2010 HUNTING SEASON CLOSES

     Since I have been traveling a lot and had a couple bouts with not feeling well, I haven't been able to write for a while.
    We finished up the 2010 hunting season with some mixed results. Overall, I count it as successful but it certainly could have been a lot better.

(some of the deer tagged this year in 2010 hunting seasons
my doe for the freezer with muzzleloader)

(Ramona's first)

(Gary's nice Adirondack buck)

    Each one of my hunting partners this year, tagged at least one deer for the freezer or for the wall. As shown earlier, my daughter took her first deer with the muzzleloader. I also took a flathead with the muzzle loader and my son took a doe during the Pennsylvania antlerless season. Gary took a nice nine-point buck in the southern region of the Adirondacks during the first weekend of November, and it was a beautiful deer.
   So each of us put venison in the freezer but that is about all that can be said. I hunted two days in Pennsylvania and never saw a single deer. This is very unusual in that I usually see about 15 to 20 deer each day of hunting. I also did not see the number of hunters as I usually do. I think the lack of hunters had direct impact on the sighting of deer.
   I hope your hunting season was a bit more successful. We are already planning ahead for next year. We'll have to wait and see what that brings.

TOP TEN GUN SAFETY RULES

While handling a gun or firearm, safety is of top importance. In our state, with the legalization of air guns for hunting, I use the term gun instead of firearm because an air gun should be treated as any other hunting implement in the area of safety concerns.  Most accidents are due to careless and unsafe gun handling within a group of hunters known to each other. So especially while in your hunting group, practice these safety rules without exception.

(even in photo sessions, notice the open action, unloaded  rifle and muzzle directed in safe direction - think safety first)

1. Always be aware of where the muzzle of your gun is directed. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction. Never pass it across the group or an individual within the group.
2. All guns are to be treated as if they are loaded. It doesn’t matter if you are 100% positive it is unloaded. Still treat the gun as if it has a load in the chamber.
3. Unload all guns if not in immediate use. Unload, case and store guns when you are not using them. It is a good idea to leave the action open, thereby giving an immediate visual as to it’s state with just a glance.
 4. While in the field. Regularly check of the condition of your gun barrel. Unload and make sure there is
no obstruction in the barrel, especially following a period when you may have been sitting on the ground or anytime you may have set the gun down on the ground.
5. Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard. Unless you actually plan to shoot at that instant, do not keep your finger any place near the trigger. Do not depend fully on the guns mechanical safety, they have been known to fail. Many have squeezed a trigger without even knowing they were doing so, causing an unsafe discharge of the gun.
6. Know exactly what your target is and what is beyond the target. It is your responsibility to know not only what you are shooting at, but what is around the target and in the path of the bullet. Even if a bullet should pass through the target, as often happens, it may travel some distance before next contact. You must know what is beyond your target and what is in the immediate vicinity.
7. Never point your gun at something you don’t intend to shoot. The scope on your rifle is not for spotting game or identifying objects. Don’t allow any horseplay within your group.
8. Use extreme caution while moving around with a gun, especially a loaded gun in a hunting situation. Do not climb fences or trees, run or jump or do any activity that might compromise the control of where the muzzle is pointed at all times. Picking up a gun, do not pull the muzzle toward yourself, always pick it up by the butt stock with the muzzle facing in a safe direction away from you. Unload the gun before climbing a fence or tree stand or crossing an obstacle.
9. The storage of guns and ammunition is extremely important. Safely store guns in locked cases or cabinets, secure from prying eyes and inquisitive youngsters or those careless adults that might be around. Always store the ammunition away from and separate from the gun to minimize the chance of an accident in case the gun is discovered unattended by one of the above individuals.
10. Drugs and Alcohol do not mix with loaded guns. Never drink before shooting or during shooting. This is a bad mixture. If you are taking certain behavioral medications, you should consider not handling guns or firearms while doing so. These are prescribed medications that have warnings on the package about operation of dangerous equipment.
If you practice these safety rules at all times, you will have many years of safe hunting and shooting, thereby greatly enjoying the experiences you have outdoors in pursuit of game. No game animal is worth the cost of a hunting accident due to careless gun handling. I believe the instruction in this area of safe gun handling is one of the most important successes of the hunter safety training programs. We have seen a decrease many years in hunting accidents, of the younger hunters going afield, by those who have done well in hunter training courses. I was a hunter safety trainer for over a decade and these safety rules were repeatedly drilled into the thinking of the young hunters. Following these rules minimizes any accidents and helps make our shooting sports one of the safest outdoor sports to engage in.

ADIRONDACK BUCK TAKEN IN 2010

This is the first opportunity to get back here in quite a few days. Following our trip to hunting camp last weekend and catching up on jobs needing attention, it has been busy.
     Not many have to travel south to reach deer camp in the Adirondacks, but that is just what we did. My hunting partner, Gary, and I headed out on November 5th for the southern-central part of the Adirondacks. We were going to hunt with the crew at Weaver's Deer Camp in Lake Pleasant, New York.
    We arrived without mishap, which is always good, and settled into camp life for the evening. During the night a slight skiff of snow fell and the temperatures dropped below the freezing mark. This was a good sign for the hunting the next day.

(Adirondack nine-pointer taken 2010)

     We started Saturday out by taking stands early in the morning, along the base of the mountain right behind camp. What a bust! Nothing showed, not a thing was moving. On the second stand, Gary did connect with a nice nine-pointer that, although it was young, had a very impressive rack. As you see it has some nice long tines coming off the main beam and is about 17 inches across. As close as we can figure, it seems to be about a 2 1/2 or 3 year old buck.

(A first Adirondack buck for Gary)

   That was the total success for the day, but that was enough. Quite a hunt. This was Gary's first true Adirondack buck, since he doesn't hunt often in the Adirondack Mt. Park area. We live just out of the blue line north of the park area and much of our hunting is usually woodlots and fields of the agricultural area around us. This area in Lake Pleasant is a real deep woods hunting experience, where you can easily make a wrong turn and end up miles from where you planned to be. Compass and map reading is a must before you venture forth.
   Still a number of weeks of deer hunting to go, plus a trip down to Pennsylvania for their opener at the end of the month.

