Rebel Darling

Huh... I bought a muzzle loader at DICK'S in Albany this October. No NICS check. Walked out in 10 minutes, muzzle loader in hand.

Speaking of public comments, this info might be worth another reference: Citizens who wish to make formal public comments through February 8 may do so by sending an email to: [email protected] (include "air rifle regulations" in the subject line) or by writing to: Bryan L. Swift, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Wildlife, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.

I don't know about Westchester big game hunting, if that's the answer you're after. Can you use a shotgun for big game in Westchester? Judging by the below comment (emphasis mine), I'm guessing 4J would be off-limits to air rifles because no other type of rifles are allowed to take big game within the WMU. "These big bore air rifles would only be allowed for taking big game where other types of rifles are allowed to be used for taking big game. Use of rifles for big game hunting is allowed in most New York counties."

DEC says within 100 yards. I haven't shot one, and other than the link above, I hadn't seen them and didn't know they existed.

Here's the impact statement, which includes DEC's reasoning (Take Note: "it is possible that allowing their use may make it more acceptable to use them in locations with higher human densities than New York's rural countryside. Since a big bore air rifle is about as loud as a 0.22 caliber rimfire, it could enhance the ability of hunters to take deer where they are overabundant. By defining and allowing the use of big bore air rifles for hunting big game, New York hunters will have a modest increase in hunting opportunity.") http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/104335.html Here's a link to the proposed regulation's language: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/104340.html

Public Comments Accepted Through February 8 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is now accepting public comment on proposed regulation changes that would allow the use of big bore air rifles as a legal implement for taking big game at certain times and places in New York, beginning in the fall 2016 hunting seasons, Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today. DEC will accept written public comment on the proposed rule changes through February 8, 2016. DEC is proposing to amend the regulations found within Title 6 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (6 NYCRR section 180.3) to allow the use of certain air-powered firearms for hunting big game. Air-powered rifles that meet certain specifications, termed "big bore air rifles," have adequate downrange energy to effectively harvest New York big game species. In 2010, DEC amended these regulations to allow the use of air-powered firearms for hunting small game. "The popularity of air-powered firearms is growing, largely because of technological advancements," said Acting Commissioner Seggos. "These modern firearms produce the force necessary to efficiently harvest big game animals. In addition, because big bore air rifles are not as loud as conventional rifles or shotguns, allowing their use may make hunting more acceptable in locations with higher human densities, including areas where deer are overabundant." Big bore air rifles are available commercially, and they fire bullets of sufficient size at sufficient velocities to safely and efficiently harvest big game. These big bore air rifles would only be allowed for taking big game where other types of rifles are allowed to be used for taking big game. Use of rifles for big game hunting is allowed in most New York counties. Please visit the Rifle, Shotgun, and Bow Areas webpage on DEC's website for more information. Details of the proposed rule can be viewed in the December 23 publication of the New York State Register and on DEC's website under Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources Proposed, Emergency and recently adopted regulations - http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/34113.html#p1s1803 Citizens who wish to make formal public comments through February 8 may do so by sending an email to: [email protected] (include "air rifle regulations" in the subject line) or by writing to: Bryan L. Swift, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Wildlife, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.

Thanks, moog5050. That is certainly the plan. I have a lot to learn, but want to have so much to teach when the time arrives. Connection to the outdoors will help us preserve it, and it's a tradition I want to establish in my lineage. Plus... I had to make it a tradition before the little ones arrive so that I can characterize my hunting addiction as a tradition each Fall. Ha...

Thanks for the heads-up, Andy. I might head down there in Jan. for some small game and for some deer recon. Go an' get 'em, if you head out tomorrow.

It does seem a bit like tailoring the job description, or the RFP for one applicant, or contractor...

