First-light

Funny you said that. I had my guys with me when I checked that trap. They went nuts on the set. My older one with a really good nose started to track into the heavy brush. We went 75 yards but I called them off. I went back and spent an hour or two looking aound but didn't find anything. I will keep that in mind next time. Thanks.

I kind of thought that but didn't want to say it. Thank you that lifts me up a bit. Still at it and really loving being in the woods again. Right now my neighbor and I have trapped 1 skunk and 3 possums. All his, I'm still a virgin and need to pop my trap!

You touched upon an important aspect of my hunting as it has evolved. First those big bucks I targeted were never on camera I saw them in the woods. Second driving 6 hrs limits hunting time. I probably would of shot a very respectable buck and NOT have gone after those two bucks. Like I said being in the woods 95% of the time opens your eyes to some really special animals. I'm very lucky where I hunt and always seem to run into a giant every season. If I caught wind of one of them early in the season, while still traveling to hunt, I would target that buck. But knowing I'll run out of time a decent buck would hit the ground last weekend. We shot 3 real nice ones this year. I remember Steve saying thats pretty amazing most folks don't have that opportunity. I was at the Taxi the other day he asked why I didn't bring in any deer to mount. I'm 60 have some real nice ones on the wall. I told him next buck I bring in will have to score over 140-150. He was actually working on a 157 shot right down the road from me. I saw it alive. That's what it has to be. Now I will never ever belittle a hunter over the animal they shoot. Your tag your choice but I have manage to see how QDM in the right area will increase your chances at a really nice buck if that is what you choose to hunt. The girls and guys that hunt my property also have seen that. I ask everyone before opening day to try to better their biggest buck and not to shoot yearlings. Shit happens I don't get upset, I just want them to have a great experience. I can remember one of the guys could only make opening week. Loves venison so I told him you can do whatever you want. I wouldn't be a dick about it. He took a spike and a yearling Doe. He had a smile on his face when he left and I felt good also. So after a long story I'll make it short. I probably would shoot a smaller buck if my time was limited being 6 hrs away. When I say smaller buck I mean a real big 6 or handsome 8 or 10!

Unfortunately I lost a coyote. I'm learning and made a big mistake. I attached the trap to a blow down. The wire I used was not strong enough to hold this animal. He destroyed the set and took off with the trap. Lesson learned I feel really bad about it. Tracks were everywhere around the set. Fixed all the other traps.

Happy Birthday!

Two years ago I spent a ton of time in the woods. Had two target bucks that I didn't waiver on. I actually got a shot but missed. I let so many bucks walk by it was nuts. I would send videos to the guys showing them. I was told I was crazy! I learned a lot that year. I enjoyed the challenge and the time in the woods. Its different for everyone. Doing this kept me in the woods a long time. If I settled on a smaller buck that time probably would of been a lot less. Am I a better hunter for it, I think so in my mind. Again everyone has a mission and they set their own goals.

My truck 2021 is 10 speed.

I'm a Chevy owner. Have a 2007 Tahoe tranny has 330 k on it all fine. My latest is a 2021 1500 with 40k on it. It surely does some things when shifting into and out of 4wd but other than that ok for now.

When I had ducks we would eat the eggs. Big and thick! Sure the cholesterol was triple than a chicken egg! lol

It burns in my soul to be out in the woods pursuing some time of game. I step into their world but it is my world also. We live long enough to learn, adapt and fulfill our ambitions. We also need to nurture that world som others can enjoy it. Do your part!

River Otter?

Kids are busy these days. My daughter loved to hunt but trying to find time between sports, her education and other things it just didn't come in first. We just have to keep on trying. The sad part is we, our generation are seeing the strangle hold politics are putting on the costs of owning a gun. It will only get worse for them and further generations. That is where the interest will die out.

Yes pretty popular among the sportsman but most people on LI are not informed enough or are anti hunting. I never had a problem out there and it was a great time.

No plenty of places to hunt in Suffolk county. Some state parks. All regulated by the DEC check in and out. Especially at gun season. Sounds like a hassle but it isn't.

I subscribed to Outdoor life and watched American Sportsman with Curt Gowdy. I still have some of those issues! My brother and his friend small game hunted and would take me along. I would retrieve the game like a bird dog!!!! lol There were these small adds in the back of the magazine to become a forest ranger, "sleep under the stars and catch your breakfast from a cold stream" that's what I wanted to do at the age of 12!

Used to love doing some hunts on LI. We would get two spots joined together and with 4 guys push all day long. See so many deer. It's a lot of fun but tough shooting in the underbrush! Good luck!

Had snow day today so I finished the room! Still have to buy window treatments but here it is.

I went to pick up a hide for my buddy. My Taxi had a 157 shot in Avoca there. Man they are monsters when they get that big, just have it all!

Well I agree on the varnish thing. 15 years ago I didn't know oil base yellows wood. Then again did they have water base varnish then? I'm sticking to my guns! I love the comments all of them and appreciate it!

Main residence. Aways loved the natural wood but needed a change.

Got cabin fever. I love my place and is 100% pine shiplap. After living here a year and a half I need a change. I thought about it for a while and got a lot of ideas from friends. Well I'm painting the walls and moldings. I know I can never go back! Ceilings and a few accent walls will stay natural. Walls are white washed molding black. I'm totally fine with you being honest. I'm in the middle of doing the Den. Window treatements will be wood blinds, not sure on color. Here are a few work in progress pictures.

Like FS said it only takes a few times to see or harvest a real nice buck and you are hooked. I send video and pictures to the guys cause I'm up here full time. Passing nice 8 pts and such cause I know that big dude or two are out there. Like Doc I'm first to congratulate a guy killing a small buck because it is their tag and trophy. As for kids they should shoot what ever they want. nothing like seeing them harvest their first deer.

It took my guys a couple of years to understand the process. First coming up they would shoot small bucks. I always pushed the point to better yourself from the year before. Go bigger and you will see the difference. Now they are holding off and looking for 2.5 year olds and better. Shoot a Doe for meat. I like where we are at in my neck of the woods. QDM is working. We have one group that comes up from Maryland and hunts the first 5 days and leaves. They will shoot small ones but really don't put a hurt on things.

Awesome buck!

I'm going to relocate the sets. In my travels I have seen 1 set of fox , squirrel and a bunch of rabbit tracks. Doc I think you are right about the clod weather. They are not moving.