Otto

I very rarely wash my hunting clothes, even those I use for duck or turkey hunting. I keep them in the basement or in my bedroom in a ceder chest. I've never used scent free spray. Actually, I have been trying to remember to spray tick repellant on my clothes each time, and that stuff really stinks.

Even if you don't get a smart TV you can still hook up Roku, GoogleTV or something like that. My DVD player has options for Youtube, Netflix, Blockbuster.... If you have good fast internet you really don't need cable TV anymore, unless you want to watch a lot of live sports. Although, I think you can find a way to watch almost anything via the internet.

Wow, the perfect drink! Where's the sweet vermouth?

That is correct....the Crown refers to the King or Queen of England, but in reality is the Canadian government.

I'm a guest at my cousin's and my in laws hunting camps. Whatever rules that have are part of being a guest. At my cousin's camp, there are more rules regarding card playing then for the taking of game!

Congratulations!

I have a great chili recipe I will post later, but you definitely want to make this stew - courtesy of Emeril Lagasse: Ingredients 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 pounds venison stew meat 1/4 cup flour Essence, recipe follows 2 cups chopped onions 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped carrots 1 tablespoon chopped garlic 1 cup chopped tomatoes, peeled and seeded 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 2 bay leaves 1 cup red wine 4 cups brown stock Salt and black pepper Crusty bread Directions In a large pot, over high heat, add the olive oil. In a mixing bowl, toss the venison with flour and Essence. When the oil is hot, sear the meat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add the celery and carrots. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic, tomatoes, basil, thyme, and bay leaves to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Deglaze the pan with the red wine. Add the brown stock. Bring the liquid up to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer the stew for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the meat is very tender. If the liquid evaporates too much add a little more stock. Remove the stew from the oven and serve in shallow bowls with crusty bread. We served it over mashed potatoes AWESOME. Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning): 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika 2 tablespoons salt 2 tablespoons garlic powder 1 tablespoon black pepper 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano 1 tablespoon dried thyme Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container. Yield: about 2/3 cup

Mike Huckabee topped my list at 88%. I have not given him much thought really, and I know he is currently in the bottom tier on the Republican side. I did see a picture of him hunting upland with a Brittany, so he must be alright! I like about half of what Trump is saying, the rest of the time I can't figure out what he really means. I was talking to someone tonight and he suggested that Trump would be a good president for about two years, then we would have to run him out of there so we don't have WWIII. Sounds like a good idea!

That's what she said....

That's a nice looking deer!

Rob. That idea is one we are thinking about. I love the outdoors, but I've only slept in a tent 2 times in my life. But it is his birthday....

Nah, she's sweet as pie....they had their first child last year and the second one is due in the middle of ice fishing season, so she (and he) knows that he will be on lockdown at home at least until May 1, at which time he will be given another short reprieve.

My friends wife called me the other day and wanted held with her husband's birthday gift. She wanted him to have a "duck hunting weekend" away from home. Nice gesture, and even better she said she wanted me to go along with him! Usually we did day hunts at Happy Valley or some local farm ponds and fields, but she wanted a place for him to take the whole weekend. I searched online a little and prices for a guided hunt were anywhere from $250 to 800 per person for one day, not including any accommodations. So I am looking for suggestions of places to go where we could rent a cabin nearby some duck hunting, without the extra expense of a guided hunt? Open to any ideas! Thanks.

Just finished the homemade wine this past weekend. Going to can tomatoes in the next week or so, we wait for the "San Marzanos" to be nice and ripe. Will probably do about 50 quarts.

Today's pull...

My wife and I split 4 face cord of firewood this morning, so I owe her a nice dinner. Tomorrow I am going to press our grapes to make around 90 gallons of homemade wine. Hope to get out and check the trail cams too.

The division of the DEC is probably the best idea mentioned so far, and it might actually be do-able!

The same thing happened to me. I took the tree stand down and let my neighbor know where it was for him to pick up. He came the next day, no apologies or explanation, but he never put one on my property again. If it ever happens again, it will be a phone call to the DEC.

Thank you for sharing this experience with us! Very nicely done all around.

Pulled cards and have a couple more shots to whet our appetite....

Nice looking deer there. How high up do you have your cameras mounted?

Very nice, great deer too!

I told him to say cheeeeeese. :-)

Just a couple of shots so far this season.

BTW, Curmudgeon, those are some great pictures! .