Daveboone

you dont specify the season, ...but just the same... ML season opens mid month, this year 10-17. I havent missed an opening day in 43 years.I certainly see more deer later (I take opening week ML off and the last week in December) but I still will see deer. I only get a doe permit about every other year, so to me ML is my 2nd deer. I fill that tag and still have a tag (sometimes two) to keep me out through to the end. I will often pass on deer early just because I have to hunt...I dont have to shoot anything.

First wish....more time to use the boat and clean glitter off strippers....I will join Lawdwas' campaign.

West Monroe in Oswego County? Right up the road from me. It is split into both northern and southern tier by route 49. There is a big mix of woods/ wetlands, with a large chunk of state land on the north side of Oneida Lake. There are a lot of deer in the area, and portions of it are quite heavily hunted. I avoid the state land like the plague for deer hunting, but there are a lot of deer in there if you want to get well away from the crowds. Study topographical maps. Lots of small game hunting possibilities too, which are good for scouting the areas. There are a number of large dairy farms, all are decent folks and if you present yourself as respectable and a good sort, you probably have a higher than average chance of getting access. But don't wait until the last minute...which is coming up quick. Just north a short drive east of 81 and Parish is Happy Valley Game Management area. State yes, but it is a huge area and in recent years gets very little pressure. You need to work for you deer, but we have done quite well there in years past. You may want to explore that area too.

Ya know, I have seen that affect many times also...the younger deer appearing to almost be in shock. A fair number of those incidences were at close range. I wonder if they arent sort of overwhelmed by the muzzle blast and cant put together what happened. I have seen other mature does in the same group respond the same way, especially at dusk.

Bingo!!

My camera is up year round. I have bucks that only come around every 3-4 days, or every other week. If the camera is up long enough you can figure this out. Bucks have a lot bigger base than does do.

I go for the biggest doe I can find. They eat just fine. It may change pattrns for a bit, but there are a number of them around at any given time that it certainly doesnt hurt the areas herd.

How long was the cam up? How sensitive was it set? Makes a huge diff. I increase the sensititivy and greatly increase the spotted deer.

Is the Winchester Ranger the now discontinued 1200 (pretty sure thats what it was). If so it is an outstanding shotgun...light, very fast action. I had one for years and foolishly traded it for a Remington 870. The Winchester with slugs was MUCH more accurate and easier to shoot.

I know deer remember at least through the season. I am damn particular about my tree stands. If I get "made" in a tree stand, I wont use it for the rest of the year. The deer know to look for you. I am real particular about letting others hunt my stands for that reason

I keep accumulating shotguns like a dog has fleas. I used to do alot of small game hunting and not hardly any now. I have sold alot of my shotguns off to pay for hunts. I still want to find an Ithaca 20 gauge 37 with a variable choke and spare slug bbl. I have a fifties vintage 20 which handles like a pistol, but it has a fixed full choke and it will be almost impossible to find a slug bbl for it.

You cant go too far wrong either way. I love the .308. It, the'06 and 270 all have very similar ballistics. Advantages of each.....308 short action/case, giving pretty much the same ballistics as the 06 with bullet wts from 180 down. .270 amazing flat trajectory and lighter recoil. 30-06 has the ability to handle much heavier bullet wts if going for BIG big game...big bears, heavy bodied animals, etc. I went with the .308 due to the shorter action and the rifle being fully intended for NY deer and bear, and it has worked outstandingly. Worse case scenario for you ....pick the action /gun you want first, then if you find it in one round or the other you are well handled no matter what. There are alot of newer calibers out there, but really they are just trying to reinvent the wheel. (forty or so deer for me with my .308 all one shot kills).

My well traveled Buck 110 has seen alot of gutting! But honestly, it isnt the most hand friendly knife, but holds an edge forever. No pics, but my Grohman #1 ( I have four of them) actually is my favorite deer hunting knife. Great ergonomics, holds a fantastic edge, very reasonably priced. The Old Henry Sharp finger is another great knife...goofy looking but it fits the hand great, holds a good edge and isnt bulky. All my knives have a lanyard (essential) so it can dangle as I reposition/etc. so I dont have to set it down.

