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Fat Dan

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Posts posted by Fat Dan

  1. I have planted apples, crab apples, pear, and Chinese chestnuts.  Apples are the highest maintenance because insects really go for the leaves. Pear is a good fruit  that is low maintenance but you have to get cold hardy varieties if you are far north.  Otherwise, they will freeze out.  Chinese chestnuts take a few years to produce but I think they are my favorite of the trees I have planted.  

    • Like 1
  2. On 1/22/2021 at 11:18 AM, DoubleDose said:

    IMO, this is the MAIN (and possibly only) reason this has not passed in the past.  Only Archers are opposed to it, and those that hunt private land shouldn't be affected.

    It’s possible. Based on my observations in PA, I think allowing crossbows had a bigger impact in suburban areas. The big woods are hard to hunt with a rifle, never mind a crossbow.  I saw people near me (urban-ish) who didn’t have the time or space to practice with a bow take up crossbow.  The people who were passionate about archery seem to have frequently stuck with a standard bow.  I am in between and I use both/either depending on how I am feeling at the moment. 
     

    Based on my observations and unscientific conclusions, I think a good number of rifle hunters have taken up crossbow hunting in PA.  I think a lot of them fill their freezers close to home.  At least that is one of my theories on why I see a lot fewer hunters on the big public tracts in the mountains here.  I haven’t compared harvest stats so I could be way off.  All I know is that crossbows didn’t increase hunting pressure at all where I hunt in the mountains in archery season and our number of rifle hunters seems way lower. 

  3. Yeah.  I live in an sort of suburban (technically designated as urban but not all rowhomes) area.  There are deer in high numbers anywhere that there are a few acres of woods.  There is no legal hunting in my town but a bit farther into the suburbs, there are a lot of small, private woodlots where people bow hunt.  It is hard to get access though.  Some of these places are crawling with deer.  I personally hunt as much for the experience/pursuit so it doesn't appeal to me enough to seek permission in these spots.  I know people who do really well though.  

  4. We used to have really intense hunting pressure where I hunt.  There is about 10,000 acres of public land and it was crawling with hunters 25 years ago.  Sometimes it was downright scary and I would dress head to toe in orange.  This year I saw 1 other hunter that was not in my group.  There are cars at the access points and you hear some shooting but it is amazing how few hunters there are compared to when I started hunting.  Back then, I think very few bucks made it through.  On top of the pressure, there were no antler restrictions and nobody I knew passed up a shot at a legal buck.  I don't know it the change is just less hunters overall or if it is because archery has gotten so popular.  Guys that I know who were always mountain hunters are killing most of their bucks these days in suburban woodlots with bows or crossbows.  I think it must be a combination of those things and maybe others as well.  

    The bucks are living longer now and there are some surprisingly good bucks on public land now.  Here is one that made it through last winter.  I am starting to think it might be the same buck that I posted above.  The pic was taken in the same spot around this time last year.  What do you think, same buck?

     

    FE9DF8E4-5238-4948-8AE2-35335CCBD091.png

    4597B6E7-0921-4895-BE29-A1B78C8BF760.png

    • Like 1
  5. Here too.  I have several decent bucks that have shown up on my camera since the season ended.  Our property is surrounded by public hunting land but the pressure has been light the past couple years for some reason.  I guess next year should be a good year.  This is the the biggest one:

    6CA411F5-D4F9-480B-96A1-616AEE8F9018.jpeg

    • Like 6
  6. I was watching some videos last night of people catching steelhead in the Pacific North West.  Out there, a lot of guys catch them on Spin-N-Glo rigs.  Sometimes they use bait but they also catch them on the plain Spin-N-Glo. Does this technique translate to great lakes steelhead?

  7. I use a Maglite if I am hunting close.  If I am going deep in, I wear a head lamp (a long drag with a flashlight in your mouth sucks, I've learned that first hand).  I have never bothered to use a red light.  I do have a couple red lights for predator hunting and they do seem a lot more stealthy.  

    Like some of the guys who already posted, I frequently don't use a light at all if the hike is short and I know the area well.  Eyes adapt well without a light.  However, I use one even when I don't need it when I hunt public land.  I have a concern, maybe irrational, that some overexcited hunter might mistake me for game if I pass them without a light. 

    All things being equal, if I had a red light on hand, I would probably use that.  

  8. 6 hours ago, airedale said:

    I hate diagnosing problems without actually looking at what is going on, that being said if you believe the bolt is too long a simple fix would be a properly fitted washer or you could grind the end of bolt itself the taking off a couple of threads to shorten it up, make sure to polish off any burrs.

    Al

    Good advice.  Try the washer to find out before cutting anything, though.

  9. On 1/6/2021 at 1:40 PM, Biz-R-OWorld said:

    Like others have said, you have plenty of options out west to hunt elk. First you should answer some questions for yourself:

    • When do you want to hunt? If next year, you need to look for places with OTC tags (over the counter).
      • If you thinking years down the road, start buying preference points. For example, I have 7 for elk points in Wyoming because they are reasonably priced and no license purchase needed. Someday I'll go, but not sure when.
    • Next is what type of weapon? Bow or Rifle? This likely will give you your answer for dates on when you can go.
    • Next is price range & type of hunt?
      • Airfare, Hotels, Licenses, Stateland? you'll need to some scouting, etc.
      • Airfare, Licenses, Outfitter? you'll want to do lots of research and read reviews, etc. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions and don't be afraid to negotiate on price. Maybe you can combine it with a mule deer or antelope hunt depending on the season.

