greybeard

As stated above they are predators of small birds and eat their eggs. I saw one grab and eat a small bird one morning . The first one I ever shot was in 1966 while rat hunting in a dump and was hooked.. I bought 2 crow calls that year and now have approx. 25 hand calls. Crows have their own language,..greeting.. warning.. fighting.. mourning. and .dying (injured) calls. When you learn them it's even more fun. ( I always carry predator calls with me in the woods and have had crows come into distress calls numerous times, but when crow hunting I wouldn't depend on a predator call unless they didn't respond to the crow calls.) I had read a lot about them thru the years and hunted and called as I thought I should, and did well. Then a few years ago I found a crow hunter online who had a calling instruction tape which explained their language , I bought it and learned the calls he demonstrated and my numbers called in went substantially higher and could get them crazy at times and knew why.. The ecalls can be really good, but I like hand calls. I have bought tapes into the field a few times and called them in by mouth and when I was ready to shoot turned on the tape to keep them there a little longer, I use a few crow decoys and sometimes an owl deke, I've also called in many without dekes, but if you can use decoys you'll do much better....I saw a hawk decoy in a hardware catalog a while ago for around $15, which I would " THINK " would work well, but just never got around to ordering it .( I think it was ACE hardware, but don't remember).. I'll check it out one of these days. I'm a believer in camo especially a face mask. Good luck

Great photos... I went to your site after seeing these... You have spectacular photos on the site...Both my wife and I are very impressed.. Thanx for sharing them.. you have a gift !!

Dinsdale.. Thank you, it made me hungry

He made a mistake....o.k... but wasn't Paul Ryan introduced as the next President of the U.S. and the Gov. of Arizona erred when she said that we should vote for Obama and meant Romney... Eastwood said that Obama started the was in Afghanistan, and said that we don't need Ivy league lawyers(he didn't know the Governor's credentials) ( I'm para phrasing) ...They're just mistakes that we all make.. When you're on the right those liberals are stupid.. when your on the left it's the stupid conservatives... These are all non issues, they make for funny reading, but for "me" it ends there.( I laugh at both sides)

Paula.... Thank you for posting the video...I've never seen air skinning before... I can skin pretty quickly, and .I generally would skin in the woods, but if you bring them home that sure looks like a clean and easy way to do it....I'd like to find his squirrel cooking video, I would like to see how he cooks them, I know he can teach this old dog new tricks....Thanks again

I never hunted for squirrels in Sept., I always waited until at least Oct., and sometimes Nov. so the weather was cooler. In this heat, how do you keep the meat from spoiling. When I used to Sept. goose hunt I had a set up where I could get them into a cooler quickly... Since I hunted squirrels in cooler weather I gutted them immediately and most times skinned them when I was leaving and put them into a cooler, but in Sept. I wouldn't want to wait long to get the meat on ice... .( For many years I have carried coolers in the car for all game so it would be kept cool for the ride home..... I breast most birds)

Sretccher guy.. Maybe I'm misinterpreting, but you state that you've had the hunting licenses since the spring, Therefore, I ASSUME that it is this years license which expires on Sept. 30, 2012. The hunting license year is from Oct. 1 until Set. 30... So to hunt from 10/01/12 for the license year ending Sept. 30, 2013 you need to renew.. . Squirrel/rabbit open Nov. 1 on Long Island.. sorry if I misinterpreted, but I once went upstate to hunt with a guy who didn't realize the dates, and when we got into the woods to set up noticed that my tag was a different color than his.He hadn't renewed it. We had to leave and find a place for him to get a license before we could go back to hunt. Check the seasons and you'll see that for some species you can hunt with that license thru this Sept.

