Rebel Darling

I agree with YFKI1983, I think you should call... Here's the number found on DEC's website: For additional information or clarification on Lifetime Licenses, contact the License Sales Unit (518-402-8843), Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4790 If you log into DECALS, it should show you if your tags have been issued along the left hand side of the website, once you get to the licenses and privileges section...

Courtesy of a friend from the valley... Pretty light, and goes down a little too easy. I'm all thumbs when using Tapatalk

Thanks very much, guys. I think the spacing math helps me determine how many steps I'll need for a specific stand height, and I very much appreciate the reminder on bulkier clothing. I think I might try out 16" spacing with Grampy's idea of doubling up the steps (especially those last few which will be crucial in setting the stand), so my boots don't get caught on the next rung while raising my leg. Also - many thanks for the reminder on timber quality. I am fortunate to have a quite few good'uns that are mill-able in a tight time. Does anyone have a diameter of tree that they prefer or will avoid?

Does anyone frequently use, or have frequent experience with screw-in steps to get up trees and set stands? I'm curious to know if you have a best method to determine how many steps you'll need, how far to space them, and how to position them on a tree so that they make for easy step-downs onto a tree stand. I had one hell of a time on Saturday setting up a stand, and it took way longer than I had wanted to be at the location. I used a small piece of PVC to help with turning the step, and pre-drilled for ease of turning...

Love that one of cow and calf, and the one of the bull crossing the road. Here's a pair I'd like to share...

Yeah, I noticed that too. Tiny little creature... I haven't read it, but I was recently told that the Farmer's Almanac suggests a mild, yet snowy winter. Some good and some bad for that little one.

I'm a bit concerned that the oaks on my property will have dropped all acorns by the time bow season starts. The acorns have been falling for weeks, and within the past week, the dropped acorns are very, very fat. My apple tree looks like it's dead this year, hit with a hard freeze in May, and then drought for the better part of Spring and Summer. I think my chances hinge on the later parts of the season, if I can get some good throw-and-grow seed set in a clearing, or if I can pin them on travel routes to other sources (they'll likely be moving through pretty quick...). I think it's going to be a season for me to adapt.

Very small/minor bug (possibly): "Browse" tab > "News" - When I click on "News" the sub-menu disappears. This is unique to "News". The sub-menu remains when viewing "Forums", "Calendar", "Staff", "Online Users". Thank you for everything you do...

I agree... Last Regular Season, I wasn't able to keep my feet warm when stand hunting. I purchased a pair of Irish Setter Elk Stalkers as well, and my feet stayed pretty warm while sitting, and didn't get sweaty while still hunting, nor walking in/out. I think my pair has 1,500 grams of insulation. There was no break-in time, either. The leather was ready to go the minute I put them on. I wore them through Late Season, and will use them only for hunting. My only difficulty with the boot was getting used to the lugged sole. I had to adjust my gait a bit in order to avoid dragging my feet.

This is one of the sites I was researching... It states 17 months, with a ditch in June: http://bearwithus.org/understanding-bears/the-black-bear-mother-her-cubs/ I'm all thumbs when using Tapatalk

Huh... I had always thought that mom ditches after a year with black bears. Thanks... I'll have to read a bit more. I'm all thumbs when using Tapatalk

Here's a quick video of momma and her two yearlings taken in early June. I'm betting she ditched them not long after the cam captured them. This is in the front yard clearing that I'm hoping to turn into a viable food plot as the years go by. I have a stand set on the other side of this clearing; the does already frequent it. Bears.m4v

I'm not familiar with 4B, but spent some time in 4J last year, and had a couple of opportunities that couldn't capitalize on. At an unrelated meeting I had with The Nature Conservancy earlier this year, we got to chatting about hunting, and their message was basically, "please hunt the Pine Bush." Apparently, large-scale subdivision development in Colonie is pushing more herds into the Pine Bush, which is hurting, well, the pine bush... I'm all thumbs when using Tapatalk

Wanted 4H & 4L - no chances. Picked up 4J, bow only. That'll likely be where I hunt early in bow season.

Picked up two DMPs in 4J. That was pretty much my only option/chance in my area. I'm all thumbs when using Tapatalk

Yes'm. That photo was in Denali National Park a couple of years back. Bear didn't much mind our presence at all; blueberries were the order of the day. WY is my favorite state in the contiguous US, by the way. I love it out there... Thanks very much for sharing those photos, and I look forward to viewing more.

Thanks for sharing... Much appreciated.

Here's one to add to the thread...

I haven't seen the regs book yet, but might this afternoon. If the regs stay as proposed, and if I'm given the opportunity, I think I'll harvest a doe early season. I hope to use the antlered only tag with bow during regular season. With my late season tag, I might harvest a doe fawn, likely from the doe that currently has three fawns prancing around her. Chances are, all three aren't going to make it through winter. If I don't harvest a buck with the antlered only tag, I might use it to harvest a mature doe late season. There are no doe tags (haven't been, at any rate) issued for my WMU, 4L. If that holds true this year, I'll apply for 4H and/or 4J, in which the doe could/should be reduced. 4J is bow only. I don't have anywhere near enough land to qualify for DMAPs. I hope to have the time and the opportunity to harvest a doe in either of those areas. Access is an issue in 4J. If I get doe tags, I'm going to try and use them during the early season, and save the early season tag, in case I do see that buck... Within the framework of the regs, that's my current working-plan.

Venison and summer squash on the grill... I'm all thumbs when using Tapatalk

Big Stihl fan here... Leaf blower, chain saw, & trimmer.

I've been told that there are a good number of bears walking around the Rensselaerville State Forest, which is pretty close to Albany / Greene area...

FYI - I've been unable to post replies to threads using Tapatalk. The request to post the reply timed out, and Tapatalk prompted me to a "Contact Us" standardized email that contained the error code. I had hoped to attach a screen shot of the error notice, but am currently unable to attach photos - maybe it's forum specific... Hope this helps, and thanks very much...

I had my first deer heart this past fall from my very first harvest. My friend came up to show me how to butcher the heart with a small, fine knife. He marinated it with some oil, rosemary and crushed black pepper, and pan-seared it for a few seconds a side. It was delicious. While enjoying the tender cuts, and their mineral-ish flavor, he told me that in the Old World, the harvest and hide went to the lord of the manor, but the heart went to the hunter as a thank you, and payment. That's the story I'm running with... To the hunter goes the heart.

Thank you... I'm all thumbs when using Tapatalk