DirtTime

When I scout I pay close attention to tracks, direction to and from bedding-food-water. I set accordingly for different wind directions. I hunt from the ground so making a few brush blinds in the same area is fairly easy of there's enough debris laying around. I always try to keep the wind at me whether I'm sitting or still hunting. It's just the one of many things that's etched into my brain. On the hunt I mentioned I made a secondary blind up the ridge a little more so I can see over one area and have the original blind off to my left before I packed up to leave, so if they come up that way again they will be on my left. There was a lot more to how this all went down then I can put into words. From my back and on my off side. If that had been a legal buck I would have, and was ready to take that shot left handed. I don't shoot left handed, but I have shot a few of my hunting guns to see how far I'm off, surprisingly not far being right handed and left eye dominant. A couple inches difference. I'm giving more thought to playing a cross wind when possible instead of right at me. But, there are no rules a deer or wind follow, so no matter what you do to play the wind, the deer will eventually play you.

The place in Colonie closed, so without driving an hour that's all I can think of. B&D Gunsmoke in Rotterdam will do it, but that's a drive. Might be worth the ride though if Flying Arrow won't get it done for you.

I had a testy doe do the same thing to me last Saturday. I dropped my wife in her spot and headed down to a brush blind I had made just up on a ridge. Around 7AM I had to take a leak, so I decided to have a cup of coffee once I was back in my seat. I no sooner set the thermos down and I hear blowing behind me. I turn slowly and see a deer stomping and doing what looked like circles in the brush. I drop the cup and get ready with my rifle. Then the deer stops and peeks out at me from behind a tree. I set the rifle down and slowly get out my camera to get some video. She stared at me for probably 4-5 minutes while all this was going on. Then she trotted up around the ridge and stopped and stared at me again for a few seconds. Then trotted off towards where my wife was set up. Does aren't legal in the area of the NZ we hunt, so that crazy ass doe got a lucky pass. If they were legal I would have dumped her just because she was irritating me. That marked the 6th time they have come in on me from behind with the wind in my face. Starting to seriously rethink how I play the wind.

Sorry to hear this. I hope it passes quickly and no long term effects.

Flying Arrow in East Greenbush may be the only place. I don't think Coxsackie Gun and Bow does that.

Good luck out there to all. Three doc visits via phone today starting at 7:15 so no hunt this morning. Depends how ticked off I am at those calls if I head out later in the day.

Congrats on a bruiser @turkeyfeathers. I had the case of tissues I was shipping you cancelled and returned.

Could have been worse, that buck could have been messing with the other end.

That sucks Biz! I bust your balls a lot, but I sincerely hope the test comes back negative. Thoughts are with you man.

C'mon man! Everyone knows that's over kill on deer. .222 is where it's at. Some bruiser bucks taken! Congrats to everyone who punched a tag. Heading out after the rain stops to get some still hunting in. At least that's the plan.

Keeping the foot gear.

I check it out. Thank you.

Nothing. A doe that came in from behind me blowing and acting like a snotty little bi$#@ forgot to bring her boy toy with her. Does that count?

Sorry about your buddy. My condolences you and his family.

I have always made sure to have ammo for my guns. I might have to drive an hour to find it but if I have too I have too. I'm hearing a lot of places are out of reloading materials as well. But I don't reload so no personal experience.

Grab these now before I change my mind. Sitting for two hours this morning with my 400gram insulation made me start to rethink selling these.

Please lock this up. All gone, they go buh-bye to a different state.

Congrats! Glad the misfire didn't muck up the hunt for you and you got a second chance.

I'm getting rid of a lot of gear I don't use or need. Herman Survivors in Realtree 800G insulation. Size 9. Brand new in the box never worn, tags are even still one them. $55 pick up Albany NY area. If I have to ship them add $28 due to inflated holiday shipping costs on over size packages.

Forgot to say location. Albany area. But can ship, and have a PP account for transaction if shipped.

Pretty sure I know where you are. I have to drive into Albany in a little bit, I'll wave as I drive by. Good luck.

Recently finished reading Horace Kephart's Camping and Woodcraft, and I'm just about 1/4 of the way into Mors Kohcanski's Bushcraft:Outdoors Skills and Wilderness Survival. I was very surprised that the Kephart book revolved around hunting a lot. Tracking, skinning, processing, and even cooking wild game. I'll be buying the second volume soon. I also want to pick up a couple books by Nessmuk. His canoeing the Adirondacks book and his camping and woodcraft book.

Boker Magnum Drop Point Deer Hunter Gerber SB 2.5 Mossy Oak Locking Multi Tool Paid $60 for the Boker last March, $30 for the Gerber last January, and $15 for the multi tool last April. So lets say $90 for all including shipping. PM me for any questions or to set up the purchase. I have these listed on a few other sites as well.

Two questions: 1) Can I keep the gun if I catch it? 2) If so, can I go on a hunt with you the next time you do this?

Not usually. I don't usually put my outer layers on at home though. I put them on once I get where I'm going 98% of the time. I prefer to keep the wind in my favor. That doesn't always work though. I had a great wind almost dead in my face sitting in a new brush blind I made the day before. I hear blowing and turn to see two does trotting off away from me. They came in from my back, I played the wind, but the deer played me.