Stretcher Guy.. .I am not sure if airguns are permitted for on hunting on L.I., but a call to the DEC Law Enforcement , Stoney Brook may answer that. Also as stated above call DEC and ask for hunting info just in case it's not on the computer. As far as SOME places to hunt.. try this.. I think it's right : go to DEC,NY website.. click on hunting.. click on Places to Hunt... click on Hunting on Long Island.( read it) then. scroll down to NYDEC Managed Hunting Areas and click. It gives you maps etc. There are many rules, and they are enforced.. so read them.. Also in season, for a few of the areas, you need to check in at the Coop check station, off route 25 in Ridge,...turn in your license.. sign in and get a daily permit, and a parking permit for your dashboard.... at the end of the day you check back, report your take and get your license back For SOME areas you get a seasonal hunting permit then just hunt. without going to the check station... Off season ( before Nov. 1 and after Dec. 31) the coop check station is closed so you need the seasonal permit... (The coop may be closed on weekdays during the L.I. firearms deer season in January, so it's open for deer hunting by lottery only.. no small game.) Make sure if you want to hunt the coop that you find out specifically what the rules for air guns are there.., they have some coop rules... I think that you apply for the seasonal permit online now.. you can apply for the coop and wetlands.. it's free.. the permit used to be for 3 years, but I'm not sure anymore.. There are designated parking spots in the coop areas which you must use.. they will specify how many cars can park there. As you will see from the maps there are many parking areas, but they do fill up There is a reservation system also, but I don't remember exactly how it works ( I used to, but just can't remember and I don't want to guess) .Find out about it because it can eliminate driving there and not being able to hunt because the coop is full... Also, as I recall ,you need reservations on weekends , and holidays (Double check) They stock pheasants weekly.. shotgun only EVEN if air guns are allowed There are squirrels, and rabbits, but in all my years hunting there I only saw one woodchuck ( I walked right up on it, but had small shot, so I didn't shoot it). Watch for ticks !! I've gotten lots of them. I'm sure I left something out, but this is the best I can remember.. Please double check my info because although I first started hunting there in the mid 60's, I haven't hunted there in about 3 years and things change.. I hope this helps.. good luck

I am not very political and am neither Conservative , or Liberal.. I'm in the middle and am usually not to happy about either party. I watch both Liberal and Conservative News shows to make choices and many times to figure out who is lying. I have made some observations and thought I would ask people on this site what they thought. After Governor Romney was chosen as the Republican candidate it appeared to me that there was not the excitement that I thought that there would be. There were rather mild endorsements from some and I felt that many people in the party were not happy. ( There were some very silent political types) After listening, reading and watching it APPEARED to me that the TEA Party(including the religious right) was really not excited the Governor winning. .(I have also been told by some TEA party friends that they were no longer Republicans, and that they were now TEA Party.) I discussed this with some friends and told them that I believed that many TEA party supporters would say that they were behind Governor Romney , but would rather President Obama win this election so that they could build forces and win the next election with their candidate. I had many reasons why and how they would prepare, but it's better discussed then written. One of my points was that if the Governor wins it will keep a more conservative candidate out for AT LEAST eight years . Another point is that the voting public will want a change of party after eight years of a president, in this case President Obama, and it would be the perfect time to have a TEA party candidate win. I thought most would disagree, and tell me that my old brain was gone, but I was not criticized as I thought that I would be, and some thought that it was a POSSIBILITY.(Obviously, some disagreed) This morning I watched a more Liberal news show and was surprised when the question was asked if the panel thought that the TEA party would do as I had thought, and let President Obama win this one to gather forces and prepare to win the next election with a TEA party candidate.. Since apparently I am not the only one that had such thoughts I was wondering what you thought. Remember this is only a thought that I had, not a fact, or wish...

growalot... I have seen it cooked that way too. It's not for me.. I cook it a bit. I'm not taking any chances gettin' sick..I agree with you.. RARE.. eeewww.. I couldn't have expressed it better. It's not like chicken at all (in my opinion). some ducks taste kind of like liver. I make it different ways ( I should say my darling wife does), and she can doctor it up pretty good, she had some way she made them that were really good.. I am quite a messy guy so I;'m kind of not allowed in the kitchen , but when I did it myself (when she wasn't home ) I fried them with Italian sausage and I liked them that way,, but these days I keep away from fried food. I have never shot a duck upstate, but an old duck hunter once told me that the ducks up there tasted better because the food was better. Down here on L.I. he said they hit the saltwater and the taste is more like liver... I have NO idea if he was right... I did stop shooting some ducks because they tasted and sometimes smelled pretty bad.... not to appetizing a thought is it

