Asking for Permission to Fish leads to Polluted Streams

I wanted to mention about story I had heard from a hunting forum (whitetails.com) that I am a member on. It has to do with the possible stream contamination cause by neighboring houses. This was brought to everyone's attention by "greyghost" that is his username on the forum. This is how the story starts.

So I've been here for 15 days and I've been driving by some little mountain streams everyday and I thought lets stop and look for a minute. So we get out and walk over to the edge of the bridge and look down into the water and there is 5 Rainbow trout just swimming around this little pool. I'm thinking how cool is that. So I talk to one of the locals who works at the campground telling him what I saw and was thinking of fishing there. This is where it turns ugly. He tells me that its ok to fish just don't eat em. It turns out that all these frickin hillbillies are to cheap to put in some type of septic system so they just pipe it into all these streams. This pisses me off to no end. Here we are in a world where conservation is of the utmost importance. But yet 90 out of 100 homes are dumping their waste and polluting these streams. Where is the frickin DEQ at. Why are they not doing something about this. We spend days cleaning up our rivers at home. These people just think its part of their sewer. We are talking every river,stream or side of a hill is being used for a toilet.
I am really bothered by this. Its just eating away at me. I would kill to have trout like these in Michigan and these idiots just don't care. I'm sorry if I offended anyone here but this is just wrong on so many levels. Any thoughts on this? Is it just me or do you guys think this is wrong. Sorry about the rant but I had to say something.



After a few supportive comments from other members greyghost asks for ideas on how to continue his quest for bringing this problem to light. I have to tell you that when it comes to environment issues, gun rights issues, big game issues, small game issues, firearms & archery the guys and girls on this hunting forum always seem to pull together. Some of the ideas that surfaced were,

• call 911
• call EPA
• call the DNR
• DEQ
  
• call the local news station

After just a bit of pounding the pavement so to speak greyghost heard some good news,

Well I got some more news yesterday on this. I recieved a phone call from someone who works at the Resort where i was building. It seems that there is a govt marked truck running around the roads and checking streams. So i asked him to go talk to the guy when he sees them and find out what the deal is. So he calls me 3 hours later and says the truck came in to the resort asking questions about their septic system. YYYYYYEEEEESSSSS!!!!!!! The guy is from the DEQ and was investigating a complaint about stream contamination. By now im feeling pretty proud (even felt like sticking my chest out) lol and he told the guy he is seriously disturbed by his findings. There will be a formal investigation done in the upcoming weeks with lots more agents out there. By now im grinning ear to ear. I feel really good about what is being done as Im the one who got it started. Maybe in ten years they will have their streams back under control and they will be able to actually eat a fish out of them. Its about time something was done about this. So today i will be walking around with a swagger that i normally wouldnt have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Life is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fawn Distress Bleat during early season Bowhunting

While I was browsing Youtube I came across this video which is good to know this time of year especially if you are a bowhunter because this call is the most effective in early season bowhunting.

Mr. Peter Fiduccia other wise known as The Deer Doctor with Woods and Water has a real good example of a Fawn Distress Bleat call.

Tuesday's Tip's & Technique's - #57

I just finished reading a post from Tipper at the "Blind Pig & the Acorn" blog. It was interesting for sure because it was about "Katydid Folklore".

Using the Sounds of Nature:

When I use to hunt early during archery season I realized that I could use the sounds of nature to tell me when there were deer moving in the area before I even saw any movement.

When darkness comes these little bugs called Katydids start to see which to me is quite relaxing. But, if you are sitting there listening and all of a sudden it starts to go quiet, you can bet there is something big moving into your area.

If you aren't sure of what a Katydid sounds like than this should freshen your memory. It is a more repetitious calming sound if you ask me.

To here about the katydid folklore please visit Tipper's .blog.

Supporting a Friend's Letter to a State Representative.

I don't know if a lot of you know but they made some changes in Connecticut and raised the hunting and fishing fees 100% so for example this year I paid $28.00 for a combination firearms hunting/fishing license but, next year it will cost me $56.00 for the same thing.

I have to say this is outragious and a very good friend of mine Nate otherwise known as "crack shot hunter" sent me a letter that he sent to a Representative for Connecticut. So I wanted to share it with you and Nate was kind enough to give me permission.

Hello Mae Flexer,

My name is Nathan Collelo. I am an avid outdoorsman, I hunt , fish and just plain love the outdoors. I have been hunting and providing my family and friends with venison for over 15 years.Familys like myself save an estimated 1000.00 per year , if not more by (living off the land) so to speak. This is why I am writing you today, the 100% increase in hunting and fishing licenses is completely insane. I am wondering how I will be able to pull of such a high price in licenses next year. I also know numerous,good law abiding citizens that do not plan on purchasing a license next year, and still plan to hunt, turning them into criminals. this is a very scary thought for myself. Also , one day if my son decides he would like to become a hunter or a fisherman, it will cost me pretty much 2 weeks pay! I hunt with a bow, a rifle ,and a muzzleloader, and I hunt for deer and turkey, for these permits, it will cost me 400.00 a year to hunt and fish. I honestly don't know how i will be able to do it. the outdoors is such an unbelievable place, this increase will for surely turn future outdoorsman away from the outdoors and onto there computer games, or something much worse. please help!!!

Thank you for your time,

Nathan Collelo

I just wanted to mention that I whole heartily agree with this letter that Nate sent and I will be doing the same in my own words. The way the economy is and the changes as they are are absolutely ridiculous. I'm not sure what they were thinking only to say I don't think they were.

They are making it really rough for the average hunter to afford everything he or she needs to pay for to continue their hunting and fishing traditions.

Nice job Nate, I don't know if it will do any good but it is something us hunter's from Connecticut just have to point out and show our honest concerns.

FYI: Mae Flexer will also be getting a link to this post.

First time Reloading Ammunition

Sorry to say it has been to long since I received a Lee Classic Loader from Lee Precision, Inc. but, happy to say I finally had time to sit down and try it. I do have to point out that I have never reloaded before as some of you know but I went into it as something I want to eventually do more of.

What I am using is a Lee Classic Loader for 30-30. It came with some good instruction complete with pictures (pictures were a plus).

I wanted to get into this because as you know the economy isn't all that good and I like shooting very much and figured it would be good to know the other side of it as well.

I did spend a little time reading and studying the instructions as well as watching a few video's on Youtube which also was a huge help.






Above I have a pressure treated block of wood so I don't marr up my bench plus it can also sit on your lap which will deaden the banging of the plastic hammer you will also need.