PRACTICE RIFLE SHOOTING

         I was out shooting my rifle, in anticipation of the upcoming deer season, the other day and realized just how enjoyable time spent at the range can be. This is something I have always had a hard time getting my mind around; Why hunters are reluctant or find it a drudgery to spend time shooting their hunting rifle.

(one type of deer rifle in 30-06 cal. that is a pleasure to shoot)

  Certainly, in today’s economy, the price of ammunition has risen sharply. Even if you reload, you have felt the crunch of the dollar at the bench. But I think many riflemen have found the secret that bow hunters have known for a long time. That is, it is better to shoot a few arrows each day than try shooting dozens of arrows all at one time. So it is with rifle shooting. I know that for many this means extra work, and travel to and from the range, but it is better to shoot a few shots more often than try to shoot a box or two of shells all at once. As one TV outdoor show host ends his segment with the admonition “… shoot more often!” This is excellent advice for each of us.
I believe this was brought home to me at a very early age. I grew up in the home of a gunsmith, who was also the son of a gunsmith. There was always a flurry of activity, just before deer hunting season opened, where many of the local hunters would bring their firearms to my father and want them sighted in for the upcoming season. During a particularly active year you would often hear Dad say something like, “I really don’t know why all these guys don’t shoot their own rifles! That is part of the fun of getting ready for season.” But he would pack up three or four of the rifles and we would head for the shooting range.
Once we reached the shooting range, which was a large gravel pit on our neighbors farm, where my Dad was the only one with permission to shoot and thus build a shooting bench on the property, he would set me up with one of the rifles and say, “Get that one on paper and then I’ll be over to fine tune it.” I got introduced to some very fine rifles and scopes during my teen years. Rugers, Remingtons, Winchesters, Savages, and custom made rifles, all kinds came through his shop and most were of that pre-64 vintage. I often wondered what the customer would say if he knew that, at least partially, a young teenager sighted in their expensive rifle.
Out of that I learned to enjoy the time spent at the shooting bench. There is a sense of purpose but also a sense of otherworldliness. In a reverse type of way, you are connecting with something that is 50, 100 or 200 yards distance. Shooting sports have always held a certain mystique for some. The ability to control the projectile that connects with a distant object or target has a certain headiness to it. To date, I believe my longest shot has been just over 800 yards at a two quart milk jug. I hit it, slightly off-center, on my fourth shot shooting a customized bench gun. Obviously, I would never condone the shooting at game at such distance, it is strictly for the target experience.
Even though deer season has already started here in my part of the state, I will be heading back to the shooting range during season just to check on scope alignment and my own form from time to time. Besides it is so much fun!

TEN THINGS NOT TO DO WHILE ON DEER STAND

Many claim they have been on stand all day and not seen a thing and yet they know that there are deer in the area. Remember that deer have far superior hearing and eyesight than either you or me. Especially me! I have the average eyesight of a guy closing in on sixty years of age, in other words, not as good as it once was. My hearing, however, is even worse. I have about 50 % hearing of what any average person has. I therefore find that I do not hear deer until they are almost on top of me. I therefore have to be especially careful on stand. Here are a few tips I have learned over time and by trial and error.
1. Don’t fidget! Even the slightest movement can alert deer if they are in the area. Constantly moving your hand or boots is a sure way to warn deer off your location.
2. Don’t fall asleep! This should be obvious but I often find myself in danger of this. If you snore, you obviously don’t want to be caught sleeping.
3. Don’t rattle candy wrappers! If you absolutely need candy while on stand, take it out of the crinkling wrapper before you head into the woods. You will be surprised how far this strange sound travels.
4. Don’t sit in an uncomfortable stand! If you aren’t comfortable on stand you won’t sit still. Make sure you can sit relatively comfortably for long periods in your stand.
5. Don’t get so involved in your book that you forget to look up once in awhile! If you must read, take a book that is less exciting than your favorite spellbinder.
6. Don’t forget to turn off your radio, cell phone or any other electronic device! These modern conveniences often have the annoying habit of going off just at the wrong time.
7. Don’t drink excessive amounts of coffee, tea or caffeine laced soda! This is only going to create bathroom calls. This will translate to excess motion.
8. Don’t eat supper in stand! If you really must have a snack, make it a quiet, non-aromatic food that will satisfy the urge and yet won’t alert the deer to your presence. Again, package it in soft wrappers.
9. Don’t clink and clunk around while on stand! Avoid letting your binoculars bounce against your gunstock and any other type of unnatural noise occurring. Metal on metal, plastic on metal, etc. are all going to tell deer that something just isn’t quite right.
10. Don’t forget to shower before going on stand! Use scent free soap and try to wear fresh scent free clothing. Forget the aftershave and cologne, although I had one hunting friend that insisted it was his aftershave that attracted so many deer.
Noise and scent are the two biggest enemies of the deer hunter. You must take precautions to deal with each of these. You can not totally eliminate them, but you can minimize them. Even a carbon suit is not going to eliminate all odors. Just because you think you are real quiet, don’t believe you are fooling the game. While coyote hunting we find that these animals can hear a mouse squeak at a couple hundred yards. That is far superior to our hearing. Cut down on the visual, audio and scent you bring into your hunting area and you should see dramatic effects.

EARLY BLACK POWDER SEASON ENDS

Here in the Northeastern part of New York, the early black powder deer hunting season ended with some mixed reviews. Many reported they were not seeing all that many deer, while others saw quite a few. I saw groups of 4 to 7 while hunting. This year, especially, I think you must find the right food source. We have had such a growing year that there is food anywhere deer want to look. The wild apple trees have been loaded with fruit and the fields remain green. In our immediate area we don’t have a lot of oak trees but we do have some beech trees.
Even though there is an abundance of food, deer will still have their favorite spots to browse. Whether it is because the food tastes better at that spot or because it is just an easier or safer place for the deer to access, there always seems to be some magnet that attracts them. Find that area and you should have greater success.
As I have already posted, my daughter got the first deer of her life on Monday of the muzzleloader season. I think I have another hunting partner. During the early seasons, although I won’t pass up shooting a buck, I am usually looking to fill my tag for the freezer. The rest of the time I can concentrate on filling out buck tags. Like many hunters today, I often end up hunting in at least two different states and many different areas. We have generous hunting seasons, with over two months of deer hunting by the time we get done with bow, muzzleloader and rifle season.
Thursday afternoon of the black powder season, I used my antlerless tag on a large doe. I then processed that for the freezer and am now looking to get back out for rifle season. Unfortunately the weather has turned against us and is so warm the past two days that deer are just not moving. I haven’t been out. I had been planning on changing scopes on my 30-06 and finally did so this year. I have a 3-9x50mm variable on the rifle and it is shooting well. We will see how it performs in the field.
One catastrophe during the black powder season was the dropping of my digital camera and ruining it. It slipped out of my jacket and landed hard on the sidewalk in front of our home. Can't even claim it fell from the tree stand! So before this season gets too old, I guess I will need to look for another point-n-shoot digital to carry. At least it wasn’t my most expensive outfit!

