Flatlander's Guide to the 
Endless Mountains
Northeastern Pennsylvania

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WELCOME.....HERE ARE SOME ARTICLES OF INTEREST ON Bear/Buck/Doe HUNTING AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS...



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ANNUAL BIG DEER CONTEST
IN SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PA

ARTICLE COMPLIMENTS OF THE ROCKET-COURIER, 11/22/07

One of the fall missions of the Susquehanna Branch of the Quality Deer Management Associations is to help hunters find out if there are 225-pound deer in Susquehanna County and the surrounding areas. 

Last year, the organization held a 200-pound contest and had 10 entrants with deer weighing more than 200-pounds.
The directors felt there are areas in Northeastern Pennsylvania where good deer management and habitat are allowing deer to grow bigger and healthier so they added 25 pounds to this year's contest.

This contest is also an information-gathering tool about deer weights, habitat conditions, hunting information and allows an exchange of information for people interested in better deer, deer hunting and habitat management.

The first 10 hunters to have their deer weighed and certified at over 225 pounds will receive recognition in the form of a customized camouflaged shirt.

RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

  • The deer must be weighed by the one of the organization's directors and a witness;
  • The deer must be legally harvested and tagged in Pennsylvania;
  • The hunter must be legally licensed to harvest a deer in Pennsylvania;
  • A deer harvest card must be filled out and return to the Pennsylvania Game Commission;
  • The deer will be taken to verify the weight, and
  • If possible, a picture will be taken of the deer.

 

The Directors, who can be contacted to weigh the deer, are as follows:

  • Ed Grasavage(Fairdale & Pittston areas)(570)655-8181
  • Jim Dovin(southeast Susquehanna County, northern Lackawanna County and Wayne County around Browndale (570)785-2552 or (570)650-5967)
  • Ron Hollenbeck(Franklin, Liberty, and Silver Lake Townships(570)927-2264)
  • Dave Sienko(Hallstead, New Milford, and Susquehanna Depot(570)879-4338)
  • Jack Sorber(northwest Susquehanna and northeast Bradford Counties (570)623-2105)
  • Dave Taylor(central Susquehanna county (570)623-2105
  • Bob Wagner(Montrose and Fairdale)(570) 278-9363 or (570)278-1011 x108

HUNTING DOG TRAINING - GUN DOGS

If you're looking for the perfect hunting dog training, then consider a service that provides puppy training to gun dog training. A program should start with regular obedience training for your puppy. A hunting dog will not do well without regular obedience. A good trainer for hunting dogs will bring out a dog's natural instincts. The puppy will learn to love new hunting experiences by chasing birds and following whistled commands. A puppy may be introduced to the sound of gunshots. Starting out with a puppy as a potential hunting dog is your best bet. Many hunting dog training facilities offer hunting puppies for sale and this may be your best bet if you're looking for a good hunting dog.

Formal hunting dog training is the next step. This can include taking the dog out to the field to learn commands while off the leash. Whistle and verbal commands will be learned and the natural instinct of the dog will be developed further. Actual hunting of birds may take place during this time. Once this course is completed, a hunting dog course will follow. This course will be enough for you to leave with an excellent trained hunting dog but if you want the full picture, then add on a course in retrieving too. A final course may be needed for that professional hunting dog.

Hunting dog training and courses can help train your dog to be the hunter you want. Where you're looking for a gun dog, shooting dog or field dog, you can find what you need in a hunting dog training center. Costs will vary and you may decide that your best bet is to invest in only one or two courses of the program and finish training the dog yourself.

When Buying Hunting Equipment Get Something For Your Dog Too!
 by: Peter Curtis


One of the most fun experiences while hunting is spending time with your hunting dog. Hunting dogs aren't all about business. They are also a great companion with you when you are out stalking your prey. If you like to go hunting a lot, you should always bring a hunting dog with you so that you don't get lonely. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be hard to transport hunting dogs to the locations you plan to hunt at. The best way to do it is with hunting dog boxes. These are dog carrier units that can fit in the bed of a truck or can be towed behind a car. This is especially helpful for bigger dogs that take up too much space in the car. This can be a seeing hazard otherwise. In these situations, you should use a dog box to transport your dog in. There are even dog boxes that can be affixed to ATVs. If you are planning on getting a dog box to help with transportation, there are some hunting dog box supplies that you can get to help you along the way.

