Jaeger

Good advice on the "rag-bag" target, thanks. My bolts go into the black block so deep I have to brace both feet against it to pull them out without risk of breaking the bolts.

Note: it pulled the end of the crank device string out of the keeper, the bow string was fine.

A Barnett Vengeance upgraded with Zeiss XB75, almost got the scope dialed in. Going with rage 100gr broadheads. Added a crank device I just destroyed because I was so intent on getting a sighting in shot off I didn't notice onearm of the crank hanging in the way of the string. No injuries, but something to keep in mind, always, always make sure nothing, esp. fingers. are in way of the string. Pulled the end of the string out of its keeper.

Again, the argument against crossbows of it being "an easier way to kill a deer" was the exact argument made against the use of compound bows during the fight for their inclusion into archery season back in the late 70's. Then longbows and mostly recurves where the driving force behind the establishment of a special and separete bow/archery deer seasons. The compounds were let into/allowed in/rules change to permit in the archery season (against much opposition as being too easy) and now they are the standard. That is a fact many of you are too young to acknowledge or too intractable to accept. The old standard, the longbows and recurves are now looked down on by compound bow elitists as too old school and inaccurate/irresponsible and the crossbows are looked down on as too modern technological, too easy to use. Compounds are merely a point in time on the archery, bow season time line. There will come a day in the not too distant future where compounds will be looked down on as the old school inaccurate/irresponsible tool. You're arguments like tons of deer are killed by compounds falls on deaf ears, tons were ethically taken with longbows/recurves before you. Why do compound elitists think the bow evolution should stop at todays compound bows? To them longbows/recurves are not good enough and crossbows too good. They forget where they came from.

That's what I'm thinking for myself, usually sold green. It's a good time to practice fur handling, washing, skinning, stretching,etc. without the gut ache of a nicked hide.

I'd check gunbroker and guns international for the same gun and go by that. If I find one identical to one I want to know the price on, I put it on my "watch" list and see what it actually sells for. They can ask anything, but it's actual sales that determine true value. You can use the "gun values" book for insurance purposes, but to sell or just know - it's worth what people are actually willing to pay for it.

I'd still take him out, that's reason enough to go. Just don't worry about a big line, just a good one he will enjoy with you. Worry about the costs next year.

While not directly on point, it's interesting to note that the powers that be haven't come around to a 277-08, a short action 270 based on the .308 win family. Or did they? I'm not up on all the short mags, but I haven't heard of one on a .308 win case. I wonder if it's been done much as a wildcat? I know the 6.8 (.277) short cartridges are shorter that the .308 case. But, I'd agree with Petzel, with todays' faster powders the loss may not be that great and here in the north east the velocity loss may not matter that much. The old rule of thumb was a loss of about 20-50 fps/per inch of barrel loss measured from a starting point of a 26" barrel. Aagaard did a cut back test with the 30-06 for his "professionals rifle", but I couldn't put my hands on the article right away. I just went through this with a black powder substitute gun where the velocity loss I accepted was 150 fps lower in the 24" barrel gun I bought vs the 30" popular model. There are plenty of guns with 20 inch barrels on short actions , but few with short barrels on full length (30-06 length) actions. One extremely successful model was the Rem 760/7600 30-06 carbine with the 18 1/2 barrel. The Benoits never seemed to lose a deer because of it! But then again, when one is dealing with the .270, its also a matter of romance rather than actuality, I've been looking for a pre-64 Win 70 super grade in 300 H&H, and most for sale are .270's!!

Had a lone hen wondering around the yard yesterday morning, the dog's in the kennel for an upcoming trip.

Cross-bow Revolution magazine, usually on the rack in tractor supply and price chopper, has a constant review of bows in all price ranges. It's a good place to start. Also, keep in mind that if it need work/adjustment, a brand that is sold locally might be the best option. As a beginner with x-bow myself I know any of the equipment out there would have worked well for me. I picked what felt best and had an interchangeable butt pad.

Yeah, I have difficulty rubbing my belly and patting my head at the same time, the walk and chew gun syndrome. I'll give it a try, it may be the engage/disengage lever riding on the spindle/ratchet shaft. Thanks!

Ditto, King of the Mountain and Johnson Woolen Mills. Only use cotton if it's dry and hot during small game seasons.

Quick update, brought it to shop, checked it out and reset it. I must have had it off a little, works great now, just a little squeeky and we can'ts seem to pin down the source. I think it's just the spindle turning in its slot. He tried a little vasiline that didn't help and I'm going to remove with some degreaser, don't want it hardening up in the cold. It certainly makes it easier to cock the bow. Definitely not a "second shot" suitable device. Thanks.

I like the idea of "just going hunting". The scent thing started with the boom in bow hunting. It is valid and certainly has its advantages, but to me all the descenting prep seems to take away from the experience. Here's something to think about, I laid out a short, 70 yard blood track line for schatz yesterday morning. I sprayed my rubber boots and upper pant legs with e3 odor terminator before and walked about a yard or two to the side of the line as I was laying it out. Gave it about 1/2 hour to set. Schatz followed my path when ever she was uncertain about a "thin spot" I deliberately set in the line. Sooo, in spite of "descenting" my boots and legs she was still able to smell any other scent that may have dropped off me. Just something to think about when we think we are sufficiently clean!!

