Dinsdale

Imjur testing.....

Wish I wasn't so damn busy at work or it would already be done. LOL Managed to get Customs paperwork for rifle this week so hunt planning is almost done. Just need more shooting time and to tinker with this project a bit more. Using leftovers from rifle stock project for the handle, Turkish Walnut (shown here with a little oil).

Shaped up and ready for heat treating and tempering. Many don't pre grind any bevel, but I wanted the practice as the techniques are the same but on a soft blank. The edge isn't complete, about .020 left to grind and that should prevent warping on the cutting edge. Heating to 1375 in my home built forge for 10 minutes and then quench in warm vegetable oil, and then heat to 400 for an hour two times waiting for slow cool down in between. I've done small woodworking bits, we'll see how this goes.

Hey, I may never shoot a big buck here in NY, but I'm a $1.74 closer to my next trip.

Well even I bought a ticket.....and for some reason didn't win. Not sure why? Thought I had this sewn up..... Thanks for the invite! I'd say the same to return the favor, but the public Catskill land I hunt isn't exactly teeming with deer and you might get the idea you're being punished and I didn't like you much. Cool views and some pretty woods though.

Somewhere in there.....can find a few in the $14k range, but can be iffy for success rates even with good operators that know what they are doing. High success.....more like $25K by the time you are done with baits. I've prebaited for 3 hunts with outfitters who made a major investment in time to get a successful hunter when they came into camp. Most of these were places with low quota and tough hunting for educated cats. Lots of fun for me shooting, dragging,hanging baits; all happen to get a good cat. I'm a lucky charm. Last year after hunting I spent several days in one of the highest density Leopard areas in Southern Africa and where my avatar pic was taken; that cat was just above eye level at less than 15 FEET away. Mature male,unbelievable animal, a killing machine like all the big cats.

Quota is taken for this year......I asked......8 for 8 AGAIN with this outfitter for the year, marquee area. But he has extra Cape Buffalo I have heard, so I'm taking a little extra along IF I happen to tag early, and see if that is tempting at such a late date in season; rains start in October. Get your shoulder oiled up and that 270 with good ammo is more than enough for most plains game. Very popular there. I take more horsepower as there isn't a shot I don't like, but have used 270win-140gr A frames to much success. If I could get a group of 4 to fill lodge, could get extra discount on day rates. Over 40 reports for the outfitter on one forum alone, including one of mine, with no complaints. But I'm not herding cats to make that happen; had enough trouble with simple fishing trips to Quebec.

LOL.... If I won thats where I'd be the rest of my days, one way ticket for me. I'll send you airfare and then in a good safari way, "we'll make a plan".....Bring the max allowed on ammo, I keep my barrel pretty warm when I go, maybe you will too? All thats stopping you from Africa right now is a $1400 plane ticket and 2 weeks off.......I leave in 46 days. They'll let observer shoot some of my quota off my license. Day in Jo'berg, a night at Amanzi Lodge either end, hunting Zimbabwe/Mozambique border for the rest. But if thats too soon.....I just happen to be planning a trip for mid 2018 too if I work through the winter. Just sayin'

Well, he's not my guy; but he does come recommended by others I know. Depends on what part of Dutchess too. Maybe want to check with East Fishkill Provisions and see who they recommend. They do after butcher items like hotdogs and sausage when given the meat, but I'm pretty sure they don't butcher. Anyway, good luck in the woods.

I seen Red Deer in Europe and New Zealand; I have no issue with this being real with a DSLR on a 3 shot setting. JMO. About 10 years ago (jeesh I'm getting old) I did a Spain hunt where dogs sometimes are used ( hunted Fallow,Boar, also hunted Fallow and Mouflon without dogs). Had some beaters and dog teams out and worked this valley including animals that were pushed across main rd at the bottom. A few locals stopped here and there when dogs/game crossed as they are used to this. Favorite part was posting near at a church started in 1079AD, <thats not a typo. Later I did a full out driven hunt with a club near the Portugal border with 20-30 beaters, maybe 80 hunters, and many, many dogs. Lots of action and more about the event/camaraderie then killing. All day affair with meals and get togethers, most impressive. Have hunted dogs a few times now, but I have to say those animals were the toughest, roughest, fearless I have encountered including one that made a game of killing Cobras in Kwa Zulu Natal (that dog came out on the losing end about 2 months after my visit) Most of those pics on film and I should have them converted to digital. This little dog saved the day when I messed up and wounded a Fallow deer. I was messing around instead of taking care of business when I shot and learned a valuable lesson from that hunt. Blood tracking machine! Anyway, sorry for the tangent.