The first thing I did was take the decapping tool and a empty casing with a decapper which is almost like a pin punch and tapped out the old primer.



Then I took the empty casing with no primer, put a small amount of case lube on it and tapped it into the tool body flush with the end. Then I turned upside down and placed onto the priming chamber with a new primer and tapped it with the priming rod.

Caution: It is recommended that gloves are used in this process in case the new primer happens to go off which could result in injury if protective gloves are not used.

Here is the tool body with the casing in it and a brand new primer.

So far so good. It really hasn't been that hard but still I was a bit nervous because of the primer and what I have heard and read in addition to the thought that I don't want to mess it up.

Don't know until you try, right.






What I did next was take my pocket knife (did not have a deburring tool) and lightly go around the inside of the casing neck and then run a brush through it.
Now I do have to mention I did not do this part of the process on the first two casings in which case I ruined them when I tried to put the bullet in.

I assume there was burrs that were big enough to cause damage while tapping the bullet in because after doing the deburring the rest came out ok.



IMPORTANT: Any tapping to be done after new primer installed should be done using the "decapping chamber" as a base to protect the new primer from accidentally discharging.

After checking with the powder measure chart that came with the loader kit I made sure I had the proper powder to be used. The scoop is already pre-measured. Once the charged has been dumped into the casing a jacketed bullet which I am using a Speer .308 rounded SP is placed in the tube body and a bullet starter is used to tap in the bullet to the pre-set depth.

I am smiling and enjoying the whole process of reloading, honest I was.












The finished product of my first attempt at reloading.

I can't wait to go try these to see how they do.

I wanted to take a minute to thank again Mr. Lee for donating this "Classic Lee Loader" kit for my use, it will get a lot of use too. I also want to thank those who have given me the tips and tricks for my first reloading adventure. This does extend my passion for deer hunting and the shooting sports.

Savory Sunday's - #33

Grilled Venison with Braised Red Cabbage and Mashed Potatoes:

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon juniper berries
• 3/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
• Pinch allspice
• 11/4 pounds venison sirloin, cut into 4 equal portions and pounded thin
• 1 pound venison tenderloin, cut into medallions
• 1 pound venison sausages
• 2 cups veal stock, or beef stock
• 1 cup apple cider
• 3 tablespoons chopped shallots
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Creole mustard, or other spicy whole-grain mustard
• 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley, plus more for garnish
• Mashed Potatoes, recipe follows
• Braised Red Cabbage, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat a grill.

Make a seasoning salt by processing the salt, juniper, peppercorns, and allsice in a spice grinder, coffee grinder, or blender.

Place the venison on a work surface and sprinkle on both sides with the seasoning. Grill the sirloin and tenderloin on both sides until medium-rare, about 1 minutes per side for the sirloin and 2 minutes per side for the tenderloin. Grill the venison sausages until they are cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes.

While the venison is cooking: In a medium saucepan, bring the veal stock, cider, shallots and pepper to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the mixture is reduced by half. Whisk in the mustard. Working on and off the heat, whisk in the butter in pieces. Remove from the heat add minced parsley and adjust the seasoning, to taste. Serve as soon as possible.

To serve, spoon the mashed potatoes into the center of 4 large plates and top with the venison. Spoon the sauce over the meat, and arrange the red cabbage around the sides of the plate. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Mashed Potatoes:

8 large Idaho potatoes (about 3 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

2 teaspoons salt

1 cup heavy cream

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a medium saucepan, cover the potatoes with water by 1 inch and add 1 teaspoon of the salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and cook at a low boil until the potatoes are fork-tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain in a colander. Return the potatoes to the saucepan and cook for 1 minute get rid of excess moisture. Add the cream, butter, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. With the heat on medium-low, mash until well blended, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm until ready to serve. Braised Red Cabbage:

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil

1/4 cup chopped onions

4 cups coarsely shredded red cabbage (about 1/2 head)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 bay leaves

2 whole cinnamon sticks

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 cup water

3 tablespoons sugar

Heat the oil in a large nonreactive skillet over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onions, cabbage, salt, and pepper and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the vinegar, bay leaves, cinnamon, allspice, and water, and stir and simmer for 3 minutes. Stir in the sugar and cook, stirring and folding the ingredients through the cabbage, for 2 minutes.

Cover the pot and cook over high heat 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes. Uncover, turn the heat up to high and cook, stirring from time to time, until the cabbage is tender, for about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Yield: about 2 cups

(from Emeril's New New Orleans Cooking, by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, William Morrow and Co.)

From the Food Network.com

Wild over Whitetails Deer Hunt

I would like to commend this gentleman for for this event. It truly shows how important it is for us as hunters to get our youth involved.

Crawford Hopes To Inspire Young Outdoorsmen With Wild Over Whitetails Deer Hunt:

By Allen Gregory
Sports Writer / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: September 24, 2009

BRISTOL, Va. – Frank Crawford values adventure. He can remember a simpler time when folks in the Mountain Empire treasured fishing and hunting as much as football and auto racing.

“It’s amazing how many kids in this area lack knowledge in hunting,” Crawford said. “It’s part of our heritage, and we’re losing it.”

With the help of members from the Appalachian Whitetail Association, the 43-year-old resident of Surgoinsville, Tenn., has a bold plan for re-education.
The fourth annual Wild Over Whitetails Youth Deer Hunt will involve 60 kids from Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The hunt, open to kids age 6-16, will be held Oct. 30, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and will cover parts of Sullivan, Hawkins and Washington County.

Crawford realizes that he must be creative to attract the attention of youth enticed by high-tech electronic gizmos, yet he can see a positive big picture. Three kids participated in the first youth deer hunt, and the numbers have steadily rose.

“We’ve expanded a little bit every year,” Crawford said. “We had 12 kids last year, and we have enough applications for 200 kids this year but we just don’t have the money. Trying to get sponsorship is the hard part.”

Read the complete story:

DEP Announces Fall Trout Stocking

Time to get out and hit your foavorite trout spots before winter comes nocking.

By CT Department of Environmental Protection

Fall stockings and a mild summer mean a great autumn for trout anglers, Trout Parks and TMA’s among the areas being stocked.

Just one of the many trout awaiting anglers this fall.

