Padre86

Just to be clear, 2016's regulations (I assume the same will apply for this year) did require proof of gender remain attached until final butchering or taxidermy work if the carcass is transported without the head:

To be clear though, you're talking about the dump station on Chain Lakes Rd. (the one that runs along Indian River, past the old Gooley Club house)? OP, I hear a lot about bear interactions in the big population centers up there (Old Forge, Indian Lake, Placid) which makes sense because that's where most of the people are and that's where bear will congregate if trash and rubbish is left out. I'd always thought the dump stations were pretty strict about safeguarding the trash and recyclables stored there, but I haven't spent too much time looking over the area. I definitely could see the value in finding state land which might lead into the more populated areas, because I'm sure there are some bear who visit the towns from time to time. Looking for bear in the middle of the deep woods is hit or miss (all misses for me). I've found bear sign and bear food during some seasons, but the bear have always been absent. I'm sure there are plenty of bear hunters up there who have more knowledge than I on this topic. But based on my own experiences, and those recounted by others, it seems that ADK bear hunting is quite tough and success is hard to come by. Keep us posted though, and good luck out there!

I don't know about that theory, but I love the fact that you know about Dan Florez. He's put out some interesting research and books about the history of North American wildlife (some of it has up-ended preconceived notions that we had previously held about certain species and extinction events). As well, his conversations with Steve Rinella on the Meat Eater Podcast make for good listening as I drive to and from hunting spots. Coyote do pack up. Usually as a mating pair, with maybe a few young dogs in tow, though I've heard of people encountering bigger packs. Coyote are generally afraid of people, but they have gone after pets, sometimes right in front of the owner. I heard of a dog getting snatched while out on a walk near Blue Mountain lake a few weeks back. And they will go after people they deem as easy or vulnerable targets (which usually means kids), the more extreme example of this being that young Canadian singer killed up in eastern Canada a few years back: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Mitchell.

Are you talking about the transfer station at Indian Lake? I've been there before but I haven't noticed a whole lot of bear sign. They generally keep most of the trash and recyclables pretty well segregated and confined in certain areas, don't they? The land around that station is either private or owned by the town, so I don't know the technicalities involved in hunting there. As for the OP's question, it's tough hunting up there in the ADK's, especially for bear. The DEC estimates that 50%-60% of NY's 6k-8k bear population is up there, but the area is so damn big and the food sources are so spread out that it's tough to find animals, especially those like bears which have a relatively big range. I spent some time up there during the early bear season last year; no luck on my part. The best advice I've heard is to stake out food sources (berries, mast crops) or look for fresh tracks in the snow. I'm beginning to see the wisdom of snow tracking (when it's feasible) because I've spent many a day stand hunting over food sources up there where I haven't seen a single animal (deer or bear). The animals have a lot of different ways to move up there, so there is always the chance that you might not see anything, even if you spend a lot of time scouting. Honestly, if you're hell bent on getting a bear, it sounds like the Southern Zone (especially the Catskills and area surrounding the Allegheny State Park) give you much better odds of success. The harvest #'s in the Sourthern Zone have been at around 1k-1.1k over the last few years (that's huge increase from the harvest #'s 10-15 years back), while the harvest has remained relatively flat at ~500 in the Northern Zone.

The trailheads along the main roads (Rte 28, Rte 30, ect.) see a lot of hunter traffic because they're on everyone's radar. If you look for trailheads that are off the beaten path or if you go in further than a few miles, you generally don't see many other hunters, or people in general, especially when the weather is bad. As for which specific areas see higher pressure, I don't know. I suppose you could look at the DEC's website to see the harvest rates and #'s for the different WMU's and then figure out which Wilderness Areas, Wild Forests and Primitive Areas fall into each of those WMU's. Though, such numbers may not necessarily tell you a lot about pressure, but rather they may just reflect greater deer #'s and other factors like easier hunting access, leases, private land, ect. It sounds like you already have some experience hunting the ADK's. My advice is keep doing what you're doing: look for the deer sign and avoid areas that see a lot of hunter traffic.

I don't see that option. I see tabs for: my licenses; new harvest; history; news and info. None of them allow me to report a harvest.

Still have no idea how you use the app to report a harvest. I downloaded it but i see no option to self report.

