Steuben Jerry

I've got one very similar to that one. It's not bad, but I've really gotten to like the double or "buddy stands" over the last few years. Not necessarily for room for two, but just extra room for one. I've got 4 of them going now. I'm 5'11'', 195 but probably 225 with hunting clothes, gear, and gun. I feel "squeezed in" sitting in a single with arm rests. Not so much if there are no arm rests.

Well it must not be in New York. Feeding deer isn't allowed in NY, right?

Picked up a double stand (Outpost Elite) from Field and Stream a couple of weeks ago and put it up over the weekend to replace a wooden stand that had deteriorated beyond saving. The stand is better built than the brand I've previously purchased from Dicks, and has the D-shaped tubes instead of square tubes. It definitely seems more solid. It came with the fabric blind and roof kit, but for this one I tried out an idea I've had of building a hard sided box type blind by fastening some 2x4 sections to different points using U-bolts, and then adding plywood sides and a front panel with a hinged door. It's currently in primer brown, but I'm going to add a green camo job to blend in with the pines, and then for the finishing touch, I saved our last Christmas tree that has the removable branches, and I'm going to try stapling a bunch onto the box. I'll have to devise a roof next. I was thinking doing a similar wood addition to the strap on roof frame that came with the stand. The fabric covers that come with those things leave a bit to be desired. I'll use the fabric blind for one of the other double ladders around the property.

Looking for an 8T tag. I haven't applied yet so let me know what you're looking for and I'll apply for that as my second (no seconds in my area).

Holy cow, I'm seeing some nice bucks on this forum this morning!

Wow, you've got the best bucks in Steuben County right there!

Gotchya. I don't know the actual process the NYSDEC uses to determine numbers, but I trust them to do a better job than I could. That's why I give hell to folks that I know don't report their take. I'll play the cards I'm dealt but I'd be ticked if landowner permits ever get turned off!

Hi Culver, what do you mean?

I'm in 8T and permit chances are PP Reqd, None, None, None. I have only seen one buck on trailcam that was decent, and besides him, a couple of four pointers and a spike, no other bucks so far. Yet, I can't walk 100 yards in my woods without scattering does (and fawns). I have a camera watching a field and have a shot from last week with 19 deer in the frame, all does and fawns. Looks like it may be shaping up to be a tricky deer season.

First batch of the year - refrigerator style. One jar is gone already.

The shape of my property is narrow and deep and as such, I have four stands near the lines. Not on, but maybe 10-20 yards in on my side. All of these face in toward my property. One of my neighbors is in his late 70's and another neighbor is in his early 90's so I know there will be some land transfers sometime in the not so distant future. I've already given thought to how I'd like to meet the new folks and I'm determined to make the first effort to meet them, and let them know that I absolutely do not shoot onto their property without their explicit permission. Actually, I have never asked although the older gentleman has given me permission to shoot "Boone and Crockett" bucks on his side. (we've never seen one of those here in 30 years, but good to know if there ever is one - lol). Hopefully your new neighbor reaches out to you, and turns out to be a good friend!

Actually I do. Right behind the bench is a tower/box blind. It's a 400 yd look to the back treeline.

The irony of that is not lost on me! Two years in a row, with almost the same pose.

These are pics from '14 and '15. I'm pretty sure he's the same deer, and no one around has reported taking anything similar. Think he may be the same deer?

I haven't seen any bucks larger than a spike or small 4 point yet this year and was getting worried about the "local inventory". This was the first pic on last night's card pull. Happy to see him! I'm fairly sure that this is the same one I've been watching for the third year now. We have a bit of history. See you in the fall, big boy!. BTW, the pic was from 7/11, so he's still growing a bit since this pic.

Remington 700 Buckmasters edition in .270 cal. We've taken a lot of walks together.

I'm not a big fan of change, but the site looks nice! I miss the "recent posts" functionality, but I think I'll get used to this layout just fine. Thanks for your efforts on this!

When I first started hunting, it seemed impossible to obtain permission to hunt private property. I did obtain permission on one property 30+ yrs ago, in which I eventually purchased most of it when the landowner ran into money problems. Built a house there 10 yrs ago and live there now. There is no way that I'd open my land to others. I scrimped, saved, and did without to make it work, and now my taxes are outrageous, but it's what I have to do to have land to hunt, and live the lifestyle I prefer.. It doesn't make sense to have the investment I made turned into a free for all. That said, I mostly hunt deer and just dabble in turkey, and I do have a couple of younger guys and their father hunt coyotes and a do a little turkey hunting with my permission. I've also let them deer hunt the rare years that we tag out. I do that because I remember what it was like asking permission when I had no place to hunt. I wanted to "give back". But open it up to anyone? No way.

Big oops on the part of Oliver's dad. Actually two oops'. One for underage hunting/shooting, two for publicizing it!

Good luck Grow!

I go with Stihl all the way. I bought this one probably about 7-8 years ago and haven't had to do a thing to it. http://www.stihlusa.com/products/blowers-and-shredder-vacs/homeowner-blowers/bg50/ I think you can get it for around $140 I've got a 20 yr old Stihl chain saw that gets heavy use. Also haven't done a thing to it. They just work. All the time.

I was driving through a trail on the tractor last weekend when I saw a cub at about 40 yards. I slowed down and grabbed my phone for a quick photo op when Momma Bear stood up and gave me a woof and a stare down. I kept on a-rollin.

We're taking the canoe out on Canadice this Saturday. Seeing how I can't seem to get a trout out of that lake, I'll set some topwater baits for bruins!

And yet many still want to bring thousands more here. And if you oppose that, we're nationalists, racists, etc. I don't even judge our "leaders" by the typical political positions. I judge them as to their ability to provide security, solve problems, and improve our standard of living for the long term regardless if they have a D or and R after their name. When I see what goes on in Europe, and then hear the renewed calls for settling more un-vetted refugees here, I see idiots that cannot possibly accomplish the three things I listed above. Rant over.

I've been reading more and more news articles lately in which "assault" rifles are being considered such solely for being semi auto. I've also seen a few times that a bolt rifle is called a "long range sniper rifle" because it has a scope. The anti crowd is refining their control of the narrative.