accman

nice stands. The wood pile is awesome. Looks like you can fit 4 guys in there.

I hear ya, but let me put it this way. Pros: Winds coming 10 to 12 from behind you, close the window. I can see fine through the window and it opens easily and quietly. I have heat in the stand, an old sterno porcelain heater. Everybody else has the butane stoves. Comes in handy on those mornings in the teenszzzzzz. When it's snowing out, or raining like hell, glad I'm inside. I can move around a lot more than a ladder stand, and still be hidden from view. I had the most fun building it with my son, taking it apart, and bringing it up to the site. It's pressure treated, but will still have some maintenance each year. Cons: Stuck in one place. Ain't movin that around like a ladder stand. Costs a lot. About $250 with all the wood, plexiglass, and trimmin. Yeah, it's fun to build, but make 3 or 4 trips up the mountain with all that crapola, kinda puts a damper on it. I took down the old one, which stood for 45 years (mine blew over in 3 months and had to be put back up, a-whole), busted it up, but the guys here leave it up there & let them decay. I grabbed all the big pieces and windows and brought them back. They say it'll decay after a couple of years (yeah, 20 or 30).

My son & I built ours this past summer. 4 x 4 x 8. Just big enough to be comfortable enough and really not have to move around a lot. Here are some pictures. The windows are plexiglass and I attached a 1 x 2 piece of wood to it and hinges, and your good to go.

Where I bowhunt, my tent has been pummeled by trees many times. I thank god I wasn't in it, and I look around to place it in a "secure" spot, but there's no assurances when it comes to wind. Even when I hunted in my ladder stand, the pine tree I was in would move ever so slightly most of the time, but every now and then, a heavy gust would come through, sway back and forth, and I'd say to myself, "OKAY!! That's it for today!!!"

Belo, I'm sorry. Our club, now, says you hunt supervised till your 17 as a junior member. At 18, your on your own. I see your good to go at age 16 everywhere else. I just hope that all the youth who take up hunting have the same benefits of being supervised by the parents, guardians, or friends who can teach them the true value of the sport.

Your right. As long as he has permission and in this case he doesn't. I'm not saying anyone can't hunt on 1 acre with a Rifle, but it's a case where it's not the safest condition. This is how accidents happen. We read about them all the time. "How could that happen, No one would do that !!" Yet, it happens. I agree he has the right, but not the permission.

My club has been in existance since the 50's. My father became a member in 58 and I started in 68. I wish we had logs started in the beginning of the camp, just to see what the harvests were, number of guys, number of bucks and pts taken. Just seeing the names and reminiescing is what camps are all about. "Remember the time...." seems to be the order of every night stories in camp and keeps it's members alive, even when they've been long past. What's sad is seeing more and more of the area developing, and cutting in on the areas for deer to run, and where we once put on drives, are new beautiful homes. But, hey, we can still hunt, have plenty of acres, we know who's in the woods, and take hunting seriously and have fun at the same time. Congratulations on your milestone and here's to the next 300!!!

I bowhunt on small parcels of property, from 15 to 25 acres and even that I have to watch out for and I can't use a gun in Westchester, and on one piece in Orange, I just don't bother hunting there. I worry about wounding an animal and have it run on someone else's property, which is why I won't take a bad shot. But there is no way you can hunt with a gun on that small a piece of property and say it's safe. You have no clue where that bullet can go if you miss. If your discussing it with the guy, maybe comprimise with the times of hunting, dawn till 8:30 and 3:30 to dusk is possible. If he's that close, he could put out a flag or a sign that you can see that tells you he's in the woods. If it were me, I'd be dead set against any gun hunting, and would also think twice with a bow or crossbow. It's a tough decision, but talking it out, trying to stay away from heating each other up, and keeping level heads would be the best thing for you and your family. Having an angry neighbor, with a gun, not caring what you say or do, is not the way you want to go. Also, get a city map showing all the surrounding properties, their acreage, their border lines, and houses, and ask local authorities if you have cause for concern, and what steps could be taken. Your not sicking the cops on him, just showing concern for yours and your neighbors rights. Good luck.

It sounds like you have the place to yourself during bow season and enjoy the woods and the deer and hunt it your way. Once you have that many hunters around, It's hard to hunt it the same way, especially if you don't know the guys in the woods. I'd set up a secondary stand in the hardest to get to area, like the scrub oaks and apples where they're most likely to hide. If their putting on drives, this is the likeliest spot they'll run for. I'd also scout out the areas to see where the deer run when you have the place to yourself. Follow their trails then, set up your secondary stand, then afterwards stay out of there, so you can use it during rifle. Always leave an option, and if these guys drive, let them drive them TO you, not away from you. Good luck.

