pt0217

I weighed my sopresatta this morning and it is ready. It lost a little more than 30% it's weight. It's my first time doing this so I wasn't expecting perfection. I was really just hoping it would be edible. It turned out pretty good. It has a very rich flavor. The red wine in the recipe is prominent. I would have liked to see the fat a little smaller but I was afraid to run it through the grinder so I cut it by hand. Overall I think it came out real good.

That sounds good. I'm thinking my conditions are very similar to yours. I appreciate the help. Yours looks fantastic!

NY, You're that close already? I thought this was an 8 weeks drying period. Question, I have been having trouble with my temps and humidity. Temp has been dropping into the forties. If I open the door to warm things up a little my humidity drops. I have been struggling to get the humidity up to 60%. Should I be concerned?

That's the way I'm looking at it. I emailed the contact I got no response at all. I was planning to write a letter. I thought I would save the phone call for the last effort. As long as I haven't got a no I guess there is still some hope.

I was thinking that too. The property is undeveloped land. I believe they would be looking to build on it some day.

I am trying to secure a hunting spot on private land. The land is owned by a corporation in another part of the state. Any advice that would help me seal the deal?

I absolutely love jerky. Problem is, everyone does. When I've made it in the past it's gone in one day.

I got everything hung this morning. I wish this app had smellivision. The smokey smell is awesome. I layed 2 in foam insulation on top to keep the cold air from outside. I put a plug in mouse repeller in the room and a cheap thermometer and humidity gauge. I should be able to control temp by opening or closing the interior basement door. I also said a prayer that the hot water heater lasts through the winter so I don't have to take this thing apart.

Everything is in the smoker. 15 lbs of venison. Total product was 32 lbs. I used around 6 lbs of pork plus 5 lbs of fat back. Fresh, unsalted. I cooked some up to taste. It had a good flavor. Very salty but I'm guessing that is to be expected. Gonna smoke it until midnight. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Making mine tomorrow. Adding 25% pork. That's the same ratio East Fishkill provisions uses for their pepperoni. I will add pictures tomorrow

That's great. I wish we could do it in NY.

I haven't seen this debate before so I'm in. My mother saw one in Washington County some years ago. Around the same time the neighbor found a dead deer half eaten and buried.

Appreciate it! Its funny it's my nature to analyze the $hit out of things. Hunting is no different.

Sounds like a loaded question. 9 5 bucks 4 does

I am really enjoying and thankful for everyone's opinion. So many different perspectives. All good. Many I am using and have learned in my time. I love DB's idea of drawing on every deer I could shoot even if I decide not to shoot. I think that will totally help me focus.

I have friends that have had success hunting. They have mounts all over their houses. These guys hunted a great deal as youngsters, shot many smaller bucks, and built themselves up to the hunters they are today. Getting to the game later I have found myself trying to be the hunter that they are today but am no where near that place. That has a lot to do with where I am as a hunter. Trying to play catch up.

My first deer with the bow was a spine shot. I was so happy to successfully harvest that deer. A few years later and a better understanding I spined another deer. I was so disappointed in myself for making a bad shot.

Mojo, What your saying is so true for many people. I have friends and mentors that have had some awesome opportunities. And because of who they are they have made the most of them. I understand my short comings and am determined to overcome them.

For me hunting in Westchester is different from hunting rural areas. Hunting spots are hard to come by. Some are exactly that "spots". So it's really hard to manage the land I hunt. It's more of a crap shoot. Plus god forbid someone sees a buck near the spot your in. Protecting your spot is a sport in of itself. I have been very conservative in my approach. I've passed on shooting opportunities for a variety of reasons. Don't shoot does in front of the rut, don't shoot small bucks, don't shoot a doe with a fawn. Trust me, I wouldn't be passing on any buck 31/2 years or older but truth is I haven't seen that many in my time and have had some misfortune with the few I've had the opportunity to shoot. That's why I ask the question. I'm thinking of taking a year or so and just shooting at everything that gives me a chance. To get over the hump so to speak.

No. I've been bow hunting for twenty years but steady for 10. I just don't have the confidence I should have for someone that has been hunting as long as I have.

I know the title of this post sounds like a stupid question. But it is a question I ask myself every hunting season. I have been very selective when bow hunting. Am I hurting myself by not shooting more deer? Your thoughts.

Gearing up for the last week of bow in 3s. I just bought a new pack of broad heads. I decided to stay with mechanicals for now because I don't want to be re-tuning all of my gear at this point. I did change to a different mechanical. Looking for some better results. Also, I'm going to really try and focus on shot placement. This is something that I've struggled with in the past. I work real hard, practice quite a bit but because I haven't shot a ton of deer with the bow when it comes to that moment I find that I tend to point and shoot rather than focus on all of the things you need to do for the shot to be successful. It's like a tunnel vision kind a thing when I get excited. It's almost like I check out for that split second and then after the shot I come back and say "what did I just do"? This last deer pissed me off because I feel like I have been improving from that and really felt I was conscience of the things I needed to do. Bow Hunting is quite a challenge.

The video is cool. Especially with all of the angles. Is it legal to feed in NJ?

Had a similar experience. Area I hunted had a matriarch doe lead the herd in every night. There were always good bucks that would cruise through that area. Problem started when she would peg me when she came in. She would blow and screw the whole woods up. I decided to shoot her and the woods haven't been the same since. I never see good bucks in that spot and as grow said the pattern shifted.

Thanks Chris. I appreciate your input.