Two Track

Wife has no problem with me hunting. I just have to skin and clean it first. Initial problem was about having a firearm in the house, I was allowed to hunt, but no firearm in the house. Of course she robbed at gun point and shot 20+ years ago, so I couldn't really blame her on that. That least it was a minor wound. Now have to work on getting her to shoot at some point.

Sawyer's Perminthin to pre-treat outer layer. One treatment keeps the ticks off for about 30 days. Had no ticks at all in the fall season, none until last day of Spring Turkey last season. Sat down in tall grass with gloves off. Tick crawled up arm under the sleeve. Clothes and gloves were treated 35-40 days earlier. I use Deet to protect neck and arms on warmer days when my skin is exposed. Both can be found at Walmart and Amazon. I wash my outer clothes a week or so before season and dry them without fabric softener. When season is over, they get washed again. If hunt ended up being warmer and got sweaty, will give them a wash to get rid of the sweat smell. I do have a scent control base-layer shirt that is also moisture wicking. Some hunters use the scent control laundry detergent. During part of deer season, I sometimes put out a couple of "scent Bombs". When temps drop down to freezing or lower, they tend to freeze up. Some hunters use them, others never do - personal choice. I try to keep the dog away from my outer layers of hunting gear, but she just has to greet me and rub against my pant legs as soon as I get back to the house. Avoid wearing your outer-layer until you are onsite. This way it will not pick up scents from the house or the seats from your vehicle (salt from McDonald's fries, dripped coffee, etc). If you have new boots start wearing them around now to break them now. Blisters on feet in rough terrain really sucks. Recommend wearing two pairs of socks. One light-weight pair directly on your feet and weather/temperature appropriate pair over them (suggest wool). I wear shoes to drive parking location and put boots on there, do the reverse to go home. Try to keep the mud out of the house and the wife happy.

Camo is fine for Archery hunting during Archery-only season or Turkey season, but not necessary to hunt deer. My grandfather wore jeans, light-brown hunting jacket, and an orange vest for deer and rabbit hunting. Same outfit minus the vest for goose hunting. For anything else or hunting season you need some Hunter Orange gear - to keep it simple a hat and a vest that will fit over the rest of your outerwear. I suggest see how you like the early archery season first but recommend getting a orange hat to wear when heading in/out of the woods for safety. Good boots - keep the feet dry and warm. Wet feet and cool to cold weather is a big no-no. Can end up with frost bite as the season gets late. Was hunting in the snow in the 3M/3P zones last year for deer. Insect repellant for the mosquitoes/ticks. I pre-treat clothes with Sawyer's Permethrin and use deet on neck. Other items: sharp knife ( fixed or folding) rope or drag harness for deer pen (to fill tag when get a deer) field dressing disposable gloves something to attach tag to deer (string, twine, twister, etc) water to drink and clean off blood from gutting trail marking tape or toilet paper to mark blood trail flashlight compass & map of the area extra set of keys to vehicle you are using for the hunt suggest FRS radio's (one for you and one for your buddy) with headsets maybe some hand and or foot warmers for later in the season doe scent (optional) grunt call (optional) doe/fawn bleat call (optional) antler rattle (optional) Don't go out and buy everything at once. Start with the essentials and see how you like, or don't like hunting. Add-on as you go or discover things that you need if you enjoy it. Some hunters only carry what fits in their pockets, other use a waist-pack or backpack to carry their gear (like additional gloves, jackets, etc as the weather gets colder, lunches, thermos with hot tea, etc).

Welcome aboard. Thank you for your service. A friend of mine's brother is re-upping for another stint in the Marines - he was serving in Afghanistan for a 3rd tour. We have a former Marine here in my office - great guy to work with. best of luck moving back to NY.

Very large piebalds. Cut the neighbor in for a split of the meat after the drag out. Perhaps he could bring out a large tractor for the drag. get some nice ribs out of those. The other is an unusual dark color - looks black

depending on the hunt (season, half or full day), I either have everything I need in my patch pockets and vest or patch pockets and fanny pack similar to what RT Gobbler was talking about. I have couple day packs I use for hikes, one from Campmor by Outdoor Research (about 10 years old) that have since been discontinued. And the other from LL Bean that I have had for almost 20 years. This is the closet new version from the one I have: http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/79241?from=searchcompare&feat=compare&compareIds=79241|79240&selSwatches=284126_131_43|284127_33989_43&page=l-l-bean-continental-rucksack&attrValue_0=Loden

Welcome aboard. Your archery certificate from another state will get you your archery tag. I didn't have to take the Hunter's Safety Course to get my license when i moved to NY. In case it is an old card, take your most recent archery license with you just in case. Had a friend who took the training courses a few years ago and didn't purchase their hunting license. When they went to get one last year, the dealer said since the training was over 5 years ago and they have not purchased any licenses, they needed to take the course again. Yes you can use climbers - just remember no damages to the trees are allowed on state land (no climbing spikes, hanging spikes, no trimming of branches to get them out of the way, etc).