I agree that shooting civilians is not acceptable even though it's bound to happen in some situations. I don't think that we should base opinions on the media reports. I'd rather see whet IAD, and the NY District Attorney say. Many times , as we all know the media is wrong. I've read and heard that people disagreed with the George Zimmerman reports on the news because it didn't report what they thought it should because it affected gun rights. even though an unarmed young person was shot. ( We'll see what happens there now that there will be a trial.) So in my opinion we should wait for an official investigation before judging the PD.

Grouse.. I was typing my reply when you wrote in your last post... My question still is do YOU have law enforcement background, making arrests, executing warrants, etc. in a big city. Do you have frequent personal dealings with the NYPD ? There are people from all walks of life that don't do their jobs well.I would not defend all people from any job.including NYPD, but my experience is that overall they do a very good job in very tough conditions

grouse... There was a time when republicans were for law enforcement.. You guys sure have changed.. In fact you sound exactly like some of my liberal friends when they criticize law enforcement based on what they read. I've had many disagreements with them on issues such as this. They'll be happy that you joined them. I guess there's a new party coming... the new liberal republican ..Ronald Reagan is turning in his grave... I guess you're not a Rudy G. supporter.. I have had a lot of experience in dealing with NYC cops, and knew many of them and disagree with your analysis. Please answer me this.. What law enforcement experience do you have ? If you have any was it in a big city like NYC ? I really think that you should back your opinion with first hand knowledge and from YOUR experiences in enforcing the law. How many fugitives have you arrested ? How many arrest warrants for violent criminals have you enforced ? How many armed suspects have you encountered ? etc. etc. It's easy to pass judgement when you have the luxury of not being there. People with carry permits are not required to enforce the law and can walk away, they strap on a gun by choice. In addition,for those who are against ALL gun control, look around the city.. go to all the different neighborhoods day, or night, but nights are better, and tell me that you want ALL of the residents to carry legal firearms. If all guns are easily legally obtained YOU can't decide who YOU think should have one. EVERYONE is EVERYONE.. you don't chose.. Everyone wants smaller gov't these days so tell me who's going to do backgrounds on millions of people who want guns. Imagine how long you'd wait for a permit...also what an expense.. I thought the new term was (T)axed (E)nough (A)lready Do you propose no background checks ? There's a lot of thugs (old term), who'd like that

Maybe some don't remember, but in the past year 2 law enforcement officers were shot on L.I. by mistake.. Both were in towns very close to me One plain clothes officer was shot by an officer from another jurisdiction(not Nassau Co.), the other shooter was a retired cop. Both shooters believed that they were right and were highly trained. .In addition, the other day a man was apprehended by citizens as he was chasing a woman. The citizens believed that he was going to harm her, when in fact SHE just robbed him. They were WRONG !! Question, what if the male victim had a gun (he didn't) and had drawn it,and an armed citizen saw the weapon, and shot because he believed that the victim was the violator...Or if when apprehended he(the victim) thought that HIS attacker(s)was(were) partners with the female and violently fought back. What would an armed citizen do...we can't answer that , but it could be tragic I remember reading posts about the movie theater shooting where many believed an armed citizen was the answer. What if there were a few armed citizens and no one knew who was who....You hear shots, you're confused, you see a man with a gun and you think that he is the killer. you shoot and find out later that he was trying to help... what if the cops arrived and saw the armed citizen shooting... What if an armed citizen started shooting in the city in this case... Things aren't always as neat and clear as on T.V..shows. I can give more examples, but I hope that my point is made with just these. An armed citizen sounds good on paper and many times it has saved lives, but it can have it's severe consequences.. I am not a fan of Mayor Bloomberg, but what is he to do when so many of the citizens in the city governed by him are shot. Innocent children being shot in parks,on the street, or in their residences. I really don't have the answer to what would be effective, but something has to be done.( I think longer sentences is the answer, but I'm no expert.) In closing, most won't like this. I believe that if these shootings continue around the country, that no matter who becomes President we will have more gun control . I know what many think of Obama on gun control, but read Governor Romney's opinions while Governor). Proponents of gun control are not happy with either ones' records. As an aside, President Obama has not signed any gun control bills that I am aware of and in fact while President changed 3 federal gun restrictions in favor of gun owners.... I listen to both sides, and I'm still listening..

