nyslowhand

Just when I thought I was the only cynic in NYS that could see through the AR masquerade.

Back on topic, originator isn't talking about shooting the fawns but the doe. Let your conscience be your guide. If you shoot the doe, been my experience the fawns will survive. Never shoot a doe myself that had a late born, still spotted fawn during bow season.

Kool! What the heck was that in the next to last video, off to the left side of the frame as the buck was leaving? Looks like a raccoon scurrying up a small sapling...?

OMG, you're ancient... LOL Couldn't resist. Happy B'day & MANY more to come!!!

Approx how long ago was it in practice? How did the DEC match youths with mentors? Was the actual name, "Apprentice Hunter Program"? As you can tell, I've never heard about it. Sounds like something that should/could be resurrected.

Do you or any other member recall any details about this old DEC program?

Didn't mean to offend any clubs that do promote the youths! Was just noticing a trend in many clubs to revert to ranges & shooting sports. Bubba, bravo to your club(s)!!!!! Also, as you mentioned - We are the dinasours and fighting a changing world. If we don't do something..... Don't know about anyone else, but I prefer not to be an exhibit in the Smithsonian!

Unless you already have all the equipment necessary to hunt, it's not economical to invest in it to save $$ on meat. Bet we all started out with used, hand-me-down and minimal equipment or clothing. We can discuss the limited availability of hunting land until we're blue in the face & never be able to resolve it. Basically, it's out of our control and merely a NYS budgetary issue. What Defrazzle is attempting to do is see those small embers of interest or curiosity in hunting and match them up with some experience or a mentor. Like I mentioned, that matching is where the black hole exists and we need innovative thinking & ideas to be able to bridge it. It's got to be hunting family members, friends and us hunters that get others involved, whether it be youths, middle-aged individuals or returning hunters. IMHO - NO single organization or agency can effect this like we as hunters can!! Tried to look-up my local Gun Club, Williamson Conservation & Sporting Club. Thought that would be a start to get something rolling, not so much. Not sure what the conservation part is about, but it is mainly a sport shooting organization with a gun range. Yeah, they offer hunter safety courses, but mainly cater to the working, middle class trap & skeet shooters. I think this is a trend for most Rod & Gun clubs in order to justify ($$) their existence. Probably parallels the decrease in the numbers of hunters.... I did a basic search on Google for this topic's key words. One interesting link showed up; http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/344-Hunting-Mentors-amp-New-Hunters.-Need-A-Buddy-Hook-Up-Here a forum that had it's own category where mentors & beginners listed their availability &/or interests. Also had a "hunting buddys" hook-up. It's a start, so why don't the moderators or Burmjohn create a topic category similar to this?

"Anyone in the DEC concerned about hunter decline?" Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you opposed to the DEC's recoginizing the hunter decline & proposing the October youth hunt????? Defrazzle has a legitimate concern and has some interesting ideas. Pointing fingers isn't going to resolve this issue. As NY hunters aren't we ultimately responsible for passing on this heritage and preserving the wildlife resources for future generations?

Northern Wayne county = Apple country, orchards galore!! Don't need to be a rocket scientist to know you'd better have a stand where the deer go to & from orchards. Early mornings are best when apples are truely ripe. Generally pickers in orchards until almost dark. Typically done the 1st week of Nov when drops are the final harvest. Which is okay, the rut is getting in motion by then. Yeah, I hunt apple trees! Yeah, I've had good luck! "You grow them they'll come!"

Think he's giving an opinion about having his picture being taken...LOL

Not getting a lot of discussion or input on these ideas, are we????? I'm going to send off this idea to the DEC and see if they have any thoughts or input.

Sounds like a great opportunity for this forum to initiate something. Could be as simple as mentors available w/hunting privileges. Could even be mentoring on the beginner's property or a place he/she has rights to hunt. All the right key words and a web search would be directed here. Maybe a member that has influence at the NY Outdoor News (Buckstopshere?) could write an article. I went through this a couple of years ago when I wanted to mentor a youth or young beginner. Found a huge "black hole" between those wishing to mentor and individuals wanting to learn. Nothing to connect the two!! I have no connections to hunting organizations, the DEC or any outdoor publications. Just willing to pass-on my hunting experiences and offer my services on a mentor available list. See a lot of this mentoring on TV in other states. Who organizes these hunts &/or connections? The outfitters, Wildlife agencies, Conservation groups, ......who?

What you had setup was basically a ladder stand. That's why I get mine moved around by mid July at the latest. Set a new one up in June and have photos & videos of bucks & does right in front of it. Eventually, when they get used to it & no longer feel threatened they aren't bothered by it. Guessing that hang-ons with the strap on steps (or screw-in steps) are a little less noticeable to them.

All towns have animal control (dog lease) laws. Can get a copy from the Town Clerk. They can give you the name of the local animal control officer, typically a part-timer. You need proof (visual) of whose dog it is. Keep a log of when photos were taken, sightings of dog(s) on your property, was it chasing any wildlife, etc. Give the owner a copy of the dog lease law, stating that just in case they weren't aware and say you prefer if their dog didn't enter your property. If the owners need more persuasion, tell them you have traps out & wouldn't want to see their dog getting hurt. You can file a formal complaint with the Town Justice, when you have enough evidence if it gets to that point. Most people that let their dogs run, really don't care about what a nusiance they are to you. And if they don't care about that, probably don't license their dog(s) either. Like others have said, if you do something to their dog you no longer are the victim in the situation.

Yes, when transporting a deer it has to be tagged & proof of sex evident.

Oh yeah, when that starts the hunt is over if you're near an orchard! Deer seem to hit the orchards at night when that picking ruckus begins and usually out by 1st light.

Should be interesting, have no great expectations. My property borders several apple orchards, so that may be a positive before all the farm workers get in there picking. From my experience, Oct is when the buck are establishing ther kingdoms & are making rubs & scrapes. Not too sure when they will be moving around, but I'm personally going to hunt early mornings and late PM. All depends on what I see on trail cam activity (times) towards middle to end of Sept. Would hate to get burnt-out with a lot of hours in the stand before the rut actually begins. Here's the dilemna - What do you do if you fill your buck tag & still have ~7weeks left in bow season & the peak of the rut????

More than likely you didn't get an owner's manual. Should get you started. http://www.tcarms.co...wken_Manual.pdf BTW - I have a Renegade, which is a Hawken without all of the "bling".

And.....Those regular bow targets will "stick" a Xbow bolt every time. You'll have a harder time pulling them out of the target than cocking the Xbow with the rope. They make denser Xbow targets.

Any particuliar reason you wouldn't want to simply refer (links) them to this forum????

I have a Swisher Predator self-propelled, walk behind brushhog. Been abusing it for ~6 years. Does go through drive & mower belts, but NAPA has them. DR is probably made a little more "rugged", but costs $3X what mine did. Cutting 2" saplings, that I'd have to see!

LMAO!! Too funny! Thought you were like a dog & the fire hydrants - always a little for every one!

Very KOOL videos, Cabin Fever!! Sure to get the blood flowing in any hunter! I'm pumped!!!

And you're counting on that to put food on the table!!! LOL