Five Seasons

i think I've said this before, but it bears repeating. I've not spent a dime at their stores since they took the actions they did. But the continuation of hunting relies on new hunters to pick up the tradition/sport. The harder and harder you make it for hunters to buy gear, the less and less likely the casual hunter will enter the woods. The casual hunters are really the ones we need. Some become hardcore, but at a minimum they're buying tags every year. Some anti-hunters and gun rights advocates are probably pleased to see this news. Make it harder for people to buy guns and ammo is a win for them. For example, I live in Rochester and since Gander left my options are extremely limited and most of my hunting gear is now bought online. I haven't had the need to buy guns and ammo recently, but I know my options are limited now. I also know that competition is good for the consumer. Recently I've seen that traditions archery has closed and guaranteed archery has limited hours due to the owners health issues. The more urban we become and the harder we make it for hunters to get into the sport, the more worried we should be about the history of hunting. I'm honestly more upset and saddened by what this company and its leaders chose to do. I think if they removed their CEO and made a statement of sorts I'd gladly spend my money their again. idk...

video added for those who have no idea what i'm talking about

The last buck I shot took longer than I would have liked to skin. Generally I don't mind the time, but sometimes I'm just tired and want to get it cut up and done with. Anybody tried it? It can't be that easy or everyone, including pro shops would be doing it right?

right on the dec website is a pretty good starter kit specific to new york. It's not all inclusive but will get you headed in the right direction. I'm only 2 seasons in to trying this thing myself and the weather for early bear in the daks has not played ball. A few recommendations I would make is to look into the gray area of a honey pot. It's not bait when being heated, but you do need to stay under the legal ounce rule. https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/bbhunting10.pdf Also have a plan to get it out. They're not like deer and you may even need to skin and quarter. i found these to be helpful and would recommend a big ass cooler too if you're traveling.

have you really met ALL the people who live in the hills of Georgia though? hahahaha

been talking to a lot of people about this when you look at the current state of texas and western states like colorado. It boggles my mind that people leave because they don't like where they're at, only to bring their same political views with them...

great roads? in addition to the schools, medical care is much better up here too.

awesome! Hopefully he knows that it doesn't always work like that lol.

as much as i dislike the commute in this stuff, I could never give up a snowy deer hunt. Those days are magical!

i've only had nikons and leupolds, but at the price point the average deer hunter should look no further than the vx-2. Awesome scope at a good price. Me, always wanting a little better than necessary put a vx-3 on mine and I love it as well. But I will also add that I'm not western hunting where a more expensive optic would be warranted. I consider the vx-3 at >$300 pretty expensive as it is haha.

there are some interesting write ups about these "entry level" rifles that most major manufacturers offer. Essentially the long and short of it is that their accuracy is all within a cat's whisker of the more expensive rigs and if all you're doing is hunting, not competitive shooting you should really need nothing else. Of course, guys who spend a ton on their rigs don't like to hear this, so you can argue a few ounces saved on a fluted barrel and what not, but at the end of the day I highly encourage people to spend their money on the optics. all that said, I have an american and it shoots great. My only issue is the plastic mag. I'm still amazed that there isn't an aftermarket solution. Ruger replaced the original free of charge because the bullets would not "pop up" and the replacement occasionally does the same. I will also add that this same rule does not apply to shotguns and pistols for me. The fit and finish between my ruger lcp and my kimber 1911 is night and day and of course i expected that. Same with my browning shotgun and my mossberg. But a bolt action rifle? eh.

family. I left. Loved leaving and it opened my eyes to how bad it really is here for someone with my beliefs. My parents and most of my relatives have been here their whole lives. They know parts are bad, but just bitch and mention the positives. What they don't know is really how bad some of it is. Nobody does until they leave. but in the end, none of the things i dislike about upstate ny are enough to counter the fact that both my wife and my families are basically all here. So we moved back and don't regret it. I really don't even hate winter.

and don't just ignore things written by scientists who have spent their life studying theme either. Joe at the bar may not be wrong, but his anecdotal evidence rarely wins in a debate with a wildlife biologist. if more people thought that way, maybe the glaciers wouldn't be melting...

i've never decided if i would shoot a albino or piebald. I think I'll know if/when I see one.

i'm glad to see more and more of these stories. Seems that many hunt for less than the right reasons, and "bragging" being one of their biggest motivators. I decided after last year that I was done with posting deer pics on social media and the net. Just seems that there are no benefits to it and only potential negatives.

you're* -dicksville

i've read a few articles (and of course this is subject to the herds dynamics) that say a big buck can more easily push out and intimidate his competition. So the 2.5's are doing most of the fighting and seeking for the harder to find, less defended doe. Also some pretty good research on why deer even grow antlers at all. Many think it's based on defense, when in actuality it's more about attraction. Bigger rack shows the doe he's worth exchanging dna with for her offspring. Kinda like the sports car and nice house haha. idk, both those idea have always made sense to me when reading about them in mags, books, podcasts.

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8316.html

you're correct about the online reporting. Much easier than the painful phone system. As far as reporting goes, I've always reported, my question was more geared around the fact that I forgot to report within the 7 day window and by reporting late, "technically" i'm knowingly committing a violation. But as many others have said, I'm now convinced it's still the right thing to do.

good theory, but I've also heard that monsters like him rarely have to do any chasing or seeking. they just show up and mount. I'd think it'd be worth the time to skin him just to see what's underneath.

I can’t verify this but I always tape my tags on the outside freezer doe and toss them with the meat is gone. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah but not everyday is real windy. Something sweet about hearing that crunch crunch coming. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

sort of the reason for this thread. So some of the posts eased my fear, but maybe they're just messing with me because i live in dicksville?

just did it. no police yet haha. It's actually pretty easy to just login and then click the tag you're reporting. A little interesting that there's a banner on the front page that warns of a $250 fine for failure to report. I think I have a deer from a few years ago that i forgot lol.

ha not a bad idea i guess. There's something about knowingly, technically violating a rule lol.