Daveboone

Call me a curmudgeon, but.... Someone paid for me a couple years ago around xmas, cool, I thought it was nice. Then I started to think about it, and I wonder what the hell? Anyone eating at (fill in the blank) obviously can afford to, and is going to. Not going hungry. So "Paying it forward" doesn't accomplish a darn thing. Order an extra lunch at Mickie Ds and give it to the guy on the corner with a cup....different story.

Scope mounts / screws all checked out...it will hold a group for about three shots, then wander all over. I am sure it is the scope. I have already talked with Leupold...their turn around is less than a week, but I likely wont have a chance for range time after this for weeks. I will be using my old standby.

I had long wanted a compact quality single shot in .308, and was delighted when Henry came out with theirs. After checking them out, I bought one with absolutely the prettiest walnut stocks I had ever seen on an off the shelf rifle. I scoped it with a 2 x 7 Leupold VX 1which I formerly had on another .308. Only after I got it did I start reading about the very gimmicky trigger it has (very heavy pull, with an odd "step" just before the trigger release). I had pretty much gotten used to that, and thought I had it well sighted in earlier in the season. Last week I took it out just for a last few shots, and now cant get the dang thing to hold a zero. I am using quality ammo which initially grouped great, but now the damn shots are wandering all over. I was looking forward to using it this season, but my best guess is that the scope isn't holding zero. I have never had to send a Leopold back for any reason, but first time for everything. Luckily I have my tried and true 8x57 Mauser in the wings. For me, too late in the season to worry about getting the Henry straitened out.

This afternoon I had a little extra time, and decided to run up to my range to shoot a bit. I drove up to the backstop, posted my target, and returned, proceeding to fire about a 1/2 dozen shots before deciding to run back up to check my scores. Lo and behold at that time, I realize a big doe is bedded down on the side of the range! (about 50 yards further back, on the tree line). While I am watching, she got up and slowly and non chalantly wandered off into the woods. I had never been so offended in my life as that moment, when she apparently realized I was as harmless with a rifle as they come. She only seemed to leave because I was looking at her. Made my day!

I hope he washes his hands.....

That would simply be the old six oclock hold, as is used properly with all open sights. And the focus on the front sight again, very basic marksmanship. A shotgun (if used as a shotgun, not a slug gun) is pointed. not aimed.

As mentioned, always good to be somewhat...tidy with the remains, depending on where you are. If I shoot a dear in a clearing or field, I toss them into brush, the woods, etc. Now, I do highly recommend learning a few recipes for the heart and liver, at least. If you like liver, fresh venison liver is hard to beat. Usually it is the first meal we have of a new kill....often that night. The heart I usually pickle. Some folks save the kidneys for soup/ stew. I never got a taste for them.

And it is hunting season. Expect a wait for any gunsmithing work. Your bad.

As another wise man said..... Just don't. Simple to they eye ,but much more than meets the eye. Google " Gunsmiths near me" and start making phone calls. Money wisely spent. There is nothing like goofing with poor sights to wound an animal, any animal because you are impatient or too prideful. "Close enough" sucks. Firearms and ammunition is one area that there is no excuse for not doing things right the first time.

Every northern tier opening w/e, dad went up to a friends camp on Stony Lake, off the Number Four Rd east of Lowville, wonderful wild forest. My first year and time deer hunting, I went along. Dad toted his 8mm Mauser, and I had a model 94 Winchester that I garbage picked, believe it or not. The Bbl was sticking out of a trashcan on garbage day, and I found it on my morning paper route. It was taken apart, and missing a couple action pieces and the butt stock, but for sixty bucks we got it cooking! Back then, (that would have been 1977) taking a deer was much more rare than today, and it stirred the pot in camp when I had a pretty doe come ambling by .

I guess the big question is....is "HE" going?

now, that is a fine bear to see out in the woods!

The only problem with bear, is most hunters don't treat it like real meat. Try a bear pot roast.

