Jaeger

BTW twice, it is a gorgeous rifle with a set trigger that breaks like glass. I had a Leupold Vx-6 1-6 illuminated scope with the german #7 3-post reticle on it. The illuminated part is an adjustable brightness very small dot between the posts. Fantastic scope!! The Vx-6, while expensive, has true and I do mean true 1x, not 1.1 or 1.2, at the low end. Looking through it at 1x there is not the slightest difference with both eyes open. I've compared it to many so called 1-4's, which are really 1.1x and you can tell the difference. It's a 30mm tube so it seemed plenty bright enough, even in deep woods. What ever simple reticle you chose, I've come to the conclusion that, for me personally, range "finding", multi-dot/lines reticles are too busy in the field.

I looked these up, are they really $99 a piece?

I completely agree. If you have a question, especially one that could lead to a violation and ticket, email the DEC. Contrary to what some may tell you, they are there to help and they do. If you're polite, they respond in kind. The email address is directly accessible from their website under hunting, usually in the right hand side bar. It is also listed on various pages in the printed regs. I've done this on more than one occasion, most recently I relocated and emailed and received a response about my game bird breeders license. It only takes a few seconds to send them a question, and like stated above, you will have in hand a printed response from the DEC person most closely associated with your question.

As someone who comes from a non-hunting family out on the east end, the NHFD at the ridge check station on eastern LI was like my mecca when I was a kid. It was Christmas come early. I could talk to the ECO's about good trout spots, rabbit and esp. squirrel. There were bow and trapping demonstrations and you could sign up for late preseason courses. There is so little for them down there, it would be a shame if they didn't have it.

So, I guess I'll keep the 3 blades in case I get good enough to use the crossbow during turkey season!! Still, are the 2 blade rages all you guys can recommend? Anyone use any others?

Thanks, yes that's the thread I was thinking of.

Well after last winter I'm finally going to break down and get a pair of snowshoes for late season hunting and trapping. No on trail or level 5-6" snow here. I'm looking at hills and greater than 14" snow packed and powder (mostly 3-4' powder last year in 0-(-15) degree temps, too cold to pack down. LL bean sells the MSR Lightening Ascent and offers trailers to increase the footprint and flotation in powder. Anyone use these or other aluminum shoes? They are slim and light weight and not the traditional wood and leather (which I would prefer but do not want my short legs to have to suffer with bear paws). Any other recommendations from backwoods deep snow hikers?

I put a Swarovski 3.5 - 18 x 44mm with the BRX Heavy reticle, the one with all the various width and height lighter crosshair lines. It works fantastic on the range with a benchrest and exact known distances. In the field and on coyotes it is slow and confusing. Don't get me wrong, it is a fantastic glass, just too busy for field use. I am starting to like the german #4 or #7 with 3 posts, no upper vertical post. Can see the target easily and shoot at any distance with a little "kentucKy windage"

Are these legal? I can't find the thread where this was discussed. I remember something about someone saying the DEC officers may not think so. Something about the blade not easily straightening back out when pulled out of a deer and they are viewing them as barbed. Can you direct me to that thread or is there new information here about the legality of the folding rage broadheads for deer? If they are illegal, what do you use that flies straight? I don't want any big planing broadheads flying sideways all over creation!

I just ordered the crank through Amazon, what an exhausting experience! They make it so hard to place a simple order and I already had an account. But I'm glad I did. It will make life much easier. I'm in a very much different boat than most of the rest of you. I am 5' tall. Even with the pull string shortened to the point I can just reach it and a block of wood over the foot stirrup to step on, or thick soled boots, I still have to pull the string handles up over my shoulders to seat the string in the hook. The bow wobbles and I can't see the string/hook position. It's pull, jerk and hope. I suspect many short women have a similar problem, and I do work out with weights 3 times a week. But then, being closer to the ground than the rest of you, its a lot easier for me to drag a deer out of the woods! Ha!!

For the sling issue, you can use the same slings they sell for side by side shotguns. It has adjustable loops at either end, one goes over the but stock just behind the wrist and the other over the barrel. Works very well. So I wouldn't let lack of sling studs force your choice.

