phade

JUST bought a xbow on what I hope is a good deal. Dick's Sporting Goods online has the Horton Summt HD 150 for $219 with red dot, quiver, bolts. Free shipping on orders over $99 and a $15 code found on the internet brought the total to $221 (sales tax...d'oh). It is exponntially cheaper than anywhere else...they must be trying to clear it out. I've had my eye on that model for a few seasons...entry level, not overly aggressive. I'm not buying it with the intent of replacing my bow...but rather to introduce my FIL to it. He is secretly interested in them but is so timid (read chicken sh!t) to buy one because he knows nobody else with one to show him the ropes. He's gonna be happy since with it as hid bday gift. I may use it during gun or late season here in NY just to see how it is and how huntable it is.

The comments are the most entertaining part of that article.

I know many employees within the DEC and I have an appreciation for how much work they have to do with their limited resources/manpower. But, I really have to say, the Ohio DNR flat out out-shines them from top to bottom. That's not to say the DNR is perfect, as many sportsmen and women there are talking about many of the same things we are, but they have a better system of management, and every single person I have spoken with at the DNR have been extraordinarily helpful - seriously, it'd rival any award winning for-profit company's customer service. Within the past hour, I spoke with four different DNR personnel. One I had to leave a message for and got a call back within the hour. If you ever start to get the urge for out-of-state hunting, Ohio is a great place to start. Tons of public land and the DNR is more than willing to give you info - they actually send stuff in the mail to you, too. Some will even relay specific spots to park and walk-in, or some of their personal tips (one gave me a good lead on how to locate some little known public land, another gave me a specific parcel within a large wildlife area that he used to bowhunt himself before getting to old to bowhunt - this guy was a regional manager, too).

Interesting topic - especially since it appears to impact almost every hunter who has posted in the thread, except for the lone wolf type.

Yeah, it seems like lots of things can get in the way just based on responses here...hunting differences are a big part of many issues, but so are non-hunting related ones, too. Sounds like marriages (right or wrong) are a big factor as are jobs and family requirements.

My particular situation is not spurred on by issues or spats thankfully...it's just a facet of changing times (less of it) paired with increased responsibilites on both sides. It's not the point of not talking, but interactions are getting further apart because life is so busy. I'm sure we'll stay friends but it's not going to be a case of partnership any longer.

Buying my own land is in the financial plans and actively being worked on, but I estimate that I am 4-5 years away from reaching the point of purchase. Cest la vie, or however that goes.

Great idea but should be implemented prior to required testing grades. No school is going to add material to the limited student time in high school when it is not tested as part of graduation requirements. They are already stripping non-tested curriculum from the students as is.

...such a Dr. Phil topic. Been hunting with a partner for 5+ years now and gotten to the point scouting, prep, stand work, etc. is done hand-in-hand. During this time, I could count the times I've went solo to do hunting work on one hand. Even been routinely DIY out of state each year partnered up. Not really a sour grapes event or story, just that times change, availability changes, priorities/desire changes during one's life. The real impact is losing ground and having to transition back to doing all things solo, which I did for 10 years prior to partnering up (although I was a much less experienced hunter and was in the "shed blood" stage). I'm starting to see the writing on the wall in my case and I'm proactively trying to limit any disruption to my hunting adventures and pursuits. The big thing for me is going to be stand setting and work, lacking prime local ground, and solo DIY out of state. I have availability to OK-at best land, but potential for 3.5+ y/o bucks will be pretty minimal. Anyone deal with it in the past?

Shoving youth day down our throats and it has mixed opinion from many. Would love to see a later gun but that won't happen.

500 mil not lasting long? Not be able to retire? Whoah. 500 mill will most certainly be enough to retire and let the money make more of it for you.

For the amount of gas it takes to mow my 2 acres and the fun I get out of using my zero turn green machine...I am not worrying about it. I worry more about gas use in my truck than my mower.

Bedding central...I have a 7 acre parcel I hunt that has about 3-4 acres of that in the center...It is UNREAL how it can hold deer. They are nasty to naviage from a human perspective....deer pay no mind.

Sorry to hear...not sounding like a girl at all ants. Not at all.

Found this on public ground this past weekend. Didn't plan to scout as we were there for the expo and zoo but took the lady out to show her at least one spot I hit up from time to time. Was walking on the way out, looked over and there is was. Suprising area based on what I've seen come out of there vs. the hunting pressure and lack of deer sign.

If you haven't picked out a few pellets from a bird, you haven't hunted long enough.

That's too big of a question. Lots of variables. If you can get in between a late season food source and the buck bedding...then it's a great chance. I prefer archery season in NY if I had to pick one over the other...but late season can be great if you have access to the right spot. Go out midwest and its even better imo because most states offer time in between the regular firearms and the late mz season...not back-to-back like here. That is a big issues. I find my BEST days late MZ season have always...and I mean always...shown to be Thursday and Friday. The final Monday and Tuesday are OK, but the weekend pressure picks up slightly...most people don't take off work Mon-Thursday for the MZ and the woods dies down a bit, making way for some decent movement during hunting hours.

I think the hunting season is going to be tough too...foliage is another factor. Green-up is going to occur earlier and make the canopy and woods thick. If you can see the birds, you can't shoot them. I think it'll be a real tough season but good for the birds as long as it doesn't turn cold and wet.

Gun or bow? Big difference imo. Livingston is driven more statistically by the northern section which is almost exclusively private land. Rattlesnake and Letchworth as well as Conesus can be good for bow. Gun pressure can be higher there....remember you will need to get permit for Letchworth and the watershed lands mentioned. I would concentrate more on hi tor and italy valley area imo for gun....the terrain is a challenge but i think there is somewhat less gun numbers due to proximity to population densities....lots of rochester hunters shoot south to letchworth and rattlesnake.

I wouldn't even think about spending $20-30 a box for hevishot/blend unless I had a better choke...Jellyhead would be a minimum...carlsons or something along those lines. $50 for a choke capable of hevishot is nothing when it is $5 a shell....

Tough year so far...only found three from three different bucks and all were within 30 yards and all found within 30 minutes....go figure. Not a single thing otherwise.

Red squirrel can be shot any time.

20 gauge out to 60 yards? Wow. My friend hunts with a 20 gauge and has OK luck with the undertaker; however, after hitting about 30 yards...the pattern goes to hell. And, it is regardless of ammo options or combinations. I think he could eek out a 35 yd shot if everything panned out right...but that be the limit on a great day. You can get the undertaker choke on sale for $15 at a few places I think...wing supply and cabelas had it on sale. I picked up a few for 12 gauges.

I think it is a capable deer caliber. Stick to the heavier bullets imo...95-100 grains.

Often referenced as a county GIS.