I don't know where you are located, but you might want to check online at a couple places, even if it is a bit of a drive... Kittery Gun Shop is about an hour north of Boston....they have a huge inventory, and prices are reasonable. Close by is a Cabelas, also. The PA Cabelas had a great inventory too, all three having a large stock of used Remington shotguns when I was there last. I had been sorely tempted a few times by 1100 slug guns, but darn it, I just don't have any use for one any more. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to google gunshops in your area, and just call them too.

Things add up.... Smoking (nicotine) and caffeine are both vasoconstrictors, which reduce you blood flow to your extremities....don't overdo the coffee, chocolate, etc. before you go out. Make sure your boots arent ight. As already mentioned, keep em dry, and avoid cotton like the plague...its absorbent, but like a sponge, it holds moisture (including sweat) which will chill you. I love merino wool socks, and wear them year round. For hunting, I get heavier cold weather socks (might be expensive, but get a few pairs and save them, they last a long time). The warmest boots I ever had were a pair of the Cabelas 2000 gram rubber boots. They are absoluetly water proof and with the wool socks, warm for me all season. Because they are rubber, they don't breath, so plan on changing your socks several times a day. Last, be sure to cover up your head and neck. Heat lost there will also be felt at your feet.

Is that a fixed aperture? Holy moley! For quick shots at close range, that may be fine, but generally the smaller your post and aperture the finer you can hold. Both my redfield and lyman apertures came with several sized peeps. If your did, you may want to experiment for which gives you the best sight picture. Remember that you do not expect the rear sight to be in focus. When sighting in mine, I hold the very top edge of the front sight to the very edge of the target...quite literally, the fine line is my target. The finer you hold, the tighter your group potentially. If you are starting fresh with new sights, You probably want to start at around 50 yards, to minimize the flyers as you sight in. Certainly the longer your sighting plain the better potential accuracy. That is where the old tang sights came in.

A colonoscopy is one simple (relatively) test that can save your life....Dad died from colon cancer at 59. I am 58, and hate the prep ,but will stay with the routine. Most health insurance cover it completely.

What is the NY legal magazine capacity now?

Hey, I have a menu idea....We should all get togther for a potluck stew, made of last seasons game found this year! So far we have a squirrel, pheasant, egg salad sandwich........a few snickers for desert, what more has anyone have to contribute?

Get in the woods. If possible, get a game camera or two up, but there is no other way around seeing what the woods tell you.

I hunt a different region/ northern tier, but make sure I have the last week of the season off hopefully to have snow, fewer hunters out. I love to take some early time, usually during the NT muzzleloading season only because it is so darn beautiful that time of year, but I dont get serious until we get sloppy weather.

I see references to DEP land...what is that? Is DEC what is meant (Dept. of Env. Conservation)? New York has skads of land available to hunt, be it state forest, DEC Game Management Areas or the Finger Lakes National Forest, not to mention county owned forest lands. Quality of hunting is like an ice cream flavor....everyone has their own favorites. I would visit the regional DEC office for an area you are likely to hunt, and get brochures for the areas offerings. I did that when i started bird hunting in Jefferson County and surrounding areas. They sent me packing with enough matereals on different DEC lands that I still havent been to them all. The Finger Lakes National Forest also has a full time staffed office that is worth a visit, and they have fantastic maps, showing land use, type of forest /game cover, etc. Foot work is what shows you what is best. One good week end of hunting equals at least one good week end of scouting put in before. In the spring, summer and fall, nothing I enjoy more than taking my motorcycle on a cruise to explore new areas. I just pack a lunch and a couople water bottles in a light day pack, I admit my smart phone gps helps alot! In the winter, small game hunting is another great way to scout new areas. There is never a short cut for getting out in the woods.

Outstanding bull...and it is great you could get it out whole. On our hunts (way back country) the moose were field dressed. Under the best of conditions ALOT of meat needs to be left behind. You are getting about 1/3rd more yield than we did.

It is great to hear from ya, and that you are doing well. I miss Low's Lake, having been there a number of times. Your tent camp looks more luxurious than my cabin! Enjoy the fall and good luck!

Me think that is better than the squirrel I forgot about !