cdmckane

I stayed home from work with a sick kid today. After our visit to the Dr, I stopped by a few places. Dryden Lake and Lake Como both had people fishing not far from shore. At both places they reported "3-4 inches" of ice. Not nearly thick enough for me. Tri County Pond in Harford and Casterline pond in Homer both had water on top of the ice and I didn't even dare to take a few steps to drill a test hole.

Same here! I was hoping to find some up north. I've got buddies in PA who've been out on the ice a few times already and I'm itching to get out myself.

I've got the week off between Christmas and New Year's and was hoping to head up north to hit some hard water. I'm open to head anywhere, but Old Forge and Watertown areas would be best as I can make it a day trip. Though I'm not opposed to spending a couple of days if it's worth it. Thanks, Chris.

I can't help you much with those locations. I do, however, highly recommend Alaskan Fishing Adventures, www.alaskanfishing.com, for salmon, halibut, ling cod, and whatever else they can find out of Homer and Seward. I won't fish with anyone else when I head North.

My load of a .452 300-grain Hornady XTP in a black MMP sabot on top of 100 grains by volume of 777 loose powder and a CCI 209 primer has 4 deer in my freezer so far this season. I prefer the XTP pistol bullet over "dedicated" ML bullets since it just seems to work better in my TC Pro Hunter FX. I've tried the ShockWaves (repackaged Hornady SST's), SSTs, Powerbelts, and Conicals. This load just seems to be accurate and lethal. I don't ever plan on changing it up.

I HATE my 2007 ram 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi. I cant decide if it's the engine that's weak, or a bad transmission. Regardless, it can't pull a trailer to save it's life. I get horrible mileage and get to go up hills at like 40 mph unless I want to kick it down and scream it. I'm driving it til it dies then buying a Powerstroke.

Needing to free up some space in the freezer, I canned up 10 pounds of meat that I had planned to grind. So, now I need some recipes or ideas on what to do with it.

Right now we have the Kitchen Aid grinder attachment. I'm going to upgrade to a LEM unit probably next summer, or maybe even before the season is over if the overtime works out, but that will mean less time for hunting.

Well I can positively say that SHE did not let the yotes have the liver. I did as she only participates until it's on the ground then once it comes out of the freezer.. I don't eat organ meat and that's fine with the wife.

My wife shot a button buck yesterday at 4pm thinking it was a doe. No biggie, gonna be some tender meat. Looking at the overnight temperatures and not wanting to part with $75, I called a buddy of mine who has cut his own deer for years, and asked if he'd guide me though it. Well, he came over tonight after work and in less than an hour, we had it boned out, cut up, and in the freezer. Not sure if I'll ever take another deer to be processed again if the temps are good. Won't really have a choice if it's warm. I'm kind of digging the fact that it was harvested, dressed, skinned, cut, and processed all on our own property. We saved all the trim to do one big grind at the end of the season. I hate cleaning the grinder so I use it as little as possible.

I haven't decided yet. I'll probably decide once I open the safe in the morning. . .50 TC Pro Hunter FX with 300 gr Hornady XTP in a black MMP sabot pushed by 95 gr of 777 loose powder Remington Model 700 in .30-06. Remington 180 grain Core-Lokt Savage 220F with Hornady SST Winchester Model 94 in .44 magnum with Remington UMC JSP 180 grain

Why have you already decided what powder charge you're going to use? Your rifle may like 95 or 75 grains better than 85 with your chosen projectile.

Wolc, FWIW, I've found that loose 777 is more consistent for me. If a pellet chips or breaks, it's not consistent. I will be going for the early bear season in the NZ next year with my FX Pro Hunter. Under 50 yards, I have no qualms about this load being sufficient on a bear.

I love Blackhorn 209. Unfortunately, it's not available local to me and it's way too expensive to ship. Triple Se7en is available and it works If my local shop ever starts carrying BH209, I'll make the switch.

My go-to load is 100 gr of 777 loose powder under a 300 gr .452 Hornady XTP in a black MMP sabot fired with a CCI 209 primer. This load has dropped many a whitetail from both of my MLs out to 200 yds. I really want to try it on a black bear, but haven't gotten the opportunity yet.