PROS: Lightweight, Durable (it can get run over by a truck!), Forgiving, Accurate, Quiet, Shock-free, Holds Rock Solid on Target

CONS: Doesn't have build in mounts for a two piece quiver (Hoyt sells an adapter to allow for a two-piece quiver to be used), slow (280 fps) with a heavy hunting arrow (429 gr).

Outdoor enthusiasts have a new tool to help plan the perfect trip to visit any of the 2,500 miles of recreational trails throughout New York, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. DEC's Mapping Gateway has been expanded with information that enables the public to use Google Earth and other mapping tools to find trails and learn more about the state lands that surround them.

DEC's Mapping Gateway combines existing web mapping applications and map collections with new offerings, such as a full-featured, interactive data inventory and map viewer. DEC continues to expand the availability of "Virtual Globe" data (http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/42978.html) to provide a variety of interactive aerial map representations using virtual globe software such as Google Earth. In addition, some data has been incorporated into Google Maps - which does not require any software downloads - to provide an even more accessible way for people to obtain DEC's information.

The Mapping Gateway now includes information about 2,446 miles of recreational trails that DEC manages, including:

• Hiking Trails.
• Cross-Country Ski Trails.
• Horse Trails.
• Trails open to motor vehicle use by people with "Motorized Access Program for People With Disabilities" (MAPPWD) permits.
• Mountain Bike Trails.
• Snowmobile Trails.

In addition to the trail information, visitors can click on the trail and find out the location, features and regional contact information for the forest, wildlife management area, or other state land on which the trail is located. DEC advises the public to check with the regional office covering the destination being visited to make sure trails and roads are open and if any advisories are in effect.

The new features announced today are in addition to Mapping Gateway enhancements rolled out last year (http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/60434.html) for fishing, boating, bird watching and more. Other map offerings that can be used with Google Earth include the locations of ecological zones, brownfields, dams, and bulk storage facilities.

Instructions are available on the DEC website for those needing information about how to download and use the Google Earth software. By using Google and leveraging existing technology that many people are already familiar with, DEC is able to reduce software development costs. In addition, the available data is compatible with other virtual globe software like ArcGIS Explorer and NASA's WorldWind, enabling the public to use the data in many different contexts.

Contact:
Maureen Wren (518) 402-8000

This big 8 pointer has been hanging around our area for a few weeks now. When we first spotted him we had a few pictures of him during the day, but now he seems to just be visiting at night.

Hopefully we can figure out where he's coming from and set up a stand closer to his bedding area. That way we can catch him moving during shooting hours come opening day.

This picture is a little hard to see, but it's a nice 6 pointer with good brow tines. This looks like one of the bucks I had on video last season and passed up several times. He's already looking better than he did last year.

All of us here on Team NYB are getting extremely excited about the upcoming season. We've been practicing at Extreme Archery and scouting every chance we get. This season is shaping up to be one to remember.

BINGO!!!! It's great to see an image like this one when you head out to the timber to retrieve your cam. This is a great 3 1/2 year old buck that will definitely be on Team NYB's hit list come this fall.


We also got a few other great looking younger bucks and a strange racked buck I'd like to call "Sick Rick".


It's great to see the bucks developing and so far this season is looking very promising!

Carbon Express is giving away broadheads on it's website for a limited time. Here's an excerpt from the Company's website:

Carbon Express is so confident the F-15™ will change the way you hunt, we’re giving away $50,000 worth of single pack F-15s.

The F-15™ is the only broadhead with dual, side-by-side cutting blades. The razor-sharp blades give you 6 cutting surfaces, generating a wound channel up to 250% larger and more destructive than traditional broadheads. The advantages are clear: creating a wound chunk versus a slice produces a massive exit wound for greater blood loss, a better blood trail and ultimately, a faster kill.

This is a great opportunity to try one of the F-15’s™ for FREE, while supplies last. You just pay $4.95 shipping and handling, a great value when the 3 pack goes for approximately $39.99 at retail.

