Gator

It isn't all doom and gloom...occasional periods of low water are necessary for reseeding of the marsh vegetation that supports abundant fish life. A steady water level isn't healthy for the environment. Whether that situation applies here, I don't know. Just trying to make lemonade...

Happy Birthday, Jerry!

Scott, Buy the two-up with the $$$ from selling your stuff, and we'll be all set for BOQ this year Gator

I'm hoping that a group of us from Sandy Creek can get together and attend the fundraiser. This is a tragic situation, and every bit of support will be greatly appreciated by Jeff and his family.

I'd a bought them from you except for the blanket...

I'll take them. I pm'd you details. Thanks.

I'm certain that they're still biting, but I think that the water level and lack of safe launch sites has hampered even the few who might venture out this time of year. I used to anchor in 8 ft right off Braddock's point in mid-November years past casting for browns and lakers. I imagine the same holds true now.

Beautiful animals, Ray

Wow, I'm hurt. I've got to find me a forum where they like old, stinky guys...

Way to go, Andy!

That happened to me once. Sucked.

All the teal were down by us. Three limits, with mostly teal, two woodies, two immature pintails and one drake mallard. Two cripples lost, as well. No wind to speak of and, unfortunately, somebody arrowed a nice eight-point in the neck that died just behind our setup...maybe two days ago...two 70 degree days

That's not a buck to be ashamed of...it'd fit most QDM guidelines no problem. There's certainly bigger running around, but that's nearly always true, and you've got to be willing to pull the trigger once in awhile or it's not hunting, it's just sitting in the woods. Congratulations on a fine animal. Now go fish. You won't be disappointed.

Red-neck animal control...there's a whole thesis in there somewhere Once had a colony of bats living behind the chimney in an old rental up on the hill when I was a kid. Here's a word to the wise: don't slide a piece of plywood between the chimney and the house to try to roust them, unless you want a house full of bats. It took Grandad three days with a fishing net and hammer to take care of the issue.

Congrats on recovering him! Give me a call if you want some company this fall...I'm trying to mix it up more this year than the past few. I may try to hit up one of the tribs tomorrow afternoon. Steve and I had some fun with steelies and salmon this weekend, ducks will have to wait a couple weeks though. It seems like a really late opener this year?

I'm all about getting kids involved in hunting, but I think that giving them their own season just feeds a perception of entitlement. Unfortunately, it's an "easy" solution, as there's not any actual effort or $$$ involved. You've got to get them involved earlier. It takes work.

Buddy at work showed me this yesterday. Very impressive animal.

I'm going to reiterate in brief my rationale for opposing the youth hunt: It breeds a sense of entitlement in the kids. Given how that's one of the biggest issues with kids in today's society, the last thing we need to do is feed the flames. The more you want something, the harder you work for it, and the more you value it. Getting kids interested in hunting should reflect our values as sportsman, not an attempt to provide an "easy" alternative to video games and tv. There are lots of good points here from people supporting the youth hunt, and I won't argue any of them. My objection is more philosophical than substantative. What's the next step when our numbers continue to diminish? This isn't a selfish concern. I would fully support DEC increasing access to land, as that's probably the limiting factor in getting youths to hunt (tough to get permission), and it would benefit everyone equally. In fact, there're lots of routes we could take to increase recruitment. Just not this shortcut.

Got one already or I'd jump on it. You're right, best cam out there.

One idea I've heard is to move the youth hunt to the Saturday and Sunday prior to gun season, then use a traditional Monday opener for the rest of us. But I'm guessing that DEC realizes having people in the woods shooting at the deer WILL cause a change in their behavior, and that this would lead to a greatly reduced harvest (since ~40% of deer are harvested on opening weekend). Since hunting is a management tool (right??) DEC won't allow this to happen. The fact that it is happening Columbus Day weekend is tacit recognition that there will be an impact. I truly believe that if you have to bribe a kid with his own hunt to get him/her into the woods, then I don't want them there anyway. The kids I know who hunt don't need incentive...just another example of the government trying to micromanage EVERYTHING. I'd like to incentivize them staying the he!! out of my life. And yeah, I've got an eleven year old daughter who "hunts" with me, so I'm not just some old grump protecting his turf. Like Chris said above though, this is just my opinion, and, like armpits, everybody has them and most of them stink

I agree with Landshark. It seems like there's lots of issues to fix beyond the scoreboard. Although I've got to admit, the computer/projector/white sheet combo at the Shootout was pretty slick, and relatively easy to set up, to boot. A good friend of mine once told me, "Don't sweat the petty stuff...pet the sweaty stuff". 'Nuff said.

What a crappy day...I'm in the same boat, with a lab that's nearing 13...any day now I expect to be in your shoes, the signs are there. It's a tough thing to go through, but hang in there. You've got a lot of brothers here on the board that feel for you.

20 lb Flea Flicker is what's on our rigger rods. The 30 lb twists too much, IMHO.

I've spent my entire life a Bill's fan. I marched halftime at one of their games back in the early '80s. And over that whole period, there was one brief foray where the fans had a real team to cheer. My entire life...I guess hope springs eternal. Maybe they'll turn it around. I'm so tired of saying that, it makes me want to puke.

Tony Childs at Eyefull builds spiral wrap rods, but they're expensive compared to your off-the-shelf stuff. I haven't seen any of the major brands sporting spiral wraps. If you go the custom route, you can get whatever you want made...Batson, Lamiglas, MHX blanks, etc... I built a couple of spiral wrap rods this year, but didn't notice too much difference in the few times I ran them. Supposedly they have less tendency to twist. I am fast becoming convinced however, that 7' rods are the way to go. So much easier to set and work around.