airedale

My wife is from Redfield and I have been up there many times, the winters are brutal and the snow gets deep and there is no way in Hell I would ever live there. Now that being said as a recreational area especially for snowmobiling it would be tough to beat. Personally I have never deer hunted in that country but the deer hunting is not bad, the good hunters always seem to fill their tags up there. The small game hunting is real good until the deep snows arrive and if you have a good Beagle the Hare hunting is good all winter long just get yourself a good pair of snow shoes. The fishing is great, summer,fall and spring, the Salmon river is virtually in your backyard known by all for it's steelhead and salmon and the reservoir has real good bass fishing. Al

Now, NSSF has obtained the HSUS playbook to ban hunting with traditional ammunition across the country. AB711 was the first key step in HSUS’s campaign to effectively ban all hunting through pursuing a ban on traditional ammunition. The playbook says, “We have intentionally chosen to concentrate first on banning the use of all lead ammunition for hunting in California and pursuing a ban on federal lands owned by the Department of Interior in order to build momentum for the campaign and to spur change within the various ammunition manufacturers and state wildlife agencies.” In its playbook, HSUS also reveals a tactic that should alarm every hunter who has viewed state and federal fish and game agencies as supportive of hunting. Despite the fact that hunter license fees and excise taxes provide the vast majority of funding for these agencies, HSUS brags about infiltrating these agencies and expresses confidence in shaping their policies when it comes to use of traditional ammunition: The HSUS has close working relationships with state wildlife agencies all across the country. Our wildlife department staff and state directors regularly attend state wildlife agency meetings where they have presented to top level agency officials and developed close working relationships with wildlife law enforcement officers in the majority of states. Our state directors attend department and commission meetings and have developed long-lasting relationships. We are regularly contacted to participate in stakeholder meetings and asked about The HSUS position on pending proposals. In fact, many of our staff serves on state wildlife agency appointed boards and commissions. These existing relationships will go a long way in our campaign to end the use of lead ammunition. We will be filing a petition to ban the use of lead ammunition for hunting purposes on federal lands owned by the Department of Interior (DOI)—which comprises about one-fifth of the total land area of the United States. We are in a better position than other groups to spearhead this effort given our strong federal congressional and agency relationships, as well as our years of experience working through these types of reforms. We are currently in discussions with the DOI on furthering this goal, and we have great confidence—given our mainstream approach and our knack for strategy—that we will be able to achieve all or part of this goal. The group claims they are “ushering in a new era of humane management” that will only work to outlaw lead ammunition, not ban hunting. However, in an interview posted this month an HSUS spokeswoman revealed their true agenda: “We are the Humane Society of the United States, so we do not support hunting.” HSUS can’t camouflage its true motive for its Lead-Free campaign. They see it as a means to ultimately bring an end to the hunting tradition. NSSF will remain vigilant in the states and in Washington, DC to expose HSUS as the anti-hunting, radical animal rights organization it is and to fight against traditional ammunition bans and protect America’s hunting tradition. And hunters should remain vigilant to any indication that the fish and game agencies that are funded by hunter dollars have begun taking their orders from the same group that wants to put them out of business entirely.

I own and have read four books authored by Sportsman Teddy Roosevelt on hunting one of his favorite things to do. African Game Trails, Hunting Trips Of A Ranchman, The Wilderness Hunter, Hunting Trips On The Prairie And In The Mountains. My come away from reading those books on what President Roosevelt's response to any kind of a traditional ammo ban period, he sure as hell would have been "Rolling In His Grave" As for it's quick repeal, a big fist pump and a loud "BULLY"!!

He is pretty much in the same mold just has been a little more sneaky about it. Al