FALL…when cool, crisp days, clear blue skies, bright white clouds, and vibrant foliage provide a spectacular backdrop for trout fishing! And to complete the picture, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has begun its annual autumn trout stockings. During September and October, DEP expects to release more than 36,000 trout into selected waters throughout the state. Among the areas scheduled for stocking this fall are twenty-two lakes and ponds, eight Trout Parks, and sixteen rivers and streams including fourteen Trout Management Areas (TMA).

This fall, the DEP will be stocking eight of the designated Trout Parks, and most will be stocked twice. Connecticut’s Trout Parks are managed to enhance fishing opportunities for families and novice anglers. All the Trout Parks are easily accessible and have picnic areas and other amenities nearby. “Our Trout Parks are great places for family fishing outings in the fall,” said Susan Frechette, Deputy Commissioner of the DEP. “A family can enjoy the brilliant fall foliage and a day of fishing and picnicking in the refreshing fall weather.”

This fall, approximately 36,500 trout are scheduled to be released, of which 12,400 will be large brown trout (greater than 12 inches in length) that are all being stocked in September; 6,100 are standard size (10-12 inch) brown trout, 15,000 are standard size rainbow trout and 3,000 are “yearling” brown trout (7-9 inch). The Trout Parks and rivers and streams including the TMA’s are being stocked in September, and the twenty-two lakes and ponds are scheduled to be stocked in mid-late October.

Plentiful stream flows and cool temperatures allowed a number of TMAs to be stocked earlier in September, and DEP will complete its stockings of the fourteen Trout Management Areas (TMA) this week. These September stockings should provide anglers an opportunity to take advantage of the relatively long day-length and the better weather found in late summer and early fall.

Among the Trout Management Areas (TMA) stocked this fall are the two areas on the Housatonic River. DEP released a total of 9,100 trout (1,000 large brown trout, 5,000 rainbow trout, 3,100 “yearling” brown trout) into the Housatonic River TMA and 2,500 rainbow trout into the Bull’s Bridge TMA. The large brown trout are intended to augment the population of holdover trout in the river this fall, while the rainbow trout and “yearling” browns will enhance the holdover population for next spring.

The West Branch Farmington River (West Branch Reservoir to the West Branch TMA upper boundary) also received its annual Labor Day stocking with DEP releasing 2,500 of the large brown trout (12 inches and larger fish) just prior to Labor Day weekend.

Anglers should be aware that two Trout Parks that are often stocked in the fall, Stratton Brook Park Pond and Southford Falls Park Pond, will not be stocked this year due to planned dredging projects.

Fishing in all sixteen Trout Management Areas is catch-and-release only during the fall. Trout Parks have a two-fish per day creel limit. Regulations vary on many of the other waters being stocked this fall. The DEP advises anglers to check fishing regulations in their 2009 Connecticut Angler’s Guide. Guides are available from many Town Clerks and bait & tackle stores, or by contacting the DEP Inland Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH). The Angler’s Guide, Weekly Fishing Reports and news releases can all be found on the DEP web site at: www.ct.gov/dep

Below are list of Trout Parks, Trout Management areas, and other locations that are scheduled to be stocked this fall. Fall trout stocking is currently scheduled to be completed by late-October.

TROUT PARKS:

Black Rock Pond
Chatfield Hollow
Day Pond
Great Hollow Pond (Wolfe Park)
Mohegan Park Pond
Natchaug River
Valley Falls Park Pond
Wharton Brook (Allen Brook Pond)

TROUT MANAGEMENT AREAS (TMA):

Bulls Bridge TMA (Housatonic River)
Farmington River TMA
(Collinsville to Unionville)
Hammonasset River TMA
Hockanum River TMA
Housatonic River TMA
Mianus River TMA
Mill River TMA
Moosup River TMA
Naugatuck River TMA
Salmon River TMA
Saugatuck River TMA
Sleeping Giant TMA (Mill River-Hamden)
Willimantic River TMA
Yantic River TMA

RIVERS AND STREAMS (see Trout Parks & TMAs for additional locations):

Hammonasset River
Natchaug River
Salmon River (Colchester)
Shetucket River
West Branch Farmington River

LAKES AND PONDS (see Trout Parks for additional locations):

Amos Lake
Bashan Lake
Beach Pond
Bigelow Pond
Black Pond (Meriden)
Black Pond (Woodstock)
Cedar Lake
Coventry Lake
Crystal Lake (Ellington)
Gardner Lake
Long Pond
Mashapaug Lake
Mohawk Pond
Mt. Tom Pond
Pattaconk Lake
Quonnipaug Lake
Rogers Lake
Stillwater Pond
Tyler Pond
Wauregan Reservoir
West Hill Pond
West Side Pond

Story from Connecticut Plus.com

Save some Bucks with Bass Pro Shops

Most of you probably know that I am a huge fan of Cabela's but, I do have to say that I like browsing Bass Pro Shops also. I received this in an email and thought some of you might be interested.

With deer season starting up who doesn't need to do a bit of shopping.


You can also order by calling 1-800-BASS-PRO (1-800-227-7776).
Give the Phone Representative Key Code L9BU.
Offer valid through September 30, 2009.
Offer good for $20 off a one-time catalog or internet purchase of $100 or more.
Not valid on previously placed orders.
Excludes applicable taxes and shipping charges.
Purchased gift cards and redemption of rewards points will be deducted from qualifying merchandise total.
Cannot be combined with any other offers.
Prices shown are in U.S. funds and are subject to change.
These prices apply to Internet and Phone orders only and may not be valid in the retail stores.
Descriptive, typographical or photographical errors are subject to correction.

Bass Pro Shops
2500 E. Kearney
Springfield, MO 65898

Blog Spotlight - Rob's Hunting Journal

Where does the time go I swear, it sure does fly when I'm having fun. The next month's blog spotlight is "Rob's Hunting Journal".


In Rob's own words, I am blessed to have a Daddy who taught me how to hunt and fish as a kid. Hunting together has always been something special that we have shared over the years and I hope the memories continue to grow. I was also taught a lot about the outdoors from my late Grand daddy, Wayne Watson, who was an avid quail hunter that loved bird dogs. I attribute most of what I know about shotgunning to my uncle, Robert Watson, who is the best Wingshooter I know. I have a beautiful wife, Stephanie, of 7 years and two wonderful daughters, Katy (4 1/2) and Keelie (2).




Here are just a couple of Rob's accomplishments. Two deer that were taken in the same morning just a couple hours apart. And the other is a very impressive 30 pound bobcat taken with bow.


Please take a minute or two or three or four and stop by to visit Rob at "Rob's Hunting Journal".

