs through my head every time it happens.

I have found that a squirrel call works great if you make it sound like a crazed squirrel going mad. I also throw in a few crow calls with that to make it sound like something is happening. Usually works especially in thick woods.

oh gosh....really????

Usually big bucks rub bigger trees but when u see a rub look at how deep the gashes in the tree are. Usually bigger bucks have deeper gashes. Also look for any close saplings or dirt around the tree. Big bucks tend to wrap their antlers around trees and destroy saplings and rake up the dirt behind the primary rub with their antlers.

mechanicals can be a little tricky. Sometimes the rubber band holding them shut can break or they can randomly open in flight. I'd stick with fixed blades.

And always remember to enjoy every moment of it!!! The season goes by fast so make the memories last!

Also the primos can bleating call works very well. https://shop.primos.com/pc-534-12-the-original-can.aspx A couple of seasons ago I had a buck literally run to me when I used it (it was in September). Wasn't a huge buck but it worked none-the-less.

I personally just stuff my hunting clothes in a bag of leaves with a touch of vanilla extract after every day out in the field and keep them there until I get out of my vehicle to enter my stand the next time I go to hunt. This combined with playing the wind has worked perfectly for me.