justtracytrolling

Nice job! Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 www.otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

Cables aren't the answer...a hatchet will cut it better than about anything...I had several cut and stolen. I gave up on securing them. I'm gonna get ones that send the pics if I ever buy anymore. Deer hunting brings out the worst in many people unfortunately. Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 www.otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

My advice to catch walleye by boat is to learn to troll, or get used to night fishing. Not sure where you are fishing, but lakes like Conesus, and Otisco aren't an easy starting point! If you ever make it to Otisco I'd be happy to give you some ideas or book a trip to show you first hand some effective strategies. Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 www.otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

A trophy buck can be any size Mike, and I'm very happy for you. We don't all have the same situation and it's all about getting out there with friends and family. I'm for all types of hunting, but there is something special about harvesting game and processing the meat yourself to feed your family...I think it's in my DNA! Way to go!!!! Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

Nice job! Weather is getting tougher for sure, but I'm gonna go chase some river eyes tonight! Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

Bottom line is that any hunting weapon in the wrong hands equals wounded deer. Conversely in right hands somewhat amazing shots can consistently be made. It isn't the distance of the shot that makes for ethical hunting. What really makes ethical hunting is practice and being totally aware of your own capabilities with the equipment you use. To use a fishing analogy a charter boat might run a dozen lines and everything runs smoothly with no tangles, but a weekend warrior might find running 6 lines a challenge. It's all about the effort you put into mastering your craft and today many sportsman put in minimal effort and think because they have equipment capable of doing something that they automatically can. Equipment is available for long range hunting, but the manufacturers don't tell you only 1 in 100 people have the skill and time to actually do it. I try to practice at up to double the distance I plan to hunt. Know your limits and stay with in them and we don't even need a thread like this... Crossbows, compound bows, long bows, rifles, shotguns, muzzloaders, and handguns don't wound deer...hunters do! Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

I've shot lots of different saboted muzzloader rounds and you would be shocked at the variation in each recipe's ability to group. You should see tight groups at 100yds at a minimum or you can do better. Also cheap muzzloader combos are famous for junk rings, bases, and scopes. Figure out the weak link/links and come up with a good loading and you will be thrilled with your muzzloader imo. Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

Pap, You are correct SR4759 is a bulky powder, (tubular in fact) used in lower pressure rifle cartridges with tons of case volume. DO NOT attempt to use smokeless powder in any muzzloader aside from the Savage Smokeless!!! For anyone not familiar with the Savage Smokeless it loads like any other muzzloader, but takes no more cleaning or maintenance than your rifle. My Savage smokeless muzzloader has several recommended starting point loads and the 42 grains of SR 4759 is one of them. The Vhitavouri loading is super popular but I struggled to get it and the SR was easy at my local shop. I bought a long term supply so for all I know you can't get it anymore. My problem was finding a bullet and sabot that performed with rifle results not muzzloader results. Parker Productions solves this with a complete line of very high quality bullets and sabots. With a smokeless muzzloader and these bullets good groups at 400 yds are common. They actually competitively shoot at 1000 yds. I shoot my rifle out to 1000 yds but simply don't have $1500 to throw around for glass on my muzzloader that I basically never have tags to use. Anyways Parker Productions makes an outstanding bullet regardless what powder you choose. Give em a try if you aren't getting the results you want with what your avg chain store carries. Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

Great Job! Father son hunting memories...PRICELESS!!!! I still have my wool and made the mistake of wearing it out of nostalga a couple yours back...trust me Joe you dont miss wearing it...miss looking at it perhaps! Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

Anyone interested in more long range performance out of their muzzloader should give the Parker Productions 250 grain ballistic extremes a try. These have a high ballistic coefficient and expand well even at lower speeds associated with longer range. I use them with smokeless powder (sr4759) in my savage, but they also perform well with black powder/triple seven. I have never had or seen a better grouping muzzleloading bullet. Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

Joe/Tman, I have a few pics of your trips with me Id be happy to send you guys if you dont have them. Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

Ill enjoyed your posts, as well as meeting you and your family. You are a true conservationist! I sure love seeing pics of Otisco gold! Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

None of those smallies were kept...they were "fizzed" with a needle and released. Fizzed is not my term and I don't particularly love the idea but that's how it's done. Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

I also picked up 2 solid largies from the causeway while walleye fishing Wednesday night. Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

My son and his partner came in second by an ounce Sunday in a tourney on Canadarago. Their bag had 4 big smallies and a small largie. My son has done very well with smallies on small but heavy bass jigs with small kitechs and drop shotting the same kitechs. They worked the drops keeping the boat in 10-12 fow and making long casts into the deep and jigging up the hill. I don't have a pic of that bag, but I'll post one of some 6-7 pound Erie tanks from last week. These were caught similarly but much deeper...40-80 fow. Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

Definitely enough to launch, but keep in mind millions of gallons of water are pumped out every day for drinking water in Syracuse so it doesn't fill up nearly as fast as you might think...as of last Wednesday it isn't up a foot from the low water point which was in mid October. The worst it's been in the last 50 years was a year like this but we had almost no snowfall the following winter and it was 3 feet low in spring and at the end of summer there was NO pond side at all and no north end. Let's hope that never happens again! I've had several reports of solid days casting from several customers who have been out this fall for tigers. As awesome as fishing was this year one can only hope for another great season. Good luck to all you diehards! Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750

Nice job bud! I'll be up this weekend to start closing camp and I want to give you your lure back... Justin Okrepki NYSDEC licensed guide #7324 otiscolakeguideservice.com (607)-349-1750