defrazzle

Same here in the "North Country" 5F - Bloomingdale, NY -- September bow has been my starting date for years. LOL - not really that good, too many leaves still up, too many bugs, cold in the early AM, sweating by 10! But, opening day is opening day...still gets my adrenalin going.

Seems we all have our reasons "what a hunter" means to us. I can associate with just about all the reasons given by all. Some days one reason is more important to me than the other and in retrospect, as I have gotten older and possibly wiser, the "what it means" to me changed with the years. I hunt because I can and because it brings out a primeval sense in me that I don't get working in an office! It's me against me. I hope I never loose that feeling!

Is the "pumpalator" the unit that turns on and off the pump? So the contact that is burnt myst be the one that turns the pump on?

I found the Weber Genesis - and wow....U can see when one says you get what you pay for. I think I will continue to use my "regular" Weber. LOL

Up here where I have my camp I have yet to see a tick. Not saying we don't have any, just have not seen any on me or my two dogs. Last night it was 33 degrees and maybe some of those suckers went further south. LOL

Yup....bring him to my neck of the woods. LOL

I love to track in the snow! I attended several seminars put on by the Benoit Brothers and I have several of their videos. If you get a chance don't miss their presentations. Also they have several books and videos on how they hunt the "big woods". Their father Larry Benoit was on the cover of Sports Afield in 1970. http://www.benoitsbigbucks.com/ I see more deer during my tracking then sitting. Of course sitting has it's advantages also especially during the rut and dry, crispy walking woods!

Hmmm.....I have to investigate this Weber Genesis? do they still make it? I have a Weber charcoal grill but never heard of a Genesis...Google here I come.

Great pictures! Is this your occupation or just a hobby?

Have you ever been to Vietnam? Yummy.

There we go.....Phillyguns is on the money.

Hunting is hunting...no matter what the temperature. My son and I hunted on a private preserve in Kentucky in July. Talk about hot! But you know the game we hunted did not care. Let's hunt!

Here is one 6-8 point that is still around my camp. Check out the dates and times - right around the peak rut up here in the North Country. Hopefully I can see him this year and see what he looks like now.

Thanks!

Yup - getting ready to buy shorts and tank tops, in camo of course. LOL

Yes, we do get some snow at our elevation of 1900 feet that time of year. Here is one from April this year.

Hmmm.....not a bad idea. Got my chain saw and weed wacker all tuned up.....now if I can afford the gasoline. LOL

Just wait another 10-20 years and the temperatures up here in the North Country will be in competition with Florida! LOL

Every reason I read is good and makes great sense to me. I would like to add that we the stewards of hunting need to pass on the traditions we have so much learned and enjoyed. More and more I read that the number of hunting licenses sold in NY State is on the downward slope. Maybe one can "Adopt a Hunter" in our communities. What do you think about that?

Hey - It sounds like you need to get back into reloading. LOL

Uncle Nicki - I like your timeline. It sure sounds like mine! In 1966 I purchased my first rifle a Rem 700 BDL 30-06, went hunting with my dad and shot my first deer in 1967. I was 17 then and over the years I have learned much from those that exemplified the true hunter. I passed the hunting exam in German and learned so much about the history of hunting from my mentor. I did shoot a nice Roebuck there. Then in Spain, although there was no hunting course, I did hunt mostly small game. The story goes on into Nebraska, Florida and now back in New York. The excitement for me is the HUNT...not the shooting. I also take great pleasure in mentoring beginning hunters no matter what their age is. Hell, I am 62 and still learning new things. LOL So, for me the HUNT is over when I pull the trigger and am successful. By the way, that 30-06 I bought was given to my son who now uses it. I am now using MY dad's gun, a Rem 700 BDL in .308 that he purchased new in 1963. One of the first .308's that Rem produced.

I started off by having to purchase new hulls as I had none. These were Cheddite primed hulls. Although I had several bags of Remington SP16 wads, the height resulted in the 1 1/8 oz load of shot being too low to make a good crimp. So I ordered new wads that were taller and a bag of overshot cards. This combination made a big difference. Now the crimps look good and I was even able to use the SP16 wads with the overshot cards and the crimp looks much better also. I use the loading for grouse, pheasant, rabbit and snowshoe hares.

I am sure that you can't wait to use it! It will be a great place!

Yes it's my land and some trees were already taken down. Probably should take down more.

Hmm...not a bad strategy. LOL Maybe I should post signs, "Youth Hunt Here", around my property. LOL