After the Shot - Part 3

Tracking:

Now from what you have learned by looking at the arrow you should be able to determine if you should wait or start tracking. Tracking I feel is an art in some ways. Nobody wants to have to go look for a deer but I kinda of take it as a challenge.

Before I go any farther I do want to give a couple of safety tips because depending on the terrain and the length of tracking there are a couple things you should do.

1. Let someone know you are tracking, that way if you inadvertently get lost especially after nightfall someone will have an idea where to start looking.
2. Having help is good but having to much help can be bad so only get 1 to 2 persons maximum to help track.
3. Make sure you have suitable light in case you find yourself in the dark.

Once you begin you should spot where the blood trail is. Sometimes you don't see blood right away so you need to criss cross in the direction of where you saw the deer last. Once the trail is picked up it is important not to rush because you can possibly miss sign that is important to know or if the deer is not down yet you could end up pushing it (I have been there and done that, it's no fun).

Photo from The BOWSITE.com

This illustration shows blood drops of a deer that is walking. See the splatter marks, it is difficult to tell which direction the deer is going.

Again, I can't stress enough the importance of taking your time. Study the trail as you go, watch the terrain that you are going through and by all means be quiet. If the deer is not down and you are making all sorts of noise than that is a bad thing.






In this illustration you can obviously tell which way the deer is going by looking at the splatter as the deer runs. Another way to think of it is and I hate when people do this is you throw a cup of coffee out of a moving vehicle, you look back and the splatter shows which direction your going.

Another thing to keep in mind is the blood trail in relation to the tracks. Are the blood drops on one side of the tracks indicating that it might not have been a passthrough like the picture to the left shows.

If it was a pass through you should have drops falling on both sides of the tracks.


I have tracked a lot of deer in my nineteen years of hunting and really enjoy it actually even though I try to drop them within eyesight it doesn't always happen that way. That is why you need to practice and pay attention to all the sign.

I have lost a blood trail before and literally got down on my hands and knees and looked through the underbrush. If you keep your eye's and your mind open you can actually see deer trails that you would not normally see if you were standing straight up.

Now some say that deer that are not pushed will normally go down hill, I beg to differ. I tracked a deer for someone once that was not pushed and had ample time to get away and expire. This particular instance the deer took me up hills, down hills, through laurel bushes on it's belly (because that is how I had to track the blood) and along side a swamp that was hard to navigate without falling in up to your knees. There was no reason for this deer to do and go where it did but, it did.

I did find it for this guy although I missed taking my wife out to dinner that night but, I won't go there. So you can not expect the to do the same thing all the time. That is why they are considered to be America's number one game animal to hunt.

If there are any other questions please feel free to ask. In my nineteen years I have tracked more deer than I have harvested.

30 Point Whitetail Buck Harvested in Fond du Lac

You have just got to see this video. I saw it this morning, that is one lucky guy. I'm very envious.



A large crowd gathered Monday afternoon in front of Dutch's Trading Post as sportsmen and passers-by admired "Lucky Buck" — an elusive 30-point whitetail buck taken by bow Sunday night west of Fond du Lac.

Fond du Lac resident Wayne Schumacher was accepting handshakes and pats on the back as he related how he had managed to down the buck, which featured a huge non-typical rack, around dusk at 6:45 p.m. "towards Rosendale."

"It's so hard to believe," Schumacher said, noting he's hunted with bow and gun for more than 30 years. "I had known people had seen it in the area but I had no idea (it was nearby)."

The 30-point deer has an inside antler spread of 20½ inches. Its field-dressed weight was about 225 pounds. Estimates are that the deer is at least 4½ to 5 years old.

Read the complete story:

By Laurie Ritger • The Reporter lritger@fdlreporter.com • September 22, 2009

Tuesday's Tip's & Technique's - #56

Making your arrows glide:

I have had arrows in the past that were perfectly straight and perfectly balanced but there are times when you just can't get one to fly right or slide back to full draw with out making it sound that your torturing a mouse.

I what did was to take a silcone gun cleaning cloth and wipe down the arrows shafts periodically. What this did was take all the dirt and grime off your shafts that the naked eye can not see. It takes the squeeks away and makes the shaft just glide along the rest without adding anything to the weight of the shaft

After the Shot - Part 2

Examining your Arrow:

In the Post I did a couple three days ago "After the Shot - What should you Do?" I was reading a comment from a gentleman called Borepatch with a blog titled the same who asked (I was wondering if you would like to do a post with more detail about what to look for when you find your arrow - what the different signs that are important to you are). Well, it gave me an idea to pick apart my original post and explain a little further in detail. I'm happy to oblige.

Ok, so you just let an arrow fly out of your bow and watched the deer of your dreams run out of site. You have pinpointed landmarks in your head of the actual spot where the deer was and where you last saw him. After waiting a bit for things to quiet down you climb out of your stand and look for your arrow.

An arrow can tell you so much information that it's import to find. You find your arrow and it was a perfect pass thru which is always a good sign. What you need to do which is rough at first but in time will get easier is to inspect the arrow. By looking at the blood on it it will give an idea of where the hit was, for example.

• Crimson red - Heart shot
• Pinkish red blood with bubbles in it - Lung shot
• Medium to Dark red - Liver shot
• Bad smell, Greenish Material - Paunch/Stomach shot

Now personally for me I try to aim for the lungs because it is the biggest area out of all those which increases your odds of a hit. The blood can tell you a lot but also another added item to look for on the arrow and around the hit site is hair. The deer hair can possibly tell you where the hit occurred. You can't depend on blood being at the hit site so having another way to determine where you hit is an added bonus.

I have to admit I've been hunting deer now for nineteen seasons and I still can't remember all the types of hair and where they are so I found this chart which should help.

An Identification Guide to Whitetail Deer Hair

• Heart and Lung Hair - Very coarse, very long dark hair, with black tips.

• Stomach or Side Hair - Very coarse, hollow, brownish gray and medium length. Tips are not dark as they are higher up on the deer.

• Navel Hair - All white, hollow, very coarse and very long. Will appear curly and twisted.

• Spine Hair - Very coarse, hollow, long dark gray hair with black tips.

• Top of Back Hair - Very coarse, hollow, long dark gray hair with black tips. Shorter than spine hair.

• Ham Hair - Very coarse, medium length, and dark gray with dark tips,

• Lower Leg - Hair Coarse, medium to short in length, gray to brown in color with dark tips.

• Hair Between Hind Legs - Not hollow, very fine, white and silky, and also curly.

