Daveboone

I allways save it. We prefer to pickle it. clean it, cutting out the cartilage, and then I pickle it in a mix of vinegar/ pickling spice, and jar. Very tasty. I should do the kidneys some time.

The pelt will continue to improve over the next month or two..... If you shot it with anything more than a .22, you will vaporize the bugger.

Sorry no pics; C. 1898 30-40 Krag Jorgenson. If it is really nasty out, I will trade that for my Savage 99 in .308, but that has gotten a bit boring.

I tend to pick the biggest of the group. I myself don't care as much for a fawns meat....too veal like. I have never found a change as far as toughness in the age, Care for the meat properly, shoot It properly, and it is fine.

JimR, I would almost have to agree with you when I say my Sorrel packs were the most important piece of hunting gear I ever bought. Once I had them, I allways had warm feet, so the rest of me stayed warmer. I wasn't so distracted and could concentrate on hunting more. I had my first pair for about 25 years before they were simply worn out. Next most important , my first pair of goretex thinsulate gloves.

Two years ago I bought a Krag very similar to yours at a local auction. The auction was for a pioneering family in our area, and the Krag original to the family, early 1900s. It excites me to think of its history for the area. I sighted her in with the same new 180 grainers you have, and she shot just fine. I am planning on using it as my primary rifle this year. Good for you. I am planning on reloading the 30-40 once I get enough empties.

There is no shortage of public land available, but it is mixed with public....In theory, any of the state owned land you can hunt and camp on, but without getting zeroed in more, it is tough to say.....The state has a lot of free information available as to huntable land and where you can camp. If you contact a regional dec office and explain what you want to do, they can probably supply you with a lot of information. For ease of access, open hunting and camping, I also would suggest the Moose River Recreation area. It is a huge area further north than what you were thinking, but it has established secluded camping areas (usually just a picnic table and an outhouse), that offers big woods hunting in a setting that sounds made to order for your first try. You can get info from the state, and I would strongly suggest obtaining the appropriate topographical maps to help you plan out trip.Know how to use your compass, No cell phone service back there. Plan simple meals to optimize your hunting time (Dinty Moore, ,MMMMMMM. You will work hard and long for any deer up there, but they tend to run big, and the area is known for bear. We used to do well on grouse and Snowshoe bunnies too.

Per your question about if there is a beginner caliber.....nonono. I think you are heading in the right direction though. as prev. mentioned, you do not need a cannon. A rifle In the 30 caliber range is fine: 30-30, .308, 30-06 or .270. They are probably the most common rounds in the north east. 30-30 is totally appropriate, ,but more of a short to mid range gun, frequently open sighted. (lever actions). the others are all found in bolt actions. the 30-06 offers tremendous variety in bullet weights and purpose, the .270 started out as a 30-06 "wildcat", looking for a flatter shooting round. The .308 basically is a modernization of the '06,with a shorter case, They all have very similar baliistics (folks will argue this on the high and low range of the bullet wts, but overall). I favor the .308 for the shorter, thus lighter actions it comes in.There are ALOT of bolt actions very reasonably priced nowadays, probably cant go wrong with any of them.

I was on route 81 south entering the city of Syracuse, heading up to Onondaga Community College, listening to the radio on my Harley. The news cut in with the update on the first plane crash. I continued up to school, where everything was at a standstill. I still am amazed with the remembrance of walking into the library, where the big screen tv had CNN on, and the scores of students sitting on the floor glued to the set.

I don't think it is so much the doe permits, as a lot of guys using their muzzleloading permit, bow permit and regular season tags on bucks....some areas just cant handle it.(where many southern tier areas can).

I don't take electronics into the woods,(no cell phone service where I hunt anyway, luckily) but I have a sunrise/ sunset program , and moon phase program which are very helpful, and practical.

most NY bears are stumble ons, as the best areas that hold them and also have potential food areas are relatively few, (keeping in mind the relatively few bears scattered through the state). If you really want a bear, a Canadian guided hunt is pretty inexpensive, and you should see multiple bears. I have been up 6 times (1600.oo ) to Quebec and New Brunswick. Great time, for a paid hunt, it is a bargain.

