Daveboone

The 45-70 has significant recoil. It isn't a rifle for target shooting- other than sighting in, of course. Varying loads also have a big affect on the shoulder. It is possible to load up to the equivalent of .458 magnum energies. I keep recoil down somewhat handloading a 350 grain Hornady RN, which has been very effective (4 shots, 4 kills) on bear. I also shoot it out of a Browning 1885, which is a relatively heavy gun. I have read many times that it can be brutal out of the Marlin lever actions, as theyare relatively short barreled and much lighter. I love the round, but it does have limitations. It takes extensive practice to get proficient at the longer ranges (100 yards, for this gun) Plenty of killing power, but the trajectory is like a rainbow. It is a great round for someone who has the time to spend with it, but I would tend to steer it away from someone for an all around shoot a lot gun.

I would think the johnboat idea would be simplest, cheapest and safest. Place it there a couple months ahead of time and the deer wont pay it any attention. As previously mentioned, run a line from one shore to the other for pulling yourself along. Probably the easiest way to move gear or a deer across also. You sure wouldn't want to try to move a deer with a zip line or a suspension bridge.

Seems like the rat killer wouldn't do it any good!

A friend joined. He received a one time collection of Walmart grade items (cheap folder, a couple of cheap lures) to eval. If I remember correctly they have their own magazine they want you to subscribe to. Not worth the time.

I just got back from my camp an hour ago (western edge of the Tug Hill). Beautiful weather. We have about 2 feet of heavy snow on the ground...too soft to walk on, just skatie enough you cant snow shoe very well. It appeared the deer were moving around fine.

Ah, Creekside. I think it was about 15 years ago I was in there last. At that time they were greatly down from what they had in the mid 80s when I was previously in. A buddy was looking for an Uzi, and I almost bought a HK 9mm ( model 93?). I allways thought the prices were pretty fair for an independent shop. Kittery would be my choice for a 2nd. The last time I was there though, they were getting cleaned out pretty good by all the city types coming in from NY and Boston. The Pa. Gander has had a great assortment of used guns (handgun, rifle, shotgun) and I thought across the board prices were quite fair. I am still kicking myself for not having bought an H+jR octagon bbl 45-70 for 150.00 two years ago. It was a pre- NEF rifle.

I tend not to get involved in these discussions, but I must here. NYS has more heavily wooded deer country than open. Our deer overall can run much heavier than found in southern states where the .223 and .243 are popular because their deer run smaller...much smaller. Yes, I have hunted the south, and a big buck MAY be as large as an average ny deer, but more often is much smaller. The lighter calibers may kill with a perfectly placed shot, but are easily deflected, have less mass to penetrate, and we seldom are presented with the perfect shot. For all those reasons, 30 caliber reigns king in the NE for a rifle cartridge. If you are an adult, recoil will not be an issue with the 'o6, .308 ir ,270. Ammo is easily found anywhere, and there a a zillion guns out there to pick from. I agree a 12 (or 20 gauge shotgun with a rifled slug barrel is perfectly adequate for deer, but can be brutal for sighting in and practicing..

I also am completing a gun project...more like out with the new and in with the old though . My Ruger mk 11 .308 is being put in the 2nd tier for the rebirth of my fathers Mauser 98. Drilled, tapped, competitions firing pin and spring, timney trigger, it gives me 1/2 inch groups at 100. Of course it is in 8x57. The currently way overpowered 2x8 is coming off for a Leupold 1.5x5, which is worn on my .308 and 45-70 (I like consistency) and has proven more than adequate out to 200 yards, and far more versatile in typical NY woods. The mauser is 80 years old this year...and still a force to be reckoned with.

I agree with SteveB. The only reason the herd is there is because of mans interference: first the fence, then the base commander initially declaring the first mutants off limits to shooting. They are neat to see, but other than that Ma Nature in her wisdom would weed them out.

wow, beautiful. I have never heard of a color phase in NY. About the grumpy look someone asked about...I know I have helped drag out plenty of critters, and sometimes there just aint no energy left for the smile. It might me hiding under the mustache though.

