Daveboone

He admits it was pretty close a few times during the winter. I imagine that there(just realized the italics were on) are more "hermits" out there yet. Even New Yorks famous Noah John Rondeau (sic?) depended greatly on store bought and donated food, but he certainly was a hermit and a woodsman in every manner of the word.

I hunted Georgia a few years back, Even though it is good advice to gut immediately to cool the critter, down there the deer were small enough to be easily dragged out intact, and hung on a gambrel for gutting. If done promptly they cooled fine.

I tried one of the Redfield revolution scopes, and was totally dissatisfied with it out of a gun that was known for its accuracy, I replaced it with a Leupold VX 3 and immediately had my expected groups. I know the Redfields are supposed to be the same as Leopold (spelled 2 diff. ways to make sure I get it right) but that scope sure as hell wasn't worth a damn.

Phone calls save a lot of time.

When I started to look for a used atv, I discovered that with careful shopping I could buy a new one for essentially the same - the big balancer being a great interest rate and new machine warranty. Except for beaters, I couldn't find anything that would have been considered a good buy. Generally, good name ATVs hold their value very well. I found a two model year old machine for almost a grand less than its current year equivalent, with a great loan deal. For a used machine, a loan would have been closer to 9%.

When opportunity presents, I hunt woodchucks with mine. Great practice.

I hope you have a great safe visit! I cant make very good recommendations any more (I haven't actively been a bow shooter for a few years), but north of Boston are two excellent stores you may want to visit for advice and shopping. The first is a Cabelas in southern main. You may already be familiar with the national chain. The other is The Kittery Trading Post, in Kittery Maine. They are about an hour and a 1/2 or so north of Boston, about a 1/2 hr apart from each other. Both have online sites for you to explore to learn more. It is very possible to find a used bow in your budget, if not a new one. Boston is a great city, and you should have a great time there, especially if you are interested in early American history. New York is exciting, but Boston is easier to get around. And don't worry aobuot language mistakes! We Americans frequently cant even understand each other. Dave

While on stand, I have often wondered what I would do if one of the bears climbed the tree...one thing is for sure, I wouldn't be as cool as that guy is! (Actually, it happens relatively frequently. They are just curious).

whooohooo! What did he hunt with?

after looking online myself to compare, I agree with False Hellbore.Having seen it in bloom a number of times it matches up perfectly- note, there is a western and eastern variety, each having distinctly different terrain needs. Not long ago, on an aside, I found a patch of pitcher plants growing in with skunk cabbage. Pretty cool.

I find it in damp areas frequently also, but have never seen any indication of deer eating them. I hate to disagree with both suggestions, but they definely are not Lady Slippers (google for a comparison) and they don't match up with Skunk Cabbage either. I watch them from sprout up through frost kill, and I have never seen any purple on them. Darnd if I can figure them out. I wonder if they are an invasive species, usually finding them near old homestead sites.

When I bought my property, I looked online for the tax maps, and got the contact info for the neighbors. All appreciated me saying Hi. I didn't have any problems to address with them, but it opened the door for communication. That is where I would start...a friendly phone call to each neighbor, with an additional mention of...oh, by the way, you or any acquaintances wouldn't happen to have tree stands on the land, would you? It is now posted, and I need them removed. They may very readily admit it, and don't hassle them, Just tell them you are preparing for next season and need them removed asap. Stop in for a friendly visit with them and just mention afterwards you are starting to pull the treestands, and any still on are going on Craigs LIst. Recruit several reliable friends to be around each week or as often as possible prior to opening for a presence, and sure as hell have a full house for the opening days to reinforce your presence.

yow! I have given a lot of thought to a wolf hunt, and although I have a lot of patience 14 days without seeing one is beyond my sitting ability!

