Gator

Yep, they don't pull well empty, but we've run 400--500' coppers off them too without problems. Great boards.

I would love a Quinte intervention, Scott!! The new Grizzly is ready to roll. Unfortunately, I'm wondering if it's going to happen this year, with the weather being what it is. We should be able to hit Oneida for sure in a couple weeks, though. Soon as I'm back from New Orleans mid-month my schedule really opens up. It's cool to see all the opinions here...I like to think that America is a family. Yeah, we bust each other's balls, but we're there for each other when it counts.

I hope so!! I'm not implying he doesn't...and I think that most of us who care about these things love America. We just have different ideas on how to move forward and what's acceptable methods to achieve the results. I'm actually rooting for him, because the alternative is much, much worse. But some of what I'm seeing concerns me. I'm a natural skeptic. I'm also a lifelong Bill's fan. So I'll hold off on drinking the Kool-Aid, wait and see how it all plays out.

The reason that demagogues make it into power is that people like what they're doing.At least initially. I really, really hope that I'm wrong and that most of the others who's comments I'm reading here are right. The alternative scares me too much. Those of you who know me know that I'm no "snowflake"...a term I've seen hurled around lately...heck, I'm a registered Republican...but I am concerned. The new administration appears to like to massage the message: if anyone's seen "Sausage Party" the movie, you know what I'm talking about. Denying stuff doesn't make it untrue and saying it louder doesn't make it true. I don't disagree with what this administration is doing on principle and I will keep an open mind. But I will make up my own mind based upon facts...I don't buy either side's BS. If there's one thing that I bet we can all agree upon is that politics is dirty business. Unlike most, however, I don't think that the current CEO is above it all. He just has a different agenda.

FYI, Trump just imposed a gag order on federal agencies including the EPA, USDA and NIH. The first step is to control the information that gets out... Interesting times we're living.

You echoed my fears exactly. I'm also a Republican and I don't understand what's so appealing about this guy. Because he says crap that other folks don't? Any loudmouth who doesn't mind offending people could do the same. I don't want a president that I'd be comfortable with having a beer. I want somebody who reflects my values and I feel like we've just stepped back 100 years...except without the need to be polite anymore. I think that it's possible to be strong without being offensive. I wish our Commander in Chief felt the same way.

Jerry, what are your feelings on the new lake level plan? I can see good and bad in it, which I think means it's a compromise, as it probably should be. But I'd love to hear how others feel.

That Gander thing was crazy. There was a one-day manager's special where they took 50% off trolling motors. I picked up an 80 lb Terrova with universal sonar for ~$400. This was probably five years ago now (or more...time gets away from me any more). I put a note on LOU so that members could indulge and someone went and bought them out, then tried to turn a profit on them later .

New Braddock's Bay Marina Anybody moving there? I see that they have a website now with pictures and plans...and prices. It looks like most of us could expect to pay ~$2000 for a season slip. I think we'll wait for the reviews. It should be interesting to see what it does for the boat traffic on the West side though.

Excellent! I went a couple of years ago when my wife and I were visiting her family. I chartered out of Jervis Bay south of Sydney, where they fish Marlin from the cliffs...only place in the world you can do it.. I still have video tape of it, unfortunately in AU format. You can google "marlin off the rocks" for youtube video and images though. Great fun.

If the no-glow Bushnell looked like the Wildgame, I wouldn't have an issue with it! I bet that's why they're blowing them out for ~$80 now on ebay. It's amazing how model can be more important than manufacturer. I guess they all hit a dud sometimes.

Here's a picture from my no-glow set. The deer is less than 15' from the camera. I've messed with the settings and it hasn't gotten any better. And the deer still look at the camera.

I've run six Bushnell Trophy Cams for the past two years with no issues and great pictures. However, I bought one of their "no-glow" cameras this year and I'm less pleased with it. The night time pictures are really, really inferior to the low-glow model. And there's lots of contrast where it's set up...sun, bushes, shadows, etc...it doesn't do well on any of the settings I've tried. So, I'd stick with the low-glow model. Cheaper and yeah, the deer sometimes look at it, but they look at the no-glow too. I also put a Browning BTC-5HD (last year's model) out this fall just for kicks. Future purchases will be Browning. The pictures are better, the trigger speed is faster, the night images are clear; not by much, but just enough to convince me it's a better camera. I can't speak for longevity, though. Two equivalent pics below for comparison. All of my cameras were purchased on ebay as at least year-old models for between $70-80 plus shipping, with normal retail in the $139 range. I would highly advise staying away from the sub-$50 cameras. They're basically throw-away.

I work. Unfortunately. Maybe once I've made some headway writing this grant I can sneak down, later in the week. Save some ice for me...

I was actually going to pull the bow out and sit at the back of my property tonight when I got a call from a friend who'd dropped a doe and knew I was looking for one...my graduate students have all requested "as much as I can carry" when asked how much venison they want this year...so I hooked up the ATV and headed off to Albion. I though I'd pull her out quick and then have an hour or so to hunt afterward. Well.... The ATV bogged down in the snow, even with chains. After getting it back on the trailer, I grabbed the jet sled and walked over a half-mile through 18" of snow and drifts to where he'd shot it. By the time I made it back to the truck, all thoughts of sitting were gone. I was soaked in sweat, the snow had come over my boots, and I probably stank. My ankle felt like someone had taken a chainsaw to it (broke it three years ago and never right since). Those graduate students had better win me a Nobel this year!

Very interesting! There's some revealing footage in there as to behavior in front of the camera and other reactions, too. Bunch of nice bucks!

Rob, I want you on my team when we're down by six with less than a minute remaining! You the man!

I think they got the best of me. I was supposed to sit the first hour this morning and just couldn't muster the enthusiasm. My two buddies jumped a nice buck on the way in last night, but missed the shot...they walked within ten yards of it and it didn't jump until they were 30 yards past. And again I was just happy to be there. I've said that a million times during gun season. Too much to get done before 11 am today and I think that gun season has beaten me up. It was one of the best bow seasons I've ever had, but since shotgun opened it's turned to piss and vinegar. I may have one last sit this afternoon, but maybe not too. Time to get the ice fishing gear ready! Good luck to all those who continue the quest with smokepole in hand.

I didn't hit my over-under. My buddy shot a doe...I was happy to be there. 235 yards is awesome and that's a nice pile of doe! Tonight's another night.

Sitting back by the edge of a large swamp this morning, hoping that the new snow will encourage early trackers/pushers to move some deer to me. My over-under is 5 doe and a small buck by 9 am.