One of the best hunting dog box supplies is a blanket. Most dog boxes are very hard and angular. This can be very uncomfortable for the dog. If you put a blanket on the bottom of the box before the dog gets in, it will likely have a much better time. Although it's a very simple idea, these hunting dog box supplies are super important to the well-being of the dog. It can be fairly stressful to ride around in a box, so their comfort is important.

Other good hunting dog box supplies to get are those that help affix the dog box to the bed of a truck. If you are driving to the location in a truck, there probably won't be any room for the dog in the cabin. Instead, you should strap the dog box into the bed of the truck. This will ensure that it doesn't slide around or fly out. Again, this protects the well-being of your dog. You can also get hunting dog box supplies that hook it to a trailer that tails along behind your car. Not every hunter has the benefit of owning a truck. For those that use a car instead, a trailer hitch for the dog box is best. This is a much bumpier ride for the dog, so try to use this method only for short trips. This way the dog will still be up for hunting once you get there.

About The Author

Peter Curtis is a keen hunter and loves writing about it too.

More information about about Hunting equipment and guides.
http://www.huntingguideonline.com

Bear Hunting Explained

Author: Abhishek Agarwal


There is no other experience like the experience of bear hunting. If you like an adrenaline rush, nothing beats tracking down a grizzly, brown, or black bear. While it can be dangerous, with safety first, the experience can be thrilling and successful.

Grizzly bear hunting is most commonly done in Alaska. Management Units 9 and 21 are dominated primarily by grizzlies, and these are good places to go to ensure a successful hunt. Grizzlies are
considered to be one of the most dangerous, unpredictable bears in the world, so great caution must be taken when roaming in their territory.

Some outfitters and guides will argue that grizzlies and brown bears are different species, but genetically speaking, they are the same. Their differences come down to only a difference in color. Grizzlies tend to hang to the interior of the land,
eating mostly vegetation and berries, and they are usually smaller than the brown bear for this reason.

Brown bears hang towards the shore, hunting for fish and fattening up on the protein rich salmon. Their climate also tends to be more temperate which allows them to outgrow the grizzlies. Brown bear, despite their name, can vary greatly in color, from blonde, to brown, to even black. Brown bears,
especially with cubs, can be just as dangerous as grizzlies, so give them room and respect to guarantee a safe hunt.

Black bears, the smaller, much more popular cousin of the browns, are found in 40 of the 50 states. While hunting any bear can be dangerous, black bears have a more laid back attitude and are less likely to attack. The greatest threat for the black bear is poaching, or hunting without a license. Licenses are required for hunting the bear so the Department of Natural
Resources can manage their populations; if the bear are overpopulated, more licenses will be given out, if the population is lagging, less licenses will be available.

Choosing a gun for the bear hunt is an important part of the planning. The best choice is a .30 calibre or higher, with a barrel that is channel glass bedded. Choose one that will shoot consistently in all weather. When packing you will need ammunition, sleeping bags, personal items, and your firearm permit- this must stay with you at all times. Alcohol is permitted at camp, but only in moderation, firearms and
excessive drinking never mix. Also know the tagging system of the area you plan to hunt in. Some tags will allow you to hunt other game while in search for the bear.

If the bear hunt is successful, it is likely that you'll need to bring your kill to an outfitter. By law, the outfitter is required to salvage any meat you don't take, and food banks become the recipient of harvested meat.

About the author:
Download Abhishek's FREE Hunting Report, "Plan The Perfect Hunting Trip...On Any Budget!" and learn some amazing Hunting tips and tricks - And save a lot of your time, money and effort!
www.hunting-guru.com 

Camping World
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What You Need To Know About Conservation of Deer before Hunting

 Author: Mitch Johnson

As the deer hunting is already become a hobby for the wide range of people, it is also important that the deer need to be under the conservation. What are the hunters need to know to make this conservation success but they can also enjoying their hunting trip?
 
The present-day deer hunting conditions are the result of the conservation efforts of those who have been interested in the sport in the past. It has been a constant struggle to maintain and improve conditions so that we, and those who follow us, may continue to enjoy the sport. It is the duty of those of us who enjoy this hunting to do all that we can to insure the future ofthe sport so that the conservation efforts will not be wasted.

It is inevitable that hunting conditions should change with the constantly increasing industrialization of the nation. We cannot fight the inevitable, but we should attempt to preserve our hunting rights in areas which remain suitable to the deer herds.We must watch any and all legislative proposals which affect the sport, and we should support those which are beneficial and oppose those which are detrimental to hunting as we know it today.

