Daveboone

I purchased a new Redfield for my inline last fall, and was very dissatisfied. Clarity was not up to what I expected, the crosshair adjustments were not as definitive as the Leupolds I own, and it was not as precise in adjustment as I am used to. I recently returned it to Cabelas and for the same (actually less) money bought a Nikon Prostaff. Last year I sighted in two friends rifles with these scopes and was very impressed. The 2-7 I mounted also was great. Better clarity, adjustments tight and precise, Regardless of the Redfields being made by Leupold, they are not Leupold quality in my opinion.

Both the Remington and Savage are fine guns. Within the money you are talking, you wont have any problem finding a good rifle. As mentioned, T/c also has a fine bolt action. I prefer Rugers, which you might want to look at (I am not sure of their current prices). I also agree the package deals scopes tend to stink . I recently sighted in 3 different rifles purchased as a package, with their scopes. ALL 3 had defective scopes out of the box, and were replaced. In each case, we put Nikon Pro staffs on (a relatively inexpensive, but excellent quality scope). I agree that the best thing you can do is handle each rifle side by side if possible, and compare features and fit. Functionally in the field, most likely you wont know the difference in firing or general dependability. The Weatherby I had (sold) was far from the most accurate or dependable arm I have owned. Thus it is down the line. Brownings are also expensive, but they also produce a lower end line than they used to, and fit and finish I have found to be no better than many other guns for less money.

Give a call to the DEC or stop in the regional office in Syracuse to get a brochure on Happy Valley. It will give a detail of the area. You can also buy the Geological Survey maps for the area (2 maps) which will help you greatly. It took us a number of years to learn the area effectively, but it is worth it. I dont have a chance to do much more than drive through it a couple times a year nowadays. You can also google earth Churchill Rd and Happy Valley Rd. in Oswego County for a good view. Both roads pierce the rea north to south, and are almost entirely public lands throughout.

I have been delighted to see the increase in otters through the Tug Hill region. They originally were reintroduced with the assist of trappers not so long ago, and seem to be thriving. Near home (southern Oswego County) I have seen them cross the road several times. Two years ago I watched a very large one exploring near a stream while deer hunting. To the unfamiliar, I was struck by the resemblance to a panther! large thick tail, sinewy body, smallish head - but the short stubby ears and legs are easy to differentiate. I am sure some of the "Cat" sightings are mistaken large otter sightings. Yesterday only about 5 miles from Watertown we had a baby otter cross the road very leisurely, mid day. (no, not a fisher, martin, etc. Very distinctive different body types) It was only maybe24" from nose to tail. I was surprised no parents with it, but I dont know how long they stay with them.

Hunting camp in Lorraine.

My .308 scope, .300 Win Mag, and 45-70 scopes are all machined steel mounts (Leupold), I did not use Lock-tite on them, and in 25 years havent had to touch the .308 (my oldest) or the others (several hundred rounds through each). I have started to put Lock tite on my newest arms ...I guess just because. I do tend to agree that I think the aluminum mounts being of softer matereal could be more prone and probably benefit more. What the heck, I guess. Use it, check the screws often, and never have a problem. When we do have a problem it is usually discovered in the field, not at the range.

Venison Stew, Chili, blackberry cobbler,

I think all of us match the description more and more as we age. Individuals who are good company and contribute who match your description are invited back. Dead beats, drunks or grumps are not invited back (or if its their camp, you dont go back).

Prices vary, as said...greatly. Generally the more you pay, the better the job. Compare work with as many taxidermists as you can. Make sure they have the animals on display you want done. Be sure also, that the taxidermist does all his own work (some have more than a little help from friends who want to learn it...i have learned the hard way). Ask how long he has been in business, how many mounts he has done. I have one taxidermist who does some work for me which is good- and fairly priced, and another who does outstanding...and is significantly more. It depends on how much I value the trophy.

Most of my life I happily bragged of being immune to poison ivy, then about 10 years ago (I am 50 now) I drastically learned that I was no longer immune! Even if you think you are, dont act like it. It can (and according to my doc)and probably will change to being allergic. And it isnt really an allergy, it is a reaction to the toxins in it. Regular water does not wash it off if exposed. Poison Ivy also climbs on trees, as my border trees attest to. Round up works pretty good on it. Never weed wack it- it sprays the juice into the air and will cover you more than if you picked it up. I dont think it is any more prevalent, just alot more fallow land and overgrown areas than there were a few decades ago.

Contact the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation for info on public lands in the area. There are tens of thousands of acres of public land within an hour of the Rt. 81 corridor through northern NY (not even including the Adirondacks). Happy Valley is over 6000 acres, and up on the Tug Hill you have the Winona State forest, Little John WMR, Lakeview Marsh, and many others. NY is rich in public lands- at one time a hunting zoo, but over the last 20 years, generally thinly hunted. Fishing opportunities are far beyond what most out of staters can comprehend. Lake Ontario offers Salmon, Brown Trout, Lake trout, bass, walleye, and all sorts of panfish. There are more small lakes and river access than can be listed- Foremost the St. Lawrence River, about an hour north, the Salmon River, Black River, Oswego River, Black Lake, Oneida Lake, and many different trout streams scattered around. Deer hunting is generally woods hunting on public land. You need to work for them, but they tend to run big. Alot of public land being close by, it makes it easy to do plenty of scouting.

