grampy

Couldn't care less about any awards ceremony. Unless it's for who caught the biggest fish or shot the biggest buck! Or maybe who walked the farthest to their stand in the worst weather. and stayed out in it the longest. Who took the most kids afield last year? Who won the turkey calling category? Who would win the lifetime achievement award by hunting the most opening days? Now these arwards, I'd watch!

The tent sale with 40% off ended today in Manchester.

With a bass rig, I can skip a jig or worm, between pylons , well up under a dock. Or pitch a lure into a coffee cup from 30 feet away. But with a fly rod in my hand, I'm barely able to make the most basic of casts. But it's still fun and I tend to laugh at myself, instead of getting frustrated. And I'm just to stubborn to give up!

I'm a terribly bad fly fisherman. But I'm determined to get better each year. Last year as I was moving to another spot on a local trout stream, I happened apon a truly gifted fly fisherman. I just sat on the bank and watched him effortlessly toss tiny midges 30 and 40 feet, to a cut bank and overhanging tree, on the drift. Everything he did was just so smooth compared to my own herky, jerky flailings. After a while he noticed me watching him and he walked over and said hi and he appreciated me not 'crowding' him. I told him I'm new to fly fishing and really enjoyed just seeing how he worked the line and water. He said he's been fly fishing for a "long time" and has fished "many far off places". And looked to be about my age. He then invited me to join him and I got the best advice yet. Let the rod and line do the work, don't force it! Little tips on how to mend the line with the tip of the rod were eye opening to me! I gained a lot in that half hour or so, but like I said, I know enough now, to know how much I need to learn. So I'll keep at it. Thanks Emory! Hope to meet up with you again sometime! Just to watch how it is supposed to be done.

The guns that are passed on to us, always, are the most 'valuable' ones we have. That is a very cool rifle! My buddy has one very similar to that one, that he used to teach his daughters to shoot. As they would be useing pump action shotguns to hunt deer and turkey. I'll have to ask if it was handed down to him. But no doubt, that it will be passed down to his grandson, at some point. Love these kind of stories. Happy shooting!

Kinda looks like Trump Tower! That is so cool! The hours that must go into building something like that. It warms the heart to see a grandfather sharing something he loves, with a beloved grandson. Lifetime memories being made. That's what its all about, right there.

This cam was definitely in the right place this year!

The Mrs. and I drove over to Vermont today. Trout season will be here in a little over a month. So we just 'HAD' to stop at Orvis! I love going in there and always spend more than I should. But it's always well worth it. Picked up a few fly's some tippets and a new small stream, 5 weight combo. Oh, and fed the fish! Now I just need to get better at this fly fishing! This will be my third year. At this point I've learned just enough to know, how much I don't know!.........hehehehe...

I don't hunt or scout any different now, with cams. Than I did before I had them. I don't need them to kill deer. Why do you seem to dislike them? Maybe you should get a couple and see if it makes a difference with you?

Where is the thickest, nastiest, most impenetrable part of the area you hunt? Where is the best feeding area, closest to that thicket? Perhaps some mature oaks on a south facing slope, where the doe will be feeding too? Try to find a bench, brusy ditch, draw or overgrown spot, connecting the two. I Have a stand or set up, overlooking the connection, for both a NE and a SW wind if possible and only hunt when it's perfect. Try to save this set up until the bigger bucks will be on their feet during daylight hours. Typically the first half of November. This is just one general idea that has worked for me over the years. There are two things you must have, above all else. Patience and Perseverance! Let me finish by saying, I am not by any stretch, an 'expert'! I'm still learning from the deer I hunt, every year. But I've been fortunate to take a number of bucks between three and four years old, in a high pressure area of Albany county. On both public and private land. Best of luck to you this season!

Uphill both ways too?.........'smile'

What an awesome buck for your sons first one! Congratulations to him! The mount is beautifully done. So sad that it's one of the artists last ones. RIP........

John, so happy to hear you decided to take up hunting, and to have you join us! There are so many here, that will go out of their way, to help you get going on your hunting adventures! Have you taken the Hunters Safety Course yet? Will you be hunting with a bow, firearm or both? Just pull up a seat and join in with any questions you have. We are all here for you! A word of caution though. Once the hunting fever takes hold, it could be a life long affliction! But a fever you may never want to cure...... Best of luck to you in all your future hunting endeavors.

At times in our lives, the storm clouds gather and the rain pours down. Hoping for a ray of sunshine, to peek through the clouds, to shine on all of you.

I see a buck that makes the hit list for this upcoming season! All else in the picture pales in importance, except picking up that shed.

Looks beautiful! I envy you! Wish I was out there with ya, following the dogs. Instead of here in the office! For sure, one of us will enjoy this awesome February day! Go get em, Otis and Bones!!!

Nice shootin moog! Looks like you're just about ready ready to join the trick shot circuit! You have really come a long way with the traditional archery, since putting down the compound, a couple years ago. That bow sure is purdy! Is that the same one you hunted with last year?

Arrggg......Must have been the bunny burrito.

Prayers and well wishes sent.

One of the first things you learn in the hunter education classes, BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET, and what is beyond it! If every person hunting, followed this one rule, there would be very little in the way of hunting 'incidents'. I didn't say 'accidents', because I don't believe they are 'accidents'. They are the direct result of someone, not following the basic rules of firearm safty! Hope the man shot makes a full recovery.

Sounds really cool! Just remember, the older you get, the longer the heal time......

I was picked to sit on two jury's. The last time was nine months ago, here in Albany county. Both times, I thought there was no way they would pick me to sit on the jury, because I was 100% truthful answering the lawyers questions. And I didn't think my answers, to their questions would be conducive for either side. The first trial lasted a week. the second lasted almost three weeks! I am the only one, that does what I do at work. Needless to say, I came back to a huge mess, especially after the three week trial. And thankfully, my employer paid for my time away. But what a huge PITA it is going down there! Had I known they would last that long, perhaps I wouldn't have been as truthful in my opinions, and just said what I knew would get me excused. Like the majority of the other prospective jurors seemed to do.

In my first years of hunting, we would cut a bunch of 12" long, 2x4s, cut 45° on each end, to wedge into the crotch of a tree for instant "tree stands"! These days, I don't even like climbing ladder stands! My, how things have changed.

This is good for the deer and turkey to go into the spring with very few winter killed. Will help areas that have seen a drop off in populations, come back a bit. And areas that have solid populations, could get more DMP's for hunters, and older tom's to take. Could be a win, win, all around!

I got too many irons in the fire right now. Otherwise, I'd have jumped on this awesome deal! Good going WNYBuckHunter! From everything I've heard, those are sweet cams!