RAMONA TAKES HER FIRST DEER

The muzzleloader season for whitetail deer started this past Saturday. My daughter now lives in New Hampshire and has been putting much of her energy into raising a family over the past few years. It has been about six years since she has been able to hunt deer with me. This year she decided she was able to get back into hunting.

(A successful season with a first deer for Ramona)

We woke on Saturday morning to rainy weather and some windy conditions. We decided that getting soaked wasn’t the best way to start out the hunting season. So we waited until the afternoon to sit on stand the first day. We saw no deer, although there were squirrels plenty and I even heard a couple of turkeys and many Canada geese in flight overhead. We ended the day without a sighting.
We were out again on Monday, October 18th, fairly early in the morning. I put Ramona on stand and I circled around the property in hopes of quietly driving any deer toward her stand. She did not see any deer, although I did sight four deer. The first three were definitely does but the third looked very much like a small buck following them. No shots taken at that time.
We went in for lunch and to see my son, her brother, off. He was on his way back down to Pennsylvania. He had gone out with us on Saturday and did some photography while we hunted. Following his departure, we headed to another location for the afternoon hunt. My friend, Gary Bombard Jr., had a ground blind that we set up and waited for the afternoon feeding to start.

(big smile for a successful hunt)

Ramona and I sat in the same blind for the afternoon. About 5:30 p.m. we saw a small deer about 100 yards out in front of us. Another, this years fawn, came out and the first one started bullying the small one around. It charged the little one and struck out at it with it’s front hoof. The small fawn ran away. Suddenly a large doe appeared. Ramona waited for a good shot and when the smoke cleared, she had harvested her first whitetail deer. Following the shot, we watched as five more deer rushed off. Ramona has hunted with me a total of 6 years before this, without taking a shot at deer. Her first shot was a good shot and she tagged a large, mature doe.
The greatest part of this is being able to be side by side with my daughter at such a moment as this. She loves the outdoors! It was exciting to see her excitement and pride at being successful during the hunt. Not only did it provide the excitement of the hunt, but this was a heavy doe that will provide her family with many meals in the months to come. I trust there will be many more hunts in the years ahead.  

TEN ESSENTIALS TO CARRY HUNTING

     Many of us only hunt close to home. We often do not give much thought to getting turned around and lost or having to spend an unexpected night outdoors. We go out, hunt and then turn around to head home for the night, usually before supper.
     There is something to be said, however, in carrying a form of a survival or bug out kit while going afield anytime. I have a number of friends who would not even think about going a half mile from home without their bug out bag. So the question is; what should be included in that bag?
    Here are ten essential items that you might want to carry:
1. A compass and a map. Know how to use them both. A GPS is fine, but you are literally betting your life on technology. I am more confident in a good compass and topographic map.
2. A knife. Pick a strong one, preferably a fixed blade with a good sheath.

(a sample of some good knives)

3. A whistle and one other signal device. A whistle is not a normal sound in the wilds. Also carry a mirror or some other type signal device.
4. Carry two forms of fire starter. This is up to you. But a word of advice. Two different cigarette lighters only counts as one form of fire starter. Try a lighter and some kind of steel striker.
5. A small flashlight. Carry extra batteries and a spare bulb.
6. A small first aid kit. Put it together yourself. The ones you might buy may not have the items necessary to your situation.
7. Sunscreen/lip balm/ insect repellent. This is self-explanatory.
8. Extra clothing to match the conditions you might face.
9. Extra food. Carry at least one days worth of food.
10. Sunglasses - winter or summer. Snow blindness is just as dangerous as overexposure during summer months.

(These cool shades should certainly do the job)

     So next time you plan on only hunting the "back forty" maybe you should consider carrying a bugout pack just in case. A bag of survival items does not weigh all that much, but it can be worth it's weight in gold if something is needed on one of your outings.

HUNTER SAFETY CONCERNS

        The hunting seasons are fast upon us for another year. We are approaching the time when we see many more sportsmen and women afield than during the rest of the year. The issue that should be foremost in all of our minds is that of safety when going into the outdoors. I believe this issue can be broken down into three areas; preparedness, visibility and state of mind.

(Successful hunt because of preparations made)

        Preparedness is that aspect of how knowledgeable and how fit you are to go into the woods in the first place. This is both cognitive and physical in nature. Cognitive or knowledge of what is stored in your mind and can be retrieved as needed. There is no one thing here, but it may include knowing the game laws so you don’t do anything questionable while afield. It may be knowing proper gun handling and hunting etiquette so that you do not endanger another or yourself.
A good example of this is in turkey hunting. Are you aware that since we hunt completely in camo that when you spot another hunter you should not try to alert them by waving your hand. Just speak aloud and they will hear and recognize you. Also you are recommended not to wear red, white or blue colors while turkey hunting. These are the colors of a gobbler during the spring mating.
The physical is self explanatory. You should be in relatively good shape physically because hunting does tax you physically. A simple daily walking program can help your aerobic health a great deal and make you fit for hunting.
Visibility is the second area of safety concern. For the most part, it is a no brainer, hunters should be wearing hunter orange while hunting most game. Deer hunting or small game hunting, anytime with the exclusion of waterfowl and turkey hunting I believe it is only sensible to wear a good amount of hunter orange. Notice I keep saying hunter orange. Hunter orange is the only color that has proven effective in low light or anytime hunting. It is seen and identified as not being natural to the outdoors. All states find that hunting related accidents decrease when hunter orange is worn. Other colors just don’t cut it!