• Brisket - Very coarse, long and dark gray, with dark tips. Very stiff, but can curl.

• Neck Hair - Dark gray and short. Front of neck will be light gray to white, also short.

• Tail Hair - Top hair is dark and wavy, very long and tipped in black. Underneath is white and also wavy.

Hair information from Mark Timney

I hopes this helps some what because after all the time you put in just attempting to fill that tag you don't want to loose anything. Besides the more you learn and know the better of a deer hunter you will become.

In my next post which will be "Part 3" I will talk about Tracking.

According to Folklore Winter will be Severe

I was out in the backyard this afternoon working on a project when I saw my first woolly bear of the season.

Now you know all about the folklore of the woolly bear don't you. Folklore has it that the more black there is on a woolly bear the more severe winter weather will be.

If this folklore comes true we are certainly in for a lot of nasty winter weather.

What do you think?

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The exit of summer always ushers in Fall familiarities - apple cider, pumpkins, changing landscapes and the site of nature's most recognizable caterpillar: the woolly bear.

Cute, fuzzy and downright fun to watch it inch its way across a sidewalk, the harmless caterpillar has enjoyed being at the center of weather folklore. Like the groundhog's shadow, the woolly bear's 13 distinctive black and reddish-brown bands have become a rule of thumb in forecasting winter.

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the longer the middle brown band, the milder and shorter the coming winter; the shorter the brown band, the longer and more severe winter will be.

Read the complete article:

Savory Sunday's - #32

Grill Cooked Stuffed Venison Backstrap:

The loin will be a fairly thin layer wrapped around the veggies. To accomplish this, the backstrap must be butterflied. To do this, first trim the loin so it's about the same diameter along it's entire length. Begin cutting the loin lengthwise, as if your were unwrapping a cinnamon roll. Keep the meat about one-half inch thick. Use a tenderizing hammer (or the bottom of a small cast iron skillet) to lightly pound the butterflied meat to an even thickness.


INGREDIENTS

One butterflied venison backstrap
Six slices of bacon
Two large red or Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped
8 ounces of sliced mushrooms
One half cup whole kernel corn
One medium white onion,chopped
Three scallions, or green onions, with tops, chopped
Two tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
One teaspoon salt
One-half teaspoon black pepper
Vegetable oil

(As these ingredients are cooked, place them in a warm oven to keep hot.)

Fry the bacon until crispy. Remove from the pan, saving the grease to fry the other ingredients. Fry the corn until it just starts to brown. Add the chopped yellow onion and mushrooms and continue frying until soft. Remove from the pan, and with more bacon grease, fry the potatoes until they are lightly browned. Remove, then fry the green onions until just beginning to soften, then add the parsley. Cook for a couple more minutes, then remove from the heat.

Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and mash them up a little. This will help bind the other ingredients together. Crumble the bacon, and add it and the rest of the cooked ingredients to the potatoes. Salt and pepper, then stir together.

Immediately place the hot filling on the butterflied loin, right down the middle. Roll the meat around the filling, then either secure the edges with bamboo skewers, or tie it off with cotton twine.

Coat the outside of the stuffed venison backstrap with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium high heat, lightly browning on four sides. Remove from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe from Smoker Cooking.com

What do You carry in your Pack?

I just got done reading a good post from Terry over at the "Women's Hunting Journal" about what she like to carry while she is out in the field, it's called "A pocket Full of?". It got me thinking and figured why not I'll do a post of what is usually in my pack.

Now when I go hunting I try to not carry to much, I like to keep it light. I have a very comfortable very quiet fanny pack that just seems to be the right size. Now I carry a fixed position blade knife called a Vanguard from Buck Knives. It definately is a good skinning and field dressing knife that keeps a good edge.

Now with a good knife you can't go out without a first aid kit, or at least I can't. I like to carry a Day Hiker Kit from Bass Pro Shops that is a (level 2 care for 2 people for 3 days). I always seem to cut myself some where and some how, never fails. I also threw in a couple match books in a water proof zip-lock bag to keep them dry. It never hurts to have something in an emergency.

I have a Garmin Etrex GPS that is also an added item. Once you get used to using it all you have to do is occasionally enter your way points and when your ready you can set it to direct you back to where you started. For a hand held GPS it is quite accurate and affordable.

Being a deer hunter most of us like to go in the dark and leave in the dark so I like to carry a Mini Maglite which is small and with a good set of AA batteries is bright enough. Now I also started using a Princeton Tec Headlamp just this past spring which is awesome and keeps your hands free to carry other gear, it's very bright as well.

Range finders are also a good item to have especially if you have trouble judging distance like I do. I like to carry a Bushnell Sport 450 Laser Ranefinder which doesn't take a lot of space. All I have to do is look through it like a pair of binoculars and push a button that will give me the yardage to my target.

That is the basics that I carry all except for a few other items such as,

• cell phone
• water jug
• surveyors tape for marking
• hardcore hunter cleaning kit from Otis
• glow stick in case flashlite batteries die
• snacks

That's keeping it light, right?

After the Shot, What should you Do?

I was browsing of course a deer magazine last night at work (during my break) and read an article that made me think of sharing a few of my experiences.

After the shot, what should do?

During bowhunting season I would say it is harder to find your deer because with archery the shot causes hemorrhaging (blood loss) which could take longer than say with a gun which causes shock, a very quicker end. In the past I have experienced all kinds of after the shot scenarios and like to think I have learned from them all.

I recall my very first deer I ever shot and I still remember it to this day because I never recovered it, I felt bad for quite a few days.

After the shot I immediately climbed down and headed for the house not looking for blood or my arrow and not being quiet at all. I had called for help to track being my first deer I didn't really know what I was doing. It was recommended that I wait till morning but I didn't and consequently ended pushing the deer through a small marsh and lost it.

The next morning I went back out and realized I had crossed the deer's path in the dark three to four times. If I had waited awhile before getting down and at the very least made a quiet wide out of the way exit and waited till morning I would like to think by the sign I saw that the deer would have been within 100 yards of my stand.

Another instance was I shot a small doe with my bow. This time I had waited a little and then climbed down and quietly and slowly went to where the deer was when I shot and located the arrow (which was covered) and started to follow the blood trail. When it crossed a walking path with very good sign I continued on.

All of a sudden the deer shot up from behind a laurel bush and ran off. I thought to myself I wasn't gonna do this again. I backed out and swung around to grab my hunting partner at the time and we quietly decided to leave and come back in the morning.