Not sure what kind of plant it is, but reminds me of the grass and dandelions that sprouted up under my overturned canoe in the spring. Some of it was very pale green and some was white like bean sprouts. Plant itself may not be an unusual species, but just denied sufficient light to end up lacking its normal colors.

I have always gotten my 3P, but I have yet to purchase this years' license. May have something to do with it being in almost in my back yard. Borngeechee, There are usually extra 3M's after Nov. 1. That will get you a tag for doe in Stewart, Huckleberry Ridge, and Pochuck State Forest. Not sure where you could go with a 3R unless you have access to private land in Rockland county. The biggest state land in Rockland is the Bear Mountain/Harriman State park in which no hunting is permitted. You will either need to trade or start knocking on doors on the few remaining farms in Rockland.

In the past I would let it pass. Now i am having second thoughts (not having a good shot opportunity at deer recently maybe be part of it), especially with recent bear visits in my village. I need to check the local town law about bow use in town and check with my neighbors to see about taking out the local pest come Sept. 6th. He/she hit my house again and the neighbors. I had no choice about putting out the trash - it was trash day. This is why I do not walk the dog at night any more and have to check the yard before letting her out to take of her personal needs for the night. At least so far the bear has not been aggressive, just a nuisance.

Sterling is mostly 3P. Couple parts of the northern extreme are 3M along Orange County Turnpike and East Mombasha Road. Yes about 1/2 is AR. South of 17A and west of Long Meadow Road is AR zone if I recall correctly. My map is at home.

Was this law even needed? What about the harassment of wildlife - does that law not apply? Shouldn't jumping over the fence to pose in the Tiger den be illegal enough and just let the tiger remove the real problem. Does this make posing with a stuffed cougar illegal? We have too many elected idiots.

We feel you up here. They recently finished replacing a couple bridges that we lost when Irene hit us in Orange county. After Irene hit, I couldn't go anywhere except into town through 3-4 inches of water. All the major roads were under water, and a mudslide blocking the NYS Thruway. Couldn't get to work for two days between the flooded roads and downed trees. At least we had a heads up to check/clean the gutters before Irene hit.

Sterling has some dedicate parking areas. some are seasonal parking only (as in hunting season). They do patrol and check for hunting permit on your dashboard (or at least occasionally) in the parking lots by some of the trail heads. Stewart, depends on when. Most of the year you have to use one of parking lots and hike/bike in. Big game season, they open the gate on the main road and you can only park at designated numbered spot. There 8-10 external parking spots, the rest are all accessed via driving in the main gate. Two of the state forests in Orange County I have been to have dedicated parking lots. Catskills may vary. I have seen some dedicated parking for 2-3 vehicles by some trail heads and no parking on shoulder signs along that same road in the Mongaup state park area of the Catskills.

3M and 3P (Orange County) Borngeechee, Don't forget to stop by Sterling Forest visitor's center soon with your hunting license. If don't apply for a permit soon enough, you will be locked out of the first 3 days of Deer gun season there. Sterling also has a no firearms restriction until Nov. 1. I head to Stewart or another smaller state parcel until then for turkey, etc. Another place you can check out is Stewart Buffer lands near the Stewart Airport (shotgun only) Tough to get in for opening weekend there too, but that is a phone-in thing. Sometimes opening weekend in the afternoon you can get a spot. Opening weekend at Stewart requires checking in at the ranger station. Park only at numbered spots. For rifle, you can also try Huckleberry Ridge near Port Jervis. I-87 North, exit 16 (Monroe/Woodbury/Catskills) to Rt 17 West. I think the exit off of Rt 17 is Mountain road. It is literally just a ridge line, so plan on getting some exercise. I haven't been there yet, but pass it on my way to PA 3-4 times a year.

We usually left them off trail near where the deer dropped. Back when my grandparents had the farm, small game/bird gutting and skinning went in the burn barrel - now it goes in the trash. Had bald eagles clean up my deer carcasses after we finished processing one year. That was an unexpected sight.