Different groups are continually trying to curtail the ownership and use of various types of guns. These groups are not necessarily opposed to hunting; however, their efforts, if not opposed, would certainly hurt the sport. Some states regulate the caliber of guns which may be used, with the idea of preventing the wounding of deer that would not be recovered.This is supposed to be in the interest of conservation. It may,or may not, be justified. In an effort to prevent shooting accidents, Massachusetts prohibits the use of rifles. This state is not considered as a deer hunting state, being largely an industrial area, so this is a sensible restriction. On the otherhand, this prohibition should not be permitted to spread to other states where conditions are different.

Whenever any of these proposed gun-restricting laws come before any legislature, all interested hunters should make their views known to their representatives in that body. If we do not take an interest in these proposed laws, we have only ourselves to blame if we find that legislative action has reduced the pleasure of hunting. There has always been a conflict between the stock-raisers of the west and the hunting fraternity. This also exists to a lesser extent between the hunters and the agriculturists. We hunters must compromise in these cases, because agriculture is a serious business and hunting is only a sport which provides an important means of relaxation. In many cases, these men are right when they claim that there are too many deer in their sections of the country.

At the present time, some of the deer ranges have a serious problem of overpopulation. Game-management officials are finding that there is such a thing as too much conservation. The deerherds are limited by the amount of available food. In most places there is a time of year when the deer must live on a diet which is re- stricted to a few shrubs and plants and unless there is a sufficient supply of this food during this critical period, the deer will starve. This is especially true in some of the northern areas where deep snow confines the deer to "yards" during the winter.

Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan are considering the problem of overpopulation. Here in Maine, the game-management officials are aware of the possible danger, but refuse to admit that it is critical until they have time to make a complete survey of the situation. Some of us are hoping that this survey will not in effect be a post mortem for the major part of our herd. In the past, we have had a very plain example of what this overpopulation problem can do to the deer herd. In the northern part of the state, there were very few deer in the days of the virgin timber.  When the land was logged, the appearance of a second growth of seedlings and brush made conditions nearly ideal for the deer. There was very little hunting in the area at that time and the deer multiplied until they overran the country. This was an area of deep snow and the deer were forced to live in the cedar swamps during a large part of the winter.  These swamps were not large enough to support the deer indefinitely.  One year they failed and thousands of deer died of starvation. It has been some thirty years since that time and the deer have not fully recovered from that set back. It has taken that long for the cedar to produce a new supply of food for the deer and their increase has been limited by this growth.

It is inevitable that hunting conditions should change with the constantly increasing industrialization of the nation.  We cannot fight the inevitable, but we should attempt to preserve our hunting rights in areas that remain suitable to the deer herds.  We must watch any and all legislative proposals that affect the sport, and we should support those that are beneficial and oppose those which are detrimental to hunting as we know it today.


About the author:Mitch Johnson is a regular writer



The Sports Authority

What Are The Most Important Supplies For A Successful Hunt?
 by: Graham Taylor

 

TODAY’S TIP IS:

What are the most important supplies for a successful hunt?

The tactics for every hunt are different, and the preparations required vary wildly from region to region. However, there are a few key supplies that every successful hunter needs. Visit http://www.hunting-pro.com for an excellent guide to all the things you’d need for some of the most popular hunts in the USA, Canada and beyond.

Weapon

Whether you choose to hunt with a bow or a firearm, it’s important to select your weapon carefully. You’ll want to choose the right size of gun or bow for the game you’re seeking. At the same time, it’s imperative that you choose a weapon you are both comfortable and confident using. Without this first key ingredient, you won’t have a chance of succeeding in your hunt.

Optics

There’s little point packing up your favorite rifle for the hunt if you haven’t got a great scope to go with it. People’s preferences vary, and what’s ultimately most important is taking along a scope or binoculars that work well for you, and that you’re used to working with. Be sure to bring along any prescription glasses you typically require, as well as some sunglasses.

Ammo

Like your choice of weapon, deciding which ammunition best suits the job at hand is partially a matter of personal preference and partially common sense. You want to be sure you’re not going after big game with an inadequate load. By the same token, you don’t want to obliterate your target with too much punch.

Camping

Depending on the size of your party, you’ll need to bring along the basic essentials for any camping trip. A tent, sleeping bag, mess kit, cook stove, fuel, matches, food, drink and wash kit are essentials. Also, be sure to bring a smaller survival kit you carry with you at all times in case you’re separated from your party – stock it with a minimal first aid kit, a few rations and a bit of drink.

