Recent content by Natty Bumppo

I've always wanted a Ruger No. 1. Such a gorgeous rifle. Thinking maybe a .22-250 when the time comes. Not sure if they ever made it in that?

Yes, good call on the calibers that are polite in recoil for youngsters. My son has a 20 gauge slug gun and turkey gun...very manageable especially with 2 3/4" loads. He killed his first bird when he was 10 with a .410. Last year I was looking for a Remington 7600 pump in .30-06 for him to...

Ah, I love it. Here in Mass. it was smoothbore 12 gauge Ithaca Feather-lite Deerslayers, as rifles aren't allowed for deer hunting. Can't think of a more off-putting platform for young deer hunters.

I personally don't think deer are bothered by cameras. Sure, it depends on the camera, the deer, maybe even the region of the country and the amount of "camera pressure" etc. But I've never had an issue using them and perceive neither camera-shy nor camera-happy behavior.

Agree with both of you. I really don't like the look of modern optics on older, vintage rifles. Buying vintage on Ebay can be hit or miss. There are a few Ebay sellers who sell some really nice vintage glass and have great reputations. I just checked out that Vintage Gun Scopes company...

Did a quick search. Here are two outfitters offering spring black bear hunts in Maine on Indian reservation lands. Spring Black Bear Hunt in Maine Black Bear Spring Hunt - Maine

Thanks Bill. I'll check them out. There's a gorgeous 1969 Redfield 1x4 Magnum on Ebay I am looking at...but pricey for a 56 year old scope.

Yeah...and with a peep it's the stick-shift of rifles!

That's a great memory!

Ah crap...I thought Maine had a spring season. Just checked it out, and yes....no more spring bear hunts. Had no idea. Sounds like there are some Indian reservations where it is still legal to hunt with an outfitter.

The big woods of Northern Maine. Plenty of outfitters. Endless wilderness and great fishing. Sounds like a great trip.

Thanks Bill. Good to know. I shoot the 180 grain Remington Core Lokts out of my 7600 Carbine in .30-06. For what I'm doing banging around the swamps and big woods of the Northeast these work great. But I'll definitely give the 150's a try.

Congrats H2OFowler and 365! Great news. I've got anywhere from 1 to 3 more years as a teacher. Waiting on a bill that's in Boston right now...if that passes I can go next year. If not, probably 2 or 3 more. The new federal law that allowed Mass. teachers to claim SS AND their state...

Funny Bows, I was just on the SLN site yesterday and saw them. And I think you're right about dropping trees to then hunt over. I was trying to think about parallels in the farming community that blur the line. For example, if a farmer clears his pumpkin patch of leftover pumpkins and...

Great tip. I like it. Do you use a come-along or something like that for tension?