Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    
    
    DECOYING::::<<SEE NOTE 42.0>>
    
    Rgds,
    
    Rick

    	.0     on shot size you said largest #2 in Mass you can use
    	       up to BBB.
    
           Bill
              

    I read this file lots, but rarely contribute.  Hope this info helps
    someone starting out.  Some is general and some specific to deer
    hunting.  I've been hunting for about 15 years, but still know that the
    deer know a whole lot more than me.
    
    If you plan to sit and wait for your deer, plan on being cold. Every
    year on opening day I always underestimate how cold it will be.  (I
    hunt in the western mountains of Maine.)  OVERDRESS in layers.  You can
    always take something off, but can't put on what you don't have with
    you.
    
    Always be alert.  Seems like 9 times out of 10 I see something when I
    don't expect to.  Last year's black bear just walked out in front of me
    and my brother as we were walking out of the woods.  Time for only one
    fast shot.
    
    STAY IN THE WOODS.  When I first started I used to go in the woods
    early for a couple hours and "waste" waste the rest of the day until
    things got "good" again, around 3:00 PM or so.  Today, my brother and I
    are in the woods before dawn and don't come out until after dark. 
    (Unless we get lucky!!)  That black bear was shot at 2:00 PM in the
    middle of a snowstorm.  Think of it this way, if you pend the whole day
    in the woods for the week instead of coming back to camp a couple
    times, it just about doubles the available time spent hunting.
    
    Consistency.  If you know there are deer in an area, stay with it, even
    over several years.  Even with pre and post season scouting, it takes
    time to get to know an area.  My brother and I had several (more than I
    care to admit) dry years, but we were learning the area all the time. 
    Now we feel at home there and can reasonably predict where to see
    something.  After several years of not even seeing a deer, the last
    three years have given us 24 deer  (23 does, 1 buck; brother shot the
    buck) to see in the same general area.  Of course you hunt a different
    area every year, this doesn't apply.
    
    Get a good partner, one that has the same outlook on hunting and same
    appreciation for nature.  Even in those dry years, we still had lots of
    fun.  Shooting the buck is the trophy, but gettin' there is at least
    half the fun.  I went deer hunting once for a week with someone that
    couldn't get out of bed in the morning, wouldn't stay in the woods, was
    as quiet as a cyclone, and who I continually had to ask to watch where
    he pointed his loaded rifle.  He no longer hunts with me.
    
    Mental preparation.  Tis may sound strange to non or novice hunters,
    but you have to mentally prepare yourself and tune your senses to the
    woods and the game.  It's not normal for someone to spend 12 hours,
    much of it sitting stock still in subfreezing, possibly snowy or rainy
    weather.  But if your prepared for it in advance, it's not really that
    tough.  Usually about halfway through the week my senses seem to reach
    their peak and I can spot and hear mice moving 50 yards away or become
    aware of s single fluttering leaf off in the distance.  The woods is
    constantly full of sights, sounds, and movement, but if you aren't
    prepared and tuned into it, you won't see it or hear it.  And every now
    and then that noise or leaf fluttering fills out into a deer.
    
    Hope some of this helps.  I tried to stay awy from stuff like knowing
    where your rifle shoots.
    
    Two weeks and counting.........
    
    Pete

    Bill,
    
    I knew I could learn something, even after 15 years of hunting duck.
    Can't say that I've ever seen them in the stores but I will look
    harder. You know how those Cans love big shot...
    
    BTW first timers- What Bill is talking about is the size (diameter)
                      of the shot.  BBB is bigger then #2 which is
                      bigger then #4 etc.  The bigger shot is generaly
                      used on the bigger birds (i.e. geese). But if
                      you find that you can score better on ducks with
                      the bigger shot sizes....let it rip. Some say
                      that bigger is better some say smaller is better,
                      experiment and find out what works best for you.
    
    Thanks Bill
    
    Tom, 

    Tom this steel shot is a brand new game ingenral the rule is 
    one size larger than what you used in lead shot.
    
    I use #2 on ducks and BB or #1(new in steel shot) on geese.
    
    Steel shot goes thru birds like a hot knife thru butter it also
    paterns different and is faster seems like you need less leed.
    
    Bill

    Bill,
    
    Thanks for the tip on steel shot size, I'm going out tomorrow to
    get my season supply. Monday is opening day, but my brother and
    I have decided to go out Tuesday, less swamp traffic. Just got
    my federal stamp at lunch time (talk about waiting to the last
    minute) $$$$$$$$$12.50$$$$$$$$$ WOW!!!!!! Didn't we pay $10.00
    last year?
    
