philoshop

And don't expect Alaska Fish and Game to bail you out if your'e doing something stupid. They have their limits.

Somebody makes bulbs for flashlights that simulate the lantern glow that makes blood trails really pop out. I've always just used the lanterns, but I can see where they might be a little dicey in the dry leaves if one gets knocked over. Like

Congratulations to your son, and to the father who raised him. Outstanding!!

Animals love 'em, and humans too. Don't shoot the humans.

I always take some extra granola bars and break off pieces to throw to the young deer. It keeps us all amused and entertained.

And the ability to connect on the shot when it comes. Overcome the target panic and put the arrow or bullet where it's supposed to go. That's a mental toughness that's being intentionally bled out of Americans every day. Sorry for the politics.

I'll go along with that if you need a character witness! ;-) My character is always in question, however, and my eyesight is not always so bueno. I got a new-to-me vehicle that could probably make it all the way down your way to do some squirrel hunting, Let's get together, and drag that Jerry guy from Steuben along. He's a kick. It's always fun to watch three armed humans be outsmarted by a squirrel with a nut in it's mouth.

What are all those empty beer cans doing in yer boat? Just kidding.

Hunting seasons will come and go as surely as the Earth moves around the Sun. Time with family that is lost is gone forever. Choose wisely.

If I had to cook a pheasant for dinner I would start with slow-cooker recipes in the crock pot. Fortunately I don't have to eat pheasants to survive.

I've never had tender pheasant. Other than the canned stuff that comes from "god knows where'. They're a tough bird in every way. Respect that, or leave them alone.

The first step is admitting it. Just kidding. Lawyering is not much different from being an Architect. I won't disparage Architecture in any way. It's always been an honorable profession. Some of the greatest thinkers throughout history have had building in their blood, And I absolutely loved the time I spent designing interesting and fully functional buildings. Sometimes those two goals were at odds. Hence, the problem. I''d be happy to have you bounce design ideas off me. I may have left Architecture thirty years ago, but I haven't abandoned the analytical mindset.

I have a pair from Cabella's which are very light-weight aluminum and Kydex., and an old-school wood and leather bear-paw set that got me across a lot of frozen creeks back in the 1970's. I don't imagine I'll use either pair again. Make me an offer. Be careful though, the wood and leather "bear paws" are worth more to city folks as decorations than they are to people who will use them. I'd rather see someone use them. They're great! Spend a day hiking with them on your feet and I can guarantee you"ll find a previously unknown muscle group. Probably spend the next day in bed eating Ibuprofen tablets.

I'm just curious and also nosy. Sorry. I'm a recovering Architect myself. What is your purpose for wanting to hire an Architect? Quality design, or legal buffer? It was the "legal buffer" thing that drove me out of the profession. Quality design got me into it, but that quickly became subservient to the 'legal practice of Architecture'. That and 'business management'. I don't know where Greene County is, but I have Architect friends and acquaintances around the state. They're known to travel for work as well.

I carry the phone for emergencies, like I said before. Incoming or outgoing. It's the greatest thing that's ever happened to people who work, live, and recreate outdoors. My brother hit his cell phone, in his pants pocket, with a chainsaw and gouged it up pretty good. It kept the chain off of his flesh for that instant, and believe me that's all it takes with a chainsaw. I'm convinced that God watches over our more clueless brethren. I love the guy, and bought him some chaps for Christmas that year. I've never used a cellphone for recreation.

Post some photos of your fly-tying along the way. It's fascinating to see how people do that stuff. get some photos of your

We have a Hammondsport in this area. But I had never heard of Hammond. Good to know, and thanks for the info.

This a very low-cost get-together. An envelope full of feathers costs 50 cents to mail. A squirrel tail without the bone costs 50 cents to mail. Stuff a small piece of bear hide in an envelope and 50 cents will probably work. Tape the bear hide to the bottom of the envelope so they can run it through the machine. They get really annoyed when their machines don't work.

We'll be expecting some pics come spring! Pygmy tails and Philo feathers taking some trout. Where the heck is Hammond, BTW?

I have a feeling Dave is going to be tying a lot of flies this winter!

I would never intentionally ruin a day in the woods with a cell phone. Then again, I didn't grow up with a cell phone surgically attached to my hand either. I know how to live without it. I carry one in the woods for emergencies. We used to use CB radios, but that generally entailed making it back to your vehicle. Could be difficult if you're bleeding to death from a chainsaw wound. The last time I used a cell phone in the woods was when my mother was passing a kidney stone. She couldn't get in touch with my Dad and called me. I called her an ambulance. Technology is okay, sometimes. Old school is cool. You'll learn a lot more about what the deer will teach you if you stop looking at their pictures and start looking at how they actually live. Break out the old walkie-talkies just to keep in touch!

I think I went my first 15+ years without ever losing a deer. Granted I was hunting in swamps with a shotgun and most of my kills had powder burns on them. My first non-recovery crushed me, though. I almost gave up hunting all together, and it haunts me to this day. I don't know what happened. What went wrong. Maybe the animal's will to live was just a bit stronger than my attempt to kill it on that day. Who knows. You do your best at recovery out of respect for the animal, and then you put it behind you.

I don't have any fur since I stopped trapping. I have a few turkey feathers I picked up during walks that I could send you if you're interested. Shoot me a PM. What you really want is a squirrel tail. I haven't been out yet this year but I'll keep you in mind when I go. Good luck with your fly-tying.

I picked that out of a truck load of hard maple we got into the shop one day. There wasn't very much with any real "curl" or character to it except for the 3 foot end of this one board. I snagged it, because I had that privilege. Not enough to make a full gunstock out of but just right for a few pistol parts.

The fore stock just hasn't gotten the same amount of sunlight. I'll need to make it a tanning bed next summer so it can catch up. I've been looking for a photo of the 16" .223 that gets the woodchucks. Varmint artillery baby! Pushing 300 yards!! Whack 'em out so far you need a ride to verify.