philoshop

.44 Mag. Custom grips by the PhiloCustomShop, from which my screen name comes. I need to get that forend out in the sun a bit more. The grip stock is on there year 'round for woodchuck duty, but the forend stock doesn't get much sun during deer season.

Thanks Paula! I'm not kidding about any of it either. Truth is way funnier than the stuff I can make up. I'm actually thinking about switching from political commentary to straight comedy. It really doesn't involve more than shifting a few words and phrases in what I write. That's something scary to think about. I can publish a serious piece in the morning and with very minor changes make it a satirical piece in the afternoon. I won't do that, of course, but it speaks to where we are in the current discourse that it can so easily be done. God help us all.

Bowl of cheerios this morning. No milk, so I poured in a bit of Old Milwaukee. Somebody once called that beerios. I should add that I had been up writing since about 10:30 last night so this was more like dinner for me. Not sure this really helps my image at all. Especially buying the OM at 10 am from the gas station. The staff know I work nights and don't hassle me about it, but I get some weird looks from the customers.

I love American ingenuity!! Got a problem? Fix it! Nice work Taco. Sorry you didn't make the GTG at Parker's. We'll do another one.

It's kind of an interesting dynamic. The younger bucks are eager for GO and the older does are eager for GO. The bucks are looking for ANYTHING that might be a receptive doe. I've had them come after me for farting in a ground blind. The older does seem to be hoping that if a young guy gets the deed done she won't have to have some 250 pound 12 point buck climbing on her back. Wild kingdom!

My grandparents used every part of every animal they ever raised. The feather-crested head of a rooster was used to spread oil around the frying pan. The only part of a pig that didn't get used was the squeal. I'd be a bit cautious with bone marrow today, though. It's where a lot of of the GMO and artificial hormone stuff ends up. I haven't done any deep research into the subject, just a casual heads up.

I went out to just sit and watch the woods wake up. Forgot the camera, even. Lots of squirrels, a couple of bunnies, a "possum who looked like he had something stuck in his mouth. Might have been the taste of 'possum. A few does came through just browsing, and then a small buck who looked like he didn't know what to do next. The little guy just stood there looking confused. I finally laughed out loud and he snorted and walked off. Fun morning.

Those peanut butter cracker snacks. I've actually lived on them for several days. And if you munch them just right all the squirrels will gather around in awe.

Has anyone figured out whether or not they're legal on NYS lands? I don't imagine I'll ever kill another deer in NYS, but I can picture a box full of squirrels on the back of that scooter.

People often ask me why I'm single.

Why? It's the same reason the dryer vent hose needs to be cleaned during the Super Bowl.

My apologies for disrupting your introduction. I'm a well-known a**hole around here. I've hunted in the Cuba Hinsdale area before. Very nice part of NY. Congrats on having some sod there.

Not sure the DEC regs say anything about baiting humans. Do you want to disappear? This could become an X-Files episode.

Thank you for joining us SteveMeister. Looking forward to your participation on the site.

Your nonchalance is duly noted. Welcome to the site, my friend. We are a peaceful tribe until trifled with. You're among friends.

It's a tough game to play. Especially under swamp conditions. If it was easy the guys with man-buns and Priuses would be doing it and claiming virtue for "natural and organic" sensibilities.

Just thought of one more thing: When the swamp first freezes over with a 1/4" to 1/2" skim of ice, that buck will not go near it and will become land-bound for a while. They don't like that shin-barking ice any more than we do. Think about what he's gonna do without his swamp security and look at the surrounding area.

Stay downwind.

I spent a lot of time hunting swamps, mostly from a canoe wearing hip-waders. It's a tough choice of habitat to hunt for sure but the bigger deer seem to get there. A buck that lives in a swamp is not an ordinary buck. He's somehow "learned" a few things. I don't ascribe any sort of human intelligence to deer, but man they come close once in a while. Don't try to fool him in any way, scents or sounds or anything like that. Just set up along his path to finding a doe. The best days I've had in swamps are ones with a strong and steady wind blowing from one direction, which allows you to not worry about "the wind". Also, bring dry clothing in a dry-bag, because no matter what happens chances are you will get wet. Just my coupla pennies here. Best of luck to you!.

I wish I could help you more, but HVAC and carpet installation are the only two parts of home building I never bothered to learn.

My understanding is that the DEC is more concerned with the congregating of the deer, thereby facilitating the spread of diseases. In plain English: when there are 25 or 50 deer around the same feeder or mineral lick diseases can easily spread. I have no personal view or opinion on this position, just stating what I have heard.

Glad you got some serious feedback here. It says a lot for the site. Trust the folks who are giving you names.

Welcome to the thread jmark!. Congratulations on getting some venison to cook. Just one hint: don't overcook the venison. Rare is best and medium rare won't destroy it, but anything like 'well done' you should just head for a fast food place. Enjoy.

If that's what Hobos do for dinner, I've definitely been doing something wrong.

If you close your mind just a teeny bit more you won't have to see any reality at all. And yup, Kanye is a loser who has built a small empire and is worth something like $800 million dollars. Must suck to be a loser.