(Hunter orange really shows up)

Third, the state of mind, is extremely important. By this I am referring to the very basics as to why you hunt in the first place. Because of its nature, the hunt should be all that is on your mind at the time. Do not let your mind wander while you are hunting. That is one way that accidents happen. Also, do not try hunting while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This is just plain foolish. We have encountered those in the woods that were very much under the influence of alcohol at times and immediately removed ourselves from their vicinity.

(It is nice for father and son to tag bucks on the same hunt, just don't compete)

Above all, do not let yourself be pulled into that whole competition scheme that some hunters have going. You know what I mean, “Joe got a nice buck last weekend and now the pressures on for me to get one or the rest will think less of me!” There is no place for that kind of competition in hunting. Chances are taken under those conditions that should never be taken. Remember one thing, once you pull the trigger on either shotgun or rifle, there is no calling back the shot. It is on it’s way!
I hope you have many excellent hunts this fall, but hunt smart and hunt safely.

DEER HUNTING PRIVATE OR PUBLIC LAND

The deer hunting seasons are fast approaching. One of the biggest issues for hunters today is finding properties to hunt. Some are fortunate enough to have their own acreage to hunt or to have access to certain private acres. Others have a mixture of private lands and public lands to hunt and still others may only have public lands to hunt.
I fall in that second category. I hunt both private lands and public lands. I also hunt in at least two different states each year. I find that my success doesn’t really depend a lot on whether it is public or private land I am on at the time of the hunt. You still have to scout the area and have a strategy ready to hunt any particular property.

(This buck was taken on public hunting land)

No matter if you hunt public or private land, you will often find yourself hunting the hunters. By that, you will set up and hunt an area according to the hunting pressure around you. Often on public lands, there is heavy traffic and hunting pressure and your best opportunity is to hunt a funnel area and sit tight most of the day. Allow the deer to be pushed toward your stand. If you move around very much you stand a good chance of driving deer to other hunters.
On private land it is much the same, with a slight twist. You often know the other hunters around you and you often know their individual hunting patterns. You know how long this one or that one can stay on stand and when they head out for lunch. You again can set up a stand in a funnel area or a travel area, watching for the deer bumped by other hunters.

(This buck was taken just a few miles away on private land)

The one thing to remember is that no matter what, unless you own the land yourself, you are a guest on that property and should at all times be courteous and thoughtful of others around you. Once land owners find that you are an ethical and careful hunter, you are often given other opportunities. This can be quite valuable in finding areas to hunt. I often hunt private lands that are not open to other hunters because of previous bad experiences for the land owner with slob hunters of the past. Many times, with courteous respect toward the landowner, I have seen those properties opened up to me for hunting purposes.
Never forget that our hunting is a privilege, not necessarily a right. We need to earn that privilege over and over again. That goes for use of public lands as well. More and more of these acres could be made into wildlife preserves if we, as hunters, abuse our privileges while hunting.

LATEST LAKE CHAMPLAIN WEEKLY ARTICLE

If you would like to read my latest outdoor article in Afield and Astream  in the latest "Lake Champlain Weekly" magazine, go to the link: www.calameo.com/books/00025773269bca3d8fe27
Simply click on the link or type the address in your search engine.

BACK AGAIN AND LOOKING FOR MUZZLELOADER SEASON OPENER

It has been a little while since I have been able to write. As it says in my bio, I am a rural pastor of a small church here in Northern New York and the demands of that position have kept me busy the past couple of weeks.

(young deer taken with a .45 cal. percussion longrifle)

This next week, my daughter is coming for the opening of Blackpowder deer season here in the Adirondacks. It is the first Ramona has been able to hunt with me in about eight years. She had four children, three boys and a little girl, and now is able to get back to hunting.
Have been working on a rifle for her and setting up a few stands for us to use during the week of muzzleloader hunting. Hopefully the opener will bring some good weather.

(One of a number of flintlock deer over the years)

I picked up a new break action 209 primer 50 caliber for my own rifle this year. So that means that my old 50 cal. in-line goes to Ramona. Since I harvested a number of deer with it, it should not be a handicap for her. The only improvement I made was to mount a scope on the rifle for easier shooting for my daughter. She is more familiar with a scope than open sights. Camo clothing is no problem since I have plenty  for her at home.
We have a number of woodlots to hunt during the week and some public land as well. Since the early muzzleloader season is to gather meat for the freezer, I am looking forward to a successful hunt and will report back later as to how we do. Hopefully, Ramona can tag her first deer.

FALL HUNTING PREPARATIONS NEED DOING NOW

(Author's Dad out on a hunt)

(Fall Hunting Preparations Need Doing Now by Bob Phillips first appeared in Lake Champlain Weekly in July 2010)
In just a few more weeks we will find the fall hunting seasons upon us. The question is will you be ready for those early openers of waterfowl and  bow hunting and muzzleloader season? Chances are you think you are ready and often have a hectic couple hours just before the opener looking for particular equipment or regrets concerning not getting into better shape for the season.
There are three areas of concern for the sportsman as the fall hunting comes into view. Those three areas often make or break a hunt. There is the area of physical fitness of the hunter, the area of equipment needs and of proficiency with that equipment and last there is the scouting and planning.
First, looking at the physical conditioning of the hunter. You enjoy the outings this fall much more when you are physically able to maintain the necessary pace of the hunt. Now is the time to begin conditioning for later. You can not put this off until the last week before the season opener and expect to be in good condition following a few days of walking.
This calls for a bit of weight lifting and quite a bit of aerobic exercise to increase you lung capacity and endurance over the long hunts. This is the time to be walking, bicycling or jogging on a regular basis. It doesn’t have to be daily, but at least 4-5 times a week is good. If you hunt with a dog during portions of the season, it is also a great time to start conditioning the dog for the coming seasons.
I shouldn’t have to tell you this, because every hunting magazine you read is giving you a similar admonition. But still, every year we have more people die from heart attacks and other conditions due to poor physical conditioning than we do to hunting accidents. But that is enough said. Get out there and begin exercising.
The second area of concern is the equipment you will be using. Now is the time to replace broken or worn parts, purchase new additions to your gear and generally get set up for the up coming seasons. You not only want to have the new equipment ahead of time, but you also want to have it broke in so that you are well familiar with it.
That translates to getting out and using it. Whether it is firing a new rifle or a rifle with a new scope at the firing range or it is purchasing a new backpack and using it on a couple of overnighters on the trail, you want to be familiar with all equipment you use.
I have never understood hunters who do not spend a bit of time shooting their rifles long before the season opens. This is especially true for bow hunters. They really need to put more time in shooting at the range in order to ethically carry their bow in the autumn woods looking for a deer.
We owe it to the animals we hunt to have our shooting skills as honed to as sharp a degree as possible.
Third is the scouting and planning for the fall hunts. That area that held good concentrations of deer last year may not have any fresh sign this year. Of course you won’t know that until it is too late, unless you get out and scout the area ahead of time. Scouting sometimes tells us that we need to adjust our hunting just a little bit to be more successful. This is a good thing.

