catskillkid

The guides that I hunted with in Newfoundland all packed Helly Hansen rain gear. You can also pay a fortune for Sitka.

I can't speak for 4F, but you can shoot all the dogs you want in 4O in my part of the Catskills. Lot's of them, unfortunately I shot one while turkey hunting this past weekend

Coyotes picking clean a deer overnight is very common in my area of the Catskills. I've had a few deer that I had bow shot in evenings and found in the morning devoured by coyotes. I'm now reluctant to shoot a deer close to sun down.

I agree, the program is not for everyone. My forester developed a Forestry Management Plan and I enjoy performing the Timber Stand Improvement myself.

You have to recommit every year to extend the program out 10 years. In my case, it was a no brainer. the cost savings is $6k per year. My certified forester lets me know when he thinks the forest should be harvested. About once every 15 years. This is not a forced timber sale but a mutual agreement based on my use of the land, i.e. wildlife management and forest / land conservation. Yes the township receives a small percentage of the timber sale as compensation for the reduced land taxes. The State of NY does not receive anything from the sale. My forester put my timber out for bid last year and we both decided on which bidder to choose. The timber sale more than pays for the taxes every 15 years, so the land is now paying for itself. It's a great fit for me as I have no intention to sell the land anytime soon.

That's why I put my 210 acres in the Forestry Program. Reduced my taxes 80%. The tax assessor has not happy with me. I said too bad !!

I have also been seeing that a few land owners are now asking for "Pie in the Sky" prices to see if they can get the high price.

Has anyone noticed the rising land cost this year? It seems that most parcels of land in my area of the Catskills "Delaware County" that have been on the market have sold this year. Prices are soaring also. I'm sure the cause is because many people are trying to move out of the city areas or just wanting their own piece of paradise. Many months of being confined because of COVID and now the ability for most to work from home has them rethinking their life styles. On the positive side, if you owned pre COVID, your land is worth much more. On the down side, if you are looking for your own hunting land, you are going to be paying a lot more.

Received mine on Saturday

I received my dmap permits in the mail today. I have my land in the Forestry Program. Had it logged last year and the under growth now looks like a jungle. Great cover for deer and other critters. Last year my Forester recommended that I apply for the permits as he noticed a lot of browsing of the forest regen. I'm overrun with deer in 4O, especially with the awesome fawn crop this year. Most of my land owner neighbors that abut me are still old school and don't believe in harvesting does. I'll fill the tags as long as they all go to needy families.

I wonder if the DEC will consider lowering the number of 3M tags they are issuing. They usually give them out like candy.

I had hunted a friend's ranch in the Idaho panhandle for a few years. We would literally see over two hundred deer each day. Truly a deer hunting paradise. My friend called me in August of the next year that I was to hunt with him and told me that EHD had wiped out the deer heard. He recommended that I save my money and not come out to hunt. It was hard for me to believe that all the deer were gone so I went to hunt his ranch anyway. When I hunted the first morning, the stench of death was everywhere. I saw a few bears feeding on the carcasses. I did shoot a decent 8 pt. but it was the only deer I saw in 6 days of hunting. Normally I would have seen hundreds over the duration on the hunt. That was about 10 years ago and the herd still has not fully recovered. I'm guessing its Mother Nature's way of controlling over population. EHD is real ! Unfortunately I don't think there is anything that can control it.

I own a high-rise window-cleaning company. I just use my full body harness and tether myself to the tree with a shock absorbing lanyard. I feel much safer with the heavier duty equipment.

Flicker

I've done it on moose, stone sheep and mountain goats. It is usually done in wilderness area where you need to breakdown the quarters, backstraps and tenderloins. We also de-boned the quarters at the kill sites. This lessens the load for the pack out. Not sure why someone would need to do this in NY, unless you are hunting remote areas inn the Daks.

Congratulations on your retirement You will be missed

Nice job, looking good. You should have a great deer season

6 for me, however life is not over yet

I saw 2 hens with 10 poults in my area of 4O yesterday. They were only the size of softballs. Must have been a late hatch.

Very educational, great post. I have my land in the NY Forestry Program also. Hope you keep these posts coming

I suggest that you leave a few of them standing. Bucks love rubbing on stripped maples

Too bad you are not closer to the Catskill. I'd jump on the stove

Just buy a cooler when you are out there. Bring it back as your second checked in bag on the plane. Rifle or bow hunt ? You might need to shoot far if rifle. Good luck, let us know how you did. You are going to have a great time!

That should be an awesome hunt. A Shiras moose is on my bucket list. Make sure you post pics and tell the story

No points needed here , 3 of my friends and I are going to British Columbia for a combo elk / deer hunt. Hope the border opens before late September. Might need a backup plan