    Note for first timers: I know its hard to do, but you will have
                           better luck with ducks if you try to wait
                           until they are within range i.e. less than
                           50 yards. I have seen folks in the swamps
                           who think they have Howitzers(sp). Remember
                           the closer they are the better you'll do.
                           That is the whole reason for the camo, calls
                           decoys etc. There are plenty of ducks/geese
                           out there, so pick your shots and leave the
                           ones out of range for the next person down
                           the river/swamp.
    
                           I always hunt with somebody else, never alone.
                           Thats just my preference. Its because of
                           that old saying....S__t Happens. Be safe!!!!!
                           Not everybody in the swamp has the same hunting
                           morals. When in doubt about who shot a bird...
                           give them the bird (duck, sorry) its safer
                           in that situation, and there are more where
                           that one came from
    
                           If you see somebody breaking the rules when
                           your out there....turn their butt into the
                           wardens. It helps insure your right to hunt
                           in the future. You will need their hunting
                           license number or license plate number off
                           their car, again, be safe!!!!!!!!!
    
    Tom,

    Hi,
    
    I have a friend who decided to go out and buy a gun (Mossberg 12
    ga), now he's ready to hunt - YEA Right!!!  Anyway he's looking
    to me for guidance.  I started to hunt with my grandfather when
    I was 12.  For the first two seasons/years I wasn't allowed to carry
    anything but a BB GUN, the third year I could carry a .22 (hunting
    partridge and rabbits w/beagles).  The fourth year a .410. 
    
    Anyway I have a *real* problem with people who think they are hunters
    once they have purchased a hunting license and a gun.
    
    My patience/tolerance in teaching him things leaves alot to be desired.
    
    Questions:
    
    Where can he learn proper ethics and gun handling techniques?  I
    know there are weekend sessions/courses in hunter safety, where
    do they post the dates and times?  (I did see one in Nov. in Attleboro
    listed in The Rifleman NRA magazine).
    
    Are there any gun clubs that offer hunting courses to the general
    public?  Maybe something other than the hunting safety course?
    
    I want him to understand that there is soooooooo much more to hunting
    than a gun and a license.
    
    Thanks 
    
    Erik

    
    RE:: 7;
    
    -<WHERE CAN SOMEONE LEARN TO HUNT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY>-
    
    The only way a never-hunted non-hunter can learn good ethics is
    from us hunters whose fathers, grandfathers have instilled those
    values inside of each one of us. If we would to teach the values
    that were passed down to us then we would have more and more concerned
    sportsman into the future.
    
    -<Where can he learn proper ethics and gun handling?>
    
    The NRA Hunter Safty Course is a good basic start. But you must
    really learn from being in the feild with a true hunter who is willing
    to let the novice take game.
    
    Ive taught a person to hunt who did not know a woodcock from a
    partridge and a puddle duck to a diver, who never was exposed to
    any related hunting at all, oh yea, I have had requests from others
    but told them maybe not, I look for someone who has hunting in their
    heart and not in their trigger finger.
    
    Anyway, this kid today has much more to learn in the area of
    identifying whats  good terrain that will produce. But as far as
    hunter safty, leaving the area as you found it, respect for life,
    I'd put him up against a 30 year vetran anyday.
    
    My satisfaction is when i watch him, I somehow see myself 22 years
    ago and know that his children if he should marry some day will
    be good-hunters, good hunters that will insist the tradition lives
    on.
         
    Erik, when you say there is Sooooo much to learn, you are so right
    but he or she will never learn the right way unless You belive
    that the person would make a good hunter. Do you belive that ?
    If you don't then talk him out of it , If you do then teach the
    kid and teach him/her RIGHT!
    
    Well Thats My 2cents worth,
    
    Take-Care and GOOD LUCK THIS YEAR!!!
    
    Rick

    Rick,
    
    I'm trying to instill those thoughts and teachings my grandfather
    gave me.  One thing I have told him is I will teach him what I can.
    The one thing I went through was not carrying a *real* gun for the
    first three years.  I have told my friend that if he is that serious
    about hunting that he can come with me for one season without carrying
    a gun and watch and learn, if he is really dedicated he will, but
    somehow I doubt it.  He seems to think that he can just join me
    hunting next weekend.
    
