13BVET

I'm sorry for the delayed response, Steve. Yes-definitely by Camp Alamar. They come over the hill from White Pond Road quite a bit.

Definitely 25 yards max with 3" shells. Fun as hell, though. I freely admit, that it's definitely not easy.

Hi, Steve. I actually use strictly small bore shotguns for turkey, and take at least one every year. I just have this crazy "love the close up" mentality. Of course, with the .410, you have to get extremely close, but it can be done.

I just couldn't help but wonder, if anyone else on here enjoys the challenge of taking turkeys with small bores? I took a turkey last week, using the .410. I've actually taken quite a few, using the .410, and a 28 gauge I used to have. Has anyone else tried this?

I was deployed down there with the 1/156FA, along with elements of the 42d ID, and 101 CAV. Outside of that, I prefer not to talk about my experience. Forgive me for that, guys-just can't help it.

Personally, I'm getting sick of this damned rain. It's just completely out of control, in my opinion. Thankfully, though, at least it's not snow-we'd be buried right now!

I have to agree with this. The deer will literally just stand there and look at you, and not seem uncomfortable at all. I know that it has worked great for me.

Bubba, I've been hunting for 31 years now, so I have been down that road, so I understand what you're saying. However, we have a different type of population, as compared to years ago. Most of the people living in these mcmansions are from the city, or Westchester, and certainly don't support hunting to begin with. There's where the problem lies. Anymore, in this area, it's not unusual for people to scream "murderer", "bambi killer", or some other asinine comment, at someone, as their going hunting. Simply put, even with the 500' rule, nothing's guaranteed.

The problem, is that, if you live in places like the lower southern tier, it is virtually impossible to get 500' from houses. Westchester, Southern Dutchess, and other over developed areas, are creating a problem for the DEC, I would imagine. There's no question in my mind, that Southern Dutchess will be bow only in the future. It simply cannot accommodate a gun season down the road, with the way the development has been going. Westchester is a prime example. If the 500' rule was actually viable, then there would still be a gun season there. The problem, is that the 500' rule, in places like Westchester, for example, has had a negative effect on controlling the deer herd. We don't have large expanses of woods down here anymore. It's pretty much "hole in the wall'-"hunting." The 500' rule, in places like down here, and perhaps Niagara County, as Landtrac pointed out, does more harm than good. A prime example, is behind where I live. There are 4 acres back here. I measured out 500' from 2 houses. The third house, however, only measured out to 450', effectively making it illegal for me to hunt with the bow. Even if it was downgraded to 150', I still wouldn't hunt that close to a house. However, that downgrade would make it perfectly legal to hunt at that 450' point, plenty far enough away. I hope that makes sense.

A true point, indeed. I consistently see coyotes at the NYCDEP property on Rt. 52 (where the pond is). Rest assured, there is no shortage of coyotes on that property. I always see them coming over the hill. Definitely a good spot for 'yotes.

Wow. Where in the hell do these idiots get the idea that a bow can shoot 1000'??? If anything, I personally think the distance should be shortened for the bow. 500' in itself, is a long way for a bow!

The shame of it, is, that a 1000' rule would effectively end hunting in much of the south eastern zone. Or, maybe that's their game plan to begin with.

Very true. I guess my point was that the gun shops want $100 & up for a used one. That's where it throws me for a loop. I don't have alot of money, so I was hoping to get one used below new prices. I notice that Rossi has one with a 28" barrel brand new, for $99.99 at Gander Mountain. I had single shots years ago, and did just fine with them.

I can't understand it. After being unemployed for a while, I've lost my truck, had to sell my guns, and bows. I've been searching, trying to at least find a 20 gauge used single shot shotgun, that's fairly reasonable. The gun shops want as much as a new one. I remember when you could pick up a used single shot really cheap. What happened???

I would love to, as I miss it, but we don't have any grouse down here anymore. I can honestly say that I haven't seen one in about 12 years now. Do miss hunting them-that was definitely my passion.

Yeah, we're supposed to get hit in Dutchess also, although I would imagine not as bad. Good luck guys!

Just kidding on that last response. You can actually time turkey's in the fall. They tend to follow the same routines over and over.

I would assume that would be illegal, since it's baiting, and feeding.

Agreed, Doc.

Uh, who is "we all"? I practice my own guidelines too, but, I don't feel it's right to push those off on someone who sees it in a different light. After all, if I jump off a bridge, should everyone follow suit? This had nothing to do with DEC, as per New Paltz. This was nothing more than politics. Now, if DEC implemented AR's, I wouldn't like it, but I also wouldn't be so adamant about it either. When it comes to politically bs, that's where I have a problem. Apparently, this little group-Five County something or other, went over the DEC's heads on this issue-right to the political pukes. It's also interesting to note, according to the DEC in New Paltz, that future AR decisions (and maybe decisions in general), are effectively out of their hands, due to this fiasco. It is obviously far more involved than what has been put out there. Also, from what I heard, half of 3A is Ar's-not all of 3A. By the way, what poll was taken? According to the DEC, it doesn't have funding for localized polling like that. Something's not to kosher here................

Actually, I agree with you 100%. It certainly does seem that the one hand doesn't know what the other hand is doing for some reason.

I have to admit, this is an interesting discussion, but it's certainly not to insult, or create problems. Just an opposing point of view. Incidentally, I talked to the DEC in New Paltz today, probably for a good hour, at least. While most of the conversation did pertain to other issues concerning hunting, I did happen to ask about this law. According to the DEC, allowing food plots, is based on the premise that these food plots were being used for agricultural purposes. He, himself, said that technically, planting a food plot for deer, could be considered baiting, and feeding. That's my point-it can be confusing. Hell, if I owned property, I'd probably plant one too!

It may be slightly different, but not impossible-that's the whole point. Again, I have no issue with food plots, but, let's face it-food plots are for one thing only-to lure deer into that area. i.e. baiting.

Actually, the law makes no sense. If you look up the definition of baiting, it clearly states to "Entice and Lure", which food plots most certainly do. Now, I have nothing against food plots, and I certainly don't bait. The law states "It's illegal to feed wild deer." Don't food plots feed wild deer? Realistically, if you want to get technical, most of us bait in unintentional ways. Where do we tend to hunt? Over food sources, knowing full well that the deer will be lured there. We use these natural sources to lure deer to the area. If someone gathers a bunch of acorns in the woods, and puts them in the area of their stand, is that baiting? It's kind of an oxymoron, if you think about it. Seriously, what is the difference between a guy throwing a bag of corn, and a guy planting acres of corn to draw in the deer? Seeds? So what? That bag of corn started out as seeds once, too. I've never understood the logic of this law. Apparently, this law was based on the CWD scare. The problem, of course, is that CWD can be spread just as easily in a food plot. If two deer eat off the same shoot, or apple, or ear of corn, aren't the odds, especially if one deer is infected, the same that the other deer will get infected? Again, it baffles the mind. If they don't want feeding of the deer, then it should have been clear across the board, in my opinion. Again, that's just my opinion.

True, but, 50% also believe that they should have the freedom to take the antlered deer of their choice, according to this same survey. It would seem to me, that while they may support antler restrictions, by the same token, they feel they should not be told what deer to harvest.