I am looking to sell my Sako Bavarian Carbine in 6.5x55 mauser. It is an extremely accurate gun. I used it in the field only once and the price is $1850 firm. If there is any real interest in this gun, I will post pics. You can find a representative pic on the Sako website. Any sale must go through an FFL. I will not trade or sell directly. If you wish to pm me, please feel free to do so with the understanding that I only check this site once or twice (morning and evening) a day. I really is a beautiful gun, but I simply have no present use for it. Jaeger

Thanks Sbuff, Just looked it up. Being bought out and website for LHR is down.

Do the crank type drawing devices work as advertised? Or are they more trouble than they are worth? I'm really short and have a difficult time cocking my Vengeance crossbow, have to pull it several times up chest high before the string seats in the hook, I think I'm having difficulty pulling it back straight enough. I've tried shortening the pull string and it helps somewhat, but for practice am considering the crank handle drawing device. Also, attach it to the bow or not? can they be used without permanently attaching it to the bow?

Completely agree, be polite and nice to them and they respond in kind. The people in the trenches at the DEC do a great job.

Think I found it: http://www.oxfordrodgun.com/oxtar2015.htm Sounds great!!! Hope to get there! Jaeger

Hey Bill, Where is this being held, somewhere in Oxford? I'm in Harpersfield near stamford and would like to go if possible.

Mine arrive last week as well. Really hate that they no longer mail out the printed hard copies of the regulations. I can access the regs on line, but if I want a printed copy to keep by my tv chair (and to show those who aren't sure what the regs really say) I have to "shop" around at wallmart, the town hall etc. 'till a find a copy, same with the printed fishing regs. I find an email to the DEC usually produces a response within a few days.

We were predicted to get it around 2-3pm, got a lot of thunderheads but nary a drop! Going to water the garden this morning. In the Oneonta/Stamford area of the Catskills.

I'm looking at the new LHR Redempton with the external threads on the breach plug and cerecoated to prevent corrosion. Notably, it uses a break open shotgun type lever to open the barrel, no release anywhere near the trigger guard. The only issue is it is heavy.

I saw plenty of does along the 4F/40 border the last 2 years and my friend tagged out on good legal bucks in 4F both years, 6 pointer and small 8 pointer in the same area. This summer seems different, we found a lot of frozen carcases. Winter kill due to really bad/snow/cold the past winter 2014-2015.

IT'S ABOUT DamnTIME!!!!!!!! "4. two week early doe only ML season in October starting the Monday after the youth hunt." We were promised this when we all supported an earlier bow season opener. If you recall, it was supposed to be a 3 deal package. Earlier bow opener, early youth hunt AND early muzzleloading season. The muzzleloaders supported the bowhunters and were betrayed when the bow hunting lobby pulled their support for the muzzleloaders after getting what they wanted. The powerful bow lobby got their earlier opener and immediately removed support for the early muzzleloading season and still fights against the youth hunt. I am a bow hunter but I do not think bowhunters should rule the states hunting seasons to the exclusion or detriment of the rest of the hunting community.

I just ordered my 2015 DMP's on line without any problems. Just a suggestion, but getting on line early in the morning, ~4:30-5am seems to work well. I do not have true "high-speed", just my verizon wireless connection. The page is a little different and I had to set up an account again (username and password, no big deal). Once in, my data page looks different as well. All previous purchases are listed in the left hand column and the education and residence data is in big blocks in the center. Don't know if its easier, just different. For those of you having trouble at stores/license agents, try on line. I still need to go to a store or town hall to get a printed copy of the regs. when and if they become available. hope this helps. P.s., we get up at 4:30 to sit in the cold, shouldn't be a problem to get up at 4:30 to get the dmp to do so!

Mine has the knurled button/lever immediately in front of the trigger guard. I don't think it's a stiffness issue, just in the wrong location for the way I carry it. I like to walk with the rifle cradled in the crook of my left arm barrel pointing left. This puts the lever against my left arm which causes it to activate and pop the barrel open.

Ordered a new Cuddleback Black Flash Super Compact Trail Camera from gander yesterday, it was the last day they were on sale. I had 2 $20 gift certs to use. My first new cam since my old 2mp wildview with the 4 day battery life! It finally gave up the ghost last year and will be using it in conspicuous areas as a dummy cam. Big step up for me!! I let you know when it comes in and how hard or easy it is to set up. Is the "Black Flash" worth it?