grampy

I grew up in a rural area. My six brothers and sisters were raised by a single mom. Needless to say we didn't have much money, but were wealthy in so many other ways. I was always in the woods, as that was my escape. And started bringing home rabbits and squirrels, at around eight or nine years old to put some extra meat in the pot. And I have no problem telling anyone, that I shot my first deer at 14 with an old single shot 16 ga, that I bought from the farmer I worked for. That deer shot in the early fall, put a lot of meals on our table, that we were so thankful for! That farmer and a couple of his buddies took me, a fatherless kid under their wing, and showed me the ropes of deer hunting. One of them had a son killed in Vietnam and another around my age. That one became my lifelong friend and hunting partner. When his father passed he struggled to keep the farm. That is where we became partners on the farm too. In almost 50 years, we have never had harsh words with each other. We are much closer than we are with our own siblings. Now, we have shared the joy of seeing his two girls get their own deer! One of whom is my god daughter. Next up is my grandson Zac!

Not sure of the "older bucks taste bad" comments. Of the dozens of 2,3, and 4 year old bucks I have taken over the years. There has only been one, that I could not eat! And he was injured before I shot him! The three year old buck i killed, from last year, will melt in your mouth! Just had some over the weekend. Shot on Nov. 18th chasing a doe. Scarred up, and ears split from fighting. Sure he smelled like a rutting buck during field dressing. But after skinning and processing there was just the " meat" smell! Perhaps I should come over and shoot a three plus year old buck, to make sure they don't make it to your freezer. I have no problem putting him in mine!

What a cool picture! There is your beautiful pot-o-gold under that rainbow! Good luck out there, and keep safe.

So dang cool! The overlapping designs are incredible! Do you follow a pattern, or just create as ya go? Wish I had a fraction of your talent!

When done with all this work, you should be good for another 100 years or so! Nice job so far! Can't wait to see it all finished!

Could be something in her habitat...............wink.......nod!

Pretty stiff penalty, don't ya think?

What area was this in mowin? Just curious. I do not doubt your word. As I don't doubt a couple of the local people who have claimed to have seen them. One gentleman I've known most of my life. And he is a very down to earth straight forwad farmer, who's lived on his land, his entire life. He looked me in the eye, and said "I know what I saw, dammit, and it weren't no damned bobcat or anything else"! Hard to argue with that. But for myself, I'll believe it when I see it. But I'll also keep an open mind.

Where exactly did you say that pond is?.............grin.

It seems like state wide, including our area in the hilltowns of Albany county, there are periodically claims of sightings of big puddie tats. In our area some of these "claims" have been made by respectable people with no reason at all to "make up" a story. So I wonder, is there something to it? Or is it just misidentification or imagination working overtime? Perhaps there is something to it all in a very small percentage of statewide claims. Perhaps not. But in our area where "claims" have been made in the past, we've spent countless hours in the woods. Along with trail cams spread over two good sized properties, and over a combined 100 years between my buddy and I, in these woods, to have never seen a shred of solid proof. So in my mind, I guess I'll believe it when I see it. But hey, ya never know!

Naw.......just lucky alot. (smile)

Happy Birthday dear Paula! Hope your special day is chock full of family, friends, and everything you enjoy most! Enjoy!

On Wednesday, we did fish the north side of snake hill for a short time, to get out of the stiff wind on the main lake. Did pick up a couple there, but everyone fishes there and that area gets pounded. Most all our fishing was done on main lake deep weedlines and edges, in 12 to 15 feet. Using half ounce black and blue jigs and assorted colors of Senko's, rigged texas and wacky, on quarter ounce jig heads. Did try shallower in the thicker weeds but in the stiff wind, it made boat control difficult, to pitch the holes with jigs. They are doing extensive weed harvesting on the lake this year. But the weed harvester leaves lines of weeds, that the bigger fish are setting up on, close to deeper water of 18 to 22 feet. Right now that is the best bass pattern I found in two days of fishing up there for fish in the three pound plus range. In about twelve hours fishing, over two days, we put over fifty bass in the boat, on this pattern. We also picked up a few pike, the largest at about 28 inches.

Great pic's! Thanks for sharing!

Anticipation setting in yet? Great pic's!

Looks like a great time!

If I gave a crap what people say or think, I'd have no crap to give. All the decks out there are welcome to sit on it too! A couple of grampyisms..........grin.

Wow! What a buck! To have that kind of history with a buck like that is simply awesome! I too keep any,.........if I get any at all........"wink," cam picks, very close to the vest. As our main property borders state land. Ya just never know who may be checking this forum. And why " temp" someone into being a trespasser! Not that we have booners running around here anyways. But some people think the grass is so much sweeter on the other side of the posted sign!

Milk crate seats! Got em in all my ground blinds. Can stay out all year, weather proof, never squeek or make noise. Are scent free and blend in nicely. All I do is carry in my foam pad, with a homemade, camo nylon strap held together with a small carabiner, slung quietly out of the way over my shoulder. Got about 50 crates scattered over two properties. Very comfy to sit for hours!

Nice shooting! Solid score too!

Thank you sir. Your knowledge of guns is impressive. I've always valued your opinion.

No but sure wish I was! Petty is awesome! One of my all time favorite concerts was seeing him and Bob Dylan together at SPAC! Back in the mid 80's!

We all were just starting out at one time. I was fortunate enough to get a helping hand or two. Just paying it forward if I can. I will always help another hunter if possible. Just as many others here would do too.

Sweet bow my friend! Knowing the dedication you have to shooting and shooting well, I'd really hate to be a deer on your hunting grounds! As always, all the best to you!