stubborn1VT

Vermont added crossbows for hunters over 55 years old. I'm against it, though I haven't seen any direct impact. Yet. I'm not concerned about changing anyone else's opinion on that matter, but I have MY reasons wanting bow season to stay the same. I hate change in general. Bow season IS my "special time". It's special because of the time of year and the weather, and because the deer on a more natural pattern. That makes them easier for me to see them, and kill them. So I'm against anything that would change that. I don't have to worry so much about road hunters, trespassers, deer drives, and all the traffic in and out of the woods that I associate with gun/ML seasons. When somebody get a crossbow, the first thing I hear from them is "Man, you wouldn't believe how FAR I can shoot with this thing. It's so EASY." That's not what bow hunting is about for me. You can call me elitist, but bow hunting is about getting close, undetected, making a clean shot and recovery. Plenty of people can do those same things with a Xbow, but plenty will shoot too far, wound deer, and hurt the sport. My friends and I talk about getting lucky during rifle season. We look at taking a mature doe or a buck with a bow as both skill and luck. Every clean kill with a stick and string feels like a trophy. Many serious hunters in VT leave the state after bow season to hunt where there is more deer, or bigger woods. If it wasn't for the peace and quiet of bow season, I would join them. I'm not saying a Xbow is the same as a rifle, shotgun, or ML, but it isn't truly a bow either. That goes both ways. It isn't as challenging as a vertical bow, and it isn't as effective as a firearm. I'm not writing this in regards to NY in particular. Just some thoughts from VT, where we don't have nearly as much land, or nearly as many deer, overall. I just want my chance to hunt deer that are not overly pressured, in the peace and quiet, while the leaves change and fall. If Xbows effect that, then I am against them.

That reel might be a bit big for steelhead, or at least feel big. I would think it's perfect for salmon. I think you're correct in thinking of two different spools. I would run lighter line for steelhead. The rod is top notch, as long as you're used to one that's 10'+. You can get by with all manner of gear, but IMO it's a good river set-up for what you're doing. Merry Christmas!

Borrowed .32/40. Shot a 5 point at 18yds.

I have always had a 50mm on my Browning A-bolt Synthetic Stalker in 7mm Rem Mag. I love it! The 7mm has the full length barrel and pretty big stock, so the big scope seems to fit. It is a heavy combo, not doubt about it. I am an all-day sit rifle hunter, so it's no big thing to me. I believe that I see more with the extra light both early and late. My 2 cents, free of charge.

I tried this years ago. Shot over the back of a forkhorn at 25yds. The arrow planed upward after going through the mesh. I won't make the same mistake. I like the mesh for concealment, but I'm with Grow, it's tough to see through in low light conditions. Last year, I switched from pop-up blinds to brush blinds. I've had too much trouble with smart old does that pick up the windows on my pop-ups. I call them "black holes". No matter how well I brushed in a blind, I always got busted. I used brush and saplings from releasing apple trees, and wove some brush blinds instead. Sorry about the tangent. Point being, there's no windows to shoot through in my brush blinds.

Wasp Jak-hammers all the way. Been using them about 15 years. They're tough, dependable, and $30 or less.

Hey all. I am looking for advice on putting in a couple woods plots. As background, I am in Vermont, grew up on a dairy farm, have a 32Hp Kabota w loader, and am looking to make the most of the properties I have to hunt. (I don't hunt in NY, or plan to, but you folks have similar weather conditions and a WEALTH of information.) My past plot experience has all been in old pasture land, but over the past couple years I have cleared two plots in the woods while I cut firewood for me and my brother. The two plots are 1/6th acre and almost a 1/2 acre, and are adjacent to destination plots/fields. Do you recommend a disc in this situation over a 3pt hitch tiller? How big a disc? Throw & Grow? I haven't done soil test yet, but plan to. Should I start with something super easy to grow the first year? Or just put in the clover & chicory that I want to end up with? Would brassicas like daikon/GH be a better first year choice? I imagine the pH in a woods plot would be low to start. Does anyone have experience with a fast acting lime to boost pH? I heard Cargill makes something like this. Sorry for so many questions. Our deer season ended awhile ago, so I've been brainstorming on next year and getting excited about these plots, more soybeans, new apple trees, and maybe some hinge cutting. Any insight would be appreciated.

Winter wheat is commonly used as a cover crop after the corn is harvested, or on fallow ground. It prevents erosion and provides "green manure" when it's plowed down in the spring. If the deer eat it - Bonus! But it's mostly just there to condition the soil.