Welcome! It is never too early to get out scouting. Contact your local DEC office for state lands in areas near you, or where you want to hunt. They used to have alot of handlouts and flyers showcasing areas. Get a NYS Gazeteer map book. It is a big map book of the state. It does show in general state lands to help you get started. Learn how to use a compass (to get you in and out of the woods) and get your gun sighted early...the ranges get very busy pretty soon. Squirrel season is a great time to start scouting...and it started on the first.

Beautiful bear! I love bear hunting, and have been lucky to take a few, As much as anything I love just being in the "bear woods". Company in camp is always great too, and it is a very reasonable hunt to go on.

For me, the longest season is the happiest season. It would break my heart to fill my freezer early and not be able to enjoy the rest of the seasons changes. My best season I get a good meat deer early, and have my buck /doe tag to let me enjoy the woods until the last day of the season. Although I will not pass on the big antlered buck, as more time goes by if a younger buck is offered I am much happier taking him for the better eating.

Stationed where and with who? In northern NY Fort Drum offers hunting access, and is a huge area. In the fingerlakes region, Montezuma Wildlife management has both small game and deer hunting, but tends to be used alot. There are alot of state game management areas throughtout the finger lakes region and most of northern NY.

We got our own camp for pretty much the same reason. We had use of a family camp and initially were the only ones using it for years. We were told to make it our own. Wonderful idea in principal, but then whenever we went to use it to "get away", we always ended up with company. When we went to make improvements all the sudden they turned into huge projects that were beyond our time ability and $. Time for our own little place, which we have been very happy with since. And we dont have to tell anyone we are going, and i do what I want!

Using a compass with a map takes a bit...not alot but a bit...of learning and practice. The simplest use of it is just following a simple heading in and out. GPS s have failed me ...frequently. A compass...never.

Hope for 170 grains...Hopefully you see something, and the heavier bullet is better if you are lucky enough to find a fair sized one...they have heavier bones than deer and hopefully this time of year are working on their fat layer.Distances in the Dak woods are typically short, so sighting for 50 yards probably more than enough.

Three nice walleyes are a nice fish fry to me. No need for greedy. If I recall, they try to balance the walleyes to the prey fish quantity...I think they are concerned about over foraging the minnows.

Great thing about a compass....never needs batteries and you never have to worry about signal strength. A GPS is very helpful at times, but a simple compass bearing before you walk into the woods to get the roads orientation and your general direction of travel, is simple. if you get turned around, reverse your bearing. You may have a long walk but eventually you should get back to the road. Of course having a map showing the terrain and the roads layout is even better idea. Alot of folks will say "there is a compass on my cell phone''. Well , no there isnt. there is a function that is giving a gps bearing reference that looks like a compass. No signal, no bearing. IF your life may depend on it...eliminate batteries from the equation.

Someone else mentioned The Moose River Plains area..it is just outside Limekiln state park near inlet. A lot of access, and a huge area known for its bears. Very rugged though but with alot of old logging roads for access. The state park is a magnet for bears, and also alot of locals feed them around Inlet. There is a good DEC website for the area. I was hoping to get up there myself pretty soon, but life keeps getting in the way.

If you go with the intention of enjoying the woods, you will be successful. Get a compass and understand how to find your way in and out of the woods. Call or stop in to your local DEC office asking for recommendations for state land in your area. They usually have plenty of hand outs to get you started. When small game season starts, cruise the roads to see where the crowds are, then you know where to avoid. For your own confidence and safety at this time, wear plenty of orange...it isnt fool proof but it does increase your visibility. And practice moving as slow as possible, being observant of the little things...birds, squirrels, bird calls, and of course wind. Have fun and be safe. I have never hunted that area of the state, but there are no where near the number of hunters out that used to be.

Do Not leave a pyrodex/ 777 or any of the other black powder substitues residue in your barrel. You will have a horrible mess. Even though it takes much longer loading and sighting, I recommend working your load to a clean barrel...as your first shot hunting will be. If you cant get good groups, try a different projectile. You are correct that the primers residue should be non corrosive. I dry fire a couple to clear my flash channel then run a dry patch down the barrel before loading. Looks like you have a pretty good load in process.