Just published this old hunting tale to my board and blog and thought some here may enjoy it. Al A condensed short story from Frank C Hibbon's Book "Hunting American Bears Rod Vance, Cass Goodner and I had been hunting bears the past two days. We had ridden hard the past two days, it is true the country behind the San Ysidro was rough in the extreme. The cliffs and canyons of that part of the mountains dissected and crisscrossed by fault lines that produced a disordered maze of ledges and protruding rocks. Douglas fir and pine protruded from the rough rocks along with pinyon and juniper. Into the rugged breaks and canyons of the San Ysidro the bear came in usually in the fall by the dozens. Of course it often seemed to us that these hardy animals by nature sought the roughest and rockiest terrain they could find. Cass had said on more than one occasion "it all looks level to a bear. On the lower reaches of Semilla Canyon this red rock gorge has some percolating water coming to the surface. Around these spots flourished groves of oak trees with graceful hanging clusters of delicious acorns. Long ago the Spanish rode their horses beneath these same oak trees and called the spot the Bellote or place of acorns. The bears of Jemez country well knew of the Bellotte and it's acorns and this is the stuff black bears used to lay on the winter fat when the time of hibernation was close at hand. On former occasions the bellote groves had been a sure place to circle for a bear track. We had ridden perhaps a half mile and entered the first of the oak trees. With a sudden flapping of wings a hundred band tailed pigeons swept out of the trees, they had been gorging themselves on the acorns. The three of us had grown silent after a half an hour riding, I swung low again to scrape my sombrero and shoulders beneath a low hanging limb weighted by last winter's snow, someone behind me said good god it's the dogs. I suddenly became aware that our hounds had gone crazy. Every dog we had was barking at the top of their lungs. It seemed like the pack was baying us which was preposterous for a well trained pack of hounds such as these. Even our horses were ill at ease in this strange melee. All of a sudden as they had begun the dogs were still. Every single hound stood near the head of my horse with ears elevated to the alert and nose pointing into the wind.Then we heard it too, it was a crash in the oaks off to one side of the trail, the swish of a heavy body of of young trees. The dogs all looked toward the sound and broke out anew, they were off like Beagles with a rabbit in sight. We knew it was no rabbit that made those crashing sounds. We spurred our mounts and hacked through the oaks in a reckless gallop and crashed on following the noise and confusion ahead. The dogs were growling and baying and some of their voices sounded muffled as though they barked with their mouths full of meat. My horse saw it first, as we cleared the last oaks this docile animal shied skittishly and I was thrown and dropped to the very edge of the wash. My mouth and hands full of gravel as I got up to look for my horse. Instead all I saw was the head and forequarters of a gigantic bear My horse with my rifle in the saddle boot had galloped off down the wash. At first all I could see was the bear's head and neck since his lower portions were obscured by the advancing and retreating hounds in front of him. Then all at once the beleaguered animal rose on his hind legs to fight off the dogs from that height. I was on my knees trying to remove my chaps and stared into the open mouthed towering bear beyond, it was a giant bear. Standing spraddle legged on his hind legs the furious animal plied his paws from both sides. The curved claws stuck out beyond his toes and looked as long as tines on a pitchfork. Time and time again the bear fell forward as some dog came close trying to gather an audacious hound between those frightful jaws. The light footed hounds would bounce warily out of his reach, he ground his teeth together and saliva flew in bloody strings from his mouth as he slung his head side to side to meet any onslaught. Cass was yelling over the turmoil "save the dogs" although I could not see how at the moment what we could do about it. Rod Vance came in from the side with his rifle in hand. I saw him raise the weapon once then lower it reluctantly as the dogs surged about their antagonist in a melee of moving tails and teeth. The bear in the middle of that hound pack suddenly bellowed like a bull and charged the dogs and ourselves as well. It was plain to see the bear was far to heavy to climb a tree even if there was a sizable one at hand. So ponderous was this huge animal that he could not even run for it to find refuge in the cliffs and ledges so close to us. None of us could keep our eyes from the flashing teeth and swinging claws, it was a battle to the death that we were witnessing and the only question was how many deaths there would be. Cass was screaming above the turmoil "quick shoot close in" To add emphasis he grabbed Vance's arm and jerked him toward the bear. Then I saw it! It was Poncho the Airedale, This remarkable dog was supposed to be a house pet but he had been on so many hunts with Cass that he undoubtedly considered himself to be the mainstay of the bear pack. Pancho was a peculiar duality he could be as gentle as a newborn kitten or a raging demon of flashing white teeth and hideous growls. It was Poncho with his Airedale temper that precipitated the end. The Airedale somehow worked his way behind the bear and in one sudden leap jumped clear onto the bear's back and seized the animal by the side of his face. In the swirl and surge of the fighting Pancho was an added lump of furiously clawing fur and feet on the very top of the bear's head. The astounded bear ducked as though a bee had stung him unexpectedly in an unprotected place. He raised both paws to his face and brushed furiously at the dog on his head. it would have been funny had we not known that Pancho's death was only inches away. For a second the audacious dog clung to one bear ear chewing that unprotected organ unmercifully and clawing the bear's face. Then one huge paw swung from behind. The hooked claws in unison caught behind Pancho's shoulders and swept him forward as inevitably as doom itself. For an awful second the bear held the Airedale between his paws like a squirrel about to crack a nut, then the huge head bent forward and those frightful jaws opened like the white rimmed mouth of hell. There was a sickening crunching of fiber and flesh and Pancho dropped limply and fell at the bear's feet. At the same instant a deafening blast of noise blotted out all other sounds. Rod Vance was among the dogs with a smoking rifle in his hand. Quickly he levered another shell and fired point blank into the bear's neck. A streak of fur flew out behind as the bullet carried through. The bear looked up surprised at this interruption. His little bear eyes seemed to focus for the first time at the forms of men. The eyes seemed suddenly darker as e stood there with his paws hanging useless in mid air. They then misted over like a hazy cloud drifting before the sun. The great body stood a moment more among the dogs reluctant to give way. Then without a sound the huge animal slumped forward and sagged into a heap of formless fur on the ground. Everyone seemed stunned by the abruptness of the end. Only Cass leaped forward to seize one of the gigantic paws and roll the carcass away from the Airedale. Pancho lay as lifeless as the bear and we carried him gently out and laid him on the oak leaves. Cass put his hand behind the foreleg of this fearless Airedale and we held our breath. Cass nodded slowly, Pancho's heart was still beating. In a few moments the jaws of the Airedale trembled a little and his red tongue out over his bruised lips. his eyes flickered open and he seemed to recognize friends, he licked our hands as we held him. Today Pancho has a patch of light colored skin on the side of his head where the teeth of the big bear had torn the flesh away from his skull. This Airedale is one of those few pioneer spirits to be scalped and yet live to tell about it.