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I know that many predator calls on the market make the same sounds, so it isn't unusual to buy one that sounds like another that you have. So when I found a call that I wanted and noticed are 5 calls on the market that seem very similar I wasn't surprised. However, I am interested in adding one, or all to my call collection and was wondering if anyone uses one of the below listed calls, and if they are DURABLE. I can imitate the sounds of the 2 that I've heard with other calls, but I just NEED more calls.( I only have about 25, or so predator mouth calls) The calls in question are : UK Fox Call. (you can hear it on youtube) Haydel's sv-87 squeal type varmint call ( you can hear it on Haydel's site) Wolfer's Harp (made by Crit'r Calls) Burnham Brother's s-2 Close range and s-4 mini squeal. Two days ago I made one that sounded like the UK Fox Call and the Haydel's, but the latex om my call didn't last, nor did another material that I tried. So since I have to have one of these I was wondering if anyone knows if the above calls hold up to a lot of calling.( I know that they will work, because I have called fox imitating their sounds)

Elmo.. .I understand your issues. I have questioned myself quite a few times over the years. I believe you should be guided by your own conscience, It's good to understand why others hunt, but be guided by your own values. I like to eat game birds,some waterfowl, turkey and squirrel so I have no problem taking some for food. I was a coon hunter for a number of years and myself and most times the men I hunted with had a one coon per night rule. Even though there was no limit, and some nights the hounds treed a few coons, we imposed our own limit so as not to wipe out the local populations in our VERY limited spots. During my waterfowl days I also limited the number of kills and would not shoot ducks that tasted like low tide. As far as fox and crows, neither of which I, or any friends would eat, I did "mostly" calling . Kind of catch and release.(obviously I didn't literally catch them). I am not opposed to shooting them and through the years I have taken a number of crows that I called by hand calls.. ( I realize that some predator and varmint control is necessary.) I have spots where neither species is hunted and call as many as I want and not screw it up for the predator guys.( The only thing anyone hunts in some of those spots are ducks). By calling I get the thrill of the hunt, and don't have to skin anything.. The fox and crows will become very wary so you have to continuously change calls and strategies. I've had some really great calling only hunts for different species ...If you try just calling, use caution with predators, I carry a rather long stick and have had to poke a few , or they would have been on me.and I could have possibly been bitten.Maybe it's rare, but it could happen. There's a good video on youtube which shows a raccoon attacking the caller. I have 0 experience with coyotes. and bobcats.

Fasteddie... I've made some calls with metal reeds and some with mylar.. I'll try the squeaker from a toy and put it.in a pen as you suggested Thank you for the idea.

ERRUSSEL . .I'm pretty sure you're joking about who democrats are especially since illegal's can't vote.I have heard some of that before from the right ( The left has some stuff about Republicans too). I don't want to get into who stereotypes who, and which one is right. My purpose is not to insult. I spend most of my days fishing, and at one time many days hunting so I know many sportsmen and "SOME" of their political ideas. I have found many democrats who fish and hunt, I know some democrat power lifters, cops, firemen, construction workers, business owners, etc. . Many are not opposed to gun ownership,or hunting. Some have different views on some of the ideas that are associated with dems. They are democrats for their own reasons..( I do also know many who are very left). I also know republicans who are opposed to hunting and want more gun legislation.They are republicans for entirely different issues. I am friends, or acquainted with people who are republicans as well as others who are democrats that favor same sex marriage. Based on the above it is "MY " opinion that we should not stereotype people by their political party. I personally wouldn't chose a candidate based on his/her party. I listen to their views on issues that I believe in, then I listen to other opposition's views then I decide. I

