Steve D

New York's annual Youth Big Game Hunt will occur on Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 9-11, 2021. New this year, 12- and 13-year-old hunters may join 14- and 15-year-olds participating in upstate counties that have passed a local law for these junior hunters to hunt deer with firearms (all counties north of Westchester except Erie and Rockland county). During this special opportunity, licensed 12-15-year-olds may use a firearm to hunt big game while accompanied by an experienced, licensed adult hunter. All eligible junior hunters may take one deer (either sex) and 14- and 15-year-olds may also take one bear. During the youth hunt, antlerless deer taken with a firearm may be tagged with a regular season tag, DMP, or Deer Management Assistance Program tags. Antlered deer may only be tagged with the regular season tag. Though junior hunters may have multiple deer tags, they may only take one deer with a firearm during the Youth Big Game Hunt. This Youth Big Game Hunt takes place throughout the state, except in Suffolk and Westchester counties and bowhunting-only areas. Additional rules that apply to junior hunters and their adult mentors can be found in the Hunting & Trapping Guide (PDF) or through the Junior Hunter Mentoring Program. Special Youth Hunting Opportunities and Military/Veteran Waterfowl Days Youth hunts for pheasants and waterfowl took place last weekend in much of eastern NY, and are still upcoming in western NY and on Long Island. Military and Veteran Waterfowl Hunting Days are also upcoming in the Southeast, Western, and Long Island zones. Starting in early October, New York offers vast waterfowl (ducks, geese, and brant) hunting opportunities as hunters may harvest more than 30 species of waterfowl. New York has five waterfowl zones and nine Canada goose zones that help to maximize hunting opportunity across diverse habitats. Most waterfowl zones also have special hunting days for youth and members of the military (both active duty and veterans) that often begin prior to the regular hunting season, giving these hunters the opportunity to hunt with less competition and hunting pressure. Junior hunters must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter, and both the junior hunter and adult must be registered with the Harvest Information Program (HIP). Adult hunters must also have a federal migratory bird stamp and the adult hunter supervising a youth may not possess a firearm, bow, or crossbow afield. Veterans wishing to participate in the special military hunting days must carry identification that verifies their active duty or veteran status while hunting.

Made it out for an afternoon sit after watching three bucks near my stand this morning from the house. At 6:30 a small spike steps out and feeds for a little bit and back in. Fifteen minutes later a spike, three point, and a basket six come out and feed. Forty five yards away, to dark to shoot, and nowhere near as big as any I saw all summer. Maybe later in the season but to early now to shoot one of those dinks. I'll probably be sitting out for awhile with temps getting back up in the 70's.

Doc I posted these before and maybe you didn't see them. I bet the "hood" is snatching up a lot of it through the black markets. Funny how they can get it illegally and the legal citizens can't:

Seems a little pricey but they show inventory and free shipping on orders over $50.00 to your ffl: for those looking: Norma Shooting | In Stock Ammunition Ready to Ship Ammunition - Norma Shooting

Correction: The legislative provision that passed the Budget Committee raises the OSHA fines for non-compliance 10 times higher – and up to $700,000 for each “willful” or “repeated” violation. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not announced when the House will vote on the reconciliation bill that includes the new OSHA fines. If the legislation is enacted, OSHA could levy draconian fines to enforce Biden’s vaccine mandate, a move that could rapidly bankrupt non-compliant companies. One more thing to consider??? Companies starting to increase health insurance costs for unvaccinated workers If you're not vaccinated, you could face higher insurance premiums. Companies are starting to increase health insurance for employees who do not have the COVID-19 shot. Local attorneys say raising insurance premiums for unvaccinated employees is not illegal, but is complex.