Look, who knows what was in the mind of the 22 yr old, but to just get em out to hunt was right, just went about it the wrong way. The problem is he didn't have them stay with him the first time. Fine him, explain the rules to him and the 15 yr olds, and slap them on the wrist. I'm sure we've all done some stupid things in our lifetime, but I'm not going to categorize this with poaching, baiting, or illegally taking deer. I feel 16 is alright to be by yourself. I didn't hunt with my dad at all till I was able to go out on my own. At 16, my first year in 68, I took the test, we bought a rifle, sighted it in, and he put me in the stand and said "If you get something, blow the whistle". Didn't get one opening day, but the second day, a buck chased a doe right down the hill and I shot em, a nice 5 pointer. We always hunted near each other, and we'd meet up and walk through areas or drive them to each other. That's where I learned how to walk through an area watching him. I walked all over those 600 acres and know them like the back of my hand. Back then, we didn't have walkie-talkies or phones. We'd let other guys know that we were gonna be walking after 9:00 and to watch out. I've been blessed to always hunt in a hunting club, so it's been easier for me than for most. The hunter safety course sets young hunters up to always think about what's going on in the woods. I've brought my son with me since he was 11 and hunted with me till he was 18 and able to hunt by himself. The kids learn real fast when you put the time in and I'm sure that that's what this 22 yr old was trying to do.

They're still chasing after em. The one 7pt I shot on 11/25 was looking for some does, and teamed up with them on the ridge. Wind made them disoriented, but they are still in the rut phase. The early part of the rut, all the way through to Thanksgiving was a heavy rutting phase with all the small bucks, going nuts. Didn't see too many of the big boys around. Now, they're running around too, hot and heavy, and to think of it, it's really pretty late in the month.

In heavy winds, I like to walk around anyway. You could sneak right up on em and still have a shot. You really do have to be alert to all the trees in the area as you go. Like said before, theres no guarantees out there. I got a 7 pointer on Sunday mortning, 7:15 out of my stand. Wind was at least 15 miles an hour, not as bad as on Saturday, but still a steady breeze. He seemed to be disoriented, and teamed up with 2 does at the ridge. They were all nervous, and acting a little skiddish. I have a stand-alone 4 x 4, six feet up, with windows (for rifle only), but I can at least close the one window where the wind is just to heavy. At least, there's no swaying! Unfortunately, with Sandy blowing through, she went right over. The guys and I winched her right up, moved it over 2 ft, and secured her. We anchored it better than the last time, but I'm going to have to put some heavy eyelets on the base, use some turnbuckles to anchor it to the ground. I thought we had it secure the first time. Hardly any damage to it, just a slight bent roof, which we fixed right up. I've been hunting for 44 years and never built a stand till this year. Paint job has something to be desired. Don't know why I thought I had birch trees around. (first sign of getting old and losing it!!) Will repaint next spring, but it worked this year. C'est la vie.

In Port Jervis, all the clubs reported lower success rates. We do not hunt does, but this year out of 25 guys only 2 got lucky. We have a 3 on one side rule as a by-law, but we saw quite a few four and spikes. I think in our case, the acorn crop is just so abundant, that the deer go crazy all morning, hot and heavy, and just bed down wherever they want to, till 4, then have at it again. Last year, we had 9 on opening day, all huge bucks. We can say it was too warm, but 55 is really not that warm. The conditions were great. I can see having a problem like a noreaster on opening weekend just busting up all the patterns, but that's not the case. If it keeps up this way, (and I won't get out again till Saturday), we're just going to have to change our hunting habits of sitting all day. Especially if the guys this week haven't been seeing as many. It's like fishing, fish ain't bitin, switch baits.

I'm sorry. When we "mooch" around the woods, it's just a quiet, slow, walk through the area. We like to have guys walking on different ridges, toward each other, in contact with each other to let each other know where they are constantly. No accidents and it let's the the guys in their stands get ready for some "action", hopefully. We're talking over 600 acres, so it takes up a lot of time, and it just pushes the deer, doesn't make em scatter and look for new areas.

I'm not a full drive person with all 25 guys taking part with 13 or 14 sitting, except for the final weekend. In our area, we have guys who would rather mooch hunt, and they are good at it, so let 3 or 4 guys move around. That should send some deer flying around, and usually does. But we sit till 10:00, after Thanksgiving and head out again at 2:00, cause the woods just get real quiet, especially if it's been warmer than usual. The deer in our area of Orange county have been in heavy rut, but only the spikes and fours. We got an 8 and a 7 on opening day, and it's been quiet ever since. I believe the older know somethings up when they hear all the quads in the woods and all the shots. I guess that's how some deer get to be 10's and 12's, just a whole lot smarter, and head for cover. These spikes and 4's just do the same routine all the time, chasing like theres no tomorrow. I just hope the big boy steps out and we get lucky. Good luck to all and happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks all. We're heading over this week to fix him up. Just trying them all and feeling what's right for you, seems to be the correct way to go about it. I'd like to have his selections.

