grampy

That is a northern water snake. Non venomous. But can get a bit aggressive. I lived down south for a number of years in my early days. Came in contact with venomous snakes fairly often. never had one 'chase' me. A Cottonmouth, like any snake is more afraid of you. And will defend itself if provoked. Left alone, they are happy to just have you be on your way.

Pass. Could buy something similar in good running condition, for half of what it would cost to fix that one. And that's not including all your time invested.

Happy Birthday Sir!!!

Wishing you all a speedy and complete recovery. Great photo!

Happy Birthday!!! Wish you nothing but the best on your special day!!

Happy Birthday sir! Hope your special day if filled up with all the good stuff!!!

When I started out, the very best hunters I knew all smoked and did not use any scent control. I know that one in particular, that only showered once a week! All old farmers, who were really into deer hunting, back when there were far fewer deer than today. All four of them killed mature bucks most every year. But were masters at playing the wind, used honest woodsmanship, and payed attention to how they entered and exited the spots they hunted. Some of those spots were also on VERY crowded public land too. I agree with scent control to a point. Anything to get a slight advantage, right? But only to a point. As I truly believe that the examples of those old guys from long ago are still very valid today. And no matter what we do for scent control, the downwind deer will ALWAYS smell us. Perhaps "maybe" a little less for the strict scent control hunters. But smell us ALL they will. As Belo stated, if strict scent control gives you confidence then by all means go for it! For the majority of us, use your woodsmanship skills, and play the wind to your best advantage.

I do use scent free soap, shampoo, detergent and so on. But rely mostly of having multiple set ups in good spots, to move to when the wind changes. There is NOTHING you can do, to where a deer can't smell you! Play the wind!!!!

Yup.......fisher, long tail and all.

Happy Birthday!

Being safe, saved you!!! It could happen to anyone, at anytime, using any treestand! At 65 most all my hunting the last ten years or so has been from terra firma. We do only have ladderstands now, along with one tripod and one built box stand, for when we do leave ground level. A harness is a cheap insurance policy to prevent what could be a life changing , or ending situation. Wear it!!!

I definitely wouldn't try shooting through the mesh either.

Great looking pup!! Love the name too. He will be living the good life at Zeek Acres!

I too have used the Ameristep blinds. They seem to hold up OK when staked down well. And like you, I only keep the windows open to a minimum, and have seen plenty of deer. Even killed a nice buck from one a couple years back. But this Muddy blind has window mesh that says I can see out, and deer can't see in? That may allow me to see more deer, that perhaps I wouldn't have before? IDK?? We'll see. Also has built in brush loops that hold brush to the blind. I'm hoping this blind will be a step up from the Ameristep?

As most of you know I'm primarily a ground hunter. Most of my hunting is done from natural ground blinds I build from what I find on the ground nearby. But over the last few years I've gotten into hub blinds as well. The Mrs and I happened to be near Utica yesterday. So we stopped by the Bass Pro. I found the Muddy Infinity blind and bought it for close to $200. It has good size and mesh windows that I can see out and deer can't see in? Also alot of adjustment for window openings. So......just wondering if anyone else has used this blind and how ya like it? Also is there many of you that also hunt from hub blinds? Like anything, the hub binds have their pro's and con's. I like em for hunting nasty weather, to keep out there when I'd likely not be.

For some of us, there comes a point in our deer hunting, where quality is more important to us than quantity. And that is just fine!!! We all have different reasons to be out there. No one size fits all. And as the seasons go by, our own reasons sometimes change too. For myself, I don't need to kill every deer I get within range. And try to shoot a mature buck for this area, and possibly a doe. That fills my needs. The days are long gone from when we NEEDED as much meat as we could get. It's ALL GOOD if a hunter shoots one deer, or as many legal deer as they have tags for!! As for you my friend, I hope you have your best season ever this year.

Only time I drink Mtn Dew, and eat Stewart's food is during hunting season!!!

Is this held to the stand with velcro straps? And would work with a ladderstand with shooting rail? Hook for around the tree?

Good catch. I missed that. You're right, In years past, it would require a PP. Having a PP is always better than not, for most of us guys.

When you purchase your hunting license AFTER August 1st, request a DMP at that time. They will ask you what WMU you would like. And if you'd like a second choice in that WMU or a different one. There is a $10 fee to apply that is non refundable.

4-H is yet again a tough draw. Have a PP so maybe I'll get lucky?

I have witnessed a fisher taking a freshly killed rabbit up a hemlock tree a couple years ago. Perhaps the reason being, to keep the kill from other nearby predators like fox and coyote?

A Northern Water Snake. They can be quite feisty!

Bumper crop last year, to very few this year for apples on our hunting properties. Acorns looking better this year over last. That should put deer in a more normal feed pattern this year for us.

Just picked up some H4831 for some 270 hunting loads. Up about $20 per pound from pre pandemic prices. Found it at Franks Gun Shop on Rt 30. Couldn't find Nosler BT's in 140g. So picked up some Hornady SST's in 130g. I'll test a few of the SST's to see how they shoot. Terminal performance should be similar I'd think???