As the title asks, is anyone here going to the United Blood Trackers Track Fest this coming weekend in Berne, NY? I have a dog in training, though I don't think he is ready for any certification tests yet. I was thinking of dropping by to see some experienced dogs and handlers in action. Anyone here going? Anyone here bringing a dog? Edit: I realize in hindsight that this thread is probably better suited to the general hunting section. I don't know if the moderators want to move it or not.

I'm not sure on some of that. There are plenty of 180gr loads that fit just fine in a .308 action, single shot or magazine loaded. The 180gr loads and higher due tend to have lower muzzle velocities relative to lighter loads (though not by much). However, the heavy loads more than make up for that with higher BC's and higher mass (which translates into higher kinetic energy and momentum on target). I do agree there probably is a point of diminishing returns with the load size for a .308 platforms, but a 180gr-185gr load (which should be sufficient for most North American big game) works just fine in a .308 rifle. And as someone else pointed out, a 150-160gr hunting load is likely more sufficient for the OP's uses. Also, the 168gr BTHP (FMJ are used more for military training then they are for match shooting) is no longer considered the most accurate .308 load. A lot of precision shooters have switched away from .308 to 6mm-based cartridges, but of those who still shoot with .308, they use 175gr BTHP's or Berger's 185gr Juggernaut. Again, an appropriate twist rate and barrel length makes a bit of difference for .308 platforms (1:10 twist rates seem to be preferred over the traditional 1:12 rate for those heavies).

I'm not sure what you're getting at. There are more than a few 180gr+ loads that are well-developed for .308 rifles.

As long as he has the right twist rate (1:10) and barrel length (18" or more) he should have no problem lobbing the heavier .308 bullets. Heck, even with a traditional 1:12 rate, he should be fine with 180gr loads so long as the shot is kept to reasonable distance.

The reality is most deer taken up in the ADK's, especially if it is a mile or mile off trail, will have to be field dressed and quartered for a solo hunt. Dragging or even carrying in some of that terrain just isn't practical (or safe if you're trudging through blowdown). Now, if you're hunting on private land or or a lease where some amount of motorized extraction is allowed, you might plan things differently, but for a solo hunt in Wild Forest (where motorized traffic is restricted to designated roads) and wilderness areas (where there is hardly any road access to begin with) you don't have many options outside of pull carts or sleds. I haven't hunted stillwater yet, though I want to at some point. I've hiked and bushwhacked up in that area a bit and supposedly the deer #'s are pretty decent up there (at least relative to the rest of the ADK's). There is a hunting lease off of Raven Lake, with rights to a dirt road (necessary dam Rd). The public can't drive the road (which is BS IMO) but you can hike in on it to get into some very remote country. You should check out that area ahead of time....it's a big area and you really need to get a feel for how the wildlife moves in that area before you just start picking spots to hunt from. Don't know much about how the hunting camps have been doing up there. I've run into a few over the last few years. I think hunting in general in the ADK's has become less popular over the years because it's generally a lot tougher than throwing up a stand in some farm field in western NY (which isn't a knock on western NY hunting, because that's where I hunt whenever I'm not in the ADK's). Deer aren't as plentiful up there. A lot more logistics to camping and getting deer out of there. More difficult terain. ect. It's a challenge and beautiful if you like that kind of remote wilderness....just don't expect to come away with a deer every year.