    The drawings for a lot of States - maybe all - for 2021 hunting have not happened yet.  There is still time to draw a tag for the fall.

    I did one public land DIY hunt in Colorado.  I drove out there alone and bowhunted solo in an OTC zone.  It was tough hunting and I didn't connect but I had a great experience. I also saw elk and other wildlife.  I am planning to try again in 2022.  I have a few preference points for Colorado so I will probably go back there.  I have considered MT too though.  I guess you have a much higher success rate if you are willing to drop $10,000+ on a trip but I did it cheap and enjoyed it a lot.  

    • Like 3
  10. On 12/28/2020 at 10:53 AM, Rack Attack said:

    Another big thing I have found (and this goes for all cams, not just cell) is the batteries.  It might say you have full batteries, but the sensing and trigger speeds will slow especially when it gets cold.  I only use lithium batteries and even with them it happens, you put fresh batteries in them and the trigger speeds and sensing goes right back to normal.

    Yeah, this is good advice.  I used to have problems with cams in the cold and also with my GPS.  I switched to the lithium batteries and it is much, much better.  

  11. 2 hours ago, chrisw said:

    It's not something you need but it's the best at what it does. Fighting fish on a pin is really fun. We find ourselves using them during the summer sometimes too for smallies, pike etc... Anywhere you have current they are king but can be used anytime you are fishing a float too. Catfish are really fun on the pin, as well as carp. My suggestion is if you buy one go with a less expensive model to start, like an Okuma Raw or Aventa model. Throw the reel on a shorter rod for spring stream trout, throw a crawfish on it and float for bass and sheepshead. It can essentially be used for any float situation, just depends if you're looking to add excitement to sometimes mundane fishing. Good news is you'll have no trouble selling it if you decide it's not for you.

    Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
     

    Thanks Chris.  I think I am going to buy one and give it a try.  I keep a list of gear to purchase when I have the cash so I don't go bankrupt buying it all at once.  I keep a separate account for this (I have a wife and kids so I am restricted).  I would like to get a longer rod of about 11.5'.  I was going to put a spinning reel on it but I found a reel called a Raven Helix that sells for $200.  It looks like it will do the job.  I think I am going to order one before I go to the river.  

    Buying gear could be it's own discussion.  I think I am crazy but then I talk to other people who are just as bad and I feel better.  I need to get waders too but for the Oswego, it looks like I can do without them.  Between gear for fly fishing, ice fishing, salt water, spinning, mountain biking, hunting, food plotting, camping, etc., etc., I think I am headed to the poor house.  

    • Like 1
  12. On 1/13/2021 at 7:34 AM, chrisw said:

    If you're looking to catch fish from shore (no waders) then I'd recommend Oswego hands down. They have a walkway along the entire west side of the river and some on the east side. Certain areas you will need a long net, other areas you can walk fish down to a landing spot. The fish numbers per sq ft are much much greater in Oswego than the SR. But if solitude and exploration are your thing then Oswego isn't it, the SR is. Oswego has a mix of steelies and browns right now with a fair amount of walleyes kicking around. Walleyes are behind the hotels on the east side walkway (you'll definitely need a long net) and there are decent numbers behind the powerhouse on the west side right now. Egg patterns are always a decent choice but this time of year the marabou jig bite really turns on as most of the eggs are gone. Float fishing jigs is hands down the best method and you'll get walleyes, browns and steelhead on them. White jigs are the best performers in 1/8oz and 1/16oz. If you're looking to cast for browns the end of the walkway on the west side nearest the harbor is a great choice and generally there are a good number of browns down there. Use pretty much any stickbait, spoon, crankbait, rip n rap or continue floating marabou jigs. My favorites are the Berkeley flicker shad in silver/blue but color isn't a huge deal a lot of the time. There are fish generally everywhere in Oswego, it's getting a presentation in front of them that's key. I'll often throw 4 different rod setups in the truck and bounce around to different areas of need be. You'll be somewhat limited on spots without a long handled net though. I use a 10' net and it's ideal. As far as eating the fish goes, I don't really like trout so I release all of my fish but if you like it then they're good to eat. Good luck! If you have any more questions feel free to ask. Be careful, it's addicting!! My last rod/reel combo was $650 dedicated strictly to float fishing, and I have several now if that tells you anything!

    Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
     

    I spent a couple hours last night reading about float fishing with a centerpin set up.  It looks cool.  Now I want to buy one and try it.  Does the float fishing work for species besides salmon and steelhead?  It reminds me of fly fishing nymphs with a strike indicator.  I don't know if mending line with a spinning reel would be good enough or if the centerpin is something I need.  I hate to blow my all my money on gear.  It has definitely piqued my interest.  I just don't want to buy one for 1 trip if I can't use it closer to home.

  13. 15 hours ago, mlammerhirt said:

    I have a 35.00 tree umbrella vs. 700 KUIU. Or I hit up an enclosed blind or shack. Just busting balls...lol.

    On a side note I am a huge fan of SKRE.....great stuff, awesome customer service, and reasonably priced.

    Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk
     

    Haha, I hear you.  That's the issue though.  If you are hunting a nearby stand or blind, you don't need high priced stuff.  I wear Cabela's MT050 for that type of hunting and really like it.  

    I don't know anything about SKRE.  I'm going to check it out.  

    • Like 1
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