We love our Yamaha 3000. Whisper quiet (until the mice chewed up the insulation!), Be sure to plan for whatever you may want to run. I have run our concrete mixer, jack hammer and and air conditioner, when it gets really hot at night. (not all at once). A 2000 would probably be a bit light for stuff like that, but if you are planning on doing any work around the place, make sure you have the juice. Best yet, it will run approx. 12 hrs a fill with a good load.. As that is locked up in our steel storage unit, I also have a cheapie Harbor frt. 700 watt 2 stroke (88.00 with coupon!!!) we have for friends who may use the camp. it is kept inside so they can just carry it out, if they want to run fans , blow driers , etc.

With close observation, only that any equipment not still shiny and new is junk, and that 15 minutes on stand will get you a critter every time. NOt to mention the importance of having 3-4 friends along with you to ensure you are quiet.

I now use cables instead of chain. unless they have a grinder type cutter, they are much more difficult to cut through with bolt cutters. position the lock behind the tree so it is more difficult to get to and get the leverage you need to cut that, also.. The couple times I had stands taken, it was pretty easy to step back and figure where they went with it. usually the crook will make a strait line out with it. I reported the incident, and talked with the officer about my suspicions...he then made a "friendly" visit to the home to "warn them about thieves in the area". I didn't get my stand back (nothing in sight there) but I had a lot of satisfaction they knew we knew, and no further problems.

that is very true. The first permit is hard enough to get.....earlier snow though:)

Gee, I spend pretty much my whole season in the public forests east and south of Adams, and most years get a doe permit (or fill my muzzle loading permit). I have a favorite long time spot on the west shore of Seneca Lake, but my territory in Adams/ Lorraine is more consistent.. Sorry if I don't get more specific, but there are 10s of thousands of acres in that area. Pull out the topo, identify the public land, then try to find some adjoining farm land.

Double ditto. No need to carry anything more than necessary. Actually if I am traveling heavy (with my daypack) I have a rapala filet knife in there which is golden for the specific chore. otherwise my little skinner does fine.

The flush of a grouse, apples ripening in my woods, wakening up to a howling north wind and driven rain, and hearing the honkers heading south.....

I own 10 acres, surrounded by hundreds of state/ county land. My land is long considered the hot spot. On opening days, and as often as possible, I make sure my hunting friends are very well posted along the borders and on the adjacent land within respectable distances. It works very well. Other than an occaisional walk through along the border mid day, no problems, and most of the guys hunting the surrounding land with any regularity I have gotten to know (and knowing where we are regularly, give us room).

I am also hoping to use a Krag this fall. The only ammo I found locally is Remington, which it handles just fine. I reload most everything, but doubt highly this gun will get much use to warrant it. Unfortunately ammo is about 40 a box of 20 at gander. I am sighting in for only about 75 yards, which is very well within my normal woods range, and also will go for only ideal shots....which I have the priveledge of waiting. for.

Probably well after the fact, but,,, Bear is actually quite fine., but needs to be cooked well. It makes fine stew, use in place of beef as you normally would. I would use some beef stock to help the flavoring. Be absolutely sure to trim all fat . Most of the last couple I got we cooked pot roast style. Again, cook almost entirely as you would beef, add a couple cups beef stock (tough to get bear stock), I sear it in bacon grease for some fat content (all fat having been trimmed ), add the stock, a couple Vidalia onions , I usually par boil taters and carrots separate then add them.I sometimes add a couple diced apples to the roast to sweeten it a bit. to make stew, I use almost the same start , just dice up the meat small, add, several stalks of diced celery, garlit, ample dose of black pepper, a tablespoon or so of Worcestershire sauce, and a can of tomato soup, oregano, and some rosemary.. I like to make a rich stock,

For 25 years my go to is my Ruger 77 ultralight, in .308 with a Leupold 1.5x5. It was bedded, with Timney Trigger and competition firing pin and spring. Despite the xtras, not the worlds most accurate with the light bbl, but it was dependable, and I knew what it would do. Several years ago it was placed in semi retirement for a mid 50s production Savage 99 in .308, which is my current standard. It is capable of better accuracy (much better), and simply feels perfect carrying. Despite that, this fall I am hoping to hunt primarily with a resurrected Krag Jorgenson. Just because.

Be sure the land owners know that you are only looking for permission for the two of you , and no others. All too often, One person with permission lets friends tag along.... Be sure, if permission is given, to ask for the property borders, where any animals may be (live stock), and if there are any other hunters on the land...respect the other hunters, and try to find out where they normally hunt and avoid that area.

I found one on the center line of the highway once....I imagine one could get injured by a car and go a fair way... As I recall they are quite territorial, could also have died from injuries with another fisher/ bobcat or coyote.