(Author's Dad following a successful Adirondack Hunt)

The time spent planning now will pay off later. Perhaps you go to your favorite hunting spot and find it overrun with other hunters. What do you do? If you have already planned for such a situation, then you won’t miss a beat. But if you are caught unaware you may miss out on a whole lot of hunting until you come up with a spur of the moment substitute plan.
So take time now to fit these three areas of concern into your schedule. Get out exercising and deal with those equipment needs now, as you plan for the next season coming up.
I hope your time afield and astream is pleasant this summer.

BRING THE OUTDOORS INDOORS THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

(field work in photography for enjoyment or work)

Long after the actual outdoor experience is over and we have again entered the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the memories kept alive about that experience are very meaningful to each of us. That is why photography plays such a big part in many sportsmen and women’s lives.

(red efts following a rainy period)

Just viewing a snapshot of a past experience often conjures up certain details of that trip. We can even go as far as to say that it may even bring into play the other senses of the body. Have you ever looked at your photos of a camping trip and feel as though you were right there and could smell the campfire smoke or hear the water rushing over the falls? 

(Red Trillium taken on a spring trout fishing trip)

Perhaps you view a photograph of wild flowers and you recall finding the forest floor covered with Trilliums and remember just how strong their scent was on that day.

(fat little toad found along the trail)

Perhaps you have a shot of a frog or a toad that reminds you of the time one crawled into you friend’s sleeping bag and all the antics your friend went through to get it out. One summer camping trip my cousin, Steve, had just that happen. During the early morning hours a large toad crawled into his sleeping bag next to his bare leg and Steve shot out of his sleeping bag and upended the sleeping bag, to shake out the toad, in very quick order. The poor toad had no idea what the commotion was about. Once toad was out, Steve crawled back in and went back to sleep.

(bog life, the pitcher plants)

Photos can be a delightful way to share your experiences with others. Today photography is so simple anyone can be successful and have great results. Digital cameras have pretty much replaced film cameras, however some of us carry both. I have been using a Canon EOS system for a few years. I have two SLR camera bodies, one with a macro zoom lens in the 70-300 mm range on one body and the other has a 28-75 mm lens. I also have started carrying a small Canon digital camera for those quick snapshots along the trail or around camp. Eventually I will switch entirely over to digital as many others have already done.

(tree frog on a fallen leaf)

Sometimes just taking a day for a photo safari into the back country can be a very rewarding time. Make sure you take what you need, such as tripod, lens cleaner, etc. and carry your equipment in a secure and protected backpack. You would be surprised that no matter how careful you try to be, there is a certain amount of bumping and abuse to the equipment, if not properly protected. Once you finish shooting photos, then sit back and enjoy the results.

WORKING WITH NEWCOMERS TO THE OUTDOORS

(starting out a fisherman)

(Working With Newcomers to the Outdoors by Bob Phillips first appeared in Lake Champlain Weekly in May 2010)

   Outdoor Sportsmen go through stages in their outdoor experience. Although those stages may have varying extrinsic or intrinsic values and may vary as to the time frame or period the sportsman goes through that stage, the bottom line is that we all change over time in our outdoor pursuits.
   You can name those stages with any title you wish to use but generally they look something like this. First, there is the stage where you just start out and can’t wait to spend as much time as possible doing whatever your passion dictates. You will fish for anything, no matter the size or the conditions. Second, there is the learning stage where you spend much time trying to learn through experience, books, video or other media as much as you possibly can about your sport. Third, comes the stage where you try to give back something to the sport you enjoy. This is usually done by teaching others, writing about it or just plain sharing your experiences with others interested in the same. The final stage is one where we continue to refine and perfect our techniques as much as we possibly can. This is also the stage where your endeavors often become a bit more costly in equipment and travel.
   These stages may not be all that cut and dried as you might first think. The first stage is where you, yourself are usually mentored by someone else. Doesn’t matter if we are talking backpacking, fishing, hunting or canoeing. Someone probably took you under their wing and formally or informally taught you the finer points of enjoying that sport. Here the learning curve is quite pronounced. You haven’t much time but to go out and enjoy the pursuit of your sport.
   There comes a time however, when you begin to learn more and want to give more to your sport. This is where the other three stages can somewhat blur together but at the same time bring you much satisfaction. Learning more about your sport can be greatly entertaining whether you like to sit and read or not. Many times a number of my hunting and fishing buddies and I will plan to attend an outdoor function together in order to see new developments in the sports or just to talk with other sportsmen. Sportsmen shows, gun shows, seminars and visiting special nature exhibits or sites can all add to your education. At the same time if you are taking some neophyte along, you are helping to educate them and thus giving back to the sport by encouraging a new comer. So these two stages blend together.
   Often times, if you do attend one of those venues, you will hear experienced old-timers in the sports standing around discussing trends and methods from their own experiences. Even though they may now be in that fourth stage of their sport, they are also helping along others through their historical perspective or by confirming the methods and techniques that work in the field.
   During the past year I have been able to help young people with such things as choice of hiking equipment for trips from day hikes to extended stays in the backcountry. Taking hikes to experience the outdoors in whole new surroundings than what they were familiar. We have also had opportunity to get out ice fishing and learn some of the techniques of that sport, which are quite different from the open water fishing of summer. We also did some open water fishing. In both the ice fishing and open water fishing we were able to check out an abundance of tackle and equipment that might be used.
   This past week I took a small group of kids out fishing for perch. Nothing big but at the same time something I knew that they would be successful at doing. This is one of the keys for successful introduction of someone new to the sport. Try to make it a successful and enjoyable outing. They will then look forward to the next outing.
   As you head afield and astream this year consider taking someone new along and introduce them to the sport you love so much. It pays in the end.

