philoshop

A boonie hat to keep my eyes in shadow, and lots of facial hair.

I spent a lot summer days with my friends climbing around on Chimney Bluffs when I was a kid. Great adventure for a couple of 12 yr olds in a canoe, setting out from Sodus Point with a backpack full of bologna sandwiches and Oreo cookies for the day. Lots of cuts, scrapes, and bruises from what I remember. It wasn't even a State Park back then, so access was unlimited. After forty or so years, I might have to revisit. Thanks for the photos, and the short trip in the way-back machine!

If you can sound like something other than a human moving through the woods while getting to your stand, the deer will be alerted but probably not alarmed. They know when you're trying to be sneaky. I've had good luck taking two short steps with each foot: sort of crunch-crunch, pause, crunch-crunch, etc. It takes discipline and patience, but it's effective. Make sure your clothing and gear are quiet. No nylon jackets or pants in the briers! I've 'walked' to within bow range of deer in the middle of the day through crispy leaves using this tactic. Basically sounds like a squirrel rummaging through the leaves, I guess. As long as they don't see or smell you, the natural noises don't bother them much.

Sea kelp.

Awww, that sounds great! I got leftovers again. The grilled venison meatloaf experiment turned into burgers this time. Daylight and patience fading.... Typical recipe for meatloaf: crumbs, an egg, a little worst sauce, season to taste. Make patties instead. Not the worst burger I've ever had. Now, that London broil thing...Need a way to do that on the grill...

Probably not what you're looking for, but property rights/access is the big one. And if you get those rights, they need to be exclusive or your gear will likely be gone. I made a decent living at it 35 years ago when prices were high and access was pretty much unlimited as long as you were respectful. Tough today on both counts. Glad I didn't see beaver on your target list. Haulin' two or three 60 pounders out of the woods every day is not fun, and really not cost effective if you want to stay in it. I wish you the best!

Welcome to the site, and good luck this year!

It might very well happen here. But just like the DC case it will take several years in the court system. In the meantime, the anti's are hoping that everyone just accepts the new laws and goes along without a fuss.

Excellent!! Sounds like you had fun.

New camera and lens. It's a little different kind of hunting. Other than that, just tags this year.

I kept waiting for the bang. Guess I watch too many hunting vids.

Thanks for the reminder.

Smoke free for two weeks as of today! I'll be cutting back on the nicotine content over the next few weeks and hopefully be done by bow season. Yee-ha!

Leftover chicken again for me. No complaints though. The chunks of apple wood in the Weber really put that grilled chix right over the top! Having it sit in the fridge for a couple of days just made it better. Keep up the posts folks. I'm always looking for tasty ideas. I want to try a grilled/smoked venison meatloaf. Any thoughts?

He'd be a shooter in my book any day!

I have zero experience w/ the 7400, but from your info I'd be willing to bet that the chamber was cut off-center from the barrel. There's a good chance that the 3" groups you're getting with your handloads are the best the rifle has ever done. A Cerro-safe casting of the chamber/throat would tell the tale. A new barrel might actually be something to consider. W/out the open sights, cost might be pretty reasonable as well. It's easy to just buy a relatively accurate rifle today and that's what most people do, and what most people should do. But there's a huge amount of satisfaction in the tinkering that's required to make the most of what's on your bench at a particular moment. If it costs more time and money than the one that someone else has tinkered with, so be it. You've done the cosmetics, now make it rock. It'll be another one in your safe that won't ever have a for-sale sign on it. FWIW, I usually get 'em to shoot before I doll 'em up. Just my 2 cents

Sounds like you handled the situation very well. No sense in having the family traumatized by it.

I'm seeing a normal number of 'em it seems. Stopped the mower the other day to let a good-sized brown make his escape toward my woodpile. Better him in there than the mice! A really pretty corn snake has taken up residence somewhere in or around my tool shed. Again, better than the mice by a long shot. Guess I should start carrying the camera when I go to grab a chainsaw or something so I can get a photo to post. I'll put a warning on the pic, though. I wouldn't want to be responsible for a cardiac incident here.

I've never seen anything like that, but she looks healthy otherwise. Got this guy on camera a week ago. I hope he sticks around.

Broke down and bought some chicken breasts today. On sale at Tops for $1.29/lb and I couldn't turn it down. Diced potatoes and carrots in foil alongside the chix on the Weber with some apple-wood chunks in with the charcoal. Arghh, I ate too much!

Shweeet!! Enjoy!

Yeah, there might be a few details to work out with that.

I've got a couple of them, and they get used a lot. Great for slow-cooking roasts and tenderloins too.

They look healthy, fat, and happy! Best of luck this fall.

Swordfish?? I'd like to see somebody come out with a 'deer hunting scent stick' flavor. LOL Just imagine, vaping away and luring deer at the same time. I can dream can't I. BTW, love the new avatar!! Incredible photo!