Go to sportsman guide (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/). They have a wide selection of military surplus gear and hunting gear, often for a decent price. My take on hunting gear, especially clothing, is this: you want something that works (ie keeps you warm or dry, ect.), but spending $80-$100 on a pair of hunting pants at Cabellas is a bit ridiculous...everything is going to get torn or bloody at some point, especially up in the ADK's with its thick vegetation. Don't spend more than you have to on this gear, because you'll inevitably end up replacing some of this stuff. Now there is such a thing as going too cheap as well; but I've found that most of the stuff on sportsman guide has reasonable durability and quality. The only thing I really spent big $ on was my hunting jacket...everything else (pants, gortex layers, shirts, gloves, socks, hat, ect.) I got at sportsman guide all for the price I would have paid for a typical pair of pants and shirts at Gander Mountain. And yes, wool, wool, wool, or synthetic blends....anything that is cotton will retain its moisture which could be bad if you get stuck out in the woods. The Delorme brand is now owned by Garmin, but the products have remained mostly the same thus far. There is the Inreach (which is basically just a GPS communicator) and the Inreach Explorer (which is a communicator and GPS navigation unit). $300-$350 is the norm for the Explorer. It does require a subscription fee. You can choose to run it month-by-month for $15-$17 per month I think. I run it all year round for a the lowest fee possible ($13/month). There are other subscription fees that will give you different data usage options (similar to a cellphone plan) but they all give you the same basic features: texting, emergency SOS capabilities, GPS navigation, tracking, access to Delorme's electronic map library. When the SOS option is activated, the signal goes to a private emergency call center (GEOS) that is monitoring 24/7; that call center informs the local authorities of your position so they can coordinate a rescue. With your purchase and subscription you get access to Delorme's (now Garmin's) iphone app Earthmate (I think there is an Android version too). This allows your phone or mobile device to pair with your inreach so that you can basically do everything from your phone. It also gives you access to the previously mentioned maps, of which there are many (Sat imagery, US Quad, Delorme's digital Topo map, Nautical maps, a generic street map). These maps are second-to-none in terms of variety and detail (they're just as good as Delorme's paper atlases because that's what they're based on). The only real downside to the Exporer's maps is: 1) you can only view them on the paired mobile device (the older Explorer doesn't actually display maps on its screen, but the newer model does); and 2) the maps for areas outside the US (Canada for example) are lacking, though this might be fixed shortly now that Garmin owns the company. It's a great, durable device...good enough that I've dropped it in water, exposed it to all kinds of abuse in the woods and it has never stopped working. This thing is built for outdoor use. With the device running continuously on the lowest power setting, I'd imagine you can get 1.5-3.5 days of use out of it (depending on the signal strength and weather). However, I only power it on when I absolutely need it, and so it can last at least a week or two if you use it like that. It has an internal battery that can't be swapped out and needs to be charged at an outlet...so no battery swaps out in the field. It's a great device. You should give it a look: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/561269 UP in the ADK's I generally hunt by myself (which is why I spent $ on the Explorer). I do leave my hunting plans with family and I occasionally text them from the field to let them know where I'm at (the Explorer automatically provides a link to an online map to show anyone receiving my message where I sent it from). I'm not opposed to hunting with someone else up there, I just haven't met anyone in my area who likes to hunt up there.

How do I delete this post?

HAM radio license is a smart move, though I'll admit I don't know how far your range will be in the ADK's vegetation and terrain. I personally carry a Delorme Inreach Explorer, which is basically a 2-in-1 device: it provides GPS navigation as well as Sat-based communications. As long as there is a GPS signal I can communicate with the outside world, so I feel a bit more confident pushing solo into remote areas. It's pricey though. A cheaper alternative could be an older GPS unit and an old style sat phone. In addition to that electronic stuff, make sure you have at least a fundamental understanding of how to read a map and use a compass (that stuff should always be carried as a backup). And always leave your hunting plans and trip details with a 3rd party, so that if you are overdue, people know where to look for you. As for tires and vehicles in the ADK's, I'll say this: Some roads up there really aren't meant for modern 4wd vehicles; they were originally built with snow-mobiles and smaller logging machines in mind. I've gone down some roads that dead-ended, and that had to do 500-point turns to turn around and get out. You know your hunting lease better than I, so if you think your blazer can fit, go for it. Otherwise a smaller ATV might make more sense. 31"s should be enough tire, just make sure you have a good set of A/T's or Mud Terrain's on there....you don't want to rely on road-oriented tires. Don't bother with snows. When the snow really starts to get get deep, you'll be better off with either an ATV or snow mobile. Your locker will be a great help for certain situations (I've used mine a few times while in the back country). Other aids like Max Trax or a winch might be a good idea depending on how far back you're going.

Season is over. From the looks of this thread and some other hound sites, it seems NY houndsmen were very productive over the winter. I had some good times, that's for sure.

I think most people agree with this concept. We should preserve the wilderness aspect of the Boreas area, but there is minority, yet vocal, group (mostly consisting of self-proclaimed environmentalists) who want nearly all the road access shut down. They're kicking and screaming about this issue; my take is keep at least some of the road access leading into the Pond so that hunters and anglers and everyone else has an easier time getting into the area. The roads are already there, so it's not like we'll need to cut down new trees to make way for this access.