The next morning myself and two other guys went out and starting looking from the very last spot I had left off the night before, I had marked it with orange survers tape. We split up in three different direction because what we didn't expect was a rain front coming in that morning. With a bad feeling because of rain we still headed out. I got no more than say 40 yards from where I left off the night before and found the doe inbetween some laurel bushes with a one lung hit. It was a good decision on my part to back out and come back in the morning. I like to think I learned from my mistakes.

What I think you should after the shot:

• Watch the deer until it goes out of sight and mark in your mind landmarks to go by (certain trees or rocks or even deadfalls. When you climb down the terrain will look different to you.
• Wait, unless you saw the deer drop or you know what kind of shot you have it is best to wait for say an hour at least.
• Quietly climb down and find the arrow, inspect for the color of blood which can sometimes tell you where you hit either lung, heart, paunch. Also, look for hair. You can sometimes determine where you hit by the type of hair you find.
• Now this is where you have to determine, was it a lethal hit in which case if you track quiet and slow you should locate fairly soon. Or, was it a bad hit in which case you might want to quietly back out and come back a few hours later or even the next morning, keeping in mind what the weather is going to be doing.

When in Doubt - Back Out!

To put all that time and hardwork into shooting a deer and to loose it because of a mistake just eats you up inside, I know I've been there and done that and don't ever want to do it again. It can happen at anytime to the best of us but if we do what we can to prevent that than it only better the odds in our favor of recovery.

Helping to Feed the Hungry

With deer season beginning and autumn right around the corner with winter looming on the horizon I wanted to point out an option that some or most of us don't think about and that is helping to feed the hungry in our own states. Some of us are more fortunate than others with tagging deer so why not donate a deer or two to help feed the hungry.



According to USDA figures In Connecticut, 283,000 people, many of them
children, are food insecure.

Did you know ONE DEER can feed 200 Hungry People?

Hunt To Feed is a program designed to raise funds to allow any Connecticut
State Hunter the ability to donate their harvest to help feed those in need.

Join the growing number of businesses, organizations and private residents
donating to the growing Hunt To Feed program, which directly assists the CT
Food Bank, shelters and local non profit organizations with nutritious venison that
is provided by our state hunters.

THREE WAYS TO DONATE

1) Donate the entire harvest to any one of our participating butchers below
and Hunt To Feed will cover the entire cost.

2) Donate a portion of your harvest if being processed by one of these
approved program butchers and you are paying for yourself. 10 pounds of
ground venison from your deer donated to the program feeds 40 people!

3) Make a cash donation here towards the processing costs of our
participating butchers.

A & R LivestockSouthington Beef & Pork
347 Center Street
Southington, CT
Rod Cooper & Art Barillaro
860-628-7001

Salem Prime Cuts
12 New London Rd
Salem, CT 06420
(860) 859-0741

Large Game Company
Lee & Ellica Sabo
Oxford, CT
203-888-3860

There are organizations scattered throughout the United States and your almost guaranteed to find one location in each state. Like I mentioned earlier in this post just 1 deer can feed up to 200 people. I already plan to donate one if I am able to.

Tools designed for Field Dressing Deer and other big game

With bowhunting season under way I am thinking of when I got my first deer and how unprepared I really was. Shooting a deer is the easy part, what happens afterwards is a bit harder like field dressing.

Here are a couple of tools that I would like to recommend. I have been using these for about three years now and they make it so much easier for me. First I want to mention the brand.

Gerber, Legendary Blades

We're Gerber®. We design the tools, knives and outdoor gear that are essential, not only for the task at hand, but for bringing back something lost: our self-reliance.

Gerber. Fend For Yourself.

The first item was a huge help for me. My wife Heidi had got it for me one Christmas and I have to say it is one of the most important field dressing tools I own.

EZ - Zip

I use this tool for slicing up the belly without cutting into the paunch area which I mistakenly have done in the past.

Here it is, sweet and simple: A super-efficient slicing tool that makes the most of its simple design and sturdy construction. Hunters and public services people consider this a must-have for fast and nimble cutting action. The blade is high carbon stainless steel. The handle is a brilliant configuration of holes and finger notches that fits like a dream in your hand just so.

• Nimble and efficient
• Ergonomic design
• High carbon stainless steel

EZ - Saw

This tool I use for splitting the pelvic bone. Trust me when I say it is alot easier to saw through it than it is to snap it with your hunting knife which is the way I use to do it.

As the snappy name suggests, the E-Z Saw is a breeze to use when it comes time to saw through the bones of big game animals. Its a remarkably efficient design. And its a genuine comfort to use, owing to the co-mold of rigid thermoplastic and SoftGrip®.

The saw teeth are configured to reduce increase sawing efficiency by 1/3 as compared to traditional saws. That means less work, and that's always a good thing.

• SoftGrip
• Rounded end reduces risk of punture
• Fine ground teeth

• Overall Length: 5.75"
• Weight: 2.2 oz.
• Handle Material Co-Molded SoftGrip and Thermoplastic
• Blade Material High carbon stainless steel
• Sheath Material: Ballistic Nylon

There are currently no reviews for this product.

Connecticut's Bowhunting Season is underway

Yesterday bowhunting season opened in Connecticut. I gotta tell ya I do miss it and I'm hoping to get back into it and be ready for next season. Having that extra amount of time in the deer woods is so important for a few reasons.

1. I used all the sightings in early season to help determine where I might go later when the guns come out.
2. It also gives me an idea how many other hunters will be in the area if your hunting public lands.
3. It helps get to know the terrain because it will change considerably when the foliage comes down so it's good to get familiar with landmarks.
4. With bowhunting you had to learn patience because game had to be closer than with a firearm
5. You actually enjoyed the changing of the seasons more sitting out than if you watched it from inside.
   

These are just the highlights of why I liked to bowhunt the early season. Obviously everyone else has there own opinions on this and if they are any different from what I had stated than please feel free to put them in as a comment.

Product Review - Otis Hardcore Hunter Cleaning System

I recently saw a video on youtube of someone using a cleaning kit from "Otis Technology, Inc." and thought that was a very nice item especially for out in the field, I am always looking to improve and simplify my outdoor efforts. What I did was send word to Otis Technology asking for an opportunity to do a product review on one of their cleaning systems for Whitetail Woods.

I not soon after received an email from Heather Bennett, a Marketing Associate for Otis Technology. She was glad to oblige my request and shipped out to me a cleaning kit better than the one I had originally asked for. When it arrived I was surprised to find a small instructional CD and a full color catalog both that I am sure will come in handy.