I have a 527 in 22 hornet (lux) and recently handled the carbine 527 you have; what a sweet little number. Fun money poor at the moment or it may have come home with me. Hope it shoots as good as the hornet.

That's unfortunately gonna be lost on the younger members here, had me laughin'. Off for a couple weeks around Oct 1; but I ain't hunting for a deer. Self employed so I can rearrange days here and there; have taken off entire seasons in the past depending on work load; but now mostly take off 3-4 weeks or so for a trip once a year at my choosing.

If it was a Honda, it was my dads' inside his locked garage with the alarm on..... Badass stuff happening in the 14221. LOL

You'll notice the drama here is always the same few members like most forums. LOL Best of luck in the woods.

Here's the guy near Malafy..... Last page in the thread..... http://www.hudsonvalleysportsman.com/index.php/topic,18513.msg175841.html#msg175841

No longer doing deer. Someone mention a guy that worked there was starting up a place nearby but don't know details......I guess I should know thats only a mile from me but cut my own. Maybe someone on HudsonValleySportsman might know.

There's a 2.5x fixed matte for 175 on 24hr from "NTO" ..... done business with him, good seller. Spent my fun and gun money for the year......and next. LOL

About time you stopped shooting all those dinks for meat.

Anyone else see these OK? Anyone know how to automatically resize with imgur? I had that set up in photobucket, but redid these one at a time.

I'm trying to replace photobucket and testing out some images here. Going on a hunt in Oct. and want a new knife to take along so doing a scandi grind bushcraft style knife, 01 tool steel. I have lots of wood for scales (handle); maybe some couple hundred year old American walnut, or maybe some Turkish walnut left over from a stock, not sure. Spent an hour on the smaller of two this morning annealing and giving it some shape from some internet pattern. Need to build a small furnace for heat treating next

Most folks agree that at over 10x its hard to hold steady without a rest; but truck window would work good, 12x maybe harder to free hold for you without the shakes. Drives me crazy having tried that for longer periods.

If someone asked the question for solid glass under $300; I'd still suggest those Nikon's right out the gate. Still use them, sitting here right on the window sill,and are often in the truck. Carry a set of Swarovski 8x30's for everyday stand/ still hunting. Super light and ergonomic. Bought those used for a very good price off a forum and that is also a terrific way to upgrade at a more modest price point. All the good makes stand behind product even for second owners and often folks send them in for factory once overs before selling. Mine had the receipt and work order right in the box (paid nothing for a cleaning and new eye cups)

Take a bunch of pics, that sounds like heaps of fun.

If you are willing to spend that type of coin on great glass, I honestly don't think you'd see much difference in 42's vs 50's.......all better glass does very good in poor lighting conditions. To me thats the point; all binoculars seem great in a store or at noon, just like scopes; its in the shadows or at poor conditions is when they pay. Big price jump in the high end 50 or 56's and 12 power. I ended up with some Lieca Trinovid HD 10x42 at your price point, street value, on sale, and internet discount from Cameraland (down on Long Island) early last year after comparing them and some Vortex/ Swarovski/ Zeiss offerings. Also been able to look through others binocs of those brands on more than a few occasions; and they all are very solid in field conditions. Used the 10x42's extensively for 2 1/2 weeks right into the night and they did very well on a hunt. Traded off with a Swaro 10x42 EL and and the other user came to the same conclusion and we liked both....toss up for light gathering. Always been a Swaro fan; but prefered the Liecas for my eye. Short of a spotting scope they are enough glass for my application ,open country spot and stalk hunting, occasional birding. I'd also check out Cameraland and Eurooptic for deals and/or demo units which can be a more palatable way to upgrade on units that have 100% backing both by sellers and manufacturers. Make phone calls, this stuff is not always on websites and they move inventory when the deals are good. And yes; I know $50 tasco's are just as good; before someone says its crazy money to spend on glass blah blah blah.

I drove the F150 too, was nice ride and drive is easier than Tacoma; just couldn't justify the price of getting into a 4x4 (new or used) and need the extra traction for sloppy job sites. Just a work truck for me; frankly it was money that would have been better spent on hunting trip.