8 August, 2011 13:49

http://misket.net/revaz.html

NYHuntClub.com

I decided to try to start a new forum called www.NYHuntClub.com.

Forums are a tough undertaking; mostly due to the dependability you have on member participation. Not to mention that there already exists several thousand forums on the web. Several hundred of which; covering the same topics as yours.

NYHuntClub.com was made for the hunters of NY State; providing an online community of shared interests. A place to express opinions about the bureaucracy of hunting in NYS as well as discussing hunting stories and tips.

Perhaps, it can unite NY Hunters and help provide a voice that our elected officials in Albany can not ignore. Albany knows we are out here because they always find us when they need more of our money.

Hopefully, as hunting season approach; the forum can find success in the way of membership. That is the first step. Then we can focus on Albany together as the NYHuntClub.com.

Into the Fold

By chasephase

I recently visited a great friend and his lovely family. Too much time had passed by for whatever reasons.

He was a hunting buddy who has introduced many to the sport of hunting. He attracts people and friends like moths to a light. He is a teacher and a coach in his professional life as well as in his personal time. It’s what he does and he excels at it in a unconventional  manner.

Coach, as I will refer to him; not only brought new guys into the hunting fold…he gave them a place to learn to hunt. He opened his land and tree stands to the new guys. For awhile, he even was a Hunter Safety Instructor.I was fortunate enough to hunt with him quite a bit. I knew many of the new hunters and found myself in a role of helping these new recruits out. Passing on the knowledge that I had about hunting. I enjoyed sharing with them and listening to there new experiences as they came back after each hunt, eager to tell about their encounters.

Over the past few years, I often wondered how this “club” was doing. Sitting in my tree stand on opening day of shotgun in the pre-dawn; my thoughts would pass to them for a moment. Curious about their success as hunters after gaining a few seasons under their belts.

Well, stopping in to see Coach the other day; I was completely rewarded to hear about many of the deer these guys have put on the ground. I was damn proud to hear about the deer they had bagged. It brought me joy knowing they have been successful and continue to pursue hunting.

Coach has done well and has continued introducing the sport to others. Heck, he has reversed the urban migration in a small part as some of the guys have left the city to stake their claims on fertile hunting grounds.

Now, I only hope that they too bring more new hunters into the fold. Passing the buck fever on to their friends and families. It is a beautiful gift to give to another.

Coach shared a passion with just a few friends and can now see how it has all flourished into something bigger. I don’t want to say that Coach is Jesus….but teach a man to hunt and he feeds more than just his hunger…and his family. You feed a natural instinct that began in the dawn of time and was found in the genetic coding of our primal ancestors.

It is an instinct we all have, no matter how much education you receive in life. No matter the organizations you become a member of, for example PETA. The Spirit of the Hunt is in all of us and people like Coach can help you tap into it.

Be a hunter and not just a gatherer. If you have already experienced the hunting spirit; pass it on to others and bring someone into the fold.

Riding Out the Storm

Deer Season has been over since before Christmas. I have neglected blogging on a regular basis since season started.

Now it is late February and we are waiting to see how much snow this latest storm will dump on us. Even as the snow falls, I am thinking about shed hunting.

Shed hunting seems to be more difficult than actual deer hunting at times. My cousin has already called me and expressed his desire to get out in the woods once the snow melts down to look for some sheds.

In the meantime, If March comes in like a lion, then I hope it goes out like a lamb. Spring will be soon behind it. Shed hunting, fishing and then turkey season in May.

Tonight though, it’s shovels and hunting for the driveways.

LEAVES ARE FALLNGING ALL AROUND…

Time I was on my way….to my hunting stand(s).

The excitement and anticipation is building with the start of the archery season. The bow opener is this Saturday.  With the foliage peaking and our first frost this morning; I can’t wait.

If you are a hunter then you know that feeling I am speaking of. Much like Christmas morning when you were a kid. Just wondering  and hoping a good buck will pass in front of you and offer you a clean shot.  And like some of those Christmases past; hunting can leave you pining for that wall hanger as if it was the must have toy of the year.

I’ve shot my bow, scouted, checked my trail cams and hung my stands with care in hopes that Ole Mr. Whitetail should appear.

To my fellow hunters I say: A Merry Hunting Season To All And To All A Goodnight…and GOOD LUCK!

Is Hunting a right or a privilege?