I haven't yet read the document in its entirety, nor have I decided on a perspective for what I reason to be the best approach, but my first reaction to neutering does or castrating bucks is that it's a cruelty beyond exposure to hunting pressure and the possibility of death (read sacrifice for another life). In a sense, the neutering and castrating of a wild animal, in effect, wastes the life of the animal whose purpose, in addition to others (perhaps), is to procreate. In addition, large, dense numbers of prey animals will engender greater predator activity. At the point at which we have brought greater numbers of coyotes or others into suburban areas through non-lethal management of deer will we then proceed with non-lethal management of predators? I doubt it. In my opinion, that scenario would lead to a cull that produces numbers considered barbaric, but will be painted as humane because family cats disappear. At the root, and in my experience, awareness of the benefits of hunting (life for life) is low, and I'm curious to know what the tolerance of deer presence will be when ticks are a concern in community gardens, city parks, playgrounds, the Mother's Day tulips disappear, and hard winters leave doe carcasses by the backyard swing set. I am a new hunter, and I have a lot to learn about many, many things, but to exclude hunters as an option or available resource to utilize appears to present the discussion as less than fully articulated.

Welcome, Shawn. I'm relatively new to forum myself, and have found it informative and helpful. I hunted the Pine Bush often this year, and saw a few bucks, and a good amount of doe. I was unable to connect with any deer there, though - my own fault due to inexperience. I enjoyed my opportunities there, but did have to check myself for ticks every so often during the hunt. I brushed them off during and after most days in there. Good luck today!

So very grateful this evening. Stand sit over a crabapple tree in 4H. The ladies came to visit at 2:20. I had been in the stand 20 minutes, and connected with this one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No morning sightings for me in my corner of 4L. Heard a muzz fire off around 7:45 a.m. Hope they downed the deer. Off to 4H in a short while to sit in a friend's stand and to wait on the doe.

4L - 27 degrees, slight winds from the north. Setting up in a bit, and hope that team of doe trots along again. Best of luck to all today. Here we go... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

4L - Nothing for the remainder of the morning still hunt, nor the evening sit. Heading out again in the morning, and then to Rensselaerville State Forest tomorrow afternoon. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Montec, G5, Carbon Steel, 100 grain. At 25 yards, I put an arrow through both lungs, and sliced across the heart. The arrow continued on for another 15-20 yards after that. I was ground level. It hit a rock, and the tip bent, but the deer ran 30 yards or so, bedded down and kicked about 20 minutes later. Never moved after that. I purchased these, in part, because they are fixed blades, easy to sharpen, and because Montec has practice broadheads in the same design and grain. The practice heads enabled me to sight the bow with greater confidence in accuracy. They are expensive at around $35 for three. Montec had a $10 rebate program, which they made good on.

4L - 7:45 a.m. - busted by 4 doe and 2 fawn. 30 yards, and needed a few more steps before I could pull the bow. 27 degrees, wind at W11. I think I was winded by a quick swirl. Unsuccessful ground hunt.

4L - I had to postpone this morning's planned hunt due to unexpected work obligations, but when I walked out of the front door, I saw three does walking through where I had planned to set up. That was a little before 9:00 a.m. Argh...

Hey, ...rob Here's the link to APHIS: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2015-0093 DEC put out a press release yesterday, so I'm thinking that this is live. The draft document itself is dated November 2015.

A late obligation will prevent me using a DMP for 4J (bow only). Glad to transfer.

The DEC today announced the availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment for Deer Damage Management in New York. The Public can comment on the draft by close-of-business January 15, 2016. Here is a link to the draft document: http://www.regulations.gov/contentStreamer?documentId=APHIS-2015-0093-0001&disposition=attachment&contentType=pdf Comments can be mailed to: USDA APHIS Wildlife Services 1930 Route 9 Castleton, NY 12033-9653 Comments can be entered online here: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2015-0093

Andy3F - How'd that Lafayetteville MUA hunt go? I was unaware of that MUA, and am intrigued because of the camping opportunities.

In this year's regulation guide: Regular Season Tag for Antlered Deer Only EXCEPT: May be used for Antlered or Antlerless Deer as follows: - In Westchester County (WMU 3S) - In Suffolk County (WMU 1C) - In areas restricted to bowhunting only (WMUs 4J and 8C) - In late seasons (with bowhunting or muzzleloading privilege) - By Junior Hunters during the Youth Deer Hunt, October 10-12, 2015 Short answer - It's now an either/or.