ANTICIPATING DEER HUNTING SEASON

(beautiful whitetailed doe) 

Autumn, here in the north country, usually brings visions of changing foliage, harvest time and hunting, both small game and big game hunting. The small game seasons are all open by the first part of October. There is the usual squirrel and rabbit seasons, but there are a number of bird seasons that many take part in as well. Pheasant hunting is strictly a put and take endeavor. The state program releases a large number of pheasants each year on public access hunting lands. There are a small number of these released pheasants that do make it through the winter months, but the winters are usually too icy and snow covered for their survival. There is also some very good ruffed grouse hunting here as well. Waterfowl seasons are also the sport of many, especially here around the Lake Champlain area.

(single doe across an agricultural field)

The main hunting season, that most hunters look forward to, is deer season. The varied locations for many hunters can have them in the mountains one week and on tilled agricultural lands the next. Lately we have seen the loss of more and more family farms which is not good for the economy, but it does help the deer hunters. As these pastures and lands become overgrown with second growth, the deer move in more readily and make for some excellent hunting.
Since we are coming off another mild winter from last year, I think we can expect to see about the same type results for our deer hunting this fall as last. I, for one, am looking forward to the black powder season. I purchased a new break-action 209 primer muzzleloader for this season and am anxious to get out and hunt with it. If that were not enough, the archery seasons opens just next week with the opportunity to hunt a few days on last season’s license, that is providing you still have an unfilled tag from last season.

(young buck in velvet)

So for many, the best part of the year is just now coming up. They look forward to and plan for this season for much of the year. I trust your time on the trail of the deer is an enjoyable season this fall.

THE NUANCES OF THE TRAIL

(The Nuances of the Trail by Bob Phillips first appeared in Lake Champlain Weekly in August 2010)
As you take to the trails here in the Northeast, whether flat trails around nature centers or the steep trails of the High Peaks, each trail has a certain nuance unto itself. Oh there are the obvious things, such as the condition of the trail whether sandy, hard packed soil or rocky ground. There is also the chance that you might travel a trail that is noted for sudden weather changes that you must constantly keep in mind. Some trails are long and monotonously the same while still others are a new discovery around each turn. Whether a gentle grade and easy climb or a steep, lung bursting ordeal, each trail has a certain nuance or a better word might be character.
During last week, we hiked up Algonquin the second highest of the High Peaks in the Adirondacks. What a view that summit gives on a clear Adirondack day! I had three teenagers with me, Nathan and Ethan Bombard from here in Ellenburgh and Brian Moulding from Peru. Herein is one of those nuances of the trail I talked about. You meet all types of hiking groups on the trail. Some are young people from the local camps of the area, while others are couples of all ages. There might be a older person hiking with a younger person or even a complete family unit, all making their way up the trail.
  Following a bit of a surprising start, our immediate area in Ellenburgh had severe flooding the day we headed out, we finally started up the trail at a little after 7:30 a.m. Algonquin is a steep and rugged climb. Since I haven’t hiked all the High Peaks, I can’t say with certainty that it is the roughest climb, but it has to be right up there in steepness. The trail is marked at 3.7 miles with a climb of about 2900 feet from ADK LOJ parking area to the summit. So you can pretty well figure that you are climbing just under 1000 feet for every mile you hike. We reached the summit just about noon and the boys probably could have made it quicker if they hadn’t waited for the old man to catch up every once in awhile.
Here is another of the nuances of the trail. It is a very possible climb for most but you just have to go at your own pace. Don’t try to keep up with others! It can be disastrous. At the summit, the trail steward was talking about his position there and he mentioned that he climbs the trail in about two hours. There aren’t many who will do it in less time than that and many, like myself, that take a lot longer. The end results is that you do it and are paid off with a fantastic view from the top. If he makes it in two hours, then a little over four hours on my 58 year old legs isn’t too bad! I’ll take it.
Unfortunately the stay on top is never long enough before you face the task of having to come back down. Whereas you call on certain muscles to hike up the trail, you now have to use those same muscles and a few others to make it back down. For me the descent is always the hardest. The constant braking action that your legs perform, tires the muscles and knees. Surprisingly, it only took a little longer than four hours for me to get back down the trail to the parking area once again. A certain trio of teens I know had a wait of well over an hour for me to catch up to them, but then I didn’t fall on my face in the middle of the trail either. Here is yet another nuance of the trail in that the trail always calls upon another resource from you in order to succeed. It may be physical or it may be mental in nature, but you constantly have to read the trail to know what to expect.
The trails of the Adirondacks are some of the most beautiful anywhere. I have hiked on many trail systems over the years and in many states and in Canada. All have their own charm and draw, but the Adirondack trails are the most striking here in the Northeast. This is really the draw of the mountain trails, the mystique, challenge and ever changing experiences along the way.
I hope your outings are rewarding and you are able to read the nuances of the trails you follow as you head afield and astream this year.

THE QUESTION OF WHY WE HIKE?

(A pleasant view along the way)

Hiking draws a variety of people, all for their own reason. I enjoy hiking, partly for the challenge of a tall peak, but mainly for the experience of the view you have from the summit of any high mountain top. I like the mountains over 3000 feet because you are usually guaranteed a bit of view, depending upon the cloud cover and weather. This is not always the case, as I found in hiking up Dial Mt. one year. You actually have to go back down the trail a few hundred yards in order to get a vista with a pleasant view.
The real draw to hiking is not that much different than many other outdoor endeavors. There is always the anticipation of what you might experience that keeps you going. Like the fisherman, who is not 100% sure of catching fish every time out, the hiker is not always guaranteed a fulfilling trip up each mountain. It is that concept of intermittent reinforcement, meaning that you are never quite sure when to expect the reward, that keeps many coming back to the trails time and again.

(A view of Wright Peak from Algonquin trail)

There are other draws, such as the challenge of distances covered or number of mountain peaks climbed, but usually it is more of an intrinsic satisfaction than any extrinsic reward that appeals to most. The old adage, “to see the other side of the mountain,” is more than enough for most. It is what it is!
When we begin comparison of this trail system to that trail system, or this mountain to that mountain, we begin to get off track of the true meaning of the hike. Yes, we each have our favorite climbs and favorite spots that renew our souls from the hectic pace of this world. There is no getting around that. But each new hike should be approached with the anticipation of what will be found along the way. This is often an unknown that only unfolds as we progress up the trail.
What new adventures are in your immediate future?

