SteveB

Flinger - county rep or regional for NYB - or higher up?

So the physically able twenty something who is too lazy to get off his butt and learn to hunt with a recurve should shoot a compound? Compounds for the physically capable are freaking ridiculous. I wish that they are illegal. See how this works?

So far I have been called pathetic, evasive, and elitist. No wonder I don't like crossbow hunters.: LOL: I have no problem providing an exception to the rules for those who need it. For those who NEED it. 2 mistakes here - I called your opinion pathetic, not you. And I am not a crossbow hunter - I use a real bow ;D

My bad. I just assumed that someone who would get so antagonistic about it so quickly must have some sort of vested interest. You sell them, maybe? Maybe making assumptions seldoms leads to the right answer. I could assume since you seem to be so anti, that you only hunt with traditional equipment - but would most likely be wrong. You are more then willing to have bowhunting easier for you by use of a compound, but are unwilling to extend that to any one else, especially handicapped, without a payoff. I could also assume you most likely are involved with NYB, possibly a rep? I don't need one or have any personal vested interest in any way - other then seeing no reason for any archery equipment to be excluded from the bow season - especially for the handicapped.

Arrowflinger.. Thankfully I don't - still do most of my bowhunting with a recurve. I do know several who do however - including a couple who help get our first bowseason.

As long as you get something of value (to you) in return? I don't believe now you meant your original statement to be as harsh as I took it. But I would hope you can see why I saw it as such.

Might have been a 95 without Ted ;D

I'd hope that's one most could handle on their own?

I haven't been here long, but it is pretty easy to see what kind of a person you are. I'll be sure to run all of my opinions by you first, from now on. : If you want to quote me include the whole thing: Post anything you want - especially that which clearly shows no empathy with disabled hunters. Thanks

OK. The rest of the lazy guys...no way. Like all those unwilling to do the work to be proficient and hunt with a recurve? Can't just do the right thing for the disabled without tying it to some condition haven't nothing to do with it - pretty high up the pathetic scale.

Exactly!

Only if you add to that: As a condition for allowing crossbows in bowseason for the physically challenged, they should pass a law that states compounds can only be used in the regular season and never in bow season.

Sounds like they are still shooting most of the young deer - just a few more have a little wider racks.

The fact you can't come up with a reason for him telling you a "story" in no way proves that his story is, or could possibly be true. Neither does posting obscure, hypothetical what if scenarios. Sorry.

From the website: http://www.panthersociety.org/faq.html The estimated FL panther population in 1995 was 30 to 50, it is now estimated at 50 to 70. While this is good news, reintroduction into appropriate portions of the panther’s historic range is still necessary to ensure its long-term survival. Doubt they are, or ever have been capturing them and releasing them secretly (except for a DEC officer telling people at kitchen tables). They are a higher protected sub species - as WNY said. Also from the site: Is there a “Black Panther”? The term 'Black Panther' is quite often used in connection with large black cats - however there is no one distinct species of wildcat called a 'Black Panther'. Over the years it has become used as a common name that can be applied to any large black-coated cat. When you see a picture of a 'Black Panther' it is most likely that you are looking at either a Leopard or possibly a Jaguar with Melanistic coloration. The term Melanistic is derived from melanin, a dark colored skin and hair pigment. In cats, melanism results in the fur of the animal being very dark or black in color. In many cases the usual markings of the animal can be faintly seen through the dark fur, especially at certain angles in bright sunlight. Melanistic cats are commonly born into mixed litters along with normally colored siblings. (Note: There is no documented evidence of the existence of a melanistic Florida Panther. Information in this answer is from the web site Big Cats Online. )

Don't know why, but he did not tell you the truth. Black ml, cougars or whatever you what to call them do not exist anywhere, even where montains live in huge numbers. Scientifically impossible for them to exist. Are you saying they are tagging bears or ml's in dens? Not real clear from your post.

Everyone except the NYS regular season only hunters. And NYB.

I'd vote no and actively fight it. Justs advances the farming of wild deer and can build populations to unnatural levels.

Bballhunter11 - I would really like to read more about the DEC's admission they released ml's. Can you furnish us the info?

And yet no one has ever come forward with any proof. I can accept there may have been a rare case of an escaped/freed one. I can accept there may have been a rare case of a lost wild one wondering thru - but no proof of such has ever been offered in my lifetime. Without proof I cannot believe there is a viable, breeding population here - and again, no one has ever offered proof otherwise. The claims of a secret program by the DEC, insurance companies, etc to have released are just so far fetched I can only shake my head and chuckle. The only claim even more off the wall is that there are black ones out there in NY.

Now there's proof! ;D

Long flight to NY. I'm going to the diner to ask. Someone there will know a guy who heard where they are.

I only missed it because it never happened. 1000's of employee's in the DEC and they can keep this secret?? ??? ;D ;D While we are talking conspiracies, does anyone know where the black helicopters are hangared?

Lots of people "know a guy" - but no proof has ever come forward. You guys didn't think to take a picture? 2 people can't keep a secret, let alone 2 govenrment low level employees. If the DEC was importing, tagging, and releasing ml's, word and proof would get out.

1000's of trail cams out there. I'll believe there is one here (other then an freed pet) when there is any kind of real proof shown. Hair, scat, verifiable photo, any real evidence. Until then, I am a justified skeptic.