Hunting

We all hope a good hunt ends with a kill – so you’ll want to be prepared for this. Bring along a couple sharp hatchets, a folding saw, a good hunting knife and a sharpening stone, as well as some lightweight rope and suitable meat bags. For smaller game, you only really need a big hunting knife and the meat bags.

A little advice

At http://www.hunting-pro.com You’ll find the eBook, “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Hunting but Never Dared to Ask,” to get a head start on this year’s hunting season with tips and advice from experienced hunters.

SwissOutpost.com

Advice On Finding Hunting Binoculars
 by: Peter Curtis

 


If you are a hunter, you have to have binoculars. Though your eyes may be good and your aim may be wonderful, there are still times when these come in very handy. You may be able to see what is nearby, but wouldn’t it be great to see what might be coming your way long before it comes into the range of normal eye site? My father is a hunter, and he won’t go out into the woods without his hunting binoculars. Last year I bought him a new pair for Christmas because he had had the same pair forever, and he said he really appreciated the new and improved brand that we bought for him.

You can buy hunting binoculars in all types of strength. Some magnify only 20 times, and some go much higher. It depends on where you hunt and what type of game you usually are looking for while out. If you hunt in an area that has a lot of hills and deep forest, you might not need something that is very strong, however, that is up to you. If you hunt in wide open spaces, you definitely want something that is super strong so you can see as far as you need to see.

They also make hunting binoculars that have a feature to keep them steady. If you have ever tried to look at something that is a long ways away by looking through hunting binoculars, you know that things can be quite shaky no matter how steady you try to hold them. There are some that come with protection from this type of shaking. They aren’t perfect, but they can help you stay steady when you are searching far off into the distance.

You can find hunting binoculars in outdoor and sports stores, and you can also find them online. Though you can’t try them out online, you may find better prices that way. You could even go to a store and see what you like, and then see if you can find a better price online. A good set of hunting binoculars is going to be expensive, so taking some time to find the best brand for the best price is always a great idea. Just be sure to find a company that has a return policy if you order online just incase they arrive broken or you don’t get the model you ordered.


About The Author

Peter Curtis is a keen hunter and loves writing about it too. More information about Hunting equipment or the more general Hunting and Fishing Articles
http://www.huntingfishingonline.com



Six Sub $600 Deer Hunting Rifles
 by: Edgar E. Kneel


With deer hunting right around the corner you may be in the market for a rifle. If you are just getting into deer hunting or replacing old faithful, there is no reason you have to spend more than $600 to get a great rifle. The Savage 16FXP3 is a perfect example of a great deer hunting rifle for about $550. It comes with bore-sighted scope, AccuTrigger, and sling. Just add case and ammo. Granted you will probably want to upgrade the scope in the future especially if you have that nice tree stand on the edge of a large corn field.

For many hunters like me price and performance dictates what I purchase. I'm purchasing for function not good looks. I want something that will last, maintain accuracy, and hold up in any weather year after year, not something to hang above the mantle. Bolt action is the choice of many experienced hunters. Many times one shot is all you get, make it count. Semi-Auto rifles can be alluring but seldom practical.

Many people are unaware that you can purchase firearms online. This process is legal and regulated just like purchasing from your local dealer down the road, except it's a lot less expensive. Online dealers can save you hundreds of dollars when purchasing firearms. You still need to use your local firearm dealer to transfer the firearm and fill out the required paperwork. Typically a dealer will charge $25 - $50 to process the transfer.

In addition to the Savage, below is a quick review of five more rifles that can be purchased online for less than $600.

Tikka T3 Lite:

Built by Sako and imported by Beretta. This Finnish rifle is accurate and exceptionally smooth. The Adjustable trigger is one of the best on the market.

Remington 770:

This sub $400 rifle comes mounted with a scope. This is one of the better deals for the budget or beginner hunter.

Howa 1500:

This is very similar to the Weatherby Vanguard. It’s Affordable, accurate and reliable. What more could you ask for?

Marlin 336:

It’s chambered in the old time favorite, the 30-30. The 30-30 has taken more deer then any other hunting caliber, and is still widely used through out the US. The short barrel and quick handling make this an excellent choice in areas where the maximum shot is under 150yds.

New England Firearms Handi Rifle:

This simple and effective single shot is the perfect choice for young hunters. It’s the most affordable on the list coming in around $250.


About The Author

Edgar E. Kneel is an amateur writer and hunting enthusiast who spends his days working on websites at http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com

Brigade Quartermasters, Ltd.