It has nothing to do with age it is about the truth This lead ammo ban is back door gun control, nobody is getting sick from eating animals taken with traditional lead core ammo nor is there any wildlife die off taking place from traditional ammo. Waterfowl are already protected by use of non toxic shot. This subject has already been debated extensively twice and beat to death. Anyone interested in the effects and use of traditional ammunition should read both previous threads in the link below from start to finish if they want the truth. Al

Make the video full screen and stop the action and you will see plainly it is a coyote. Al

What you were looking at was a pair of Coyotes came in to the hunter, he knocked one down but it did not die instantly and was probably yipping. The other Coyote was attacking the dying companion which is typical of canines when a injury occurs, domestic dogs will do the same thing. Al

If the Hounds can push them hard enough they get tired and they will make a stand and it takes a good dog to whip one. Usually they will get under dead fall so any dog going in will face a frontal assault

I am also a fan of the Black and Tan, I have had several I hunted Coon with and one of my best was a Black and Tan. Below is a photo about 30 years ago of Willie my last Black and Tan along with one of my Airedales and a couple of young English Coonhounds on a training session getting them fired up a Coon hide drag. Al

Seems like "CHOCK FULL OF NUTS" is stepping up into the Redneck's role, another fake hunter-sportsman-shooter, his only purpose on Hunting NY board is pot stirring & trolling, I guess that may classify him as a fisherman. Al

Hogzilla

HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!!

And they are not the ones we see flapping their gums on award shows.

The goal may be to kill something but I do not have to kill, there are many days when I do not kill especially when Deer hunting, I give a lot of free passes these days in my old age but I still enjoy my time in the field, the chase, matching of wits, watching a good hunting dog perform and do what it was bred to do, I still will enjoy the sport of hunting game taken or not. As Fred Bear said, "It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person.”

I could not be paid to watch, I never watch any award shows especially those of the so called entertainment world, nothing but horse shit and spoiled pompous asses full of themselves, most that whom do not have a clue how regular people in the world actually live their lives. Al

About Hunting, Opinions from the past “I do not hunt for the joy of killing but for the joy of living, and the inexpressible pleasure of mingling my life however briefly, with that of a wild creature that I respect, admire and value.” John Madson ================================================ “Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the forest and fields in which you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person.” Fred Bear ========================================= “It has always seemed to me that any man is a better man for being a hunter. This sport confers a certain constant alertness, and develops a certain ruggedness of character….Moreover, it allies us to the pioneer past. In a deep sense, this great land of ours was won for us by hunters.” Archibald Rutledge ============================================== “If some animals are good at hunting and others are suitable for hunting, then the gods must clearly smile on hunting.” Aristotle ======================================== “In a civilized and cultivated country wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen. the excellent people who protest against all hunting, and consider sportsmen as enemies of wild life, are ignorant of the fact that in reality the genuine sportsman is by all odds the most important factor in keeping the larger and more valuable wild creatures from total extermination.” Teddy Roosevelt =============================================== “The real archer when he goes afield enters a land of subtle delight. The dew glistens on the leaves, the thrush sings in the bush, the soft wind blows, and all nature welcomes him as she has the hunter since the world began. With the bow in his hand, his arrows softly rustling in the quiver, a horn at his back, and a hound at his heels, what more can a man want in life?” Saxton Pope ==================================================

So Gymnastics, Fencing, Track and Field, Boxing, Swimming-Diving, Wrestling, Weight Lifting, Archery, Trap and Skeet, Target shooting Rifle-Pistol, Skiing, Skating, Bobsleding, Luge, Mixed Martial Arts, Motor Sports Racing are not and should not be considered a sport by definition because of no "Ball" being involved?? As long as I can remember and in all the both old and newer literature written about this subject, Hunting, Fishing and Trapping have always been considered outdoor sports and the folks that participate in them labeled as "Sportsmen" . No need for any PC changes as far as I am concerned I will stick with and defend Hunting and the other outdoor sports as actually being a sport by definition balls or no balls. Al