I have been to New Brunswick and Quebec on spring (baited) hunts a total of six times, and would happily go annually. A good outfitter (and there are plenty) works hard to keep you on active baits. Each year I saw multiple bears, and always had a great time. Sitting for 6-8 hrs or more on stand (I prefer ground blinds) isn't an easy shake. I have had many memorable evenings, seeing moose, Lynx and coyote from stand, as well as enjoying watching different bears- including sows with cubs, doing the bear thing.. I am a die hard big woods deer hunter, and cant stand the thought of baiting, bean field shooting, or all the gimmicky crap that is out there nowadays. For me,bear hunting is much less a sure thing than deer hunting is, but in some ways simpler and more pure. I know damn well I will get my venison (I didn't say buck...)each year. Bear hunting for one week, I will put in a solid 40 or more hrs on stand and maybe see a bear I want to shoot. Deer hunting I will stretch the season as long as I can to stay in the woods. Most years I can easily have a deer down within the first couple of stands. Someday I would love to go to the pacific coast to hunt coastal black bear spot and stalk, but I don't think that is any more or less sporting. You glass areas for a bear, work within range and plug it. Generally the hunts are shorter because they are more productive. Spotting known food sources is the same as baiting them in. The ranges are only longer. If you don't want to go on a baited hunt, don't go. But chances are you wont just stumble over a bear in NY.

"The Camp"

I just got back (western Tug Hill region).. The snow is melted around the camp and the nearby more open woods, but there is still a lot in the thicker and northern hell sides. I wasn't very happy to find a coyote deer kill just behind my camp...It wasn't there 3 weeks ago.

Several years ago after getting tired of getting my shed broken into, I invested in a steel shipping container. That and the best padlock I can buy. Of course, anyone determined enough with enough time and a torch, can get in.

Dang, and it drives!

I never hunted deer there, but we used to do a lot of small game hunting- grouse, pheasant, squirrel... In the summer we spent many afternoons stalking woodchucks. I don't live nearby anymore, and haven't hunted it in years, but it does get quite a bit of traffic.

An important aside for your question asking if you can legally take it out hunting.. That will largely depend on what type of pistol permit you have. Be sure to adhere closely to its provisions. I have been surprised by the number of permit recipients who are either ignorant of, or who choose to ignore, restrictions on their permits. Darn few full carry permits are issued anymore. If in doubt, contact your permit office to clarify how and when you can carry.

upstate and northern NY has a lot of public land, a lot of which is very low pressure hunting. Areas I used to frequent heavily hunted 25 years ago are now lightly hunted. My suggestion is to contact the DEC and ask for information on areas you are interested in. Plan a few camping/ scouting trips to explore areas. Be sure to tone down expectations from the media...big woods hunting is a lot of hunting, not much shooting, but the deer are there, and you will probably find woods hunting more rewarding than downstate hunting with higher deer populations. If you would like to send a personal response, I can suggest a few areas that I have enjoyed, but no longer frequent, and good luck to ya. You want to be sure to get your basic skills down first though (fire starting, compass use, etc).

What do you hope to do with the pistol? Other than being concealable, target, hunting, personal protection (concealed carry) for which you need a full carry permit, or home protection, where anything goes. If it is your first pistol, .22 lets you practice the most for the price. .22s are getting pretty easy to find again. After that in centerfire, probably 9mm is most affordable for shooting, if not versatility (where.38 special/.357 mag reigns, from self defence, hunting, target use, and still moderate cost). I would decide on your caliber / purpose first, then the actual gun, other wise its kind of putting the cart in front of the horse.

This is my first year in 6 years not going to Canada for spring bear, and its killin me! It has turned into a great week away without a care in the world (new Brunswick). I have to save my pennies up for 2015 when we are going to Newfoundland for a fly iin moose hunt, long time in coming.

if you are referring to Frenchmans Island on Oneida Lake, as I recall there were quite a few large mast trees there. Undoubtedly the deer head out there as mainland sources grew thin.. Plenty of cover out there, besides

Generally speaking, CCI .22 is some of the best. The mini mags in particular are some of the most reliable .22s out there. In many different 22 rifles and pistols (semi specifically) they have across the board been the most reliable for me.. The Stingers are built for velocity, use a lighter bullet and as I recall a slightly longer case. The combination does not work well in a lot of semi autos.