Uncle Nicky

Hunted in central NY today, first break resulted in a missed shot, the second break was the charm. I killed a first-year male bird, my buddy shot a bearded hen (his first); it was also his first turkey dog hunt, he was thrilled. I love this dog!!!!!!

Post your pictures & stories.

I think you are right, they have moved in. I wasn't aware they had gone that far north, and I have never seen one hunting in VA. I stand corrected.

Send me a PM with details please.

I agree, if it is wild hogs you are after, the best states to hunt are Texas & Florida; both states have a lot of guides, and it's generally cheaper to hunt than at a preserve up north. I don't think you need a license to hog hunt in FL (don't quote me on that), but it never hurts to take the gun/hunter safety class with the kids. Good luck!

Follow the recipe on the can of Old Bay. Foolproof, and it's a winner.

There is no huntable population of hogs in PA, NY, NJ, or anywhere north of North Carolina (a few in Virginia, but that is top-secret ), so if hogs are what you want, I would go to a preserve. Mohr's Island is a slam dunk type operation, not insanely expensive, and I don't think you need a license .http://www.mohrswidowmaker.com/island.htm If hunting completely wild animals is the goal, I would take TreeGuy's advice and start with squirrels, and move on up to deer once you feel confident. Just curious, is there a reason why you want to hunt in PA if you live in Jersey? I live in PA, hunt in Jersey a lot, it's just as good in many cases, and a lot easier walking.

I won't pile on the OP, he's gotten beaten up enough it looks like. But, I will say the same woods that holds deer often holds small game. Public land is everyone's playground.

Any dog that goes outside will eventually get ticks, some years are worse than others. This year they are light, but we've gotten a lot of rain. I give the dogs the lyme disease booster, and put 1/2 of a cattle ear tag on their collars, so far so good. And I inspect them daily just to be safe.

Well damn Pygmy, I didn't know I was sneaking on your spot....I'll be down over the weekend to move the stand.

No. I played some pocket pool in elementary school, chased a few fat chicks when I was a younger guy. Cheered at a few mud-wrestling shows at the nudie bar. That's about it for me, though I do admire anyone who has the talent (especially boxing, skiing, skating, gymnastics, etc.). I work in the white collar world, everyone at the job golfs (except me). A few fish. They often tell me they want to tag along hunting, but when I tell them what's involved (passing the safety course, buying guns or bows & learning how to shoot efficiently, buying clothes, getting up at 4 AM, sitting in the cold or walking all day), there has never been a second conversation. EVER.

Got this hole digger Friday at dusk. Weaved the shot in between the fencing on my dog kennel (dogs were inside at the time) 25 yards with a .22 mag. Never knew what hit him.

The old poison killed them by bleeding internally, it was a lot more effective.

I would suggest rat poison in a bag smeared w peanut butter, but you can't buy anything very effective anymore.

I keep telling anyone who will listen...stay away from Barnett. MY first crossbow was a Barnett (2003), it was in Florida getting fixed more often than it was in my posession. While I wouldn't call their customer service at that time poor, it was often very slow, and they misplaced my bow once, they sent me back a replacement that was a clunker too. Maybe they've gotten better, but I have my doubts....

Or .22 pocket size derringer?

Best shot to me means instant death. I've shot a few deer in the head with buckshot, it's devastating at close range, but beyond 30 yards, I wouldn't risk it.

I've hunted hogs many times, I head down to Georgia every year and have also killed them in Florida & Texas. I like the taste of the meat, but it's different than domestic pig meat (but not much). Leaner & piggier tasting. I never noticed the difference between a hog from Texas and a hog from Georgia. We soak the meat in ice water first to cool it down and drain some blood out, after a day drain the water and just keep topping off with ice as you ride home. I've never had a hog I'd consider inedible (yet), even an old 350 boar who died hard. but I'm sure keeping it cold and the initial soak in ice water helps. We usually use dogs, I had one old codger on another forum try arguing that a hog chased by dogs is worthless for eating since it's full of adrenaline, but that's pure BS as far as I'm concerned. Good luck with a bow, if you're purely interested in a meat hunt, I'd go with a dog hunt. A night vision hunt with a rifle CAN be productive, but can also be a strikeout too, depending on if the hogs are moving that night. Hate to sound negative, but with the price of gas, location involved, meals, motel rooms, outfitter fees...it would be cheaper to just shop at a grocery store, if money is the sole concern.

Assuming you are hunting in Ontario? https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/explosives/importation/9909 https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/207/~/regulations-for-importing-meat-%2F-wild-game-products https://www.ontario.ca/page/export-dead-wild-animals-ontario I don't think there is any fast-lane at the border. You are a stranger visiting a foreign country, subject to their laws, regulations, and whims.

I'm thinking of buying a Mac's River Runner Prop Guard to put on my small outboard. Any opinions on this product? It looks as if you have to drill a few holes in the skeg to install?

I was always told be 100% honest when they ask questions. Once I was coming into Canada fishing (no guns). Border guard asked if I had any weapons, I said no. He said "not even a filet knife?". I said, "yes, I have a filet knife, hadn't even thought of that". Apparently, wrong answer...They searched the truck, my baggage, fishing gear, food for the week (confiscated my potatoes). After 3 hours and I'm assuming a background check, they let me move on. Every time I've entered and declared rifles, it's a good 45 minute wait while they run a background check, I've crossed in Vermont, NY, Maine, & Michigan. I've heard others say in & out in 5 minutes, I've also heard others get turned away for having criminal records, so I'm not complaining. Cost of bringing a firearm into Canada I suppose. I've only been questioned once coming back into the U.S. I'd been fishing, some of my gear was in heavy black trash bags, which I guess is a no-no. The border guard asked why I didn't use duffel bags. I laughed & said "Because I'm cheap". Wrong answer again I guess..he said "people often smuggle marijuana into the U.S. in trash bags...you aren't bringing marijuana in, are you?" I told him toss the truck if he wanted, it's been decades. He laughed & let me go in, but it was the last time I carried gear in trash bags, LOL.

I never even knew there was such a thing, and was never questioned coming back about firearms. On the other hand, I've been held up ENTERING Canada with rifles a few times, I guess I look shady, LOL.

Years ago I'd never think of reading on a stand or playing Tetris or electric Yahtzee (pre-cell phones). But I've found I can spend a lot more time sitting still without getting bored if I bring a book with me. Cell phone is too much movement & fiddling around, and I run out of sites & topics to Google after a while. I just read a page or two, look around, and if nothing's moving, back to the book. I can't honestly say I've missed any game doing this (that I know of), and can honestly say I've stayed out later than if I hadn't had something to read & pass the time.

I've been reading some of the Jack Reacher novels lately to kill time in an airport, on a stand, etc. A little far-fetched at times, but exciting enough to keep my interest.

Almost any box call will work, if you know how to get the right sounds out of it. Personally, I prefer a waterproof call, less maintenance and things that can go wrong. Even better if it has a hen sound on one side & a jake sound on the other side. I'm too rough on gear, I just stick with mass-produced. I'd hate to break or lose an expensive call that had some sort of meaning or value to me.