Glad they’re designed to breakaway in case of an accident because they look like a one way ticket to a broken neck if they weren’t
I’m here! Firstly, congrats on having private land! That will be a big step up as far as actually getting in a position to where you can pull the trigger where it can be more difficult (due to hunting pressure) on public land.
Full disclosure, I’ve only been hunting for deer for two years so I am not the most experienced but I think I know enough to be able to pass on what knowledge I’ve found to be most useful and practical.
The question you should be initially asking yourself is what are you looking to do at the end of the day? Do you want the experience of a noble hunt where it’s man vs nature and there shall be one victor? Or are you hoping to fill your freezer? Both are perfectly valid but it’s best to set real expectations. That said, I’m looking to fill my freezer and what follows will have that slant
I would say to resist the temptation to go all in on fancy equipment such as expensive tree stands, spotting scopes, scent blocking clothes etc and approach it as simply as possible. Our grandfather’s and great grandfathers hunted without that stuff and did just fine and so will you if you’re determined enough. All you really need is drab earth colored clothes, something blaze orange, and patience.
Take the time now to scout the land you’ll be hunting. Look around for game trails that pass through clearings. These are good places to set up along the tree line in some concealment. Cut some branches and pile them up now so the deer get used to it and you can hide behind/in them when the season opens.
A simple call like a pack rack is inexpensive, easy to carry, and sounds like deer fighting which is the equivalent of yelling “FIGHT” into the forest and has been effective for me insofar. I’m not familiar with the laws in Connecticut but you might check to see if baiting is legal on private land. A few apples could be very effective.
Decide now what you’re going to do if you do manage to shoot a deer. You would be much better off gutting it in the field then getting it to your vehicle because guts make it that much heavier. Are you going to butcher it yourself or are you going to take it to a processor? If a processor does it need to be skinned first? Call around and ask if that’s the route you’re going to go.
This as all I can think of for now but I’m sure I’ll have more later on which I’ll post here. Hope some of this has helped!
Be unremarkable but no so unremarkable as to be in and of itself remarkable
Damn Alan’s bad boy identical twin brother who rides a motorcycle!
Well there’s… uh…
how about…
no… not that either…
yeah I’ve got nothing
Maybe not the worst but the most recent one is my father in law. You know the type: baby boomer who had every advantage growing up but didn’t avail himself but still managed to eke out a comfortable life while working at the business his dad started and he inherited. He doesn’t take in the bucks but it allows him and my mil to own a comfortable home in an area that is only going up in value. Anyway…
As you can imagine super religious, super right wing, trump loving, gay hating (has a gay brother that he’s estranged from), you know… the usual. What gets me is remember trump did an interview a week or two ago where he said that all federal employees are “crooked and dishonest and must be held accountable”? He couldn’t agree more! Guess who my wife (his daughter) and I work for? Yeah…
Well this answers some questions
Can’t stop the signal…
I found a Sunbeam Radiant Control toaster. That’s the one featured in an excellent video from Technology Connections. I can afford the $6 for toast that’s “Automatic Beyond Belief!”
I got to sit in one of the Batman Begins tumblers that was used for filming the movie(s). I used to work where I had easy access to one and early one morning when nobody was around I figured out how to open the door (hatch really over the driver seat) and climbed in. How cool it looked on the outside was unfortunately inversely proportional to how comfortable it was on the inside. Picture a NASCAR car and you’re most of the way there. Neat experience
Oh and also OP’s mom…
A funnier response for more social occasions that I bust out is “thanks, I practice everyday”. Usually gets a laugh
I get more people saying to me “wow you’re very tall” to which I respond with “yes and you are very observant” which I feel is funny in the moment but is just condescending enough to make them realize it later on.
I lived in the valley for a few years and am glad to hear that people are receptive to it as is the mayor but I’m unsurprised that there isn’t much political will to make it happen. Good on you for fighting the good fight though, I appreciate you