Jafo

I am seeing more evidence, hoping to get out tomorrow morning.. I believe I found where one buck is bedding down, letting it sit for a day, hoping he won't get dusted and let the area cool down. Not only am I pretty sure that is a bedding area of his, I think I know where he comes in and out.. Wish me luck!

We got 2 inches of snow up there today, finally.. I stalked for about 2 1/2 miles.. Saw no tracks, not even coy dogs.. So odd...

I heard a sound last weekend I never heard before.. It basically sounded like the Marines cry "Ooh-Rah" except with a third syllable: "Ahh-Ooh-Rah".. I heard it about 5 times while it was pitch black out. Have no idea what that was.. It was loud though. If I can't see, I use a flashlight.. I honestly have yet to hear an argument to convince me otherwise.. There are many things to trip over, fall in, or hurt yourself on out there in the woods.. Even a trail you have walked on your entire life may one day have a tree across it.

It seems to me if they did, you could have a self sustaining hobby

Just curious, has anyone ever found coyotes eating dead coyotes?

The original post in the beginning of the thread..

My two cents, for whatever it is worth, says that making a statement like this based on anecdotal evidence (which is what most of the posts here contain) is probably not a good idea. If we could seem some statistics on maimed deer then we could make an informed decision. I think it a bit unnecessary to get all worked up over what you see people posting online as they represent only a small fraction of actual hunters out there.

Well, let me ask it this way.. Anyone else up in 6J having any luck?

The biggest problem with drinking and hunting IMO is the fact that you have to umm.... Return the beer to mother nature so often.. All that motion and odor are counterproductive.. After the hunt? Have at it!

Thanks that is exactly what I needed!

Is there a map that shows the WMU zones OVERLAYED with a regular county map?

As for trichinosis, if you freeze most meat below -20 it kills the parasite BUT NOT in bear meat: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trichinosis/DS00689/DSECTION=prevention I am assuming the parasite must live in bear fat?

Congrats, although I am a little worried that you are sizing up blurry game and that you live only a few miles from me LOL.. I have had similar luck this year with the hunt.. We really need some cold weather (snow) I think..

You are probably right about them moving nocturnally. There are a bunch of small hills and ridges and occasional swampy areas. Not exactly sure where they would be bedding down, I have to think that one through.. No apple trees at all up there. It is a good idea though about the plot. I am having a spot cleared out up there this year by some loggers, but I plan on putting a camp there.. Thanks!

This is the first time I have been hunting in about 15 years. I gave it up for some time because hunting areas were scarce when I moved down state. I have since returned home and have begun hunting some property of mine in the state park up in Herkimer County (North Lake Road). All Spring and Summer there were tracks galore all over the place.. It was not that uncommon for me to be stumbling around the woods wreaking havoc while cutting brush, trees, etc., to only find myself all of a sudden in the middle of a herd of does who would then frantically jump away. I must say though, this is been the most frustrating season I have had in some time. Now I am willing to accept that maybe I have forgotten how to hunt in the last 15 years but I find it hard to believe. I have exercised pretty strict odor and UV control, remained motionless for hours under heavy cover, and have sat over obvious trails and rubs. I have gone out about 8 times in the last two weeks, a couple of those times being all day trips. Not only have I not seen any bucks, but no does, and no sign of does. I have tried several different spots that usually yield results for everyone, every year. To make it worse, nobody else in the surrounding camps have fared any better. Most of these people are from out of state or live far away so they only get up sporadically, but they have seen NOTHING. One of them saw a bear eating their garbage but that is it. Anyone else up in this area experiencing the same thing? Is there something else I should be trying? It has been rather warm for this time of year, which is the only thing giving me hope, that perhaps, just perhaps, they are not moving through my area yet.. Thoughts?

Greetings all. I have returned to my home in upstate NY on the border of Oneida and Herkimer county. I love to hunt some property I have up on the North Lake road between the Buffalo head and Reeds Mills, right on the black river. Looking for tips and info.