nyslowhand

"CWD was first discovered in New York in two captive white-tailed deer herds in Oneida County during routine testing in March 2005. CWD has since been discovered in wild deer in Oneida County."

I've skirted around to enter my stand & have bumped deer that may have been heading for the stand. Gone direct to stand and have bumped them as they were already there. No choice but to make a bee-line, in early, stay late, be as unnoticed as possible and hope for the best.

OUCH! ??? That's got to be throbbing. What a guy, almost loses his thumb and the 1st thing he does is see if he can draw his bow!! lol Seem to have all your priorities in order!!!

Never thought about that!!! Great question/observation!! Sub-species tolerance---have no clue!

Way off the topic, but... Any one that has lived their entire life in WNY glacial plains can't appreciate what beauty the glaciers created in the Finger Lakes area. All kinds of hidden treasures down there.

Scent-free for the day anyways. ;D

Not to get too far off the topic, but there are several videos on youtube dealing with recovering from a treestand accident. Some are plain stupidity, dumb and jackass antics, but a few have excellent ideas. Be worth your time to see them, just in case. One mentioned having a couple of screw-in steps to take the weight off your legs being suspended. I didn't know that and now have two in my HSS vest.

The thing that gets me PO'ed is these are initiated by special interest lobby groups that have no vested interest in hunting. The safety harness proposal was promoted by the TMA (Treestand Mfg'ers Assoc.) and from what I could find funded by the mfg'ers. Regardless of how much they say it is good for the hunters, it's strictly a liability mandate and unenforceable. If the law requires you to wear one, you don't wear it and you get hurt - don't bother with any legal actions. Don't know what's wrong with the way it is now? Most, if not all treestands come with one when purchased. If you want to use it, intelligent choice. If you have no regard for your safety or the well being of your family - Darwin's natural selection will prevail. Don't tell me I HAVE to! God knows they have no way to enforce it if it becomes a law!! We've all read the horror stories of members having accidents while not wearing a harness. If that doesn't hit home, no law will!! The lead free shot restriction mandate, with out a doubt was initiated by environmental lobby groups. Every one knows where their interests lie and it's not about hunting.

Doesn't that already come in a bottle. Did I burst your bubble again, sorry! ;D

Come on, you Tiffany has been voted the official HuntingNY spokes-person.

No pictures, please.

I'd be looking over my shoulder when entering the woods if I did that!!! ???

Yet again, Doc! A day late and a dollar shot. They already have the grunter that straps to your arm with the tube you can blow into while holding your bow.

I don't see the wooly mammoths like Culvercreek said....? ;D

One member mentioned the benifits of food plots for wildlife. Every one else referenced food plots in conjunction with hunting. Assuming you are for food plots because they are defined as legal, regardless of their intended use, location, etc?

Agreed, in my little corner of the world. The deer see/smell me all spring, summer & early fall. They'll bound out of sight. Have had them return immediately after I leave, hoof prints in my own footprints. They see my ATV and most of the time don't even bolt. Been putting past them as close as 20yds. Last year had a buck rub within 15yds of a neighbors house. Probably a completely different story for areas that do not get the frequent intrusions. They get accolomated to their territory and know what presents a danger. With that being said, I still try to be as scent-free as possible. Pretty sure in my area I could get away with none.

I hear ya'. Neighbor that put up a stand in his yard on the property line previously asked: To shoot pistols on my property for target practice, Let his boys have their paint ball war on my property and Occassionaly ride an ATV. Being an understanding guy, Yes, Yes & Yes. Then the stand pops up unannounced. Too much...

Crazy!!!! And he drives it to & home from the drags!

Yeah, we got into that before. Someone mentioned a sales person said he was using such-n-such an attractant. Ended up being a spray on encouraging deer to eat, which in turn fell into the DEC definition of bait. Not only do the stores stock it, their employees don't realize it's illegal.

"In New York, it is illegal to feed deer and moose by putting out any material that attracts them to feed." http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7197.html

One in the win column, but nothing to put on a resume. lol Actually thought at one time during the game - the Jets are going to score into the 50 point range.

All right Jets fans, you gave the Bills a thorough whipping. Was flipping channels until the Jets put in the cheerleaders & waterboys and still held the Bills. lol One consideration, if they're 0-16 should get a decent 1st round pick. May need the entire 1st round. Watched the race.

Game on! ??? Correct, as defined by the NYDEC food plots are legal. I've seen photos of your (burmjohn) & others food plots and do consider them to be beneficial to the wildlife. The problem I have is not with the 1, 2, 3 or larger acre plots, but the 20' x 20' plots in the woods or along a thicket with a treestand above them. Do they fall within the definition of legal food plots - Yes! Are they for the benefit of the wildlife - Absolutely not, they're bait for hunting over! Am I against food plots? Thinking about putting in one myself. About 3-4 acres of clover in the center of my property. Clover because it'll benefit deer/wildlife from spring through late summer for 5-7 years. In the center of my property for obvious, selfish reasons. Will I hunt over it - probably not being in the center of property won't need to. How is this different from a 20' x 20'? With my plot, my alterative motives are outweighed by the benefits derived from the wildlife. If I reap any spoils from my labor, that's fine. If not, at least I know I've helped the wildlife. Now is when all the guys follow-up with if it's legal, you can do it. Pretty sure some will be the ones that have jumped on the "definition" defense bandwagon and have the micro plot in front of every stand. If my opinion isn't in agreement with yours, let me know. Please don't argue the "it's legal" justification, that's a weak & pathetic DEC contrived scapegoat used to overshadow personal agendas.

Absolutely agree with that!!! But in the real world may not happen always. Real situation "What if"; Bought my abandoned farmland property from a logger in November. Before he resold it, he gave every neighbor & friend hunting privildges for several years. Had brush hogged a makeshift driveway, looked like a parking lot the 1st morning of regular season when I drove in. When I purchased it and put up the posted signs, think I was real popular? Couple of neighbors have warmed up to me, but haven't asked to hunt there. Couple of others won't even wave as they drive by, still spitful. One of the later put a treestand in the back of his yard. So I waited for him to see/call me. Nothing - so I put a posted sign in front of the stand. Was I a jerk, probably. Was he assuming too much or taking liberties, definately. I'd love nothing better than to have health relationships with all my neighbors. It's ugly when you don't get along with a neighbor. So I guess the moral is; I'm going to treat you like you treat me, after I've given you the benifit of the doubt once.

WOW, neat story. Must have been a lengthy standoff! Bet the fox was nervous to say the least!! Would have made a great video.