phade

FYI, I've never met Gary, or hunted with him, BUT, I can say that I've spoken to many people who have, and all say he is top notch - and I mean they can't stop saying good things about him. I'd love to head down there, and would be willing to go if the timing is right. Just unsure of how many days I would be willing to burn in place of taking time for deer season .

I'm personally not a fan of the RTH packages. IMO you can get a better deal by buying the bow bare and picking accessories carefully. For $500, I'd be on AT. You can easily get a good new 2010 mid-range bow from the sellers there for that price with plenty of room to buy better accessories. Lots of sellers clearing Martin, PSE, etc. on there.

While 8% may be statistically important in some studies, I'm not so sure I'd want to tout that. What does "fully 1/3" mean, exactly? Is that different from 33%, somehow? In 4 years of this co-op, they've managed to increase harvest of 14"+ OS bucks by 8 percent? To me, if the deer quality is getting better, either the hunters are still making poor choices when pulling the trigger, or they're not very good hunters, on a whole. I'm wondering if that's a typo or something. If that includes does (as mentioned by total harvest) then that's a bit better to swallow, but they should clarify that, specifically. I'd also be curious to know if their "total" harvest reference just buck harvest in that segment.

If I'm dedicating a slug gun...it's 20. I think the modern performance of 20 ga loads are dandy. If' I'm looking for the gun to do double duty, with turkey and/or birds...12 ga.

Relying on one person to be the hunting advocate is putting all of your eggs in one basket. I'd rather have several people representing the sport. You don't see PETA or HSUS totally relying on their leaders. Sure, they get some press, but they branch out to others who can be appealing to their cause and serve as a model.

What bow are you shooting and what dl? At 58lbs, I'd look a little hard at the expandable choice, specifically the Rages. Slick tricks, or strikers, etc. might make for a little more of a reliable bh...maybe the grim reapers. If you do stick with the Rages...I'd be looking to maximize penetration, and I'd want something in that 390-420 grain total weight. Beman mfx series would do well...they're great with slick tricks.

On an all-day sit...I usually bring two small sandwiches...one for midmorning around 10 and another 12-1 p.m. Once I get to 1 p.m. I'm usually good to go food-wise. I do, however, bring something to drink on any sits longer than 4 hours. Usually it's a small bottle of soda or a Powerade and a few ibuprofen. I find that I can get dehydration headaches sometimes when hunting because I don't pay attention to it. Small snacks, I love granola bars or a mix. They fill you up fast, and are relatively quiet to eat. I also bring something sugary for a quick carb burst if I don't bring a soda.

I dont recall seeing the #16 buck in any stories in NY. Over 200" gross?

Go figure. Some members routinely play the devil's advocate. After having a disc surgery in 08...I simply have a very difficult time moving a deer. I seriously doubt I could get a deer out solo in areas such as letchworth in a reasonable amount of time (for example). I could drag one deer out on my farmland hunting area, but it'd take more than a while, and I run an increased risk for reinjury. I blew my disc out due to a deer drag, so don't tell me it doesn't happen. I only use a 4 wheeler to pull deer or set/remove stands (and that's not all the time either). I'm simply not going to stop hunting (still in my 20's) because I greatly benefit from an atv (or truck through the fields) being used to help me drag a deer. Although I don't use an atv to walk in, out, or to do anything else, I still feel those who use ATVs should not be chastized when they are on their property. Now, if they're tresspassing.....that's clearly a wrong. I think some people are missing their bottles here. Oh no, they don't walk? I can understand if the people complaining were shooting wood arrows and flint broadheads on a bow they made themselves out of wood from their hunting property. But no, it's coming from people shooting high performance rifles, mz, shotguns, gore tex, thinsulate, hand warmers, carbon clothing, range finders, blah blah blah blah. I understand atv noise/intrusion bothers you...as long as they aren't on your ground, then there's nothing to complain about. I compeltely understand when they're not supposed to be there due to law/permission.

My house has been a total regut from when I bought it in Nov. 09. Working on the downstairs now....I'm having tile show up in my nightmares. At least the hunting room is 80% done. Just bought a new toilet and related supplies last night to start wrapping up the downstairs bathroom. I guess it could be worse...it may be ice season that I'm missing, but at least its not deer season.

Stands missing...cams missing...and hunters pushing lots on gun opener. There's sleezeballs in archery, too.

I'm a big fan of the AT classifieds. I've made some good purchases there. The most I've ever paid for a bow is $505, and that includes some flagship models that were new in box, or used a week at most. I'd love to have a flagship bow nowadays, but I settle for mid-range bows. I find there seems to be the best value/performance in that. Bows simply don't retain value for resell, and they seem to improve each year (over a 3 year span, it can be a noticeable difference). One thing I've noticed over time is that the large majority of hunters who take mature bucks each year (if that is your thing), who are not sponsored, shoot a bow for several years rather then buying each new model year. Obviously there are some who do, and it's mostly because they have cash to burn, but I see most successful hunters go 3-4 years with the same bow and use the funds they would otherwise buy a bow with to hunt (lease, stands, buy land, pay for trip travels out of state, etc.). Don't forget you are also pulling a single cam against a cam and a half setup (Hoyt). Totally different breed of animal.

Thanks for the reminder....I checked and have 268 points. I can probably scour the sales for some small stuff to get me over the top.

I did it in one day in 2008 last time I went. It is tough to do, though. It helps if you do not check out outfitters and do not attend a seminar. If you mix them in, it's generally better to stay overnight. I'm staying overnight because the FIL is coming along, and he's slowing down.