Great day, the buddies-two legged or four??

Porter is a good man. Fair and very knowledgeable. Would easily follow in Judge Becker's steps. Don't know anything about Mr. Rosa. The more important issue is that, since Judge Becker's retirement, the court responsibilities are being split up into 2, a family court and a general county court (Becker handled both). Former District Attorney Richard Northrup is running unopposed for that County Court Judge position and no one knows how he feels about Pistol Permits, he will be responsible for issuing them. Judge Becker used to handle the pistol permits and was known for being a very fair man in that regard. Former DA Northrup is a complete unknown on this issue and many of us are afraid he will take a harsher stance. Just my opinion. But yes, Porter Kirkwood is a good man, a great attorney and would make an excellent family court judge. Sorry I couldn't give an opinion on one vs the other, but i just do not know enough about Mr. Rosa.

Last month Schatz and I kicked up plenty of grouse and some woodcock during training runs, but this past week nothing!! There's plenty of food around. Could it be the foxes and coyotes? Saw 2 reds last night running along the road and in front of my house either someone is walking a small dog at 2 am or the foxes are eating something without berries seed or bones. Small clean droppings, about 1/4-1/2 dia. dark, smooth and consistent in a small circular pile. That couldn't suddenly move out the birds could it??

This fits your title and maybe your question, but I get a lot of my stuff from the Adirondack Outdoors Company: www.adirondackoutdoor.com They may be able to supply what you are looking for. Jaeger

When you read the regs. booklet, remember to look at the "exceptions" column on the right. In most areas, an unused regular season buck tag is valid as an additional either sex tag during the late seasons. So, for example, in the southern zone, if you do not bag a buck with your regular season buck tag, it is good as an either sex tag in the late bow and muzzleloader seasons (but still need a primary/first bow and/or muzzleloader privlage/tag, the regular season tag becomes a "second", either sex tag). It does get complicated. Especially, in the non-general norther/southern zone areas like LI, around cities like albany, etc.

I'm the equipment collector, always thinking more new stuff will make me a better hunter. Then reality hits, and I wind up going out pared down to the essentials, an Aagaard & Benoit devotee if you will.

Congratulations!!! Best wishes for the mom! Happy and healthy both I hope!!

Some of the smaller patches of the old "navy co-op" lands (now called the "otis pike preserve?") were pretty good as they run generally along the peconic river and have more diverse habitat, wetlands and hard woods rather than pure pine barrens. Sarnoff is good and the last I hunted there you did not need to check in at Ridge every morning during deer season. One of my favorite "honey holes" used to be out on sag harbor, a finger patch sticking out into the bay, had to drive through the golf course to get to it. Great squirrel and deer spot, and fantastic for duck hunting. The january muzzleloader/shotgun hunt over in hither hills was always fun as well, but mostly small deer and need a 4 wd to get up in there. P.s., great summer bass fishing up there in the first big lake on your left just up over the top. I used to stay away from Rocky point as it was always crowded and mostly pine barrens with lots of other recreationists, cyclists and dog walkers, but that was years ago. Wish you great luck! The beauty of hunting LI is the great duck hunting and finding those little "honey holes" no one else bothers with!!

I started with winchester 52B's back in the youth division of my old gun club so I (but not my eyes!) am partial to peep sights. I have scoped rifles and they work better in dark woods. Finn Aagaard once did an article, with a counter article from Les Bowman, about how open sights are second best. His main point was that with open sights the shooter has to switch focus back and forth between 2 (peep) or 3 (traditional) sight components, with blurring one. The primary advantage of the scope, even a straight 1x, was that the cross-hairs and animal were all on the same plane and thus both in focus at the same time, this has merit. Les Bowman's point was more along the lines of better handling and faster shooting. Aagaard then did a test with scopes, red dots and open sights for speed of acquisition and shooting and ultimately the 1x did the best. But by fractions of a second. Pays ya money and takes ya choice. I like the handling of open sighted guns and the peep with a bold bead or fiber optic seems to work ok when I'm going to be moving. On stand, I'll bring the scope. Just my limited experience.

A friend and I used to use a butternut oil based lure/attractant. Worked great for him, never knew if the deer sensed it as a food source or just a new smell curiosity type smell. I think the Company that made it may have gone out of business, the used to advertise on another hunting forum. I try to use urine based now, buddy swears by Code Blue $$$. Got the code blue grave digger dirt to try when the rut starts to run. Have had limited success with the buck bomb type aerosols. Tho' a bear came into the corn based on up in the Adirondacks a few years back.

Unfortunately, I have to sell some of my arms. I've been a buyer on Gunbroker and it's worked ok for the most part, did get a bad deal on a worn out bore muzzleloader once though. As sellers, which sites do you prefer to go through? Gun Broker, Guns International, Guns America? Are you aware of others? Are their rates a factor, do they differ much? Which do you find easiest to deal with as this will be my first attempt to sell on line. All sales will be processed through my local shop's FFL. Any guidance from prior sellers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jaeger