dawsonscreek

Correct, all false accusations based on opinion and hear-say rather than fact. Fisher are becoming more common, the game Commission isn't releasing them to kill turkeys. Forests are become more mature since the clear cutting of 100+ years past and the habitat that fisher need is returning. Direct correlation.

Definitely a fisher. Fisher are a member of the mustelidae family (weasels) so they have that characteristic for loping gait. The hind feet usually stay right next to each other and the front feet are more or less there for support as they push themselves along with the large hind feet. What you’re seeing is two hind feet directly next to each other and the two front feet at an an angle next each other as he hopped along. A bobcat would have its tracks directly in front of the next, basically walking in a straight line and the distance between the tracks wouldn’t be as far as that. Cats are very aware and careful of where they put their feet, watch your house cat walk around sometime especially if they are stalking a toy. Also cats wouldn’t likely show nail marks in every track. Very cool find!

Congrats! 4.5 hours till my weekend starts!

Is this Conklin gulley?

Finally saw some deer. Bumped three does as I was sneaking in to the woods. Though they were only 30 yards away I couldn’t get them to stop for a shot. Tomorrow is another day!

Probably will be switching to Blackhorn for next year, want to work on distance and grouping this spring and then will hunt with it all during gun season next year.

Gotchya, thanks!

Would removing just the powder and primer be fine if I bring the gun inside, then just load the powder back against the bullet in through the breech end? (can't have a gun in the vehicle where I work)

Another question for you more experienced ML guys: Between hunts if you have not fired a shot, how do you store the gun? Do you just take the primer out and leave the powder and bullet in, or do you completely unload?

6-2:30 is my normal work schedule so I’ve got 5 afternoons and the weekend to get it done. First accumulating snow in my area is falling now so this afternoon should be nice (apart form the wind)

Cold sit this evening. Damn that wind was brutal. Lots of squirrels, no deer. First hunt with my CVA optima

Thank you to everybody who took the time to relpy, I love the hunting section of this forum! Was able to sight in at 60 yards in my side yard after work after a getting the scope mounted. Dead center shot was the last one I took after adjusting, I’ll take it. I think I’ll like this gun. Hang fires were no issue today, switched to cci primers and “popping a cap” after swabbing. 100 grains of 777 pellets, and a 250 TC shockwave. The weather is shaping up nicely and working 6-2:30 doesn’t hurt

Several years ago I bought a used ML off a friend and had the same issues you mentioned. Couldn't get groups to save my life. Got impatient and sold that gun. Well, I got interested again and bought this gun hoping I would have better results. Gonna play with it today after work and see what I can do. All is not lost, if I do not get it dialed in I will hunt either with the bow or my dad's TC that is dead nuts.

I will try this too

I don’t even remember to be honest, they are old, my dad has some CCIs I will yoink. Field of dreams didn’t have Except for their 209 shotgun primers in the reloading section

Tried with 100grns of 777 and a 250 TC shockwave today. For some reason I was experiencing hangfires after the second shot even after cleaning the breech hole out. Was trying to get the open sights dialed in but the shots were all over, back to the drawing board tomorrow. A local Wallyworld is out of black powder stuffs so I’ll have to make a trip back to field of dreams.

Thanks guys. Since my dad gave me a bunch of shockwaves, I’ll try them first, just gotta pick up some primers, powder, and cleaning supplies!

So I just picked up a CVA optima v2 from the local shop for a great price. Wondering if anybody has this gun and what their load/bullet preference is. I’d like to get it sighted in for the late season, but will be bowhunting if I can’t get it shooting nice groups at 100. Any suggestions or tips are appreciated. Thanks!

Tough hunting in the Southern Tier. Not many birds around on my scouting and the majority of them seem to be in spots where permission will not be granted. Hoping for a freeze up for the late season to get the birds on the rivers I hunt!

That is awesome LongSpurs!! I would love to find a flooded field some day, don't get much flooding here in the hills though. Lots of corn in my river valley so ill just hope it keeps raining

It is rather tedious, I use a propane torch to get the stubborn feathers and the hair-like ones. Hank Shaw is a great wild game chef and has a method I will try next time (hopefully next weekend). He boils water and melts a hunk of paraffin wax in it, dips the roughly plucked duck in that and then cools it in cold water. The wax hardens and peels off like a scab taking all feathers with it.

I wish I could get the day off for weather, especially when said weather is good for ducks. Nice shoot! Can't wait to get back out there myself. Got a beautiful mallard and a HY drake woodie on opening day.