I have been for bear 5 times over the border in New Brunswick. It is a great time. If you are fudging money, you could go cheaper, bur what you are paying is in the ball park. (I pay 1600. for 5 days). Black bear are super timid, and even though it is spookier than hell leaving your stand at night, it is virtually unheard of to be attacked while hunting. If you have a choice, go for a tent blind instead of a tree stand the first time. You have much more freedom of movement than in a tree, and the sit is much more comfortable. Get yourself a good bug suit head to toe. The bugs need to be experienced to believe them. I have used a Thermocell every year, and they work great. Just have the bug suit as back up. I would go every year if I could. It is a reasonably priced hunt, the meat is fine...many bear hunters prefer it to venison. Just treat it like real meat- keep it clean, cool. We like to cook it like pot roast, and the texture, grain is very similar. Go and have a great time. Just remember to sight your gun in for closer ranges.

I frequently have game cams on state land, but not usually during peak hunting or scouting times (late summer, fall). also the areas I post them in are not visited much. I usually put them up during the late season, through mid summer to get an idea of what is still in the area. I have a number of known trails used year around, and it is fun to monitor the local deer population through all seasons. Once hunting season starts, usually its all out the window as far as where the bucks will be, anyway.

The Finger Lakes National forest provides pretty good small game hunting potential. Lots of hardwoods, and some managed open fields. There is a FLNF office that has maps of different terrains, etc. Generally, the entire forest is available for hunting. I cant remember the road the office is on, but I am sure you can google it. Other than that, there are gobs of state land around, from Howlands Island to the north, to multiple parcels between and down to Geneva, Cortland, , etc. Montezuma has a visitors center also, off route 5. I don't believe small game hunting is allowed, but not sure.

our mail lady asks if our Rottweiler (Lucy) can come out to play, when she stops. of course she can!

When a teenager (crud...35 years ag0) we went to Marine Land in Canada, where they had trained orcas. My whole family was disgusted by the situation- huge intelligent animals kept penned up in a literal (to them) fish bowl. From what I have seen, times haven't changed much. I am very leery of animal rights activists, but I don't think keeping orcas (I guess I should with an open mind say wild caught orcas)is very smart or humane.

I cant think of any reason to affect it. If condition made you more vulnerable it could present a stronger argument for it, possibly.

A .22 pistol is the most affordable to shoot, and lets you develop your shooting skills much more easily. Less distracting noise, recoil, much cheaper ammo, and you can probably find one in a very similar action to your .44, so they even handle in a familiar way. Of those you mention though, the 9mm is by far the most reasonable priced, and generally most available, although .380 has been getting much more available. The more compact handguns such as you mention though, have a steep learning curve learning to shoot. They are designed basically as very close range weapons, with rudimentary sights, are fussy to hold, and the triggers aren't geared for accuracy. I suggest a .22 in at least a 4" barrel if you want to shoot to improve your skill.

Seldom can you be allways "toasty". Just sitting still for extended times slows circulation, metabolism, etc, and you are bound to get some chills, and it is learning not to mind, but... first rule...eliminate all cotton: just like a towel, it holds moisture, and will chill you. Merino wool is fantastic, and even many folks "allergic" to wool can wear it. I base layer with a synthetic (usually polyester base) winter weight long under wear, then have a wind proof heavier fleece layer over it. Usually covered with wool bibs, which keep out the draft from in back. I prefer my wool parka over it. The best winter boots I have found are a rubber insulated boot, mine are the 2000 g. boots as Irecall. waterproof, tall enough to keep snow out of them, and I put toe or foot warmers inside. I like an insulated wool cap, and wear a head/ neck gator. I fully believe the majority of your heat goes out your head and neck, and the addition of a muffler/ gator does wonders. Gloves make for better gun mobility, but colder hands. for quite a number of years I have preferred the mittens with fingers inside, with disposable hand warmers. Just this year I picked up a hand muff, and I love it. I keep another bigger handwarmer in it, and alternate hands within, so I allways have one hand on the gun. I love disposable hand warmers, and sometimes put them inside my coverall pockets and down my arm sleeves. As well, make sure to eat a good carbohydrate filled breakfast for fueling the body, avoid smoking and caffeine, both of which are vasoconstrictors and contribute to cold hands and feet. As was mentioned elsewhere, if walking in any distance ,go slow enough not to sweat or carry a pack with your heavier layers to put on upon arrival at your stand, and carry a foam seat to sit on that will be dry. No matter what, I hunt northern NY, and there are days that you just have to deal with it.

