Daveboone

What a weird week! Heavy frost to start the ML week, then windier than heck. After spooking a deer out of my far stands area two days in a row and giving it a few days rest, nothing spotted there after. Despite record high heat on friday (mid seventies) i knew there were no deer to be had in the cabin friday pm so I still went out. Even if I am not seeing anything I am easily and happily entertained by the squirrels, nuthatches, chickadees, etc. Wouldn't ya know it though, right before legal shooting ends I spot a big momma doe and two big fawns wandering my way. I let them keep a comin'. Momma knew something didn't look right in my tree, but I was hunkered down over my t/c inline rock steady, so she continued to browse towards me. at 30 yards she gave me a nice broadside shot and I dropped her clean. After many seasons and more than many deer taken, I still am sad when I sit down with them afterwards, for my little "thanks" ritual. She was a truly beautiful mature doe, and the fawns were lingering nearby in a crises. Very sorry guys. Admiring her beautiful coat, I realized I had never before seen such a short coat. It was no longer than my Rotties. Due to the mild fall? As I was burning daylight, I hurriedly field dressed her and dragged her out to my trail in. I hate to say it, but each year it seems I am a bit more ...winded. After hurriedly getting the ATV and loading up the doe, I ran it to my processor. I like to butcher my own but with the temperature still in the seventies I needed to get it into a cooler that night. Nice to be sure of having venison again this year for sure, and that leaves me with my buck tag and a doe tag yet. Now I sit back and wait on the weather conditions I want.

Do NOT sell/trade in at a gun shop /pawn shop, etc. you will only get a fraction of its value. That is a great gun in a great round, although not a current favorite. You should be able to do a serial number search online with a bit of homework to get the mfg year.

Alot of folks try to sight in theier open (buckhorn or aperture sights) imagining the center of the front sight on the bull. Cant do it, not how it is done. You will always end up with a shotgun pattern. You use the very top edge of the front sight as the aiming point, avoiding covering all the target which will very significantly reduce your groups. Aim small, miss small I place the top edge of the sight on the very bottom edge of the target bull, creating a fine aiming point. It is a very effective method. Airedales diagram showing the superimposed crosshair with the open sight nails it. Then you just pick the finest aiming point you can.

Broome County Sportsmans Assoc. is located nearby.

I just got back from the camp. Nice heavy frost sat. a.m., darn little action in my area. which i think was good. Sat. pm I walked up on a big mature deer that was all alone...it was holding its head high as it trotted away, pretty sure a buck but no shot opportunity. Sunday a.m. I was in the woods in the dark, moving as quielty as I could on the popcorn leaves to the same spot. In almost the same spot I spooked him again (heard him blowing as he trotted off). I am leaving the spot alone for better conditions and to let him relax a bit. Today heavy rain so it was back to home for a shower and chores. I will be back tomorrow.

If you are going to buy a ML start looking for powder ...yesterday.

Could very well be the draw is done. Any other signs of activity on the cams? kids in the area? I would wander the edges of the area and look for changes, activity, etc. Is there other food in the area like corn/apples they may have moved to? bedding areas?

Actually, I revise my idea...and someone else hinted at it. ASAP put a very well secured tree stand where his normally is. And then same plan...be there early! If you have hunting buddies, get thier cooperation (your land, your rules) using it. Cameras would be good just in case.

Put a stand up on your side looking at him, well secured. And be sure to be there well before he is.

Very cool.

He ran hard and burned bright! One of the few artists who entered and left the eighties strong.

Thats Great! Come spring I will talk the wife into going. It has been too long. and I WILL climb the mountain!

When starting out, it seems like there is alot to pull together for deer hunting, and you are on top of it to be planning ahead. Alot of folks just arent set up for location/space/ equipment for butchering, and that can come in time if so wanted. If I am correct, Latham is down near Albany, sorry I dont know of any meat processers that direction. Check out Craigslist and your local papers under services, or look online for butchers/deer processing near you. You can also call local gunshops/ gun clubs and see if they can forward you. Joining a gun club brings alot of benefits: someplace to shoot regularly and safely, meeting other like minded folks, networking, etc. Good luck and have a safe fun season.

It aint like shopping. Certainly there are areas where it is unusual to go a few hours without seeing deer, and two different guys in the same spot will have very different results. Getting off the ground can have a huge impact. Our success rate once we went to tree stands escalated greatly. At this point, learning patience is probably the best thing you can do, regardless.

I start hanging my jackets /pants /hats outside in a few more days (I start with NT ML). Always pays to check all of the coats/vests, etc. to remove the old lunches, forgotten squirrels, etc. from last year. Retreat all the leather, climb all the ladder stands and replace straps/adjust as necessary,

We were up there a few years after they burned down the Great Camp. I sure wish I could have seen it. At that time the foundation foot print was very clear still and we were able to find old equipment around still. Do you know if the old rail station is still standing? it was around '97, and was still dry inside but needed a roof real bad.

Remember that it is the kids trip...not yours. Practice ahead of the time squirrel hunting...particularly good practice sitting still and watching for critters. My recommendations....absolutely no electronics....just keep them distracted and entertained on your own, snacks, birdwatching, stories, etc. Make a big deal about big tasty breakfast, set them up with thier own little day bag with age appropriate out door goodies.

Whoohoo! Sounds great! I havent been up there for years and need to do something about that. I had always wanted to hike up Mt Frederic, on the far side. Do that for me, would ya? Didja know that at one time the largest private elk heard in NY was at the Great Camp up there? All long gone many years ago, but last time we were there we were till finding equipemtn and fencing from the effort. (I am thinking Webb brought them in?)

Pileated wood pecker. Masters of destruction. I watch them semi regularly. they shread a tree getting thier grubs. They dont just make holes, they furrow, dig, make huge chips at times.

I am surprised I haven't seen a wayward bear on my cams....I am up on the Tug, and they are certainly around. I have seen their tracks, and my neighbors have had visuals. Most of the far wandering bears though are lonesome/confused young ones mom has kicked out, and are trying to find a new home. I don't think they stay or last long in a lot of the new territories, esp. with the state wide seasons.

really just meant for ...snakes. Popular where poisonous snakes are found commonly. Definetly NOT a good idea for "less than lethal" defense round. You are pulling the trigger to save a life. With this stuff you are more likely to get yourself killed by trying to pull that, and held criminally liable by any survivors. And there will be.

Just remember the 180s will drop quicker...be sure to sight your gun at your normal range. There will likely be a significant change. Generally the heavier wt bullets are for bigger heavier animals, bear, moose, etc. but certainly the deer wont know the difference.

Each one I see breaks my heart.

I think we are all assuming that this IS for deer? I hate to sound contradictory to anyone, but I would pick up a box of several brands to try. And even though slug guns rock the shoulder from a rest, I would sight it rested for best consistency. Winchester slugs measure slightly larger than REmingtonss (I forget exactly how much) and in my guns shoot the most accurately. Try a few.

I can get a buck to hold still for a girth tape measure just about as long as I can get a date to hold still for a bust measurement... And just the same I am lucky to see either a 2nd time.