The F-15™ Dual Blade is a new standard in broadheads that will change the way you hunt.

Get yours before your buddies beat you to it!

Click here to go to the Carbon Express website.

Dero pulled the SD card from the trail cam and was surprised to see this big six pointer. "High Tower" as he's been named should put on some serious bone from now until the end of August. I've got a thing for big six pointers and this buck is looking good!


We were also pleasantly surprised to see the eight pointer putting on some tine length. He's going to be a great deer this year and hopefully one that gives us an opportunity this fall.

This is a beautiful pic of a nice buck overlooking a field as day is breaking. We're hoping one this buck stays in the area long enough during the fall to come across one of our stands.


We had these two young swamp bucks walk by one of Dero's secret spots - he seems to have a lot of those!


We were surprised to see this big six pointer in the area. He looks like a mature buck, but just doesn't have the points. In a few more weeks we will have a better idea of how he's going to look, but he could be a monster six pointer this fall.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. - The National Wild Turkey Federation's New York State Chapter budgeted $133,000 from its state Hunting Heritage Super Fund to invest in outreach, education, conservation and other projects in 2010.

The NWTF Super Fund is administered jointly by the NWTF, its state and provincial chapters and wildlife agencies, and supports conservation and education programs.

"The New York State Chapter has been a leader among NWTF chapters since its inception 35 years ago," said James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., the NWTF's chief conservation officer. "By directing dollars to land access and wildlife habitat improvements, and strengthening outreach and education programs, the New York State Chapter is helping enhance habitat for all kinds of wildlife while making a better outdoor experience, not just for hunters - but for everyone. These members are creating a lasting legacy for people to enjoy our rich wildlife heritage."

Since 1985, NWTF chapters in New York have raised and spent more than $1.7 million on wildlife habitat enhancements, land purchases, education, outreach and more within the state. NWTF chapters and cooperating partners across North America have raised and spent more than $306 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving 14 million acres of wildlife habitat.

"The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation reports that hunters in the Empire State spend $788 million and 9.4 million days afield pursuing their sport each year"

Hunters also make significant contributions to the state's economy. The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation reports that hunters in the Empire State spend $788 million and 9.4 million days afield pursuing their sport each year.

The NWTF's New York State Board of Directors dedicated $133,000 to accomplish the following Hunting Heritage Super Fund projects in 2010, which will benefit New York's resident and non-resident sportsmen:

* $70,000 to increase access to hunting land through the More Places to Hunt initiative, improve wildlife habitat through the NWTF Seed Subsidy membership benefit and Conservation Seed program, and complete cooperative public land habitat improvement projects that will enhance wild turkey brood habitat and control noxious weeds. Projects will be completed in the Carlton Hill and Deer Creek Marsh wildlife management areas (WMA), and projects in the Tassell Hill State Forest, Louise Keir WMA and Finger Lakes National Forest are under consideration.

* $23,700 to uphold outdoor traditions through the NWTF's JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) and Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF outreach programs, educational programs, scholarship programs, 4-H Shooting Sports, and the National Archery in the Schools Program

* $6,000 to support critical research on wild turkey harvest potential in New York and support of ongoing American chestnut research

* $3,000 to protect and promote our hunting heritage through contributions to the New York State Conservation Council, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and New York State Legislative Sportsmen Caucus

In addition, the New York State Chapter's board of directors allocated $30,300 to other projects in 2010.

The NWTF is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.

Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.

Contact:
Shannon Coggin at (803) 637-7643

Two young children were attacked by coyotes in the community of Rye, New York, in southeastern Westchester County earlier this month. Fortunately both children, age 3 and 6, only sustained minor injuries.

Local authorities, working with DEC, immediately took measures to capture and destroy coyotes in the areas where the attacks occurred. While coyote attacks on people are unusual, there is growing concern that coyotes are becoming too habituated to people in developed areas, leading to altered behavior and potential attacks of both people and pets.