Why do people use the Bible so much to decide on what's right, or wrong for the country ? The Bible should not decide our laws.Times changed Through the years I've heard many people quote the Bible and most of the time only the parts that they like.They also preach that they know how God is going to judge. How they know that I'll never figure out . I'm not a religious person, but have read some of the Bible.. I read above about Sermon on the Mount. Correct me if I'm wrong , but wasn't it said in Sermon on the Mount something like if a man looks at a woman with lust he's committing adultery and it's better to pluck out his eye than to commit that sin( I think it was stronger then that). Well I know a lotta Bible quoters and supposedly religious people droolin' over some married women and none of 'em are wearing eye patches. So I guess that one didn't apply... Or when asked about the 2 greatest commandments didn't Jesus say that one of them was love your neighbor.. I read some liberal hating on this site and not just the ideas,they hate the liberals (their neighbors) . I guess they are not Bible people since one of the top 2 was love your neighbor.. So should we condemn the violators of those 2 teachings too, or just the one about the one's we chose,like same sex relationships. If a person believes in God's judgement, how will he be judged for those 2 sins.. I am neither liberal, or conservative. I chose an issue I listen to both sides and decide. I am in favor of same sex marriage.Gays were born Gay, so who am I to judge, especially since it is based on love between 2 consenting adults. Unlike the womanizers, or neighbor hater's who chose their "sin", homosexuals were born with the desire for someone of the same sex, so how can that be sinful especially since it hurts no one. I know some say if we allow that then "they" can allow some other extensions of marriage. I think that's all nonsense . The issue is solely same sex marriage. I also ,know some will say that some people are born with desires that are dangerous, well that's not the case for same sex love between two adults. I don't think that the elected officials should have made an issue against the CEO's first amendment rights because he did not say he wouldn't serve them. However, it went public and people were offended and hurt because it sounded to me like he said they're going to be condemned by God. If you own a company that serves the public, you are entitled to your opinions and to say them out loud. However , when you do, you have to realize that if your statements are hurtful the subject's of your remarks will be highly offended. So he , as an intelligent man must have realized that . I, as a hunter,am offended by organizations that preach that I am going to hell because I kill God's creature's . How many hunter's, or gun owner's would by food from an animal rights activist. If a CEO of a company was on tv and said we were murders would you boycott them and tell people here and everywhere else to do the same...

GrouseHunter.. I forgot one more place to ask.. The Nassau County Fish and Game Association

GrouseHunter.. I think the name of the club who held the duck Id class when I took it is .. The Southshore Waterowlers Assoc... I'm pretty sure that hey have a website.....I am not a member so I'm not sure of when they meet, but I think it's on their site... The members that I met were very nice and helped answer a number of questions for me. They also hold a duck hunting event around October ( It's ben at Cedar Beach off Ocean Parkway for the past few years)..They post small signs in Oct. on the Wantagh and Ocean parkways If you can't get a hold of the club, you can ask at the event.. I think it's a dollar , or two to get in.) If they don't do the class anymore I would think that the DEC in Stoneybrook would know.. I THINK that there is also a North shore club also, but I'm not sure. Also , on the internet you can look up Duck's at a Distance to help ID species, but in my opinion you can't beat the class.. I thought that it was great. Good Luck..

