DirtTime

No.

Yes. One area the local ranger number was not in service. That was where the problems started. The reason for my asking questions is that I have a state forest in my area that is not open to hunting at all, and another public area that is only open to deer hunting with a bow, and yet another state forest open to hunting. I wanted facts. Sorry, I am not walking into a state forest thinking "It's in such a such a county, they are open for rifle so I am good.". That's not always the case. I guess I was just amazed and a bit shocked that a few didn't know/have an answer. I prefer to know local laws that can at times override county laws.

I have never had to send a gun back. Once I had to take a gun back before even firing it. It was a Winchester Semi 12 and when I got it home and opened the box the stock was broken. Took it back and got an exchange the next day. I have only bought 4 guns brand new, and two were Remington's, and had no problems. That was back in the early 90's though. So if they are falling off I have no clue. Most of my guns have been bought used. The two I own now were used. I will add that the Mossberg 500 Field/Deer Combo my g/f bought from Dicks a few years ago wasn't on par with the Mossy 500's I have owned in the past. The fore stock/slide was loose and rattled, and when I tried to put the scope on the cantilever slug barrel one of the rings broke, and the scope was a POS. I bought her new rings, and we planned to replace the scope if she liked hunting. She didn't. Found that out with one day of just walking in the woods trying to teach her a few things. She won't be able to kill a deer. I thought about having her just transfer the gun to me, but I hated the way the gun felt. I also didn't like that stupid exchangeable cheek-pad. The whole thing just felt cheap. So she sold it to a local gun store. Yep, I know, I know. As for 'bargain' guns, my shotgun and rifle are from lesser known companies, and as I said, I bought them both used. I am very happy with both. I personally do not concern myself with the name on a product most times anymore. I concern myself with how it performs and handles. I have my brands I think are better then any other, just like anyone else. But, when you have a tight budget, you get limited choices.

This is private land........... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suqYAY7SGc

It's not a tree stand. It's a blind/hut. It looks like you have the windows right. I would have set it closer to the trees and painted the inside a dark color, but over all this is actually a good design. Good luck with it.

I will only hunt a swamp or real marshy area if it would be a bedding area, and I do not go in. I would try to set up on an exit trail. Loosing a deer in a swamp or marsh is a bi#$%. Even if you make a solid kill shot, if they run into that water tracking will be a nightmare. No tracking a blood trail in water most times.

I got my info due to a woman who I kept having to call and she was trying. After about two hours of talking to her, calling the numbers she gave me, she called me back and gave me the number of the LT. Officer in my area. Talking to him was 30 minutes, but, I had my info in the first 5. Then we talked about the area and about hunters in general. He apologized for all the phone tag with other DEC. He actually gave me information to two areas in separate WMU's. It was just frustrating.

I was looking up a few alternate areas which happen to be state land to hunt deer. Two of them are sort of small and close to cities and towns. Due to that some areas do have restrictions other then the county wide laws I was concerned about what you can hunt and what you can use to hunt. Might sound stupid to some of you, but I would really rather not walk into a bow only area carrying a rifle. I would rather have facts then get a fine or loose my guns. The way things change in NY are faster then a cowboy farting after eating chili. So, my question for both lands were simple: "Can I use a shotgun or rifle or is bow only?". After 15+ calls, I was finally given the information I needed for both areas. Where I live we have a public land area that is bow only for deer season, and small game you can us ea shotgun but non-toxic shot. Also there is a part of that area where you need to have a special permit to hunt. I felt my questions were valid, and I was covering my ass by asking them. You would think, one call to each area and they should know WTF is going on and the laws for that area. Nope, as a matter of fact the number they have on the DEC site for one ranger in one of the areas is not in service anymore. How the hell does that happen? WTF? I have to tell you when something is off on your site? Anyway, sorry about the mild rant, I just like to keep things right. Any of you get this crap when calling DEC?

