SteveMcD

They don't even have a one year plan. In region 3 they have not done a complete deer herd survey in years. How they manage to justify DMPs escapes me. >

NYA... this is true. There can be good deals to be found on @Bay. And as they say, "some too good to be true". If one is willing to check out the yard sales and antique / used items stores, you can find a good bow if you look. The only problem with buying a 40 year old bow off of @bay.. is.. it may last several years or blow up after 10 shots. You just never know. Arrows like you say can also be cheap or elaborate and I make my own. Cedar today is not the cedar of 40 and 50 years ago. Cedar today is all new growth not old growth. Art Young preferred Douglas Fir (and so do I), but when Howard Hill endorsed cedar everyone jumped on the that bandwagon. Ceder, Lodgepole Pine (Chundo), Doug Fir, Sitka Spruce and Laminated Birch all make good shafts for softwoods. For heavier bows 60# and more Hirkory is probably the toughest shaft there is. Some prefer Ash but Ash warp easy and hard to straighten. Not that Hickory is better in straightening department, but hickory is just a better wood. I agree with you about Martins too. Many Trad Archers will say "oh it's a production bow". BS... Martin makes beautiful, solid bows and each one today is still individually made, no two of the same model are exactly alike.

Agree with everything NYA. said. Except it is not cheap.You get what you pay for. Although a decent beginner bow, say a Fred Bear Montana Longbow will go for 325 or so.Arrows another hundred, armguard & glove/tab and quiver - depends on how fancy and what you want to spend figure at least another 125. I suppose that is still a heck of a lot cheaper than the compound market and accessories. But if you get bitten by the traditional bug... 1) you will love it, 2) you can spend just as much and more on custom bows, as well. I have been traditional only for well a few decades.

Current residence Dutchess County. Retirement residence Schoharie County.

I use a Buck 101 Folder that I have had for 35 years. I bought it at Fort Drum in 1976. Have field dressed quite a few deer with it since then. I also have a Schrade Old Timer Stockman (USA) for many years as a backup.

T/C Hawken .50 Cal Fintlock T/C Renegade .50 Cal Percussion

Becoming a bowhunter will make you a better hunter overall. The art of getting closer to animals. The acquired skills of woodcraft and becoming a good archer. Early Archery and even Late Archery seasons are "pristine" seasons. You will love it. But like anything else, you will get out of it, what you are willing to put into it.

Ah.. I see. I do not get over there much. And not an expert on the area. Ulster is all QDM for deer, 3 pts. on one side restriction. For Bear there are a few spots to try - Mt. Tremper for one, Peekamoose in Archery Season get up in the Beech trees. Deer.. try Shaupeneake Ridge (Lottery) Co-Op. Otherwise, best bet is to investigate the Gun Clubs in the area.

I don't think the deer are doing too badly here in Dutchess County despite deep snow. With the abundant acorn crop and fewer DMP tags this past season, as long as we get a decent thaw soon and no heavy storms in March, we should have a better deer herd in 2011 than we did last year. If winter snows continue through March... I think next year could be worse. The DEC has not done a Winter Kill Survey (at least in Region 3) in quite a few years. Other than their usuall butcher shop count I am baffled as to their rhyme or reason for setting the DMP allocation that they currently do. Last season I hunt hard and hunted at least two days a week through the entire season, collectively I averaged seeing maybe 1 deer per day - pathetic. All this and Less for a License increase to boot!

Fisher... I am across the river in Dutchess. But I have hunted Ulster County from time to time. What exactly you looking for? Plenty of Rod & Gun Clubs in the area there.

Very Nice, Wooly! As an arrow maker mself, I appreciate your work! Beautiful!

Hangfire... that is because of the alcohol content. A lot of the old timers use Windshield Wiper fluid for cleaning for the same reason.

IMO.. the x-Bow is a non argument. The horse was let out of the barn some 40 years ago. When they let the "Hollis Allen" Compound Bow designed for Handicapped Hunters into the Archery Season.

If you really have a passion for Wildlife & Forestry Management or Wildlife and Marine Biology. Do not let New York's financial debacle sway your desire from this vocation. With Environmental Advocacy groups, Western Ranches and outfitters, as well as the academic field. and other private sector opportunities. There are still plenty of opportunities in this area. Gunsmithing - check out the NRA, I know at one time they offered a gunsmithing school.

Anyone going to the Sportsman's Education Workshop on the 29th? In Balston Spa, 4-H Coop Center. This is the annual DEC Instructor Education Workshop. I'll be there. My 15th there. Always look forward to it. Good to see familiar faces.

I keep my hunting clothes in a separate foot locker and use scent free detergent for cleaning and hang dry outside. Best scent is "Absence of.." But I do use T14 from Scent Shield, a lady here in our area, comes to the the local archery shop every so often and buys the stuff by the case, she operates a dog kennel and since this stuff is anti-microbal, it kills any bacteria as well as scent. I hunt on the ground into the wind and have had 4 bears come within 10 yards of me.. This stuff works. Use a wind indicator and keep the wind in your teeth!

Congrats! Very Nice!

I do not know about New York. But I know in Pennsylvania farmers use to receive government subsidies for deer damage; and sheep farmers got the same for Coyote predation. I am also wondering why New York does not allow for a Lottery Moose Hunt!???

Different schools of thought! That's ok. We agree to respectively disagree. I just don't care for the hard line tactics of either side. Such is life!

Well, Doc... I am also a Life-Endowment Member of the NRA. But the NRA of today is not the same organization I joined in 1969. I have lost a lot of respect for them. Having son's and relatives in law enforcement, the ( NRA) went over the top with the "Jack-Booted Thugs" comment, and with the likes of Ted Nugent as their poster child, I find the NRA somewhat embarrassing. Look at how Jim Zumbo got chastised and nearly ruined his career, when he commented about sporting rifles vs military style rifles. Sad truth is.. He was right! And who would dispute Jim Zumbo's credentials. There has to be common ground, the all or nothing attitude on both sides of the gun issue and everybody eventually loses.

CVA has come a long way in the past ten years or so. When they first came out, I thought they were cheap guns and crap. But, they now make well made decent affordable guns. I think they are fine. I have 3 muzzleloaders 2 Thompson Centers (Renegade & Hawken) and a Pennylvania Long Rifle from CVA.

I use boiling hot soapy water and a douse of T/C #13 Black Powder Solvent on the cleaning patch. Run through a few times until patches come out clean. Let Barrel stand until dry, run through with dry patch to be sure, than lubricant barrel with 1000+ lubricant. I use to love using "Rusty Duck" Cleaner.. but I have not been able to find it in years. I never use oil or petroleum based solvents or lubricants in my muzzleloader, petroleum oil only adds to fouling powder and increasing chances of a misfire.

Contact Jill Ogden at Coldwell Banker in Delhi. They have a lot of Land and Cabin listings to offer, and great to work with. Coldwell Banker Timberland Properties 607-746-7400 x17 I bought a small piece just 4 acres in South Gilboa through them in December 2008. It was a breeze.

I do. I also have a Cooper's Hawk and a Barned Owl in the woods behind my yard too.

I really cannot explain my reasoning other than yes. I am superstitious and strong believer in Karma. I could not shoot a White Deer or an Albino. Piebald Deer however, would be a neat trophy.