Dinsdale

Do what you're comfortable with.... I have 2 or 3 going at any time.....I've used the returns/ rewards programs to buy guns,scopes,airline tickets at ridiculous rates, free hotel rooms. But like anything have to understand what you're trying to accomplish. Bought RT to Zimbabwe from JFK for $112 for a hunt. Stayed 3 nights in most expensive hotel in Barcelona for free. You are paying a 3% mark up across the board when paying strait cash and not getting anything back. Thats the service charge built into everything retailers use. Credit over debit even if both say "Visa" is not the same. Once you buy debit, money is gone. But with credit if there is a dispute, you haven't paid a thing and can get charges in error or dispute fixed. Yes you can rent cars with debit, buy plane tickets, and even travel international. I've done a combination of all of them at one point or another depending what was best at the time.

Not sure you are aware, but DEC is running a "Women who hunt & fish photo contest" Maybe some good press in there for you to support next year efforts as you have some nice pics. http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/115271.html

You ever see Monty Python's 'Life of Brian' ? Seems you have more in common with Brian than the Messiah. Just sayin'

Late January (25,26,27th this year IIRC) is the biggest fly fishing show in the east in Edison NJ. Good place to learn some casting techniques from some very experienced folks in the industry. Can shorten the learning curve.

I got this.... I have that 458 win mag (and can include ammo & dies) and plan a his and hers safari. Go big.

Lots of these on the market.....same idea as Havalon folding knives......they all take a #60 autopsy blade for a general blade. You can get #60 xt blades also, a bit more spine and will fit a standard handle most of the time. #10 or 20 handle/blade good for caping (actual real caping, not skinning and chopping off head) I buy from medical supply houses and use them for veneer work.

Link to map from NY/NJ Trails Conference (waterproof and well done as are all their maps) https://www.nynjtc.org/maps/sterling-forest-trails-map

If its anything like the ammo back round check portion of the SAFE act, it won't be enforceable. Theres no possible way for it to be implemented. But it'll have effect the same in that there will be a large segment that won't ship to NY for fear of falling under charges by the state AG. Thats a win for the antis......a no cost program that hurts gun owners. Its their wet dream.

I've taken classes at the Culinary Institute of America; been doing laundry and cooking since high school. I won't touch the motorcycle.....but you have to stay off my Honda Spree scooter. Have a fairly interesting gun selection. Deal breaker.....don't have any hunting land.

Amtrak is bout the same time for $130 RT.....there is even a station at Walden Ave. thats close to the Goat.

Thanks OK.......I'l just hug my pillow, it'll absorb my tears. And dad's good. Thanks.

I'm hurt.

DEC officers share among themselves the busts on their own to see whats going on around the state (I have seen latest, and they have had a good season of their own catching bad guys, not all will make the papers) And they know the better judges and who will come down harder and try to steer the cases to them as much as they can ;but they are stuck with the system.

There are some ways to help this on line with skill tests. I shoot both open and can switch left and right eye dominance, though naturally right. Since eye protection is required for all ranges, many shooters wear glasses with blank tape over one side. You focus better with both open, even if using just one. Also practicing with a similar air gun to rifle is a great idea; I'm not a natural good shot but can hold my own with this style practice.

Good to have someone caught. Remember its the local Judges that let these poachers off with often reduced soft fines below what they could do; not DEC. Shame damn poacher will be back at it tomorrow.

My new Toyota is a manual....so no need to shop old. And my 2014 Focus is a manual, sat on a lot forever as no one can drive them; cut a substantial discount when I bough it. I don't text, so driving is easy as I can stir a gear box instead of a phone. LOL

Every major carrier has a cap on value; even if your agent doesn't know, its in the small print. Also note some will not cover "accessories" like the mounted scope and rings. It may work for those having a limited value collection. I use a separate policy that covers everything, I supply serial numbers and it will cover firearms, optics(including scopes, binos,range finder, etc) and the mounts, slings, cases, etc ; full replacement value. It also covers anywhere including vehicles, and travel both domestic and foreign, airlines, etc. Look to see what and where if buying insurance and buy according to your needs; one size does not fit all.

If I donate the 2 bucks, do I have to read that idiots posts?

I've ate at DeBruce. One of the local source whats in season style places so popular now. Guy I used to buy cattle from supplied them at one point, but not sure now. Dinner Sundays offer a 20/plate meal that was outstanding; have to go online for current menu line up as it changes.

DEC and other groups like foresters, can use a browse study for population estimates. Just in general and its easy to read up on this; you grid of a property, then at every intersecting grid point you select a diameter around that point, and tally how many browsed plants are in the circle, types, droppings.... Thats crunched on some formulas that have been backed by some other research and out comes a pretty reliable number. I've participated with DEC on surveying several public and private properties a few years ago for a couple seasons; and got pretty good at the shorthand field notations used and you can cover some ground in a hurry with a 2 man team. GPS has made it stupid easy, and we did pretty well even old school. You need about a square mile or so....we did 700 to 800 acre sections; after snow, before green up I think is still the basic rule. Now I'm sure there will be those here that doubt all this, but frankly population estimates and harvest rates determined by sample are pretty damn good math for the statistics. They have been for some time too.

I have little body fat, so that hurts with water retention, so I have to drink a noticeable difference more than others I work with or my legs are very prone to cramping. I also notice using a runners electrolyte mix is very helpful, using a product from Skratch Labs another hunter turned my on to. No sugars like sports drinks.

Scary stuff, hope you feel better.

No minority to me...... Even if there isn't an Orvis affiliated shop close by; the 5 or 6 shops by me all will take someone out for a casting lesson and help set up a beginner. Great idea. Screw Dick's, not a penny.

I'd start with a 5wt 9ft......triangle taper weight forward makes learning casting easier in general IMO. Some pick it up faster than other, good you tube videos out there. If you get the feeling you want to stick with it, may want to learn how to tie some basic flies with modest investment. TU chapters often have tying classes and fishing classes (How I got started) for a good exposure to the basics of both. Good timing as they are over the winter period often.

These are nice. I usually sling binocs under one arm and use a standard neoprene neck strap; but when you want a harness these beat the traditional wide strap harnesses.