nyslowhand

Debated a long time whether to reply or let this sleeping dog lie... SplitG2 summed it up in a short sentence; unethical hunters. They give the other 95% of us hunters a black eye, make landowners raise an eyebrow and give anti-hunting factions fuel for their crusade. What we all learned in kindergarten about respect for others and treating them as we want to be treated appears to elude the unethical few. I respect any hunter's choice of weapon, hunting methods and what they expect to achieve. Have my own choices, but certainly respect others who have different preferences. To the 5%, please respect my private property, personal safety, the general image of an ethical hunter and refresh you knowledge of the DEC rules/regulations.

Agree with Doc on the timing of updating/installing stands. Have a 60 acre brush lot bordered on three side by apple orchards. With three ladder stands I'm always changing and improving the locations. Try to clear new paths and trails in April or May before foliage gets too thick. Make every effort to get stands established by the end of July. Of course this is a dynamic situation determined by scouting and previous years experiences. Usually go back the middle of September and make any final shooting lane trimming. Theory is to allow deer to get acclimated to paths, trails and stand sites from August to opening day. Does it work, heck no! When the rut is in full blast my theory goes down the tubes. Pre-rut, rut and post-rut whitetail activities differ greatly. Ladder stands and mobility are contradictions. Mobile climbing stands and my claustrophobia don't mix well. Every year is a learning experience and requires fine tuning. Basically, get 'em up early, let them get used to the intrusions and live with it. The above cones with a disclaimer for ladder stand usage only. Guessing hunters using climbers are more adaptable and can change locations as needed. Wish I could use one!!!

Got a fast, flat shooting bow, 31" carbon alloy arrows, broadheads that could cut a deer in half and darn near glow in the dark sights. Trail cameras that help us pick out the deer we want before even seeing him up close and personal. Clothing and sprays that made us invisible to the deer's sense of sight and smell. Decoys, aerosol scents, grunt & bleat calls, and on & on... Food plots and attractants that are legally only once removed from illegal baiting. TV shows and videos that show the mega, monster bucks of Canada and the mid-west. Sitting in my tree stand last year with $1000 of archery tackle, I was excited while watching two bucks chase a doe and each other around in the brush lot. Show lasted for almost two hours at 60-100 yards. Never got to release an arrow, but that experience made my entire season. Talk about an adrenaline high! Have we lost sight of why we go into the woods in October?

I have always tried to support local businesses with my hunting needs. Been to the East Williamson shop recently, also with disasterous results. Took 2 weeks to get a dozen arrows made up. Young guy who owns business is a strange businessman for being a full-time pro shop. Really helpful when I wanted a new BowTech Swat. Also been to an archery shop in Marion a few years ago. Huge inventory of over-priced old, old bows. Bought a new AR-31 on eBay for what he wanted for some of those relics. Owner has a reguluar job and runs shop part-time along with guide service in Naples area. These local shops can not compete with the web based businesses. Basically I'm for keeping money in my pocket. If prices at local shops and on the web are comporable, I'm shopping locally. Had bad experiences with arrows on the web, so there is something to be said for local pro shops.