Since NY has drastically raised the price  of hunting and fishing licenses, I have had this question in my mind. The State tells  us that driving is a privilege and that justifies the charges of a drivers license and cost of registering a vehicle. We have the right to vote and it is free to go to the polls and cast a ballot. The freedom of speech has no infractions unless you yell fire in a crowded theater.

We have the freedom of religion, a major reason why Pilgrims first chose to come to this land. This and the freedom of the press, the right to peaceful assembly and speech all are under the 1st Amendment. And of course the Second Amendment grants us the right to bear arms.

There is all so the right to pursue happiness but what does that mean? Does it mean we have the choice of waking up on the right side of the bed and going through the day in a “happy” state of mind? Our Fore Fathers did not specify what was included in this pursuit.

What about the pursuit of hunting game if it makes one happy? Do we not have the right to provide for our basic needs? Where is it written that we have the right to feed, clothe and shelter ourselves? Are these basic necessities really just privileges?

The early settlers came from countries that did not allow them to hunt the King’s wild game. There was no such laws when they came to this country. I have never read an American History textbook that told of Daniel Boone or Davy Crockett purchasing a hunting license.Maybe I was absent that day.

Is the price to hunt and fish just another way to raise funds for the States? Of course it is. New York uses the money to fund the Department of Conservation which is why the fee hike took place. It appears that the State can not be ran efficiently and the new license rate is the quick fix to keep the NYSDEC running for the next 3 years.

What can we expect in three years? How much will NY Sportsmen be paying to hunt 3 years from now to keep the NYSDEC operating? Is hunting a right or a privilege?

Well, in upcoming elections we must continue to exercise our rights to vote for the change hunters need. Use your freedom of speech to tell State Officials to control hunting fees. Peaceably assemble hunters so we can be heard as a united group. Put the freedom and power of the press to work to stop the State from “jacking” hunters.

Start acting before we can no longer afford to hunt the King’s game.

Acorn; not just an orginization for reform

I’m talking about nuts, the ones that fall from oak trees.

Fall is just around the corner and the acorns are beginning to drop.  Squirrels are gathering them up and deer will gorge themselves on them too. It is said that White Oak’s acorns are like candy to deer. They crave the taste. The nut provides them with a source of fat to bulk up their body mass.

Bucks will be increasing their travels from their home range, sparring and fighting other bucks, seeking out receptive does, chasing and breeding does, and eluding the hunters looking to fill tags.

There are many old mature oaks where I work and every morning walking in from the parking lot I see their acorns strewn along the sidewalk. It always leads my thoughts back to deer hunting.

So, when you are out scouting for early deer sign, keep an eye out for Oak trees where you hunt. Key in on the White Oak over the Red Oak. You can tell the difference by their leaves. White Oak leaves are more rounded than that of Reds. Google image will show you this contrast.

I have hunted stands around oaks until dark without seeing a deer. I remember fresh snow covering the ground. Returning to the same stand the following morning, I was amazed to see the snow and leaves overturned from the deer digging for acorns. I realized the hunting pressure forced them to be nocturnal nut feeders.

This is what I think of when I hear ACORN. Not the community organization and picket signs.

Chase Phase the blog…what’s in a name?

Why did I choose Chase Phase? It refers to deer and hunting. Just like peanut butter and chocolate, it’s two good things that go good together.

I like that it rhymes but for me, it is like a season inside a season. Like Spring Break is to university kids heading south every Spring.

The Chase Phase Symbolizes that magic time in the whitetail deer world when the rut is ramping up. Bucks start the first phase of the rut “seeking” out does. As their increasing testosterone gets the better of them, they resolve to “chase” does around in hopes to breed them. The breeding is the next phase once the does finally come into estrus.

I project the “Chase Phase” to hunters that are chasing the bucks. The doe is pursued by the buck who is hunted by Joe Hunter. Hunters chase deer the entire hunting season however, many know to be in the woods during this chase phase when bucks tend to show themselves during daytime.

So, another blog about deer, gear, hunting and the outdoors.

First Impressions

Oh great! Another blogger come lately.

Yeah, that’s me. I’m also a Taurus who likes short walks and long dinners. I’m somewhat slow-witted and have an un-commanding use of the English language.  If this is not enough to dissuade you from reading my blog then, knowing that it is centered around hunting should be.

Hopefully I can capture some following interest…but if not,  I don’t mind blogging to myself.  You’re not crazy as long as you don’t comment on your own Blog.