DirtTime

I had to start using a cot about 9 years ago. I swear I sleep better on that in one of my tents then I do on my bed at home. If you decide to hunt that area across from Lewey be careful, get a map and mark the boundaries. Part of that is The Siamese Ponds Wilderness and part of it's the Jessup River Wild Forest, and the whole area around Watch Hill is a strict no hunting zone in that area of Jessup.

Congrats on the retirement! Enjoy the peace of living away from the hustle and bustle.

I've had mud clog the muzzle a couple times on shotguns. A stick always worked just fine to push it out. I do keep a cleaning kit in the ML bag though.

I figured you were busting my balls. Last May primitive camping in the ADK's I let one of the guys know there was some used TP left by the previous occupants over by a big down tree. He asked why I didn't pick it up, my reply was this, "Do you want to pick up someone else's sh*&^$ TP?". That was the end of that conversation. LOL.

So that's a no from you on Mason Lake.

No. I won't poop in an isle in a store, any store. Though some deserve to have it happen. I do however, leave my used TP in the woods. It's a little gross to pick it up, put it in a bag, then carry it out in my pack or pocket.

Most Walmarts aren't sanitary to start with. It was a joke, sarcasm, a jest, non-serious, making a wise crack...........................................................

All I know is I am going to stop using rest rooms. I'm just going to go wherever I am at the time. If that's the dairy isle at Walmart so be it. If I can't have a dedicated bathroom to take a crap, then I'll just crap where I feel like it. If I get in trouble I'll simple say I still identify as a man, not either or. As for deer hunting, they already have a tag for confused deer, it's called the "Either/Or" tag. Or "Antlered/Antlerless" for those who have to be politically correct. If the hunter is confused, maybe they should look at pictures as an aide. For some odd reason I don't think the DEC is going to accept "I'm telling you officer, that buck was acting funny- he was trying to hump another buck.", or "That doe was acting all strange, she was lifting her leg to pee and slamming her head against a tree to make a rub.". I would love to see the video of someone trying to get away with this though.

Lake Desolation has deer, but if I remember right it's sort of thick in there. Check this and then look at the Saratoga County area- https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7798.html

Looks like you guys had a great trip. Been a long time since I was out there on a hunting trip using a tent. I would do it again, but the wife isn't having any of that so we rent a cabin. I'm fine with that as long as I get to hunt up there. I tried to get something going for Mason Lake this year and couldn't find anyone willing to go in October. My buddy said he'd go next year but he doesn't hunt so his concern is just hanging out in camp with not much to do. Hunting deer in most of the ADK's is difficult and a lot of people go a long time and never see a deer. If you're hunting the big woods with no food plots the deer don't usually travel like they do in the SZ. They more or less just roam the woods and go where ever they please and not leave highly visible game trails.

Went right around the corner from me for a few hours in some think and nasty stuff. Forgot the phone at home. Nothing moving, not even song birds were bopping around. Rain now until Monday. Sort of missed carrying a firearm. Wife and I will be back up in the ADK's next weekend and I'm looking forward to it.

Yep. There's also Benson which isn't more then an hour really. An hour and a half and you have Siamese Ponds, Jessup River, West Canada Lake........................

We had heavy rain most of yesterday. The wind kicked up around 3AM and has been blowing and gusting all day. It's over at the port scrap yard. They say it's under control but they can't seem to get it out. I bet the wind isn't helping get it put out so it's going to keep going. It started in a scarp metal pile.

If you're open to public land there's a ton of it within' an hour of Saratoga.

It's been burning since around 6AM and they are saying it will burn al night and into tomorrow. Plastic and all sots of chemicals in the air right now. I smelled it taking the dog out and walked around to make sure it wasn't someones house. Checked the news and this was the deal. I would have been hunting this morning but the belt on my SUV started squealing bad when I started it this morning. Instead I guess I get to keep the news on in the background to keep a watch on this.

This has been stinking up the area for hours and it's still going. https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/State-assessing-acrid-smelling-smoke-from-16567709.php

Looking forward to the trip report. I got back yesterday from a week of hunting an hour south of where you were.

Congratulations.

Sorry to hear that Larry. I hope you and your wife get better soon and have a full recovery.

That's a wrap. Had a great week up here. Wife wants to drive out to Blue Mountain Lake for lunch so time to start the walk out.

Toting the 7mm-08 today. It was a lively 31* when I headed in this morning. Last day up here so here's to hoping.

Back where I was Tuesday near those rubs. Messed up the back yesterday so not walking far today. Rain made the walk in quit. Already had a red squirrel piss me off.

Still hunting before the serious rain comes in. Jumped something in the swamp but only heard it take off. Going to start the loop back out. Only about a mile out but it's sprinkling now.

Same area as yesterday because on my way walking out I found some fresh rubs, so I set up about 60 yards away from them with a swamp 200 yards to my right. 54, 3mph wind. Calling for rain tomorrow and Friday morning. Seemed like it took forever for it to get light out here this morning.

Sent the wife a text letting her know I'd be heading back to the cabin in about an hour and for the he'll of it checked if I had internet. Yep. Little breezy up here but nice morning. 3 does and a spike on the drive over, not even a squirrel in the woods.