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.