We can't blame the companies for laying off. In addition to the vaccine mandate the federal government will raise the amount of fines on companies with a 100 or more employees from the original $14,000 per employee to as much as $70,000 as part of the "new infrastructure" bill if passed. Companies really don't have much of a choice. “While America is in much better shape than it was seven months ago when I took office, I need to tell you a second fact: We’re in a tough stretch and it could last for awhile,” Biden continued. He directed the Labor Department to require all businesses with 100 or more employees to mandate vaccination or weekly COVID-19 testing. If an employer does not comply – they could face thousands of dollars in fines per employee who is unvaccinated. Specifically, officials said that $14,000 fines per employee could apply if unvaccinated workers are allowed to remain employed. 9-28-2021: The increased fines on employers could run as high as $70,000 for serious infractions, and $700,000 for willful or repeated violations

It appears that Hodgdon is closing it's black powder plant. If you use it and find it you should stock up.

Video Included West Seneca highway workers rescue buck in Cazenovia Creek (wkbw.com)

Me either and I have seen some pretty tall soybean fields this year along with some short ones. I suspect it is because it is mostly clay and he did no till instead of at least turning it over. Farming is a hard way to make a living. My hat goes off to all farmers. NICE BUCK hope you see him Friday!!

Right now they are still green but just beginning to turn. I suspect once they do turn the activity will drop off here also. They seem to be more interested in the leaves than the beans. I think once they turn or get picked it will be slim pickens for deer. If the field doesn't get plowed under they come back to forage like they do with corn. The only other crop nearby is corn and they don't seem to be touching that much. My biggest dilemma here is seeing during the daytime which is whay I will be hunting state land more than my own.

The farmer working the field has said the same thing and has had crop management out checking the plants but have not heard if or what they have determined. There are plenty of beans but just not very tall. From what I have seen with the spotting scope they seem to be more interested in the leaves than the beans. There are some nice ones for sure but getting one to show up in the daytime is next to impossible. I can shine 8-10 every night with the thermal but the only time I MAY catch one in the day time is during the rut or if someone on the neighboring properties kicks one out. Good luck on Friday!! Not sure if I will hunt or not. All dependent on the weather.

But mostly at night

Great looking dog. Hardest thing for a person to do. They give so much and ask for nothing but love in return.

Can't help but wonder how much stock these people have of the vaccine manufacturers: WASHINGTON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday promised to buy 500 million more COVID-19 vaccine doses to donate to other countries as it comes under increasing pressure to share its supply with the rest of the world. Biden said the United States would provide $370 million "to support administering these shots" and more than $380 million to help the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) handle vaccine distribution

I am with you and Steuben Jerry. I typically don't get serious until around the 15th. I usually will spend most of the first two weeks scouting with a occasional sit depending on weather and sign. With the majority of my hunting being on state land this year I will probably be doing more scouting than hunting the first two weeks. My brother-in-law reported seeing rubs starting to pop up in 8n so it is time to get started on scouting if the weather stays cool.

Looks like Bob Hughes. One of the good guys that puts in a lot of effort supporting trapping.

Garlic salt is also pretty good if you like garlic salt.

Here the leaves ae falling before turning. Not much color here. Not sure how accurate it is but here is the NY state link. New York Fall Foliage Report | Experience Peak Fall Colors in NY (iloveny.com) Definitely my favorite time of year.

Call it as you may. Maybe you should start admitting what you really are.

No need....he shows his almost daily!

Think what you want and I will do the same. I will no longer stoop to your level to debate semantics and leave myself open to receive your cheap shots about my lack of intelligence or ability to reason.

Sightings have dropped off and it appears they are only moving at night once again. Still a few around but haven't caught any of the big guys recently. Turkeys are still enjoying the soybeans and coyotes are still cruising. Looks like there may be a tree legged doe around to.

I think the more important question would be how many fit the definition: Who is considered a patriot? a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion. a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, especially of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.

As many as 1100 plus. They are expected to be placed in their new communities between now and March 31 and include up to: 100 in Albany 335 in Buffalo 240 in the New York City area 200 in Rochester 248 in Syracuse 20 in Utica Notice Albany only get 100 From the governor: We welcome our new Afghan friends with open arms and pledge to provide them the assistance they can rely on to rebuild anew. As many as 1,143 Afghan evacuees coming to NYS, up to 335 expected in Buffalo (wkbw.com)

These guys have been showing up pretty regular also: