jperch

Here are some pictures of deer with CWD. https://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+deer+with+chronic+wasting+disease&source=hp&ei=mt1YYeyVG_uNwbkP0NezMA&iflsig=ALs-wAMAAAAAYVjrqtp3pi3GjB2TRIWBU3WYlaJDIDws&oq=pictures+of+deer+with+chronic+wasting+disease&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYAjIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIECAAQCjIECAAQCjIECAAQCjIECAAQCjoRCC4QgAQQsQMQxwEQ0QMQkwI6CwguEIAEEMcBEKMCOggIABCABBCxAzoRCC4QgAQQsQMQgwEQxwEQowI6DgguEIAEELEDEMcBEKMCOgsIABCABBCxAxCDAToFCC4QgAQ6CAguEIAEELEDOgsILhCxAxDHARCjAjoICAAQsQMQgwE6BwgAEIAEEAo6BQgAEIYDULQZWP9XYOVtaABwAHgAgAFbiAHoDJIBAjIymAEAoAEB&sclient=gws-wiz

Wow, two mature deer. It would appear something bad is going on. I do hope someone will be able to put them down and end their suffering.

Yeah, that might even be big enough to drag out your buck!

I also took my hunter safety course in 1970. It was taught by one of my teachers (Thank you Mr. Sinowski) at my high school on weekends. He brought some guns to class (A 22 and a single shot 10 gauge). Part of the class materials back then involved some photos of a hunter who had been shot squarely in the forehead. That would be a "trigger" today. My how things have changed. By the way, me and a buddy went rabbit hunting many times with that teacher and my math teacher, good times and good guys.

I have had treestands stolen and damaged on private property. Our property, actually. This was not done by antihunters, everyone hunts and the property is not close to a road. The land is posted, people still encroach. I am hopeful that mandatory orange will decrease the number of trespassers. By the way, we have an understanding with most of the neighbors, everyone has permission to track a wounded deer and nobody abuses the privilege. When I used to hunt state land I have heard slugs whistle over my head. On hilly terrain a treestand does not guarantee safety. We always wear orange and insist that any guest hunters do also. And also they wear a safety harness if they use one of our stands.

Definitely Jack in the Pulpit. Somewhat toxic berries, considered a valuable native plant to many. Squirrels will eat the seeds. Very attractive plant in late spring/early summer.

I have to agree about the mosquitos this year, they seem worse than ever. We have had a lot of rain, great for crops, apples and skeeters. The freezer is getting low on venison, maybe if we get a real windy day I'll go out. We have tons of barn swallows but they have all left and the mosquitos have since gotten thick.

Thank you Caveman. So the DEC has authority to make changes to some regulations and not make changes to Environmental Conservation Law. Presumably the legislature maintains control of the crossbow inclusion decision for political reasons. Frankly it is surprising to me that they allowed DEC to make the recent changes without their explicit blessing. Probably this was worked out with leaders of DEC and the legislature.

So, a serious question that perhaps some of those with legal expertise can answer. Apparently the DEC needs the legislature to pass a law in order for full inclusion of crossbows in archery season to occur. At least, for several years there has been the announcement that the legislature failed to pass the law or even vote on it. On the other hand, the DEC was recently able to make significant changes to the big game hunting regulations without involvement of the legislature, at least as far as I know. So what is the difference? Exactly what does the DEC have the authority to control? I have the impression from things I have read that the DEC is in favor of full inclusion.

Still warm...

I think for a lot of people my age (let's just say sixties) wages have been stagnant while retirement funds have gone through the roof over the last decade. Nice for me but I feel bad for the young couple just starting out. If wage increases don't cover inflation, you will have tough times. Especially if your family is growing. It goes in cycles.

From Enigma: "Limitation of personal ability plays a very small part in the mind of most hunters today. Ethical respect for game is far outweighed by the quest for fame and likes. Sad really." On our farm we have in recent years found poorly shot and lost deer including a 12 point trophy, a true 8 point monarch, and several lesser bucks and does and fawns. Some of these were wounded and suffering (My GF, who hunts, does not appreciate that one bit.) to the point that neighbors could and would have recovered them so I suspect poachers. We almost never allow guest hunters now unless they are new hunters or family. Oh, we have posted signs removed and (I think) an errant slug hole in the back of the porch! Sure, it feels great when you make a skillful shot and harvest a nice deer. But wounding a deer will leave an ethical hunter with a painful memory which will last much, much longer.

That's what Clint said!

I guess I started deer hunting in NY in 1970. On opening day it sounded like a war. I think the deer got spooked and just kept on running until they found a place to hide. There were a LOT more hunters then. My point is people took a lot of shots at running deer and probably killed more trees than deer. It was all shotguns with foster slugs back then. I hunted small game quite a bit when I was younger but I do not consider myself even a fair shot at running deer. Maybe with the cost and scarcity of today's ammunition people are more hesitant to poke and hope. Follow up shots are a different matter of course.

I think a lot of goods made of steel that ship from China are harder to come by now. In the past I could usually find good quality, sturdy treestands on sale for $125 - $140. I find that beside the recommended tools for assembly a big hammer is often helpful! They package the parts well but the directions are not perfect neither is the welding.

Just tighten up your safety harness strap a bit, lean forward into the the rail and lightly snooze until you hear the crunch, crunch, crunch, of his hooves.

Ladder stands can be great but for extended sits don't go cheap is my advice. I have replaced most of my hang on stands with quality ladder stands. When comparing ladder stands consider thickness of rails and overall weight. At least on private property, more is better. Yeah, also extra ratchet straps.

That makes sense, my land is fairly close to Lake Ontario. I guess this must be the northern extreme of their range. They are are a really interesting species.

Yes, my understanding is that pattern makers liked it because it was very stable and easy to work with.

I have some on my property in Oswego County.

tulip tree = yellow poplar, they are a tree native to NYS

That is a cool picture for sure. I'm a SCUBA diver and it reminds me of a well know diver saying. "You don't have to be able to swim faster than the shark, you just have to be able to swim faster than your buddy."

Given the social nature of deer it is not surprising to me that once the virus managed to cross over to that species that it would spread quickly. The obvious question would seem to be how did that happen? More reason to get vaccinated, in my opinion. And are other species being tested?

Very sorry for your loss Cynthia and hoping the best for your husband's friend.

From what I have read once you are exposed it is very important to stay out of the sun! (Otherwise bad scarring can occur.) We have Giant Hogweed around here and I don't know how to tell the difference between a small hogweed and wild parsnip, wild celery, etc. Any big plant with large white flower tops I just leave alone or hit with roundup.