Not yet. New lease info comes out usually Feb 1 - Mar 1.

It is a fun weekend when outdoors things can be slow. I'm usually good for one visit every 3 years or so...just to keep it from being stale.

Over 30 ladder stands out. Most are the basic ladder stands, and a couple are the xl size platforms. One stand has been out there since 2003, and never spent a day inside. The others are all various ages. Of course, there is the usual maintenance check, swapping straps, etc. each year, but I leave them out. The original stand I have out, however, seems to be of much higher quality than the others (same brand, but less quality), and I doubt I'll get more than 10-15 years of life out of them. I'm fine with that, because the time spent pulling them each season, and the gas to do it, would be more than I paid for them on average. Some stay in the same place...some move based on deer.

I agree. I doubt I would maintain any age standard...it's an equally unique harvest and would be fairly represented as such on my wall.

I'm going Saturday morning at some point. Taking the FIL. Don't really need anything huge, but could use a little ammo.

What they said at the end was pretty impressive....about making sure the money was around for kids, grandkids, their kids, etc. "We're nmot gonna blow this." was pretty refreshing to hear, and I think the crowd believed them.

Oh yeah, the field was only about 2-3 inch high...a late wheat planting.

I like them, but because of laws, they have to be by the book, understandably. The kid I mentor once put a good shot on a 2.5 y/o buck. I was able to watch it, actually, because I was in a stand about 50 yards away, and saw the entire encounter through the binos. The shot was solid, center mass, but a little back...it looked like a classic back lungs/liver hit. It was forward enough that I am convinced he creased a lung or both, and cleary hit liver. Arrow penetration was solid, and only the flectching kept arrow in on opposite side. Let sit for 3-4 hours, and began the track. Found arround about 30 yards into it, with some bubble marks. Most blood was dark, indicating the liver had been pinched. Bubbles were enough to think that a lung was touched. We lost trail an mere 50 yards from point of impact as the deer reached an open green field. We had a general direction, and were able to locate blood about 40 yards from the field line, and that was it. The two of us looked, then brought in another. Deer had to cross a few hedge rows and a street to meet woods. No evidence of it reaching the street. One brushy area of about 3 acres that I suspected was the final resting place was thick...hands and knees we went with no luck. I firmly believe he made it there. Kid had to go down to college. We called Deer Search the next day after I looked again. They couldn't come down because he wasn't able to be there, although I could. I understood, but it was unfortunate that it played out that way. Never found the deer. I prefer other states that allow trackers that are not bound by such tight laws.

I'd seriously consider someone's offer (such as Robinsons) if you can determine you can trust them. Being a remote landowner, it may be best to do this. I had a friend in Virginia who had land and dog runners figured out that he lived two hours away, and ran dogs through (including dropping and picking up on it). Best thing he did was go to the town police, the county troopers, and the state police. He found a younger state policeman who had just relocated on assignment, and who hunted. After meeting him, and talking for a bit, he worked out a deal that gave the officer hunting rights. The officer in turn patrolled the land when not on duty and while hunting, and attached laminated business cards to the posted signs. The issues stopped immediately as soon as the first dogs were dropped off and tickets were issued. The runner even lost his rifle in the deal. The office has to be in his mid thirties now, and still hunts, but it built such a good relationship, the office and the owner's family are now good friends. Not only did the owner get the porblems to stop, but he got a dedicated hunting partner out of the deal. Assuming you want your land to yourself and your family/friends during deer season, you may still be able to work out a deal with a neighbor to be able to hunt it for small game, turkey, etc. outside of deer season a couple times. I'd strongly suggest finding a local connection that you can trust in this situation. Obviously screen them as best as possible to avoid them ruingint he place, hunting when you are not there...generally you should be able to get a feel if they can be trustworthy.

Many moons ago... circa 2000, I worked at Herbie's...in the hunting dept. I certainly had fun there, it was a great place to work when you were in college, if you get my drift. I lucked out and three really great guys that I worked with and for. I was a solid deer hunter at the time, but never really sought turkey, and two of them were downright turkey nuts. One was a very established tournament caller, and another kid who placed 2nd in nationals in the younger division (his dad worked at the Remington plant in Illion). Unfortunately, I forgot their names and didn't stay in touch with them. The third guy, I can remember his name. Jack Christmas....he was the asst. mgr. at the time and was a sportsman. Reason I remember that...his brother is the "Christmas" of Christmas & Associates...also known as Land and Camps. I always got a kick out his name, too. Jack Christmas...really? ***I remember the older guy's name...Jim Pollard. state, national, and grand national champ. I wish I would have known better then...could have learned alot! But, price-wise...they always seem to have the best prices I can ever find on Carhartt clothing, and along with a great selection. I've never come across a store with better prices and selection. I usually have a fair share of Carhartts for hunting-related work and even tramping around in the snow for squirrels or rabbits. I finally burned a hole in a pair two weeks ago that I had bought there way back when.

For the Eastern Sport Show? Been a couple years since I went, I think 2008. Some people really love it, some people hate it and the crowds that it attracts. I'm in the middle...usually like to go once every two/three years so it doesn't seem repetitive (most shows that are not industry trade shows change little year to year). Heading down Feb 11-13. I got a few deals on smaller, less expensive products, like a surefire and a bo vest, last time, but the deals weren't all that good. Some of the seminars, etc. were nice though.