wolc123

That is why I plan on spending the whole early ML week up in my NW Adirondack hot spot. There are at least 6 antlerless per every antlered one up there. Unless you are a disabled veteran, you can't get a doe permit up there, but at least I can legally take a doe, on our side route 3, with my ML.

I am looking forward to this trip next weekend. The long range weather forecast looks good, showing a cooldown. That should spur the bears into some heavy feeding, to fatten up for their long winter nap. I am going to get the camper on the truck today, and make sure the heater works (it has been 8 years since I fired that up). I am also going to get the freezer in our basement thawed out, to make to for the bear meat, and more venison. I will be heading back up to the dacks again a couple weeks later for the last day of crossbow, all of early ML, and opening weekend of gun season. I will only have 2 mornings to hunt next weekend. My plan is to scout out some nearby spots and attempt to lure a hungry bear to my position, using a favorite beverage, that I always enjoy while hunting on cold days. It has brought several deer in, which I was able to kill, and I suspect that it may also be attractive to hungry bears. This time next week, I should be sitting comfortably in my "bear map" camping chair, 30/30 on my lap, sipping on hot cider from a thermos, while upwind of a hot-spot. Hopefully, the plan will come together. It looks like I will have around 20 folks available to help drag out the carcass if it does.

One way you can judge a President's or a candidates mental health is to look at who they pick as their VP. There was a time, long ago, when the dems did ok at that. I was ok with Truman. Since then, they have seriously digressed, finally reaching the point of picking one based on their sex and skin color. One of the biggest reasons I will vote for Trump is because of Pence. Pence was one of the most successful Governers of all time and has well demonstrated the "executive" ability. He has always demonstrated strong conservative values. Look at how Pence handled his state's budget while he was governor. That is where this great country's future lies. If you prefer socialism, I suggest packing your suitcase and shuffling off to one of those places that have already tried that failed experiment.

At least you will still have your guns which you could always use to unscrew yourself if you polish up your skills a bit.

Our younger daughter just made me a s'more. It was the best one of the season, cooked just right. She went back in the house to work on homework, the campfire is dying down, and I just finished my last Genny light. Almost time to break out the hose and put it out real good. It is quite dry for this time of year, and I don't want our town to end up like California.

On average, are bears tougher for the dogs to find than deer ?

If it had 3 or more points on a side during the first half of the seasons, I would kill it on first sight if I had a good shot. Less than 3 points on a side, and I would let somebody else worry about cleansing the genetics. My only concern is the meat.

Our 4 liberal downstaters have a little bit different understanding of that it seems.

Well at least your south Florida ppint indicates that you believe the date of maximum buck weight might be property specific. I do find it interesting that you dont think it is effected by buck to doe ratio however.

You best fill out your mail in ballot now while you are in the left state of mind.

Did you ever kill any up there when hunting as a kid, and look at the stomach contents ? Most of the bucks I have killed in WNY were early rut, but the few late rut (thanksgiving weekend) ones had basically empty stomachs even though there was plenty of food in the area. In stark contrast were my 2014 and 2016 Adirondack bucks both of which had full stomachs. This leads me to believe, like moog says, peak weight may be property specific. What dmu do you hunt currently and what day would you estimate that bucks reach their peak weight there ?

Do you think that Obama will be pissed that he only got to seat 2 supreme court justices in 8 years after Trump seats 3 in 4 ?

Only 4 right now and 3 are likely to get back on team Trump within 2 minutes of the start of the first debate.

I don't think Joe remembers how she treated him during the primaries. That is really not his fault.

It would be interesting to see what happens behind the high fences. I would guess that if FSW chimes in, he would say his bucks are heavier on December 22 than they are on October 25, similar to what I see in the free range ones up in wmu 6c. Give them plenty of food, freedom from competition, and they keep packing on the pounds. The only years that dont happen in 6c are those when they get heavy, early snows. Climate change has curtailed that for quite a while now.

I am hoping things get straightened out at the DMV this winter so that I can get the 12 ft rowboat that I picked up this summer registered. Then it won't be such a rush to get the bigger boat out in the spring. I keep my little outboards down in the basement and they are ready to go year round.

I wonder if the ny hunting liberal foursome (versatile, lefty, chef, and bm) are upset with the Trump RBG replacement situation. It seems odd none of them have chimed in on this yet. It has to be painful for them to watch Trump get more done in 4 years than Obama ever thought of in 8.

Well I have killed 2 fat post-rut NW Adirondack bucks on Thanksgiving weekend (2014 & 2016). Both had full stomachs (one of nuts the other of corn). They don't have to chase up there, with so many does to pick from, nor do they need to fight. Neither had the slightest bit of fight damage to rack or body. As long as there is plenty of food around (and there was on those years), there is little reason for them to lose weight thru the rut. That contrasts sharply with the late season bucks I have killed around home in WNY. Those definitely reach their peak weight pre-rut, and the majority taken post-rut have scarred bodies, busted up antlers from fights, and very little fat, compared to those stout NW Adirondack bucks. It sounds like the areas you have hunted have good buck doe ratios. It is not until you get to places like the NW corner of the Adirondack park, where there are 5 or more does for every buck, that you might see the peak buck weights post- rut.

I have had a Halo for the last 3 years. It has been very accurate when I checked it on my range with a tape measure. I use it a lot when target practicing with my crossbow, ML, slug guns, and rifles. I am still mad that I did not bring it along on my last ML hunt last year, when I shot under a doe. I won't be making that mistake again.

I winterized my 17 footer last Saturday also. Depending on the weather, I will be smallmouth fishing in the Adirondacks from a 12 footer until the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I missed out on that last year, because the lake froze over.

Read it again to find out ( I edited to provide the reason).

I think it depends more on buck to doe ratio than anything else. That is out of whack in both zones where I hunt. In 9f, I have been seeing an average of 4 antlered deer per every antlerless one over the last 6 years. Farmers hit the antlerless deer real hard prior to October 1 in this zone. With serious competition, our bucks lose a lot of weight thru the rut. In 6c that ratio is on the opposite extreme, where I saw an average of 6 antlerless deer per each antlered one over the same 6 years. There are very few doe permits awarded up there. With little to no competition for does, the bucks up there pack on the pounds thru the rut.

It is awesome that Trump is going to get to seat RBG's replacement before the election. That is going to be a serious set back for the pro-choicers and the anti-2nd amendment crowd. We ought to see some serious unhingement over the next few weeks.

On what day of the year, during open hunting seasons, do you see bucks reach their maximum body weight (or chest girth measured behind the front legs) in the area(s) where you hunt ? For the two wmu's where I have hunted and killed the most, these are my estimates: Wmu 9f: October 25 Wmu 6c: December 22