The CD was very easy to understand and explained in detail step by step procedures, that and the paperwork that came with it were step by step with photo's so it is virtually impossible to to understand how it works.

The Hardcore Hunter Cleaning System comes in two different camo designs, Mossy Oak Breakup which happens to be my favorite and it comes also in Realtree camo. As you can tell it is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

Don't let the small size full you because this kit is loaded with just about everything you need to clean with. The HardCore Hunter Cleaning System cleans all rifles, pistols, and shotguns from .17 Caliber through 12/10 Gauge.





This kit has everything and it only weighs 0.62 pounds and the actual dimensions are 4"x4"x 2 1/2".
This kit has a MSRP of $68.24 and let me tell you I personally feel it is worth the money, especially if you go on hunting trips and don't want to carry a lot of cleaning equipment. I feel it would pay for itself the first time you use it.

I just happen to have a 30-30 lever action that needed cleaning so after watching the instructional CD and looking at the step by step pictures that came with the paperwork I setup the wire with a cleaning patch just like they showed me and ran it through.

What I like about this part is it goes in the breech and out the muzzle. Going in the direction that the bullet goes instead of the opposite direction.




Here you see the wire with the brush on it. It was so nice to use, just turning it while it cleaned the neck area and then sliding it through the barrel so as to clean up the rifling.

Then after that I took the patch and turned it so I could use it again and run it through after the brush.

Done and ready to Lock & Load!




Keeping our firearms clean is not only a responsibility to ourselves as hunters and sportsmen but is also a responsibility to the game we hunt. The cleaner our firearms are the better they will shoot and the longer they will stay in perfect operating condition.

Always remember good firearms safety practices and to treat every gun as if it were loaded.

Tuesday's Tip's & Technique's - #55

Where to hang your Hunting Clothes:

This tip I am sure some of you might already know but, for those who don't it could be rather helpful to you.

Years ago I used to just come home from hunting and through my hunting clothes over the back of a chair. That was before I really began to understand a whitetails sense of smell. Now what I will do is take them off including my boots and put them on a hanger and leave them out on the porch.

What this will prevent is all those household odors like the family pets, your wife or husband's cooking, deoderizers etc. from soaking into your stuff.

Doing that in conjuction with using something like Scent-A-Way will help considerably not being detected by an old veteran whitetail.

Last minute ideas before Bowhunting begins

In just a matter of a few hours Connecticut's Archery season will officially open. I know a lot have been gearing up for this years season.

Just a few last minute things I would like to mention,

• Be alert, there will more than likely be more of you out there and with the foliage still out it could be hard to see them.
• Early season means hot and cold weather, dress accordingly in layers.
• make sure shooting lanes don't need any last minute trimming
• before you shoot clarify the target, to many mistakes happen because hunters don't take that pressure moment to confirm before they shoot,
• Always keep a basic first aid kit in your bag.

BE SAFE, ENJOY AND GOOD LUCK!

A well spent Saturday in Upstate New York

Not letting the rain slow Heidi and I down we headed out for a three hour drive to Queensbury New York this morning. Our goal as some of you know was to visit and browse the Adirondack Sportsmen Show also called The Whitetail Summit.



The ride to upstate New York except for the rain was beautiful and we noticed in certain areas that some leaves believe it or not were actually starting to change. We got to the show right when we figured we would be there and our tickets were waiting at the counter like I was told.

I do have to say that I expected it to be bigger than it was but, it was a very good show none the less. The Northeast Big Buck Club had a booth there and they were measuring antlers which is always fascinating to me. I have been a member of the NBBC for three years now.

There was seminars going on the whole time I was there where there was slide shows and popular names such as The Benoits, R.G. Bernier, Dan Schmidt and Gene & Barry Wensel. There was a lot of outfitters there that you could look at as well.

The main reason why I drove three hours to the show was to meet the artist Deborah Brosen and her husband John. Deborah as she likes to be called Debbie is a magnificent artist who paints on turkey feathers. I actually stumbled across her website once and to make a long story short found out we both had something in common and that was the NBBC. I was suppose to meet up with her at their annual banquet but sad to say we never crossed paths. So I wanted to make sure I met up with her in New York when she told me she was going to display her art there.

This picture just does not do her work any justice. Most of what you see there is new artwork for the show she had to create because she is so good at what she does she had sold most of what she had already done.

When I first saw her website I thought to myself what amazing artwork that is. To paint on real turkey feathers takes time and talent.

The paintings are one thing the prints of the paintings are such high quality that at the glance you can not tell the difference from painting to print.

To admire the outdoors and wildlife is not much different than to admire Debbie's artwork. She had donated a signed print for my one year anniversary giveaway which I so very much appreciated and I am proud to say that I will eventually be hanging a actual feather painting in my den. She wants to maybe eventually do her painting full time which I personally think she could do, that is why I am trying to get word out for her and her website.

Here is Debbie and her husband John. That print you see in front of them was going to be raffled off so you can bet that I bought a few tickets, you never know although I don't usually win anything.

I do have to mention a very important thing. Whether it is a painting or a print they are all framed in handmade frames that her and john make themselves. Absolutely beautiful if you ask me.

Anyway it was a very nice day spent with Heidi and the show was a good time and I finally got to meet a very talented artist Debbie Brosen of Feather Art Studio.

Please take a minute to view her website, you will be amazed at how she paints and what she paints. Painting or prints of Debbie's would be a added conversation piece to anyone's livingroom or den. Her website is also featured in my sidebar so you can get there by just clicking on the link.

Savory Sunday's - #31

Mild and Smoky Venison Jerky


This recipe is for 2 pounds of lean, sliced venison. There is no hot pepper seasoning added to this recipe, so it's nice and mild. The liquid smoke can be left out if you dry this one in the smoker.

1/4 cup of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon of Tender Quick®
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
2 tablespoons of liquid smoke

Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Combine the marinade and the venison, and refrigerate overnight. Drain the strips of venison well before dehydrating.

Heading for the 2009 Whitetail Summit

Todays post is very short because Heidi and I are heading for upstate New York for the "Whitetail Summit".

According to mapquest it is going to be a 3 hour drive and we want to spend a good part of the day there so I should hopefully have some pictures and stuff to tell you about tomarrow.

See you then!

Remembering September 11th.

NEVER FORGET!

That truly was a sad day for all Americans but, we have learned to adapt and overcome those atrocities. In my opinion I think we were accustomed to feeling that nothing could happen to us so we got use to letting our guard down, and this is what happens when we do that.