This is what we did in the 80's & early 90's: hear a shot - wait 5 minutes to make sure it was not a miss and headed towards you. Nothing shows up, head over to assist. If shooter drops the deer, calls out "need a hand" to have another party member come over If someone stills hunts over to next person to check on them, use hand signal to waive off if game is nearby. I have done this when had 2 (a buck and perhaps a doe) under a holly tree down the slope from me. Could see 6-7 legs and occaisionally a few tines would poke up from the holly tree branches. Signaled to stop pointed at my eyes. Signed the number 2 and pointed in the direction they were in. If pushing, we would use simple small vocals to indicate where we were and yell out of we pushed something out. Later we got FRS radios (no headsets though). Since then I picked up two radios (FRS/GMRS/HAM) and a headsets for them. Some areas I have been in have spotty to poor cell service unless you get back to the parking lot. Have to let wife know in advanced if it will be difficult to reach me by phone. Currently she is not a hunter - one day maybe get her out there.

Welcome aboard. Lots of info, suggestions, and recommendations on here. Tons of opinions too.

My dad was lucky during a small game hunt once many years ago. Someone shot at a squirrel in a tree without checking if it was a safe shot. The shot (pellets) bounced off my dad's hunting jacket. From day one of hunting, I had safety crammed into me and he made sure I had an orange hat & vest on every time we went out (with an exception for goose hunting).

Here is the bear in my yard/driveway in Orange County from Sunday morning: Picture was taken from a window above. I was not going out at 5:00 am on a Sunday to take the picture.

Turkey hunting is all camo. Wear orange hat in and stash it until head out. I keep it handy to put on if see someone/hear a person approaching. Archery - camo and carry the orange hat. Deer gun season, small game and pheasant, orange hat and vest. When temp drops, orange hunting jacket and vest. Even when I was younger on family property and it would be just 3 of us stand-sitting, we wore all the orange we could (insulated orange cover-alls). We sometimes had tresspassers hunting on our property. We could see them lean against a tree for a bit and then move a few trees over 15-20 minutes later. It was not very comfortable being 16-17 years old at the time and seeing unknown persons hunting on your family's land. They were not wearing orange at all (state reg was 400 inches for deer gun season), did not have permission to be there, not known if they responsibly handled their firearms. I'd rather be seen and not shot at, than not seen and nearly-shot or worse.

The two bears I mentioned were seen by my daughter and my wife's friend who lives a few blocks away. There are on average 6 taken in the closest state forest land to my house and few more taken in another town about an hour away. I have to clean up the yard when it gets llight as the local bear is back made quite a mess. My inlaws put out trash with rotisseri chicken left-overs in it and we grilled steak last night. Not sure which smell attracted it. but it dined on the leftover chicken parts. We just came home from bringing my son back from Harvard summer classes last night. He woke up and decided to take something outside at 3:30am. He saw the trash can laying down with a large black shadow over the can behind my black suv. "Oh crap that is bear" is what he said his reaction was. So my son came to wake me up. Dog is awake and never alerted us. Just sctached and whined to get in our room to take over part of the bed to sleep. Barks at every squirrel, cat, and dog, and kid who decides to take short-cut across our yard Tries to get the deer to play with her. Bear - not a peep. We observered the bear for a bit. My son is saying that it has a huge mouth and paws, and stated "I don't want to drag that out of the woods, don't think I would be much help." Will check to see if got a decent pic to post later. If i see it in the woods, I want to take this bear down. Never hunted bear intentionly, but plan on packing a couple slugs when squirrel hunting with the shotgun or will take the rifle out instead.

Time is going by quicker next year my oldest goes off to college flower girl from my wedding got married wife's god son who was born her freshmen year in college just graduated college and got engaged all my grandparents are now deceased movies from my youth and childhood are now being released as 30th and 40th anniversary editions had to show my kids what the real floppy disks looked like from when I was in school (pre-hard drive days)

Get get a phone call close to dark if I haven't called home to say I am back at my vehicle. Usually I still hunt back to my vehicle in case something was between me and the parking spot. if the location I am at looks better I stay until sunset. Then i get the call... are you on your way yet? Last year I got a couple mid-day calls,.. its snowing are you coming home? If they are not posting a travel advisory or closing roads, I tell her no. That is what the 4 wheel drive is for. If I get too cold, then I will come home early. I do get an occasional, why don't you go hunt. It means I am stressed out and driving her crazy.

normally single day hunts for me. Unless temperature or weather conditions force an early return home or a late start. Most places I hunt are an hour drive or less from the house. Once in awhile I have to either drop off or pick a kid from SAT's or ACT's exams. That kind of messes with the day.