all the big boys are smart, and few and far between.

I didn't see anything on the dduplex site that hasn't been touted by various slugs manufactured in the past. Due to sheer mass, a 12 gauge slug is less prone to deflection anyway, and is generally held to closer shots. Very nice deer ya got there,there Bkln, but how do you know it hit anything in route? About 15 years ago I had a boxcare of a doe stumble within 5 yards of me, I held mid chest and fired. She ran off, untouched.Fresh snow on the ground, no question. Afterwards I found the pencil sized sapling the slug hit, and sent who knows where. Big slugs deflect less than small. Regardless, allways try to find a hole to go through.

Good question! Allways rest on the forearm, not the barrel. Also, although you want to shoot from a solid rest, be sure to pad it. A solid rest (like a board, or stack of books) will make your shot jump. A rest such as sandbags, or I usually use the firmly rolled up wool blanket I have in my car,steadies the the gun, but also keeps it from jumping. An alternative is a rest such as the "shooting Sled" (I think I got the name right). It firmly locks the gun into place, so that the zero doesn't change. Few people really have a need for one though. Be sure to wear a heavy jacket to pad your should also. Such padding helps minimize the little vibrations from the shooter that contribute to sight movement. Ignore the comments that think your initial question is surprising. Every visit to the range I see folks trying to sight in off handed. 09/10 times I get turned down when I offer them my rest...until they see the clover leaf group from my muzzleloader, and they cant keep the shots on the paper.

You can pull over and park anywhere you don't block traffic in wildlife management areas. You very seldom will come across non hunters during hunting season. Most bird watchers, etc. have ample other places to go for those few weeks. If you do of course, just be naturally pleasant and cordial, and a bit more aware that they may not be comfortable around guns. They still have fair and equal access to the woods. Even the very rare times I have met nonhunters in the woods, it has always been on the access roads, never in the woods.

woohoo! Very cool. Try a pot roast. Treat it like you would a beef roast. Bear meat is greatly under rated. I have been lucky to get a few bears in Canada, but my p;ize is a NY bear, which is much harder to come by. Congratulations.

I bought a Norinco SKS about 16 years ago for 119.00, just to tinker with . I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and engineering. I cleaned up the trigger, scoped it, and had a fair bit of fun with it but never really had a use for it. The gun case was too full already so I sold it towards another gun. I do wish I still had it.

Not quite sure what qualifies as an old guy, but closing on 40 hunting seasons count? My advice if you want to be a "real" hunter... Be out there year round, know what the dear are eating, and where they are bedding. Shoot your firearm...a lot (not in one sitting)-know your gun. Have patience to be out all day, regardless of weather, but still know that it is the first few and last few minutes of shooting day that are most important. Be out there, every minute you can! I have shot them two minutes into the season (which sucks!) and at last light the last day of the season many times (which is perfect). A traditional hunter is out there for meat- the bones can boil all day, and you still cant eat em. Don't get deceived by the TV and magazine mutant monster deer. Understand a trophy is in the respect the animal gets from you, not the oohs and ahhs from the crowd. Hunt the wind. Always. Be still. If hunting, hunt. Give it your 100%. And I do use a game camera, but it is more for my own entertainment. Every year I see mature bucks roaming rut time that I never saw previously, and I never seem to see the average to middlin bucks that I do get on my camera.