the_narrows

I'm headed up to the 'dacks again this weekend. Easy trip - stay at Heart Lake campground Friday night, summit Algonquin with a 4am start, back to campground via Avalanche Lake and then drive home.

I camped last weekend in Harriman. May try to haul up and camp at Johns Brook and summit Marcy this long weekend. Kids are after me to build a quinzee the first real snow so they can sleep in it. You gotta love the little nuts.

I've been scouting it for coyote and have seen signs. If you want to drive up from Westchester some day after the snow hits and try to call some coyotes, I'm in. Recognize your name from Westchester fishing btw. I have a boat on New Croton.

Yes. If I bring toilet paper (for my kids), I pack it out in ziplock bags. Having lived out west, I've seen evidence of month's if not year's worth of toilet paper on common hiking trails and even some frequently used off-trail areas. Even in areas of higher rainfall, it takes months, not days for toilet paper to break down. That's not something to endeavor to leave in the woods for the next outdoorsman to find. Now, in my case, being an ultralight backpacking nerd, I solve this problem at the "source" and don't pack toilet paper. The "water and left hand" process is practiced all over the world, and results in a squeaky clean bottom. Ask any serviceman to show you. Well, actually, maybe don't. Just google it, or click here: http://ultralightbackpackintips.blogspot.com/2012/09/liberate-yourself-from-toilet-paper.html Not saying you have to do it, but really, pretty easy.

Couldn't agree more. In addition to hunting, I love hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking, and I wish that leave no trace ethics were more prevalent in the hunting community. Most hunters surely behave well in the woods, but there are certainly a few who make a mess, bury their toilet paper, rather than carry it out. Perhaps our motto should be "Leave only footprints, take only wildlife."

Never wear camo. Green jacket, green pants, green wool sweater, orange hat. Doesn't make a lick of difference in my experience.

Beauty! That's the kind you'd wished you've saved your tag for. If there's any justice at all, Diana will save that one for you for next year.

I'd question whether the shot on a deer that walked 1.3 miles was ethical in the first place. I guess you could hang the cape in the basement with a sign that said "Practice" underneath. I agree your buddy's claim was questionable.

I would pull the plug. At this point, every time you use the finished gun, it'll be a source of annoyance, not joy. When you buy a bespoke item, the process is part of the process.

I am a one-(hunting)-gun owner - A Sako AIII in .270. It will take any game in the lower 48, European moose, and capercaillie and black grouse (in Europe). I'm adding a 9.3x62 or .338 Win Mag exclusively for moose, but I'm pretty darn happy with my .270. I have a .17HMR too, but that's just for the range.

Alas, no. Does Bill hunt? Maybe we could do a hog safari to Arkansas together. Bill seems like he'd be a fun guy to spend a hunting weekend with.

To me, double-lung, is the most ethical shot. It's high-probability and quick-acting, and usually does not require tracking in excess of 50-60 yards. Neck and shoulder shots can be ethical for a few, but the significant majority of hunters I know should be shooting center-mass. I consider head shots unethical and wouldn't hunt with someone taking them. For myself, if I can't get a clean double-lung shot, I'll tip my hat and wish the deer a good day.

Peltor Tactical 100 earmuffs. I grew up hunting in Sweden, where everyone under the age of 50 has been wearing earmuffs since they were kids. Just the natural thing to do. At the range, I often put earplugs in and then put on the muffs. I raced cars in the past and damaged my hearing doing that, so very sensitive to protecting what I have left.

Andy - how did it go? I'd be interested in tagging along next time.

Welcome. I'm also a new guy (here). Live in 3S, Chappaqua.