stubborn1VT

They can be as tame as any house cat, but...they have the ability to be awfully nasty. My dad brought a pair of kits home one time. They were inside a hollow in a maple tree that he cut. We bottle fed them and they were awfully cute. Had them for a month or two until one of his friends mentioned it to somebody. That somebody told a game warden and we had to release them. My mom has pictures of them perched on my shoulders. Looking back, it probably wasn't a wise idea to keep them.

I saw a sick raccoon growl and hiss and snap and keep coming after getting hit through the body with a 30-30. It was as scary as any animal I've ever messed with.

I'm not discounting your thoughts on "progress". I just don't want to be one of the many Americans who live beyond their means. I personally don't want a card. I think you're projecting quite a bit. Cash and barter work better for me. I am guessing you don't live in the country. I do. I figured I could introduce my point of view without you labeling me as unable to adapt. I'mon the site because I am a hunter. I am also a college graduate, a Veteran and a business owner. I'm not the only one who believes in a cash economy, but I seem to the only one you have a problem with. I'll just chalk that up to your own insecurities. If you think that government oversight of banking is part of the solution to anything than I think you're kidding yourself. Since when does government oversight amount to anything? Just look at what is happening with the President. It's pretty easy to be an internet expert. I can see how a credit card is a valuable tool for some, with certain advantages. There are also advantaged and benefits to paying cash. I'm not sure why you can't see that.

Now you're going to stop drug abuse with a cashless economy? I am proud that I don't spend more than I have. We obviously live very differently. Nobody could ever change your mind, so there's not much to talk about with you. I wake up without an alarm clock or a rooster. Where I grew up you could debate a point without being a dick. Have a great holiday season.

All I could think of was the Chinese restaurant scene from The Christmas Story.

My brother used his Suburban like a truck at the farm. He used it pull trailers, hay wagons, and to haul his tools and small amounts of hay.

No offense, but I'm guessing that what you do with a truck/SUV and what I do with a truck/SUV are very different. I grew up a Chevy guy, but I would never compare a GM product with a Toyota as far as longevity. I know a handful of people with Toyotas that lasted over 200K. My neighbor back home had two Tacomas that went 300K. The only other brand that comes close is Subaru, but that's a different application. Maybe your mechanic is right, but the two mechanics I deal with tell a different story. Sorry to go on. I hope everyone has good luck, no matter what they chose to drive. I'm closing in on 200K with my Toyota and it's been oil and tires. I do need new windshield wipers though.

Toyota is damn sure more reliable. I don't know how to measure reliability without looking backwards. Anything new should be reliable. I know a local business owner who got stranded 3X in the first month with his new Silverado. We all do have our own preferences, but other than the bad frames (that Toyota stood behind) I don't know anyone who got a lemon from Toyota. I cannot say that about Ford or Chevy.

Pretty coarse grain for maple IMO.

I own both. I like my Silverado, but the electrical/computer issues are driving me nuts. My Tacoma is a gem in comparison

Happy holidays AND birthday Wooly. Thanks for all the art and photography you bring to this site. Hoping for more to come in 2019!

A Toyota will consistently make it to 200K. I'm not so sure about the others. I don't know anyone who got a "bad" 4runner, but I have seen plenty of GM products with issues.

Congrats! That's pretty exciting. Good luck with the scouting.

I don't believe that at all. It is a different kind of crime, but a cashless society suffers from identity theft. I also don't believe for a second that the debts from identity theft just disappear. I think everyone pays for those debts, just like in a mismanaged health care system. I was taught as a farm kid that "Cash is king!" and I haven't seen a thing to change my mind.

Dang! Sure is busy behind your house, Fletch.

Glad to hear you were busy and successful hunting. Good luck trapping Stone!

Not even close to "Live", but my season ended on Sunday. Deer season is over in VT for another year. The freezer if full, but it was a difficult season in some ways. I had trouble with trespassers and thieves. Some of that will be fixed next year with a gate. On the other hand, there will be venison. Filled a tag during bow season. Never saw a shooter during rifle season. Tracked up a small one to top off the freezer during muzzleloader season. I got to spend most of a month in the woods. Saw some amazing sunrises and sunsets. Saw two giant owls on different occasions. I almost always hunt alone, so it was fun to hunt with my best friend for a couple days. We spent some time on a new piece of ground last week and both brought home deer. I'm thankful for the venison and the time in the woods. I already can't wait for next year!

I think time of year makes a ton of difference, as there is quite a bit of variation. I guess it depends how "rutted up" I am.

My grandfather has a Marlin 336 with a peep. I have been thinking of getting one, since I'm trying to do more walking. (I wouldn't call what I do tracking or still hunting) It would be hard to go back to open sights at this point. I will have to give that some thought. My pick would be a Marlin 30/30 too.

I agree. 40% of dressed weight seems to be what I get. This is true if I butcher myself, or take to the processor I use back home.

I have burned a little more than normal. Our house is small, so we only go through a couple cords. I'm not sure I have burned a half cord yet. Certainly has been colder than normal for November. The wood stove sure feels nice. If I run short I can grab some from the 4 or 5 cords that I have yet to sell. Sunday is the last day of deer hunting in Vermont, so I will be back to cutting trees. I have some dead elm that need to be cleaned out of the hedgerow. My brother and my best friend have only cut about 10% of the wood they need for the winter. They both got caught by the 18-20" of snow that came down awhile back. I'm sure I will be headed over that way with my saws as well. It's a never-ending cycle.

Thanks Biz's Dad!

Inside tenderloins with carmelized onions and red wine reduction, wild rice and ginger ale glazed carrots. Oh, and a Mountain Ale from Shed brewery in Stowe, VT.

This makes me laugh. My father-in-law went with me to take down a hub blind here at the house. I guess he needed something to do. He tried to "help", but finally realized that there is no reasoning with a hub blind. "Turn it clock-wise, no counter clockwise..." Right. We got it, but it's always a cluster. It's even worse when one folds right up, because then you think you have something figured out.

I really like the Evoldi signing. I think he's a good fit. It's an added bonus that the Yanks and Astros were after him. He gives the Sox lots of flexibility. It's good to see some deals getting done early!