    I guess maybe I'm jealous because of the time and effort I had to
    put in before being able to carry my .410, then .20 and now whatever I
    choose.
    
    I have offered to take the course in Attleboro with him just as a refresher,
    I'm sure I could learn something new.                   
    
    Erik

    
    Erik,
    
    I started my student off with an 1100, I know what your saying how
    you started with no gun, and is difficult to answer, but he must
    have something to hold his interest. If he's really sincere, you
    will know. 
    
    For 2 years my student hunted upland game and waterfowl with
    me then local trips deer hunting. On the thrid year i brought him
    away with me to the north-woods for two weeks, always keeping him
    100 or so yds away on a stand. Thou he has yet to bag a deer he
    has seen a few (DOE's) and thou he's helped me drag out two bucks
    his interest remains excellent. To me now he's that hunting partner
    we all look for the one that knows what you would or are doing before
    you do it.
    
    Last year I got him a Winchestter XTR Feather weight in .308 with
    a Leoupold goldring 1.75 to 6power scope. He did well.
    
    This year I set him up with a T/C Cherokee 45cal muzzle-loader,were
    looking foward to the opener on 28-Oct here in N.H.
    
    So maybe you should let him carry, but keep insisting on safty,
    and be a hound to him on anything you consider not right.
    
    I use to yell at him for dragging his feet instead of picking them
    up, he would look at me but knew better, understood and learned.
    
    As far as him hunting with you this weekend it does'nt sound like
    an invite, I would tell him and why if you don't feel he's ready.
              
    
    Rick......
    

    Rick,
    
    He is 28.  No youngster.  He bought a gun without asking anyone
    for advise (he's getting married in DEC. and knew his $$$ should
    be spent on other things, well I'm sure his fiance would/did disagree!)
                                                    
    I'm not sure where he bought it or the circumstances but he wasn't
    even sure if the gun was a semi-auto or not!!  Even after he shot it he
    couldn't tell me!!!!  AAARRRGGGHhhhhhh
    
    He is slightly handicapped in that he has limited movement in his 
    left arm, well he couldn't even hold the gun by the forward stock, 
    he was holding the gun with his left hand just forward of the trigger 
    guard, (where you load the gun from underneath).  It is a pump and
    he can't reach the wood to pump it!!!  AAARRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHhhhh  
    
    Apparantly the salesman said he would have to get the stock cut down,
    and he could bring the gun back there for them to do it ($$$$$).  
    
    Next he wanted to go  duck and geese hunting and he didn't know that 
    he needs to buy steel screw-in chokes in addition to the set that came 
    with the gun.  
    
    He went and shot the gun using the rifled deer slug barrel and
    shooting #8's, AARRRGGGhhhhhh! 
    
    I will probably take him out a few times this fall, and like you
    said, I will "jump" on anything he does that either isn't right
    or aggravates me, noone wants to hunt with someone who you have
    to keep looking over your shoulder at, but also at the same time
    I'd like him to learn his own way and instincts. 
                 
    I'm not too happy about his decision to become a hunter and by all
    means have let him know it.
    
    Erik

    
    WELL!!!!
    
    Now I see how green he is!!!!  Sounds like your in between a rock
    and a hard place. Depending on how close you are you could damage
    a relationship. I guess I'd tell him until he passed the NRA course
    then we would see about hunting.
    
    I have 4 very good friends who don't hunt with me, Oh, they had
    all asked to go away with me but when I stated no Booze at all is
    allowed in camp that the strongest thing i have is Re-heated coffee
    they decided to strike out on their own, were still good friends,
    but very very rarely do we hunt together. I figure I must be doing
    something right, In 10 years time, my party of 7 average 3 deer
    a year and theirs of 4 have yet to get one, must be to much partying
    till wee hours of the morn. Oh well got to run, take care and
    good-luck.
     
                                  Rick 

    	Rick...
    
    	Can sure see why you, or anybody, CANNOT tolerate ANY alcohol
    	in the field PERIOD... but back at camp I tend to disagree,
    	but that's what makes the world go round.
    
    	I judge a successful deer trip by the company I keep, the
    	preparation, the talk and stories, by just being out and away
    	from work, family for x amount of time. 
    
    	I really think deer hunting is 90% luck. Take last year. A guy
    	in my group was sitting down under a tree, smoking a cig (bad
    	habit, but to each their own). A TEN point buck came right upon
    	him, he lifted his gun... BANG ... finished the smoke, and walked
    	the TEN YARDS to the downed deer.
    