"DEC has been studying coyote ecology and behavior in Westchester County for several years, and it is clear that coyotes are here to stay"

They are well adapted to many environments, including urban and suburban habitats, and they now live in all areas of New York, except Long Island (read more about New York’s suburban coyote study at www.nycoyote.org).

DEC has also developed guidelines for avoiding conflicts with people, and first and foremost, no one should ever attempt to feed or get close to a coyote. If a coyote is seen close to people, pets, or homes, it should be scared away by throwing hard objects, and yelling. Given the adaptive nature of this species children should have adult supervision when outdoors. See DEC’s web-site for more information on avoiding coyote conflicts.

The bucks are getting bigger and putting on more bone! We've been scouting out a few new areas and looking for bucks in the 3.5 year old range with over 100" of antler come September and I think this guy is one of our first contenders.


He's grown a good amount over the last two weeks and hopefully he'll impress us next time we pull the cards from the camera. I can't wait to see what this buck looks like after two more months of antler growth.


This little guy caught my attention when I noticed his right beam was growing down instead of up. This buck must have been injured at some point and seems to be growing a non-typical rack. If it continues like this he should be an interesting deer to watch grow over the next few years.

(6/24/2010) Canandaigua, NY - New York Bowhunters, Inc. (NYB) was presented the prestigious New York State Conservation Council’s (NYSCC) 2009 Presidents Award at that organizations annual meeting this past fall.

The NYSCC Presidents award is selected by the NYSCC President and is given to an outstanding club or organization annually. NYB 1st Vice President, Martin Seeley was contacted by Harold Palmer, the 2009 NYSCC President and told about the accomplishment.

During the presentation ceremony, President Palmer stated “Much of my decision about the award was because of NYB’s work with the youth and the youth camps that they have held in our state since 1993.” Palmer then proceeded to detail NYB’s other accomplishments, including their assistance with setting up archery ranges in Iraq for our servicemen and women serving there, NYB’s annual veterans hunt for wounded soldiers, NYB’s physically challenged program and their creation of an adaptive equipment CD entitled “Adaptive Equipment for the Physically Challenged and Aging Bowhunter”. Palmer also recognized NYB for receiving the Pope and Young Club’s Stewardship Award in 2009.

"New York Bowhunters, Inc. was recognized among our peers by the largest sportsmen’s organization in New York State"

Seeley stated “Winning this award was truly an honor. NYB was recognized among our peers by the largest sportsmen’s organization in New York State (NYS). Winning the NYSCC Presidents Award would not have been possible if not for the hard working, caring, selfless men and women who volunteer their valuable time and efforts to help run NYB’s volunteer programs each year.” Seeley continued, “I would like to thank Harold Palmer and the NYSCC for their acknowledgment of NYB’s hard work and for their continued work on behalf of the sportsmen of NYS.”

NYB has put over 1,400 campers through their free summer youth camp program. They have worked with the New York State Department of Environment Conservation (DEC) and the towns of Irwin and Irondequoit NY to establish successful urban deer management programs in both townships and have worked with hundreds of physically challenged bowhunters helping them to enjoy the sport of bowhunting.

New York Bowhunters, Inc. was formed in 1991 to promote bowhunting, educate hunters and non-hunters, and to fight anti-hunting legislation. NYB is currently working to regain the bowhunting time lost by southern zone bowhunters during the DEC’s 2005 season restructuring. The organization would like the southern zone early archery season to start annually on October 1st.

NYB can be contacted at P.O. Box 1157, Canandaigua, NY 14424 or by phone at 585-905-0961 or through email at nyboffice@newyorkbowhunters.com. To learn more about NYB, their existing programs or to become a member, please go to our website at http://www.newyorkbowhunters.com/

Here are a few more pics of some bucks that showed up on our trail cams. It's awesome to watch them grow. Just the other night a few of us from Team NYB filmed a few velvet monsters in an open field at dusk. One was already well over 100".


This pic is great because it tells me that this buck is probably bedding somewhere in the area not too far away from where he was when he passed by this camera. He's already getting some decent tine length and should be a shooter come opening day.