grampy

I'm not the teenager....er field ager either. But I say two year old too.

Congratulations Mike! You earned this one! Nice job!

It helped a lot!!! Thanks very much sir!

Welcome! Enjoy the snow! Where are you in NY?

phillifan, how does it look for the Albany hilltowns??? I'm just above Thatcher Park, in the town of Knox. Keep hearing different things. From 4 or 5 inches to a foot or more??? Makes a huge difference on where I'll set up for Saturday morning.

Got some snow camo three years ago. I love it!!! First year, had a mature buck come down to check a doe that was only 15 yards from me, while on the ground. Easy shot on that buck, made me a believer! Neither deer ever knew I was there on a ridgeline bench. During gun season, I do wear a breakup camo blaze orange vest over it. As our property borders state land. My wife gave me the snow camo as a Christmas gift the year before. She couldn't think of what else to get, as I have every other kind of camo. So my hunting partner tipped her off on the snow camo. As we both hunt mostly from the ground. I've used it and like it. Will have it on, come Saturday morning! Also great for winter coyote hunting!!!

A few years ago we threw out some trespassers from the neighboring state land, multiple times, and wasn't very nice about it the last time. Well they called DEC on us, and said we were poachers and baiters. So as we were coming in from hunting one morning, a DEC officer was waiting in the driveway at the farm. He was very nice, but business like. We had absolutely nothing to hide, and gave him a tour of the outbuildings, and barn, which had a legally tagged buck hanging. Told him he was free to go anywhere he wanted on the property too. We also told him of the problem we were having with the trespass issues. He figured correctly, that these scumbags were just trying to get back at us, and he would have a "talk" with them. Well that "talk" must have worked, as we have never seen them around since then! We also work with DEC through Deersearch. And he had heard our names from there as well. These DEC guys and gals are very bright and intelligent. They also seem to know when someone is giving them a BS story, or not. We were 100% honest. We told him too, that we appreciate all they do, under very difficult conditions. And understood how he had to check out the complaint. They are our friends, not our enemies! If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.

Hope my hub blinds make it, without collapsing! Upped the forecasted total again this morning, to near a foot. Walking in will be much more difficult. Had plans to hunt from one of the hub blinds opening morning. It's in a narrow strip of hemlocks, surrounded by thick, tall swamp grass and brush, on three sides. Found this spot during the later part of bow season. After adjusting to changing bedding patterns, due to high water levels. May have to continue on up the hill, to the stand my hunting partner built for me. Great stand and spot!!! But not as good as the lower spot, from what I've been seeing up to now. As the deer here hunker down in the lower thick nasties, after a heavy snowfall. And travel cross that strip of hemlocks. Lower surrounding swamp is filled with deep water. Will pull the hub blinds out after next week. Then hunt mostly from our natural brush blinds, scattered throughout the property.. Or set up on any fresh sign we find. Part of the fun of hunting for me, is the challenge of adjusting to whatever the weather, deer patterns, surrounding hunter pressure, throws at me. Sometimes the deer win. Sometimes I win.

It's my choice!!! I'm a smoker. I too, have picked up trash on public land, many, many times. I don't litter, or drink alcohol in the woods. There are many parks and outdoor places where it is illegal to light up now. Yeah....fine....whatever. I still pick up trash there too. I quit for almost 10 years and after a surgery, (non smoking related) started up again, while playing music with a group of smokers. My choice! No one twisted my arm. Cancer, (again non smoking related), will probably take me out, long before the cigs do. I enjoy a smoke here and there, during the day, or while doing work or chores, outside at home, or the farm. As for smoking while hunting, I have killed a bunch of deer, including some very nice bucks, after putting down a smoke. And it's a good wind indicator too. Has it cost me a shot at a deer I did not see? I'm sure it has. But most ALL hunters are busted by deer they never saw! I always push a stick in the ground in my blinds to drop the butts in. Though I do tend to smoke very little while actually hunting. Mostly to keep movement to a minimum, not for the smoke itself. I don't smoke in our home. I do not smoke around my kids or grandkids. I do not smoke at work. Will not smoke in close quarters with my non smoker friends either. I average about a half pack a day. And I truly respect the fact, that most people don't want to be exposed to my second hand smoke. I get it! But it's not illegal. It is MY choice. Just leave me alone. I promise, I won't infect you.

Wonderfully spoken my friend.

Having a little pizza with the olives?

Snow Camo!!! With some blaze orange of course.

I bury mine.

My sincere, and heartfelt condolences, to you and your family. No doubt he loved his family as much as you all loved him. One can not ask for more, from a father. He will always be with you all. May the countless precious memories you have of him, see you through these tough times. RIP

Congratulations on a great buck! Well done!

Not one bad choice among that lot!!! Nice!

Ummmmm......clean up..... in grampy's office! That is one sweet looking set up John! Awesome, can't wait to see some of those video's!!!!!

Try a couple soft meeeee...... meeee, doe bleats with your mouth.

LOL.....thanks. The name 'Big Chooch' has been tossed out there a few times by an esteemed member here. I just call him friend....... I actually had in my hands, the sister to my rifle, while visiting moog last year. The Sako Bavarian, in 308. My palms are all sweaty just thinking about it!!!!

4-H Albany hilltowns. Did not hunt yesterday (Tuesday) but did from Nov. 10th through 12th. Usually by now, chasing would be winding down, with breeding in full swing, or very close! Not this year.....yet. I have seen only one mature buck actually with a doe. Seen many other bucks just cruising. That is on two different properties. Monday morning, a mature buck out at 100 yards just cruising. Little while later a young buck, just cruising, to within 10 feet! Monday evening, watched a group of doe, still with fawns! One fawn still nursing! No buck even came to check them out. A two year old buck, was feeding a couple hundred yards from the doe's, showed no interest at all! Trail cams are showing more daytime movement now. My guess, and it's just a guess, from what I'm seeing, is that breeding seems just a bit delayed, right here, in this area, this year. That means that this weekend should be very active, as far as deer or (buck) movement goes. But with the opening of firearms, and the influx of human scent in the woods, most of that activity will likely move to the thickets or just outside of them. This late flurry of chasing will be very short, and intense, then actual breeding will come shortly afterwards. In short.....a very good gun opener, and in to early next week. With nice weather, and a bit of new snow on the ground. Will see how it all plays out. Hopefully I'll learn something. Just my own opinion, based on my years hunting in this area.

It made it's way from moogs house to mine. He made it possible for me to get my 'dream rifle'. She's no safe queen either! Shot regularly, and carried every time I hunt during rifle season now. My grandson will carry it when I no longer can.

Happy Birthday!

Sako 85 classic, in 270 topped with a Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40, shooting 130gr Nosler BTs. It shoots as good as it looks.

Me too!

Been shooting my 270 quite a bit over the summer. And my grandson, his 7mm-08. My hunting buddy and I, shot our confidence shots yesterday. From 100 to 200 yards. All good! Though my true love is archery season, I do look forward to opening day of gun. It brings back old memories of hunts long ago, with hunters no longer here. And always the anticipation of a successful hunt. We are all set to go. Wishing you all a safe and successful opening day.