    	My hunting trip is also a vacation.... away from it all.
    
    		just my 2�
    
    		Smitty
    

    	RE .13
    
    	<I judge a successful deer trip by the company I keep, the
    preparation, talk & stories etc >
    
    Amen
    	
    	I've been deer hunting well over 20 years.  Sometimes I won't
    see one of my hunting buddies for a whole year but that doesn't
    change the close relationship we all have with one another.
    	After a hard days hunt we're back at camp before 5 pm. Plenty
    of time to tip a couple, talk of the days events or politics eat
    supper, make plans for the next day.  Some might call it partying
    but I still get more sleep than I get at home and my wife won't
    talk politics or doesn't understand why we laugh so hard when
    re-telling stories.  (As the minister at my wedding said,"You
    should share your loaf with the other, but it is still your loaf.")
    
    	I agree that there is luck involved in deer hunting - but
    one can always help their odds by doing the right things.
     Andy
    
    	

	Just so everything is on the up & up.. Can someone settle a dispute.
	What time is SUNRISE in Massachusetts on Saturday 10/21??


				Thanks in advance,


						Mike

    
    Mike,
    	I'm looking at this morning's Worcester Telegram
    page A16 :
    	
    			Sunset Today : 5:58 P.M.
    			Sunrise tomorrow: 7:07 A.M.
    
    		hope this helps ;-)
    
    dave
    
    P.S. Tell Bill to bring more than three shells on the first pass.

    when you walk in the woods!
    

    This past weekend my brother and I took a float trip on a flooded
    river (from all the rain we've had recently) and limited out on 
    ducks in about an hour. The ducks were in the flooded side areas,
    not on the river itself. We saw more ducks than I,ve seen in a
    long time. We ran into large flocks of woodies and mallards that 
    were feeding heavily on acorns and insects that the flood waters
    had washed out of the shore line. A tip is to take turns manning
    the rear while the gunner keeps a sharp eye out and his gun in
    hand for the flushes in the front. Hug the inside of sharp turns in 
    the river and slow the speed down too as those are the most probable
    locations of seeing birds and surprising them. After you flush a
    large group of ducks in timber keep your eyes open for a second 
    chance because usually a few will swing right back in, this is 
    especially true of woodducks. So next time you see a flooded river
    or stream don't think it won't produce some good hunting. Just
    watch the flooded side areas and be careful of rocks! 

    re .18:
    
    While out scouting my local deer hunting haunt, my buddy and I stumbled
    on a "sink-hole" that is usually dried up this time of year.  Of
    course the hole was flooded due to the aforementioned rain.
    
    Well, by the time we reached the edge of the water, it became obvious
    that the pond was filled with mallards and woodies.  Too bad the
    inland season was closed, we could have had easy picking.
    
    Mark.

    I meant the coastal season in NH.  I was in Durham, between Rt.
    108 and the bay.
    
    Mark.

    Anyone else say "ouch" when buying this year's Federal Duck Stamp?  The
    NH stamp has a nice golden retriever on it.  Should make a nice print
    for the upcoming DU auctions.
    
    Mark.

    
    re .22
    
    I haven't bought mine yet, let me know how much so I can prepare my loan
    officer...
    
    thanks,
    
    Kevin

    
    Did anyone else get a sort of "hunting report card" with the 
    Federal stamp?  I got one, but another person I spoke with did
    not.
    
    It is basically 2 sections, the first you fill out and send it, 
    it asks how many stamps you got and what you will use them for.
    
    The second part is a hunt record, it asks you to fill in the
    date, ducks killed and ducks lost.  
    
    anyone know if this is new and what it is for??
    
    --Bob
    

    $4 for the NH State License and ***$15**** for the Fed.
    
    Mark.

    
    
    re .25
    
    Mark,
    
    I wonder how many anti's buy the stamps...
    
    I liked it better when the Fed's matched ups $ for $ in that program,
    but it's still well worth it.  I'd buy the stamp even if I didn't hunt
    birds, wetlands are every sportsmans concern.
    
    just my .02
    
    Kevin

    
    Mark,
    
    	What would a guy, such as yourself, who makes the BIG
    	stamps, care what the federal waterfowl stamp costs?
    
    Clay  :^)

    Clay, careful dude, or I won't let you buy the first 6 beers at the Red
    Sox game in October.
    
    Mark