Clamp

Ok, So I am hearing talk from people that wild boars are starting to show up in NY. I have heard from a buddy that he has a friend that shoots a pig every year in the Amboy area. Since it is third had info, i don't give it much credibility. So, I called the DECs Cortland office, and was told that the DEC cannot talk about wild boars in NY because the USDA is "handling the project"... So I called the USDA and they confirmed that there are small populations of wild boar in the Cortland area, but could not give me any more info than that. Also, the USDA told me that they are not discouraging hunting of the pigs, but generally they believe that they are much better at controlling the population than the sportsman community. I took from that a conclusion of, due to the fact that they wont tell me anything, they are discouraging hunting of the pigs. I would like to start a discussion on this topic on this board to try to figure out where these invasive animals are, and how some of us can help in the effort to slim the population, and fill our freezers at the same time. Thoughts?

I grew up in western Mass. I live in baldwinsville NY I hunt in both Mass and all over NY I go after anything and everything that can be shot at, and I shoot skeet and sporting clays weekly.

I hunted hard this spring in both NY and Mass (I maintain licenses in each state every year).. I had no luck in NY, there were plenty of gobblers, but we couldnt get in range.. on opening day the toms were coming right in (two of them), but a racoon crossed in between us and the birds, and the birds spooked off. I did have good luck in Mass.. the second day of the season I nailed a nice 22 lb bird with a 9 inch beard, but he wouldnt come to me. I had to stalk him. He made his way to the top of a plateu surrounded by a very steep incline. I had to make my way up it, clucking and scratching in the leaves. he was funny he gobbled at every sound I made. And when I reached the top, i just took the safety off and walked over the ridge, and there he was in full display, and he ran and I whacked him at about 40 feet, with an extra full choke pushing copper plated #4s. He died.

I just got back from a little woodchuck hunting in plainville... Saw one sunning himself on a long branch, but it was a dangerous shot, so I didnt take him. Using my .218 bee, a great little caliber. any tips on where to look for more in the baldwinsville area?

I am doing my part. Goose hunting is a ton of fun. And the meat is great too. It is generally a tradition at my house to take and pluck a nice young goose and save it for our christmas dinner.

I hunt squirrels every year.. i love them. They are easy to hunt, and great to eat. People turn thier noses up at squirrels, but the meat is great when prepared correctly. I par boil the hind quarters and back straps. This is a process that can take a few hour, but it makes the difference. Once the meat starts to fall off the bone, then debone it all and start your marinaide. From there it can be pan fried, baked, ground into burger, or anything else you want to do. Squirrel meat is wonderful.. I am going to try to can some this fall and preserve it through the winter!

I go after grouse and woodcock every season. Last year we had 10 flushes on opening day, and the year before 22 flushes on openeing day. I go after woodcock too. They are some of the most fun to hunt, but you have to shoot about 20 of them for a meal. If I had to rate what is my favorite hunt (and I hunt everything).. Grouse is the best!