Since you're questions have been answered by other's I will try to answer the one on dressing the bird. As a side note, after you know the rules they're easy to follow. I found that the biggest issue is duck identification. I took a course on L.I. and got a little handbook . I think it was called "Ducks at a Distance" It was in color and I carried it with me. If you can't identify it DON'T shoot. I have been checked by DEC quite a bit even having them check my kayak when I used it (I don't shoot from the kayak). My way of preparing birds: BREASTING (it's pretty easy) I leave a cooler with ice in the car for the ride home. . When I get home I clean (breast) the bird(s) I use a single edge razor blade, or scalpel.You can cut yourself when using a single edge razor. ( I skinned a lot of game and those are "MY " preferences, but a small sharp knife works fine)..Also when I skin it to the anus I usually don't puncture the belly bag with the thin blades , so there's less mess, and I don't get any guts on the meat Most times I breast the bird Birds kind of have a natural line down the center of the breast bone Lay the bird on it's back Seperate the feathers down the center by guiding them to the left side and the right side with your fingers (like parting your hair down the center of your head) You will now see the skin and feel the center of the breast bone Make an incision down the center Keep your blade on top of the the breast bone As you pass the bone try not to cut into the belly bag (it's neater that way) If you have inards coming out just remove them and disgard them. If my blade touches the guts I clean it before using in on the meat, or use a new blade. I also wash my hands after gutting (if I gut it) before thouching the meat ). Pinch and pull the skin up on one side to prepare for the incision Slide knife between the skin and meat Skin it until the whole breast is exposed and you have pulled the skin is out of the way. You can use your fingers to seperate most of the skin after you skinned a bit with the knife, or you can use the knife to do the whole thing Filet it like a fish by running your blade or knife along the bone Do the same for the other side Remove and wash meat and remove as much shot as you can find Pat dry and freeze, or prepare to eat it ( I usually soak birds in icey, or very cold water in the fridge for a bit to get some of the blood out of the meat) I don't know how many people soak the meat , but I was told to do that when I was younger so that's just wat I always did. If you do soak it then rinse it off and pat it dry before eating, or freezing. Hope I didn't leave anything out and hope this helps I told a young friend once to look at a whole unskinned chicken that he brought home from the grocery store and look at it when it's on it's back and he'd see what I meant in case I wasn't clear. Since the feather's were off he saw the way the skin sat and figured where and how to make the cuts I do pluck some, but when I do I have feathers flying all over from the ones that I miss putting in the bag, especially on geese Then I have feather's flying all over my yard, or worse in my garage. Also with breasting, if I do it not too long after shooting I don't gut it, so less mess.. I don't care to eat the skin, wings or the legs so that's why I prefer "breasting", and it's neat.( If you lived on LI you can skin the legs, and the upper wing later and try it for crab bait. If I was careful when breasting I can prepare the skin for mounting( I don't do that anymore) Some of the feather's are good for fly tying. ps ... What duck call are you going to use ( I like calling so I'm always interested in what guys use)

Fasteddie .. You're right the "kiss of death" really works. ( I like the term)..I've used it when they've come close. I've watched reds mousing a couple of times it's really amazing to watch how they pounce. Red Fox absolutely fascinate me I do mouse/rodent squeaks also trilling my tongue to do bird distress calls and cupping most of my closed reed calls will do pheasant. All my calls will do rabbit I prefer open reed calls because of their versatility, but use both open and closed reed calls.. I've called fox also with pheasant calls , duck calls, and turkey calls .I did use a tape years back with rabbit distress and called in some gray fox.That was in the early 70's before they had the sophisticated equipment of todayI( I taped a 45 record with the rabbit sounds that I bought in the 60's). The E calls today are amazing, but I'm really just into the hand calls . I guess it's like some guys hunt with muzzleloaders and some like a modern centerfire rifle. Both are great and do the job, it's just preference. Also I can just put a call in my pocket go to a field, or woodlot, or head out in my kayak to fish, pull to shore and call crows, fox, or whatever, and not worry about ruining the call. I actually put various calls in my car pretty much everyday in case I get the bug to call. I was wondering what brand calls that the predator hunter's use

I've been trying to call a red fox for the past month using mouth calls. There are a few old dens in the area and been trying near a new one. I've been kayaking to the spot every few days using different calls and different sounds , but just couldn't get one to come . This area is one of my favorite fox calling spots and I have called in quite a few near this spot last year. I finally got one to come in today using a call that I never use. I varied the sounds on the call from bird, to rabbit , to rodent and even to pheasant . I don't know which one got him to initially head my way, but as he approached closer he became skittish and started heading away, and at the end the cottontail sound got him to turn and come closer.. I have a lot of calls, including quite a number of predator calls, and was wondering what predator calls hunter's on this site use .