RIVERS CAN BE A SMORGASBORD OF FISHING

(Rivers can be a Smorgasbord of Fishing by Bob Phillips first appeared in Lake Champlain Weekly in June 2010)
   Often times, when you are involved in leisure activities such as fishing, you receive the greatest pleasures when you least expect them. That was such the case last week during the fishing we were able to get in. We headed to the Saranac River to do some fishing for whatever could be found. We found a number of different species were interested that day.
   The beautiful thing about rivers is that their environments change every few feet. Standing in one place on a riverbank, you may be able to fish sunken logs laying on a sandy bottom with one cast and then with the next be fishing a jumble of rocks. Weeds and lily pads might be prolific in one area and just down stream might be a stretch of rapids. You never know what you might find or where you might find fish.
   We started out under a bridge and to be truthful it didn’t look to good for a while. We fished about forty-five minutes without a single bite. I started drifting my line along bottom in a fairly deep hole, bumping it along with a heavy sinker of about a half ounce weight. After a few passes along the sand bar, that stuck out into the pool, I finally got a hit. Just a couple tugs on the line and I figured it was probably a perch or rock bass. I set the hook and immediately felt some significant weight.
   It took a few minutes to land the fish, but I soon had a nice walleye in hand. It was just under 17 inches in length. Was I excited! This was the first walleye I had caught in quite a few years and it was right in the middle of the day. I haven’t been able to get out fishing walleye the last few years because we are usually out turkey hunting during the best part of the season. A night crawler on weighted line, bouncing along bottom apparently looked quite tempting to this one.
   We headed further downriver and soon found another good sized hole to fish. Here we started catching panfish immediately. They were rock bass but put up quite a nice battle on light line. There were a few that were approaching three quarters of a pound in weight. Here I was also in for my second big surprise of the day when I hooked into a big sucker. This one ran about twenty-four inches in length and as usual was so ugly that only a mother could love it.
   My fishing partner also got a couple of nice fish. He hooked into a small mouth bass and after releasing that, he caught another. He caught quite a few rock bass as well at that hole.
   Traveling further down stream it was Gary’s turn to catch a walleye. This one was about fourteen inches in length just under the legal size. Here we caught a few more rock bass and some more small mouth as well.
   We headed back upriver toward where we started out, in hopes that there might be some more walleye in the one big hole we found. As it turned out, the walleye I caught must have been a fluke since they are usually schooling fish and yet there didn’t seem to be any others around.
   I did hook into one more surprise fish before heading home. I had some tentative strikes at my line and thought I was playing with another walleye. When I set the hook, I immediately felt some weight to the fish and the fight was strong, so I knew it wasn’t a small panfish. As I got it into shore, I had a pretty rainbow trout about fifteen inches in length. I will never know how big for certain because it spit the hook out right at my feet.
   This kind of fishing can get expensive. I must have left about a dozen rigs of sinker, snap swivel and snelled hooks on the bottom of the river. Oh, well. Another trip to the tackle shop to replenish!
   I hope you find such a smorgasbord when next you go afield and astream.

RIVER FISHING AND SURPRISES IT BRINGS

     Here in the Adirondacks we have a diverse number of waterways to fish. I believe that is what makes it so attractive to fishermen. You are only limited by your own imagination when it comes to the type fishing you might wish to pursue. Lakes abound and they are always fertile fisheries for a large number of species. There are also the backwoods ponds and small lakes that usually produce trout. The brooks and streams of the area carry brook trout and brown trout on regular basis. The rivers can be very much like the lakes in offering a large selection of species to fish.

(fishing on the Chateaugay River)

     The Ausable, Bouquett, Chateaugay, Salmon, Chazy, Saranac rivers, plus many others are all within easy driving distance. They offer the fisherman any number of species and some very fine fishing opportunities. Those living along the rivers have often worked with the state conservation groups to provide anglers access to these waters, so the fisherman who observes the rules and follows the directives listed at the fishing access sites can help keep those arrangements open for some time to come. Always police the area you fish and do not leave garbage and junk behind when you leave. Observe land owners rights and if a section is not posted as public access, don't invade the owners privacy.

(Brother-in-law with a brown trout from Chazy River)

     Many years ago, I used to fish regularly with an old gentleman who was an Adirondack fishing guide for about 50 years. He was in his late 70's when I fished with him and it was a pleasure and joy to see him work on the lake we often fished. But even though he had a very productive lake to fish at his leisure, every once in a while he would say, "let's hit a river today!" That is just what we would do. Down in that area we had the Hudson, Schroon and a couple of other smaller rivers to fish. He liked to change his routine once in a while just for the challenge. He knew that rivers are always changing and the experience would be new each time, unlike the lake he usually fished, where he could read the bottom like a book and tell you exactly where to anchor and cast to catch a bass.

(author fishing a central Adirondack river)

     When your fishing starts to become a bit mundane and predictable, head to one of the rivers and see if it doesn't put some excitement back into your pastime. You may be surprised just how enjoyable it can be.

