Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    Great topic, Rick!
    
    You may be referring to the same Outdoor Life article I read last
    night.  Since I'm hunting a new area this year, and still becoming
    familiar with the trails leading to/from the bedding and feeding
    areas, I plan on doing the same.  
    
    Besides, I've seen a few snowshoe hares while up there :^).
    
    Mark.

    
    great idea, rick. i'll be on my way the first snowfall. actually
    the second , we just got a powdering of snow sunday. wish it had
    been three inches and two weeks earlier.
                                        
                                        walt

                          
    
    	Have you guys found anything interesting to report???  I have
    been out several times and did manage to find a substantial amount
    of sign in an area where I usually bowhunt!  I found a notch in
    the mountain that was being used quite heavily during the fall.
    The tracks and trails went in both directions (up and down), but
    were predominantly down.  I also found a large maple at the base
    of the notch on a small 50yds x 30yds flat where the main trail
    branched out.  The spot looks like it should be dynamite for a 
    tree stand!!
    	Also, the trails meander from this flat down to a recent cut-
    over area with lots of browse and a few scattered apple trees.
    They also go into a nearby field from here.  I hope the area is
    still in use this fall.
    	At first I was skeptical because what snow we had was melted
    when I went out, but it proved to be actually better because much
    of the sign was frozen in tracks, from Oct-Nov (at least this is
    what I theorize).  I had not found this place before, nor even 
    scouted it so I was in for a mild surprise to say the least.
    	I'm hoping there will be a repeat of use this fall..... I'm
    really anxious to see what develops because there was also plenty
    of "hooking" around.  
    	I am thinking seriously about looking for sheds this spring
    also!!  There was a pretty good buck in the area last year....
    
    						- Rob
    

    I've been out the last several weekends also. I've seen plenty of
    sign, yet it's getting hard to determine fresh from old, due to
    lack of snow. As you stated, lots of the older tracks remain due
    to the ground staying frozen, and the droppings, probably from as
    far back as Oct. are still evident, yet they would be hard to
    distinguish from day/week old stuff at this point.
    
    I hope we get some snow soon! I had seen lots of rabbit sign earlier
    in the season in this spot. I've yet to have a bunny sighting though!
    It's hoplessly noisy walking still! Grouse season here in Mass.
    is now over, yet I'd had problems with flushing them at long distances
    also due to the noisy conditions.
    
    I'm also putting off trying for coyotes til we get some snow, hoping
    that the combo, of getting in position quieter,white background,
    and less feed available, will make the hunt more successful.

    BOY OH BOY, when does the season start. On the way to work today
    I saw "6" bucks in a bachelor group. There where some REAL nice ones in
    the group and only 1 spike. They where just walking around and where
    in a real tight group, less than 3' from each other.
    
    Looked like their antlers are starting to bother them, they where all
    shaking their heads and trying to avoid each other. Not too long
    before they start polishing up...
    

    I'm starting to feel the itch - re-reading old hunting
    magazines -  subscribing to new ones - working up loads
    for the rifle - planning a scouting trip to Vermont.....
    
    And the fishin' ain't so hot lately.... :-)

    15 weeks and 6 days to the start of Vermonts season. Got all the
    wood split and ready for camp, and I'm getting itchy..........
    
    
    	Red_Hanksville_Bound

    Called my buddy in NY Friday night.  He has been seeing deer pretty
    regurally.  Also bought a bow this year!!!  Gonna try to stick Bambi
    this year.  Should be interesting.
           
    
    Jeff

    
    
           I was sitting home last night when i decide to throw
    in last years video of dear camp.. Yes we take a video of all the
    activities that take place.  I enjoyed it as if it were taking
    place right in my living room.   After the buck i got last year,
    and the locals saying it was the smaller out of the 2 i think i'll
    set my sights on the next big one....
    
    
              Howz everyone dealing with the slow fishing and anticipation
    of this years hunting season??
    
    
                                  Jeff

    
    
    		Slow fishing??????   Hah!!!   Hasn't slowed at all.
    
    		Just about time to start shooting some field clay
    		though.  Sharpen those reflexes.
    
    							Dave
    
    		

    re.10 Dave, the water's a bit warmer down this way, fish
    are sluggish unless you go deep.
    
    As for me, reloading helps, putting a new bow target
    together, if only it wasn't too hot to shoot !

    About 94 more days till the NH black powder season. Can't wait to
    to get into the northwoods again........
    
    A little target practice in the rain should get me ready for the
    season. After all it always rains durning the BP season 8')
    
    
    
    sjn

    Well, its too far away thats all I can say...  Been putting together
    some treestands to bring up to VT next monday, collecting lots of
    35mm canisters, practicing with the bow as often as possible (which
    never seems like enough), practicing with the handgun, working on
    some loads for the rifle and trying to find time inbetween to get 
    my 10 games in for the fitchburg softball league, not to mention 
    trying to keep up with the onslaught of hunting magazines.... 
    needless to say the wife ain't a happy camper.
    
    Just put in an order at Cabella's for some rattling horns and 
    a grunt call.  Looking to rent a decent video on calling/rattling
    if anyone knows of a good one let us know.  Ordering a treestand
    next week through Bowhunters (Loc-On)....
    
    Trying desperatly to pick up as much stuff now so I won't be strapped
    later when the time comes to pick up the licenses...
                              
    September is just tooooooooo far away...
    
    Fra                          

    I'm trying to get ready, bow season in Colorado starts Aug. 23.
    That's not to far off.  I've got things to do every weekend till
    then to get ready, so I'll be busy but not busy enough.
    
    Think I've got a horse lined up for this year so I can pack
    into the back country and get out without to much problem.
    Especially packing out those BFA's, ie... Wapiti.
    
    Have to tune up the elk calling soon too.
    
    Have to scout a new area for rifle deer season this year to see 
    if it's worth it or not. Tried to get a doe tag and was rejected, so
    we are going to scout an area where there are additional tags
    available.
    
    Painted up a pair of coveralls this week, home made camo :-).
    
     Things are starting to come together, but I'm trying to get
    ready to fast and have nothing to do but WAIT.
    
    Mark, wife_all_ready_knows_I'm_nuts, Waters

      Have spent the last month learning how to shoot a bow.  Good thing
    there are at least 2 mos before deer season around here, cause I'm
    gonna need all the practice I can manage if I hope to stick Bambi.
    Going up to NY in a couple of weeks to look around and visit.  Should
    see plenty of deer.  I'll get my license while I'm up there.  Really
    looking forward to the bow season.  Have always wanted to try for
    one with a bow.  Seems like it will be quite the challenge.  Time
    will tell and in the meenwhile I'll be out playing William Tell
    in the backyard.  
    
    Jeff
    
    Hey Brett, can you balance an apple on your head?  
                                                                  

    Jeff, I assume you are planning on hunting NY, just wanted to remind
    you that they won't sell a bowhunting license unless you have taken
    a bowhunter safety course.... no getting around it with prior license's
    or bow tags.  Didn't know if you've already taken it or not....
    just thought i'd let everyone know.
                                                          Y
    Fra                                                   |
                                                          v
    I have a nice shiney apple if brett needs one....     o8^)
                    
    
    
    

    Thanks Fra, I took the MA. course two years ago.  Hopefully it 
    is still valid for NY.
    
    Jeff
    
    Brett, If you continue to shake like that it will only make my job
    that much harder                  
                                      
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