I have been around long enough to have actually shot those old Winchester gallery guns at an actually shooting gallery. Sylvan Beach amusement park had a gallery many years ago. I believe they used model 90s 06s and 62s. I do not believe there is a more fun plinking rifle than those old exposed hammer Winchester pumps. Around 10 0r 12 years ago Taurus made a modern copy of the 62 in stainless steel and I picked one up, Rossi also makes a modern copy. I use my Taurus all the time. Congratulations on receiving your granddad's heirloom rifle, take it out and shoot it and have fun with it. Al My Taurus 62 reproduction on the right

The wife purchased a small battery operated refrigerator Ozone deodorizer to replace the Arm & Hammer box of baking soda. it was not expensive at around 25.00. Anyhow I remember last fall it was mentioned that there were dedicated gear bags that used ozone generators to deodorize hunting clothes and hunting gear. I believe for those who may be looking into that sort of thing a reasonably priced setup could be made with one of these refrigerator models and a cheap Walmart large plastic tote with a good fitting cover. There are all kinds of those refrigerator ozone deodorizers for sale on Amazon and none are very expensive. Al

It is a tough call, you really have to ask yourself how much use will you actually get out of that kind of big investment. There is no doubt that a lot of hard work can be accomplished with one as I have owned several tractors in my life and they have been tremendously helpful for me getting work done on the small farm property that I own. I went whole hog a few years ago and purchased my dream tractor and it will be paid for in full in just a few more months and while the payments were long and high it is one of the few payments I have had that I did not mind because of all the hard work this tractor has done on a constant basis. Land clearing, pulling a dump wagon, maintaining my 3/4 mile of driveway, stump digging, wood cutting, log skidding, snow removal both plowing and blowing, and mowing both rough and finish. I will be in the woods this spring cutting and clearing trails. So for me the usefulness and work was there and I have to say that tractor was probably the best piece of equipment and investment I have ever made. By the way there can be a big savings on implements buying good used stuff. Al My New TYM Tractor right after it was delivered and still shiney like a new penny, TYM makes several Mahindra models.

No excuse for deliberately releasing dogs on property without getting permission that being said one has to remember and understand Coyotes and Dogs can not read posted signs. More often than not these chases can end up going many miles from where they start crossing many many property lines. I know if a chase does happen to go through my property bottom line the Coyotes and Dogs are just briefly streaking through causing little if any real problems. Actually I like listening to the Hounds and as long as gun safety is observed it does not bother me. Al

I use an old Midway Sportsman vise that I got years ago, it was manufactured by the same outfit that made your Gun Butler, Tipton. It is a bit different in look and design to yours but it does perform many of the same functions. I have got a ton of use out of mine for any kind of gun work where the gun has to be held securely. Anyone that works on their firearms will be well served by having one of these types of helpers, you made a good purchase and I am sure you will find that it will become very useful. Al

One night I was Coon hunting and my dog struck a track on the edge of a corn field and took the track into a large woods. She took the track in so deep that I could no longer hear her. Not worried because I used radio tracking collars and standing under a huge oak tree on the edge of a large swamp I took the receiver and directional antenna out of the game bag of the coat I was wearing and and with my compass got a good strong signal due straight north. So I put everything back into my game bad and with compass in hand went directly north and after going a half mile or so I could hear my dog treeing off in the distance. So I get to the dog, spot the coon and shoot it out of the tree and was going to put it in the game bag on my coat but first was going to remove my telemetry receiver and now find that it is not in the game bag, it must of fell out somewhere on that last 3/4 of a mile jaunt through the swamp to the treed Coon. That receiver cost me about $600 and that was 30 years ago, a lot of money for me and I was sick about losing it. So I was pretty whipped by that time and decided to go home and rest up then come back the next day and see if by chance I could maybe find the receiver. This was not going to be easy because everything looks a whole lot different in the daylight. First thing in the morning I was back to those woods with a plan of trying to retrace my steps to where that coon treed. First thing was to go to the edge of the big swamp and then find that big oak that I stood under when I took the directional reading. So I find the swamp first and then find the big oak where I got my directional reading and with my compass in hand I start walking straight north slowly and scanning every square inch of ground. I was going through a lot of water and thinking to myself even if I do find the receiver it will probably be under water and ruined. Just as I come to the other side of the swamp only a hundred yards or so from where the Coon had treed there sits the receiver high and dry on a hummock clump of grass surrounded by water, I got to say somebody up there liked me on that day as I was lucky as heck to say the least. Al

Fishers do kill and eat Porcupines, as a long time hunter that uses dogs I have had more incidents with Porkys than I care to remember and several like the poor dog below. Keeping Porcupine numbers in check makes the Fisher a friend to me and my hunting dogs, I would like to see more of them.