Written by Frank Carbone Jr.

Post Deer Season Reflections

As we look back on the various 2002 hunting seasons many of us are already thinking about the next season in 2003. Perhaps we might have hunted differently, used different tactics, different equipment, hunted different areas or even hunted with different hunting buddies. I know that as soon as I get a chance I’ll be getting back on the range. Perhaps I’ll even be using a different hunting implement for next season.

Even though we still have many days left for hunting the different small game species, i.e., rabbits, Ruffed Grouse, squirrels, Bobwhite Quail (in Orange Co. and Putnam Co.), and in certain special regions of the state we can still hunt deer -- however limited. For those of us who are so inclined we can also hunt the different predator/furbearer species -- fox, Raccoon, Coyote etc.

And there are the folks who just like to get out with a camera, on snowshoes and get some shots that you couldn’t make during the hunting season. There are some folks who will get out there to see just what may have made it through the past deer season and hopefully will still be around for the 20003 season but one year older, wiser, heavier and sporting a larger rack.

And speaking about racks there are a few of us who also look for “sheds” after the regular deer season ends. “Sheds” are another name for dropped antlers that most whitetail bucks lose each year right after the mating season and sometimes a late as March. They then start a new set of antlers that begin to grow around May and are completely grown, velvet free and ready for combat by September.

If you think as many of us do during the post season -- what am I going to do differently for next year’s season? Buy different and better clothing, boots, archery equipment, tree stand, walkie talkies, scope, day pack, muzzleloader, shotgun or rifle. Or how about getting that new scope now that it is legal to use a scope on our muzzleloaders during this special season. In most areas it is also legal to use a muzzleloader in areas where shotguns are legal. But always check the Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guide before venturing out in your region.

The list of equipment items that hunters and fisher folks buy each year is very lengthy and the total amount spent by the average hunter or fisher gets higher each year. I don’t have a good reliable figure on what the average hunter/fisher spends but when one considers the cost of food, travel, lodging, gas, vehicles, myriad equipment, ammunition, clothing, firearms, RV’s, licenses, outfitters/guides and many of the different gadgets that capture our interest each hunting and fishing season. The economic impacts of the sporting community on local and mail order businesses can be very lucrative and at the same time underestimated by the business communities. For example, somewhere along the way I found that there are approximately 40,000 licensed hunters/fishers here in Orange County. If each one spent $1,000 each year/season this would calculate out to $40 million and this wouldn’t include “tourists” who visit our region during the various hunting and fishing seasons.

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I didn’t realize that prices vary so much between hunting and fishing retail stores. But one of my hunting buddies (Dennis) was looking to buy a new hunting jacket and bib pants combination -- one of the 6 in 1 or 4 in 1 systems. He shopped around a little and found that the total cost of the outfit in at least two different stores was more than a $200 difference. The cost in one store was about $550 - $600 -- so shop around a bit before you buy.

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I’m seriously thinking about mounting a scope on my Thompson/Center Thunder Hawk muzzleloader. I’ve got my eyes on a Leupold 1-4 with extended eye relief. And while we’re talking about muzzleloaders I see that Savage Arms has a new model that can use smokeless powder and gets a projectile downrange at more than 2300 feet per second.

I had previously converted my own T/C Thunder Hawk to shoot #209 shotgun primers but had some reliability problems when some of the primers wouldn’t fire. It seems that the conversion bolt didn’t have a large enough firing pin. I’ll be sending it back to the factory for their resolution. Another problem I had was with the Thompson/Center Mag Sabots -- specifically the 240 grain .50 grain XTP Bullet. It appears that the plastic sabot didn’t fit this particular bullet properly making it very difficult to drive the bullet down the barrel with the bullet starter and the ramrod. If anyone out there has had the same experiences -- with the sabot bullet or the conversion bolt -- please let me know as I’ll be letting the company know of the problems that I’ve experienced.

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I couldn’t help but notice a very large gathering of waterfowl and sea birds on one of the impoundments of Algonquin Park in the Town of Newburgh -- I’m sorry that I didn‘t have my camera. A quick glance told me that there were at least 300 seagulls, domestic and Canada Geese, and various domestic and wild ducks. I’m sure that one could come up myriad reasons for this gathering. There was a recent storm, there was open water in the channel, food is usually available as in bread handouts from sympathetic folks. One could also say that seagulls may be finding natural food scarce in the river or ocean. And another observation is that some folks still dump their unwanted domestic geese and ducks at this location. There seems to be too many domestic geese and White Pekin ducks at this location. They do cross back and forth on the nearby roads and at times some don’t make it -- this can be hazardous to both drivers and the waterfowl. And they also become easy pickings for coyotes who also need to make a living. An increase in prey populations brings about an increase in predator populations -- this is just one of the natural laws of nature.

One of the many benefits of hunting any wild species is that populations can be kept under control at the same time providing a food source for resourceful hunters. I can’t help but think that the Canada Goose population has exploded and is out of control because of actions by man. Canada Geese are nesting and living in reas where hunting is not permitted and I believe that the goose hunter population is also dwindling. So for every action there will be a reaction -- increases in predator populations and other unwanted impacts to our environment.

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Have a safe and Happy New Year!

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Outdoor Liaisons appears every other week in the Times - Frank can be reached at the Times or email forthebirds39@earthlink.net or 845-562-0941. Please visit my website at www.outdoorliaisons.com

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