Others have already provided good input, but I'll echo some main points I agree with: - Let the conditions dictate your method. Still hunting on noisy ground (dry leaves, crunchy snow) usually doesn't work out too well. Also, moving through thick brush or vegetation (which there is a lot of up there) quickly spooks off nearby game; either avoid traveling through those areas (if you can), or strategically make these movements when you think there is lower chance of spooking game (mid-day or in warmer weather when the deer are less active). - I agree with the poster who said it earlier that stalking into your position in the morning and then stand/ambush hunting for a period of time is a solid method. Moving in the dark in the ADK's (especially off trail) is tough, and noisy, even with a headlamp. - Ambush/stand hunting works up there only if you've done your homework and figured out where the deer like to travel, eat and sleep. If you just pick any old spot to stand hunt from, you can find yourself sitting around staring at nothing for hours on end. - Unless you're trying to get from point A to point B to change positions or get to camp, move slowly (slower than what you normally think slow means). The terrain, noise, line of sight, ect. is all stacked against you. And unlike out west or in more open farmland stand hunts, it's a bit more difficult to figure out if you've been made by a nearby deer. They can smell and hear you long before you even see them, and sometimes you'll never even know they were there. Take your time, watch your foot placement, try to gauge the wind (it's difficult in the deep woods where the air currents are subtle at best). The one buck I saw up there this season, I literally walked right into; I saw him first as I crested a little hill. He saw me eventually, but I was downwind of him, and it took him 2-3 minutes to figure out what I was. - Spend some time during the summer or even after the fall season in the winter (when snow is on the ground) hiking around and looking for deer sign. You'll be surprised to see that there are lot of deer paths that intersect with foot trails and even roads. Now, you may not always want to post up on a trail (especially if it sees a lot hikers), but those scouting trips will give you a good idea of where to focus your efforts.

Thanks for posting this.

Wow! Great job out there! How were the conditions where you were? It was deep hardpack snow where I was; tough stuff to move around in.

If elk is in the mix, .308 has my vote. If this rifle is purely for deer and smaller, .25-06 makes sense. Where are you hunting? You mentioned mulies, which we don't have here in NY. So I'm guessing somewhere out west?

No need to be sorry grow. I think most people do understand the staged nature of modern "reality" shows, though I honestly wouldn't lump most hunting shows into that category. The shows that I'm referring to have hunters going to well-maintained, private pieces of land and shooting deer that are either fenced in or have been regularly feed from bait feeders since they were fawns. These shows rarely show the fences themselves and do everything they can to make it seem that the animal was some reclusive, monster that the hunter had to track down and find in the middle of the woods (when in reality the deer was going to the same feeder it had been going to for the past few years). The way some of these shows portray the "hunt" isn't genuine or honest IMHO. I'm not saying they or anyone else can't do this sort of hunting, so please don't turn this into a heated debate. I'm just saying that I don't find those kinds of shows entertaining or honest. I'd be truly surprised if you or anyone else really did find such shows entertaining or good, as I think they are a dime-a-dozen, but as someone else said: to each their own...

Like I said, as long as the methods are legal, it's not my place to say what other hunters can and can't do. I'm not going to impose my views of hunting on someone else. But some of those "trophy" hunts I think are a bit cheesy, for reasons I've already mentioned. And honestly it seems to me that many people nowadays are less inclined to watch those sorts of hunting shows because they feel the same way.

This is what I was getting at earlier. If hunters want to bait, and it is legal to do so where they live, fine. Not my cup of tea, but I'm not going to tell someone else they can't do it. But the hunting show hosts and writers who go out and hunt in these canned settings, either in high-fence operations or bait-feed ranches, and then show-off their huge, monster trophy but don't show what kind of setting they were hunting in....that's no bueno IMO. They either need to be more truthful with their audiences and show exactly where they're hunting and how the deer are being kept and/or fed, or they need to stop acting like they are hunting masters.

Yep, I've been through that area before. Haven't done any hunting up there yet, but I'm familiar with the area. You can access some real remote parts of the ADK's via Big Moose and some of the side roads up there.