I have the same flyer. It's $249.98 after the $50 mail in rebate. You pay $299.98+tax up front. From what it reads that's also only for 30.06 and 7mm Mag, and limited by store. Maybe a close out sale. Same offer is on the site: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/category/index.jsp?ab=TopNav_Outdoors_HuntingShooting_GunsAmmo&categoryId=12243958&cp=4413993.4414427 Maybe they are falling off, but competition is getting stiffer. Ruger and Savage are making some top quality rifles at a lower cost to buy. Hell, even companies like Tika and Howa are making quality rifles at a better price. I forget what the Tika's are based on, but, my Howa is based on a Weatherby Vanguard, and that little stinker handles and shoots great. Some people are trying out the lesser names and getting solid performance and quality while saving a few hundred bucks. Maybe Remington is seeing this and just trying to stay in a competitive market.

I think it depends on the state land you hunt. The lands closer to large cities are going to get more hunters then if you get more into the country. The smaller lands in more wooded areas get a little less pressure as people are either leasing, or have permission to hunt private land. I have also learned opening day SZ gun is far worse the opening day NZ gun.

Actually is it is very unorthodox. No where does it say he had a ML tag. ML tag is where?

Back straps? You are correct. He was not specific as to the tags used. My apologies. I made my comment on what was posted.

Very surprised Curmudgeon isn't chiming in on this one. Seems like this would be right up his alley.

Congrats! Told ya you would find her. Now you need to send a steak to those of us who had faith in you. Kidding.

That's not right. I have read many hunters on here hunting from a tree stand and deer have caught the scent. I guess try putting apple juice in a spray bottle. I don't think that would technically be 'baiting'.

Congrats, I am sure you will find her.

If you also have a ML tag you can. If not no. You cannot use the regular ( gun season buck tag ) during the early seasons.

Methods aren't varying much. Guess we all more or less hunt this way in the same basic manner. Another thing I like about still hunting is when hitting a new area you are still on the hunt, and combine scouting and learning the land all in one.

This one is confusing. I see no mention of using ML tags here. Looks like bow and regular to me. What EXACTLY is the regular season tag? The basic "Buck Only" tag you get when you buy your base small/big game license? Or your base bow tag? This is how I read it: This how I read it: I used my regular season tag on a doe ( huge NO NO NO NO NO !), then used the bow tag for the buck, and now left with just a DMP. Still seems like a wrong tag was used. Mistakes happen. My suggestion is to politely ask the staff to remove this thread, never mention it again, and hunt bushy tails.

Congrats. Nice size doe as well.

Um, the red text below is where the buck talk came from. I doubt you will get a new tag, you are responsible for using the right tags on the right deer.

Point?

Not an outer layer, try a cold water scuba diving suit. They are meant to deal with ice cold water. Snowboarding gear. I say snowboarding because it's designed to allow for more movement then skiing gear. It will keep you warm riding the lift in 40 MPH wind in a blizzard, it should keep you warm in a tree stand. Actually is water and wind proof. Just buy a basic shirt and pants in camo pattern of choice, in a size to allow for the under garments Or, again, enclosed blind of any form with a small heater. The wind is a bad bad thing 20 feet up a tree with nothing to protect you from the elements.

I agree! I remember when we had real winter here in NY. Tons of snow, you had to wear a wool sweater and a heavy coat, wool socks, and two pairs on insulated bottoms just to walk the 60 feet to the mail box every day. I hate severe cold but, I will welcome it back over 50 degrees on Christmas Eve..

Well, that two weeks is over, and everyone lived through it. I guess now we wait and see what good or bad it did. Soley based on the members here, I say most just hunted anyway. Took some nice does to boot. I am guessing the DEC will wait the whole season to "see" how this actually impacted the deer as a whole in NYS. My huge issue is the DEC always conducts these tests or gather data mainly from Mid Central NY., Syracuse area. NY is a pretty big state, with a lot of very deer friendly land. Different terrain/habitat will yield different deer. At least from I have learned. Anyway, the two weeks is over, lets see some dead deer pics and stories, over asking how the two week thing worked out right now.