SOME PET PEEVES REVISITED

(Some Pet Peeves Revisited by Bob Phillips first appeared in Lake Champlain Weekly in June 2010)
   During the course of a year, I usually speak at a few different Sportsman Shows and/or banquets. I also read a number of outdoor magazines. A reoccurring theme is one of creating your own success. This, on the surface, seems to promise success to every sportsman out there. I say, on the surface, because I see a problem with much of what is toted.
   I am not saying this to elevate myself to the realm of expert, but it seems to me that much of the printed and spoken word is geared more toward making money for the author and less toward real help for the sportsman. I realize that I am now stepping up onto my soapbox but I think much of what is foisted upon the sportsman today is really the attempt of another to capitalize upon the outdoor craze that is around us. You know, bigger racked bucks and heavier fish, at all costs.
   Granted, who doesn’t want to bag the best buck possible or land the nicest fish in the lake? But according to QMP experts, apparently that isn’t in the realm of happening unless you have acreage and are willing to put hundreds or thousands of dollars into its management each year. Most of us do not have control of hundreds of acres that we can do food plots and selected shoots to bring the herd under ideal conditions. I am not trying to minimize those that do, but I see that hunting is fast leaning toward the realm of those with the dollars and means to pursue such. How often have you heard recently, “I have given up hunting, it is just too difficult to find places to hunt anymore.”
   Whether you agree with their excuse or not, the point is that much of our land is privately owned and it is more and more difficult to attain hunting permission. Count yourself fortunate if you do have access to such hunting territory. Here in our northern part of the state, we are fortunate to have many acres of state land to hunt. You must get off the beaten path a few miles to get into it, but it is available. But access isn’t really the issue I started addressing.
   Let me ask, what is the difference between sitting in your tree stand over a food plot that you planted to draw deer in or sitting over a bait pile you put out to draw deer in? I have no problem with either one of these methods when and where they are legal, within reason. Growing up on deep woods deer hunting as a kid, I do have trouble just sitting over food sources to shoot deer that come in, and calling it hunting.
   This is often the theme I hear when attending outdoor shows or in the reading. It is usually cloaked in the tactic of balancing the scales for yourself, but nevertheless I believe that too many have swallowed this concept to the exclusion of other methods. What has happened to such tactics as stalking, still hunting, tracking and trail/scrape hunting?
   Perhaps it is a shortfall of the new technological age we are part of, but we have become slaves to the charts, feeding schedules, moon phases and phases of the rut. I find that many outdoor show speakers and writers, if they are not toting their latest QMP techniques, are calling for strict adherence to one of these above mentioned “scientific” schedules. They are a useful tool at times but let’s face it, they are not always practical. For myself, I usually get only a few hours per week to spend fishing, hunting or even hiking or canoeing. If I limited myself to those times listed on the charts as the peak times for hunting, I would never get out in the woods or on the lakes. The bottom line is, I go when I have time to go, despite what the charts say about my chances of success. Strangely enough, I have gotten a few of my biggest bucks at a time the charts said I shouldn’t!
   Well enough of my pontification. I’ll step down now, but I hope you get the most out of your times afield and astream despite what experts try telling you.

A BRIEF LOOK AT CAMPING PAST AND PRESENT

(A Brief Look at Camping Past and Present by Bob Phillips first appeared in Lake Champlain Weekly in June 2010)
The Fourth of July celebrations are just about upon us. With this coming weekend we also see a jump in the family camping in our surrounding areas. Camping has taken on a new look for many but the basics are still the same. Taking a brief look at camping, we see that there are basically three types of camping still in vogue today. I made the choice of three types, backpack camping, tent camping and vehicle camping, because they are broad enough designations to cover the most common types.
The first is backpack camping. This is camping using the utensils and equipment that you and your group are able to carry on your back to some remote area. This may or may not include use of a small tent and often other luxuries are left behind for the sake of ease of burden. Backpacking did not really get it’s full growth until the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Often, before that time, campers stayed at some type of base camp and only hiked what was possible in a days outing. There were a few brush rats who bivouacked for the brief overnighter or two, but that really was not the norm much before the 1960’s. The explosion of backpacking really started a whole new industry in the outdoor pursuits, that of light weight technology.
Strangely enough, with the shrinking of truly remote wilderness areas and the physical expectations of the modern hiker, I see less of the backpack camping than in other years. Perhaps even the emphasis on leaving as small a footprint as possible on these areas has also persuaded many to forego camping and enjoy the wilderness in day excursions instead. They can often set up a base camp at a local campground and cover much of the wilderness in day hikes in and out.
The second form of camping is tent camping. This is usually confined to designated campgrounds where there may be many luxuries not found in the backwoods, or not! Showers, swimming pools, game rooms and numerous other activities can help fill in the nights of camping at many camping areas. If you are more interested in peace and quiet, there are also those primitive campgrounds that basically provide a somewhat level spot to pitch your tent and nothing else but an outhouse for your rest facilities. Many families begin their camping careers in this fashion.
The obvious difference in tenting from backpacking is the weight factor. Since you drive right to your camping site, you can often bring much more substantial camping equipment. The more recognizable features of this camping is the cabin style tents, multiple burner gas stoves, folding camp chairs and of course the large capacity insulated coolers.
At one time this was also known as, auto-camping. Meaning that you loaded up your automobile and headed to the wilderness to spend an extended period of time sleeping in tents, eating in the out-of -doors and generally getting away from it all. Different forms of tent camping actually predate the backpack camping by a decade or two, beginning back in the 1940’s and 1950’s.
Out of this comes the third type, the vehicle camping that many enjoy today. The popup/trailer/truck /motor home vehicles that populate many of our campgrounds today. Many still find this a relatively inexpensive vacation where they are still able to get in touch with nature and yet don’t have to sacrifice all the luxuries of home. This camper camping began back in the 1950’s and continues to have it’s ups and downs to the present day. It is often tied directly to the health of the nation’s economy, however, as much of this camping is a bit more expensive than the previous two styles.
This is not intended to be exhaustive look at camping but rather an introduction so that you see there are numerous opportunities to get out and enjoy the great outdoors around us on a whole different level. Camping out under the wide open skies.
Whatever the style of camping you like, I hope you do truly enjoy the outdoors as you head afield and astream this summer.

THE ADIRONDACK CAMPING MINDSET

     The often repeated mantra frequently heard in the Adirondacks is: "We're going camping this weekend!" Camping means different things to different ones.
     To some it conjures up the image of open skies, a campfire ring and a small backpackers tent. Others may see it as loading the camper trailer and driving to a multi-site campground and setting up camp in a prescribed manner by leveling the trailer and settling in.
     This is quite different than the concept of Adirondack camps which are, more or less, permanent structures built by owners on their own properties or leased land. The camping experience tends to be a more mobile experience in most peoples mind.
     For many, the whole Adirondack summer remembrance revolves around that camping experience whether only a short week in duration or a full month or more. Some even stretch the event over a few weekends, holding down their jobs during the work week and enjoying the weekends by camping at different localities.
    Often an individual's life history can be viewed by the different stages of their camping experiences. As the body grows older it is not so easy to camp on the bare ground or with minimal shelter and bed to sleep in. There is a natural progression toward campers, which are often easier on the body if not easier on the pocketbook.
     The one thing that can be said is that camping not only builds character in a person but it also builds lasting memories.