Thanks all for the suggestions. I still promised my 19 yr old daughter I'd get her her own bow, so I'll bring them both up to Cougar Sports, in Ardsley. I know they have used bows, and I'll let my son give her a hand in picking one out. Then, I'll let him try out some of the different bows there. I know their dealers of PSE, Mathews, Mission, and some other ones, and the guys who run it are top notch. It'll cost more than just ordering it or getting it from Gander or Dicks, but I feel for the extra you pay, you also get quality help anytime you need it. I bet he'll go for a Mission Voyager XT, stripped and put on some great bells and whistles. I'd be like a kid in a candy shop man, "Let me try that one, Ooooo, how bout that one.....". More than likely, I'll have to tell him he's getting a bow, (not telling his girlfriend) try them all out, and then he'll have to act surprised as hell when he opens it up!!!! I'll have to say a few more Hail Mary's to get by with that one! Thanks again

My son and I have been hunting for eight years now. We bought 2nd hand PSE's when we first started. I had a single cam and Pete had a real old bow, don't know the model, but he can hit a silver dollar at 40 yds with it. He's taken a deer with it every year, except for 1 when he was overseas. Now, I think it's time he gets a new bow, so I talked to his girlfriend, and between herself, her parents, and us, we want to get him a good bow. I figure to buy in the $600 to $999 range, and was thinking of staying with the PSE's or similar. The market is just full of great quality bows between Hoyts, Bow-techs, Matthews, that you just get bombarded with reviews and they all sound great. He mainly hunts from a climber, he's medium frame, 6ft, and shoots with a 60lb draw weight. I understand it's a personal preference, and would be ideally suited if he could try it himself, but I'm just looking for some suggestions as to make, models, pros/cons, and pitfalls. Even the expensive models have some complaints, so any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

WNY, your right about killing a way of life for the people who depended on that extra income. That Saturday and Sunday was a boom to a lot of businesses in New York State and they really didn't think it through. I enjoy having more rifle time, cause I didn't take off the last Monday and Tuesday of the season to hunt. But, I think what they should of done was just extend it to include the Wed to Sun, then have the late archery and muzzle after that. In this way, businesses would have the needed jolt before the season, and an extra weekend after !! Just what this economy needs!

Man, you hit the nail on the head with that. This kind of program would really benefit inner city kids and there families, but he'd rather worry about what size Regular Coke they can buy. The man is a total arse. (and for my spanish speaking amigos, "El hombre es un culo total.")

When the SZ use to start on Monday, we'd party it up on Saturday night, have some fun, try not to get too fuzzy, and still have Sunday to sleep late, watch the games, relax and get ready for the hunt. Now, we head up Friday, but we just don't drink as much. (At least opening week, the 3rd weekend is up for grabs). We go through a couple of kegs each year, but we don't allow drinking during the day. Ain't gonna happen. You drink, you stay in camp. Besides, on Friday, we bring everything up to camp to chow down on and it's a real eat fest. Smoked turkey, marinated tenderloins on the grill, venison pepperoni, spaghetti & meatballs, and I bring up all the antipast from Arthur Avenue cause I live close enough to the city. We throw the BS around, 12 of the 25 guys usually stay in camp, bed by 10:00 up at 4:00 out by 5:00. It's a tough job but somebody's gotta do it. If your blessed enough to have a camp like ours, with a great bunch of guys who take hunting seriously, and still have some fun, then that's all you really need.

All that's been mentioned is all well and good, but eating healthy in the stand is the least of my worries. My essentials besides all the above is a well stocked knapsack of candies, usually reeses and hershey bars, cough drops, and thermos of chicken broth, two sticks of hormel pepperoni and potato rolls, a couple of nesquick choco milks, red cow cheeses, and some hostess cupcakes or yodels. Christ, I can open up a diner in the woods!!! Make sure you got a pee bag or container with ya too. It's a long day out there.

I hunt with the same old gun I bought in 68, a mannlicher, and I usually walk up to my stand at 5:00 am, all the way up that hill, but this morning I got a ride up on my friends quad. Walked in the rest of the way, climbed up in the stand, got ready, opened all the windows, go to load the gun, and there's no bolt in the gun. Somehow, a tiny screw which keeps the bolt in place must have been shaken loose, and the bolt must have fallen out with all the bouncing around. Sheer panic sets in. I take out the flashlight and retrace my steps to the path, no bolt. Head down the mountain, looking for anything shiny. "Please let it be around here somewhere". After a few novinas, I get near the bottom of the hill, and there it was on the side of the path. No screw, but at least I found the bolt. (my precioussss!!!) Hunted with the damn thing that way for 1 or 2 years after that, stubborn idiot that I am, and finally brought it to a gunsmith, who fixed it right up. I'd better stop cause I've done so many stupid things in my life, I could write a book. Good luck on Saturday.

In westchester, they're moving pretty good, but not the mature bucks. It's really not the full rut, only see the small guys out looking. Saw a three, 3 different spikes, and a four or better, but not really chasing them like they normally would during the rut. The way it looks, it'll probably be late this week, which will fit right into the rifle season opener in Orange county.

Was in Port Jervis, and we were seeing lots of deer. The woods are loaded with oaks and acorns are more abundant than I can remember in a long time. It's strange how were loaded in Orange county, but Western, NY didn't produce as well. Saw a ten pointer last week, not 50 yards in front of me, nose to the ground, didn't care if I followed him or not. I followed him about 200 yards to the top of the knoll, and watched him head down to the area below, bobbing and weaving, smelling everything. It's a gun club, so no bows there, but will be ready next Saturday for the opener. Also, kicked up a few does, just browsing. I love to sit in my stand, but I seem to always see more deer walking AND still have a shot at em.