Great book. The family has a long history in the Maine woods well before then, too. Another great book is "Hunting Big Woods Bucks, by ....Blood (last name), another north woods guide. I wish Ihad the time to put all those books teach into practice.

They are old school woodsmen, the likes of which are seldom seen. Many of the newer generations of hunters cant understand the knowledge and time, mind set and way of life that they live daily. Without the immediate gratification of modern conveniences and distractions, most young hunters or indifferent hunters do not believe in the success and tactics still practiced by them.

I depart tomorrow (may 21) for southern NB, Canada. My 4th time going, having gotten 3 previous bears. I am just as excited this time around. I am going to Lindsay Sporting Camps again, bringing my proven Browning 45-70 single shot.

You could use a muzzleloader at any time, but the ML season was implemented in the early 70s due to the resurgence in popularity around the bicentenial- 73-74 I recall.

I hunted it intensively for many years, and took one of my best bucks out of there. It is big woods hunting. You need to do your homework, and alot of scouting. Hunting pressure is a fraction of what it was when I started there in the late 70s. It has a healthy deer population, but it is widespread. Dont expect open country hunting.

Very random. Of course any shooting over/ along a road would not be legal, or within (I think its) 500 feet of occupied buildings. Out in the middle of no where I have been told by game officers no shooting except in designated areas. They dont want the landscape, trees chewed up. Fair enough. Some allow it in old gravel cuts. I would notify your local DEC officer of the situation. Usually they are very prompt in responding. What they can do about it is another matter.

Of the three bears I have shot, the meat itself was as clean and appetizing as any other appropriatly treated butchered meat. I have to agree that the skinned carcass looks very human like (other than the skull). The first bear I brought home put us off eating it for over a year on the memory of looking like a young human! Yes, it was a small bear.

My belief on why no spring bear hunting is several possibilities: First, NY does not have a very large (though stable) population to start. Next, spring bear hunting is usually baiting oriented, which isnt allowed. Fall bear hunting is pretty much on a stumble upon basis. Next, the bear take in NY is apparentlly effective enough in removing the desired # of bears, as the population is at a stable level for decades.

I have been out in the woods pretty steady along the NW corner of the Tug Hill, east of Mannsville over the last few weeks. I dont think the kill will be significant in that area. The deer seemed to be moving very well, and the deer I am seeing now are in good shape. Many deer in this area drop down the few miles to the lower land when it gets too deep, and are only just now returning.

East of Mannsville, snow is melting fast, All the snow is gone from the yard at the camp, and you can easily walk through the woods. As of yesterday, the Redfield area is still buried. Careful around the creeks though, the water is high and running hard.

I have shot many two+ and three+ year old bucks that would fall outside QDM standards. (and many 1 1/2 year olds that would). If circumstance dictates limited time to hunt, or simply a poor selection in any given year...it still boils down to dictating what some one should shoot. less than 20 years of celebrity hunting show oriented hunting mentality has driven our sport into a "mine is bigger than yours" mentality, and taken away the respectability of hunting sportsmanship for a competitve "superbowl" sport mentality. I hunt from the beginning of NT ML season through the last day of ST ML season when I can, and do not lack for opportunities. Over the 40 years I have been hunting, deer populations and success rates have skyrocketed throughout the state. Hunters no longer hope to get a deer, they expect to get multiple deer. Now they want them bigger. There is little justification or respectability in the sport when we brag " I only QDM hunt, so I passed alot last year". Yeah, ok. B.S. Any QDM hunters I know dont eat venison to start, and it (qdm) just gives them another competition to participate in.

Limit the legal take of bucks to one per hunter, and there will be more bucks out there. We are hunting for meat anyway, not bragging rights. I will be very upset when I am told someone else is making the decision of whether or not I can shoot the buck of my choosing for my freezer.

I recently sighted in two inlines with Nikon blackpowder scopes, after the package (Cabelas) scopes failed to zero. I was very impressed with the Nikon quality. I purchases a new Redfield for my own inline, and the quality was not what i expected, it does not zero as closely as the Nikons did, the cross hairs are not as precise to sight with...overall, regardless of it being made by Leupold (and I own 4 other L scopes) the Redfield is going back for exchange on a Nikon (I cant afford another Leupold right now). No matter the gun, you are allways well ahead buying the very best scope you can afford. I agree with the other assessments of the refurbished scopes: but they will never be any better than what the scope already is. Even if hunting only a few times a year (maybe even more so) you dont want a scope to ruin that rare day hunting by failing on you.

The overlong cylinder on the Rossi also makes for inefficient powder burning, and the long barrel will not maximize velocity because the round is designed for use in short barreled pistols. The gun is strictly a novelty.If you are looking for performance you are looking in the wrong place.