The war against terrorism has been long and will not end anytime soon. A lot have died in defense of our country so I would appreciate it if everyone just took a moment of silence for those who have died and for those who are not back home as of yet.

Record Brown Trout caught in Manistee Michigan

I know deer season is looming on the horizon for a lot of us but I saw this on the "Ultimate Outdoorsman" blog and just had to pass it along. I fancy trout but this would be like a dream come true for me, sorry to say it wasn't though. I do want to congratulate Mr. Tom Healy on a very nice catch.

Tom Healy of Rockford displays a brown trout he caught Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in the Manistee River. It weighed in at 41 pounds, 7 ounces. (ROBERT OLSEN / Special to the DFP)

A new World Record for Brown Trout

By ERIC SHARP
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Tom Healy says he’s “just an old retired guy who came to Manistee for a nice day of fishing.” But after landing what appears to be a world-record brown trout today, he suspects “they’re going to make me the king of Manistee, Michigan.”

“We’re real happy to bring the world record back to Manistee,” the 66-year-old Rockford angler said after landing a 41-pound, 7-ounce brown in the Manistee River. “I’ve fished here 20 years and come regularly, and I’ve caught some nice salmon. But never anything like this.”

Read the complete story:

New Regulations for Connecticut Hunters

September 8, 2009

Attention Deer and Turkey Hunters

New Regulations for the Tagging and Reporting of Harvest

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced new regulations that will affect deer and turkey hunting this upcoming season. The regulations concerning the tagging and reporting of deer and turkeys harvested by hunters have undergone significant changes. The new regulations are designed to make the purchase of deer and turkey permits more convenient for sportsmen, as well as save money on the printing and distribution of permits and tags and improve harvest monitoring methods.

One of the most significant changes is that the DEP has done away with the Tyvek^® tags that used to come with deer and turkey hunting permits. Instead, hunters are now required to use newly-designed Kill Tags to record information about deer or turkeys they harvest. Copies of the new Kill Tags are on page 37 of the 2009 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide and are also available on the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep/hunting.

When hunters harvest a deer or turkey, they must fill out a Kill Tag, sign it, and keep the Kill Tag with the animal until it is brought to a check station or is processed for consumption. When transporting a harvested deer or turkey, the tag does not have to be attached to the animal. Hunters can carry the completed, signed Kill Tag in their pocket so there is no chance of losing it. However, if the animal is left in the woods or at a vehicle, the Kill Tag must remain with the animal. In this instance, it is recommended that the Kill Tag be placed in a plastic bag and secured to the animal.

In 2009, the number of days that deer must be brought to a check station has changed. Only deer taken during the first four days of the shotgun/rifle season (November 18-21) must be brought to a check station. A listing of deer check stations is available on the DEP's website, at DEP offices, and at most licensing agents. At all other times, hunters are required to report their deer and turkey kills within 24 hours using one of two methods. Kills can be reported on the DEP website (www.ct.gov/dep/hunting) or by calling a toll free number (1-877-337-4868). Hunters are no longer required to mail in a kill report card. After reporting their kill via the internet or by telephone, hunters will be given a confirmation number to write on their Kill Tag. This confirmation number serves as proof that the kill was legally reported. Deer hunters in deer management zones 11 and 12 who take advantage of the Replacement Antlerless and Earn-a-Buck tag programs must complete this same tagging and reporting procedure prior to going to a check station that issues replacement tags. Hunters using Landowner Permits must also use the same tagging and reporting procedure. However, as in the past, they are not required to bring their deer to a check station.

Hunters with internet access may find that submitting their kill reports on the DEP website is easier than using the telephone reporting system. The telephone reporting system uses an automated attendant that prompts the user to answer a series of questions by pressing the appropriate numbered responses. On the website, hunters can answer questions by using convenient drop-down menus. Other advantages of using the internet to report is that hunters can review reports they have previously submitted and print out copies of these reports for their records.

Kill Tags and instructions on using the new reporting systems are on the DEP website www.ct.gov/dep/hunting). The DEP recognizes that it may take time for some hunters to adapt to the new system, but hopefully they will soon benefit from its convenience.

Deer Feeders, can be worth the Added Cost

This past holiday weekend I went over my friend Nate's house to do some shooting and we went for a brief walk out back where he showed me the deer feeder he bought. I have wanted to get one for quite some time but, the main reason I haven't is because I don't have enough land to put one on.

I thought I would show the one he got or the one I think he has if memory serves me right, lately memory can be a bit iffy.

See Nate really likes to go to Cabela's as much as I do which is where he got this one.



Moultrie Pro Hunter 30 Gallon Breakdown Hopper Tripod Feeder



On their website they are selling it for $129.99 and has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 which I think is very good.

Of course here in Connecticut and a few other states you can't hunt deer over bait but there isn't much that says you can't feed them else where on the property. I think it is a good way to help them with food especially during the winter months when they really need it and in conjunction with a trail camera you can kinda keep track of the deer in your area.

200-lb. capacity hopper Program to feed up to six times a day Metal spin plate Convenient LCD display Easy to assemble, take down and transport

Equipped with a digital timer, this tripod feeding system can be programed to feed up to six times a day. There's a convenient, easy-to-read LCD display. The metal spin plate throws feed in a 40-ft. circle and is fed by a funnel from above. The tripod kit comes complete with a 30-gal., 200-lb.-capacity, two-piece tapered poly hopper with lockable lid and tripod that's easy to assemble, take down and transport. Assembly hardware included. Power is supplied by a 6-volt battery (not included).

Tuesday's Tip's & Technique's - #54

Keeping Scent Free:

This can be a tricky time of year because of scouting and setting tree stands and checking trail camera's. We as hunters realize how important this time of year is because our seasons are about to start and in some states has already started.

It is so crucial to be as scent free as possible now because if you leave to much scent in your area's that the deer will change their routes and come opening day they won't be there and all you hard work can be wasted.

This is a good product that I would recommend using on a regular basis. It can be bought almost anywhere and the price is quite reasonable.

Spray that on everytime will help you from leaving scent for the deer to pick up. Another thing I like to do is go out on those drizzly days or after a rain storm. The rain will help keep your scent down and washed away.

You can't underestimate a whitetail sense of smell. They will know you are there before you know your there. Always try to approach an area down wind from where you want to be which could be a big advantage to you.

I hope some of these tips help because if you are like me it's a terrible thing to end the hunt before it really get's started.