Ron Purdey and I are home from the Moose River Plains Recreation Area in the Adirondack mountains. This was the 1st group hunt for NYTB although it was a mighty small group, heck I guess you could call it a pair hunt. :rolleyes:
This was my 1st tent hunt and I gotta say Im hooked, I think Ive find a new passion. The weather was awesome, frost temps at night and 60s after sunup.
This pic is at the eastern entrance to the road into the state property. Good brook trout fishing, real good at times. (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1657.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1657.jpg.html)
The best pic I have of camp, kind of neglected capturing a full shot of our set up. (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1661.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1661.jpg.html)
The namesake critter has returned in number. the entire area was covered up in moose tracks of all different sizes. At times I found that I was tracking moose instead of hunting deer.
(http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1659.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1659.jpg.html)
Alot of the country we hunted was very boggy and thick,here is a good representative pic of what it looked in most areas. Very tough to still hunt without making noise. If you look long enough you will find game trail around contours in the lad here and this is what we focused on.
(http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1670.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1670.jpg.html)
Very cool Izzy, Thanks for sharing. You couldn't have camped with a nicer guy.
There are some ancient trees up there. That might not sound like much to mention to some but where I come from there arent many mature trees left.
(http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1676.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1676.jpg.html) (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1672.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1672.jpg.html)
This bog was deep into the forest and had several game trails going through it but not much newer sign. (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1665.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1665.jpg.html)
After dark this is where we had dinner and spent a good long time telling hunting stories well into the night. (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1673.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1673.jpg.html)
A look at the Little Moose River. I gotta say I was tempted to trade my bow for some fishing gear. (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1684-1.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1684-1.jpg.html)
Hay It looks good. Hope you all had a good time . Years ago I and 1- 3 others spent the time you were there in the Stoney Creek area every year for 4-6 year's . All but one with traditional bows . We even shot some deer . I hope to be able to show you and other traditional archers the area some day . It is a special area that holds deer .
Ron heading off to set up for the afternoon hunt. He has a story to tell about it. (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1687.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1687.jpg.html) :readit:
During the Saturday morning hunt I hiked into a beautiful funnel created by an overgrown clearing/field . As I explored I started seeing every type of animal scat (*deer, bear,coyote,coon) but couldnt determine what is was they were eating.
I found some very fresh deer tracks and droppings in the moss and what little mud was left in the dry terrain. I started in the direction of the tracks and started still hunting along the base of this funnel between a steep ridge and overgrown field. Within 100 yards I saw movement through the green and yellow leaves of a stand of maple saplings.
Beautiful pics!!!! Look forward to the story. Joe
***** I dont know what I did but the next post should have preceded this one. :knothead: *********
A flicker of white and brown rib cage walking left to right from the ridge top toward the overgrown clearcut. With all the stealth I could muster I pretended to be a tree in hope that the deer would come my way. It continued on its path across the mossy flat and I never could get a clear picture of it to determine if it was was a small buck or a doe.
Either or was fine by me but it continued on toward the clearcut. When it hit the edge it stopped and milled around for a bit but still with the leaves so full I never got a clear pic of it. I though of bleating my best bleat to try to bring it in but then I though against it.
After not seeing movement for 10 minutes I thought it bedded and tried walking up on it but it was long gone. :campfire:
During the Saturday morning hunt I hiked into a beautiful funnel created by an overgrown clearing/field . As I explored I started seeing every type of animal scat (*deer, bear,coyote,coon) but couldnt determine what is was they were eating.
I found some very fresh deer tracks and droppings in the moss and what little mud was left in the dry terrain. I started in the direction of the tracks and started still hunting along the base of this funnel between a steep ridge and overgrown field. Within 100 yards I saw movement through the green and yellow leaves of a stand of maple saplings.
Almost forgot! Saturday lunch. Nothing like venison burgers over an open fire.
(http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1681.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1681.jpg.html)
Izzy keep in mind for next years if you want company . Also let me know about the NYTB ? Thanks Bob
Very cool guys. Congrats on the great adventure. Nothing better than hunting with guys like this.
Very Nice Izzy! I haven't been up to Moose River in many, many years... Still one of the most beautiful places in NY... Reminds me of the big woods in Maine, another place I ain't seen in too long.
... mike ... :dunno: ...
looks like a good time izzy, keep at it, it will happen. ct killler lol
looks like a good time izzy, keep at it, it will happen. ct killler lol
Looks like you guys had a n excellent trip . I enjoyed the photos. Best of luck this season,
Wow, that's just beautiful country !!
Glad you guys got out and enjoyed a bit of magic autumn..
I've spent a bit of time in upper NY and know how stunning the country is..
Looks like a great time to me! Excellent pictures Izzy! Thanks for sharing your hunt with us!
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Awesome! Izzy and I had a fantastic time in a fantastic, remote area in the central Adirondack Mountains. Nothing like being about 15 miles from a paved road. No phones, no television, no traffic or crowds. Only stars at night, and coyotes howling and owls calling. This is quite a beautiful area. And we each saw deer. Unfortunately, the deer I encountered saw me first. I crossed the top of a ridge near a well defined saddle after sitting in a stand I named "split rock". I was just getting through some thick cover and the bedded deer spooked as I cleared the thick tangle of pine saplings. It was laying on the southern slope of the ridge, but was in a nice and cool, dark, shaded stand of hemlock. So I guess I got a good look at the north end of a south bound whitetail!
But the moose sign! It was the first time I have ever seen moose tracks, but I made up for it because I saw a ton of them. That made the hunt for me, along with all the other sign we found.
But this was far more than actual hunting for me. We had a great time doing some wilderness camping, scouting, eating well, and trading stories by the campfire as well as hunting. We checked out a few of the camping areas and there is a lot of room for a good sized group of folks that want to do some camping and hunting. We definitely have to do this again and hope you all can join us!
Thank you again, Izzy, for inviting me along. I really appreciate it :thumbsup:
Oh, and my camera malfunctioned last week so I apologize that I cannot add pictures.
And those venison burgers we had for lunch were mighty tasty. Best burgers I have had in a long time. Thanks Izzy!
Great story izzy! Enjoyed the pics immensely
Great stuff! :campfire:
Sounds like you Guys found a nice place to hunt in the "Big Woods". Seeing a deer each in a 2 day hunt in that country is a Great Hunt! I love the Moose River Plains area and hope that you Guys got room for another guy next hunt there. I would definitely bring the fly rod!
Awesome pics! Looked to be a great time. Thanks for sharing.
Gentleman, it looks like a great experience for sure!
I would love to join you next year.
It will give me a wonderful opportunity to learn from a couple of good Bowhunters.
Wish I could have this year but no tags from last year....
Ron, can't wait to see you to talk with you about it.
It is great you guys had such a great time
Please!!! To all you fellas that requested and invite for next year, you were always welcomed and I wish I would have posted in POWWOW and not just the TBNY forum. I think we both enjoyed it so much that we were sorry to leave. I would have stayed an extra day had I not had to move my mom into her new place.
The hunt for me, captured an essence of hunting that I wish I would have partaken in sooner. Tent hunting is the BOMB! Ive hunted many times from camps (cabins) where I could hunt right out the door and have shot deer from the porch but hunting from a tent in big woods, Im hooked bad.
I know its early but Ron and I would love to have any and all of you up there with us next year. Please come, you'll be refreshed by it all, I know I was.
We did a bit of camp scouting and there is room for 20 or more hunters. Sounds like it would be crowded but trust me it isnt. Im talking 40,000 acres and room for an encampment where we could pitch many tents with adequate facilities for at least a dozen tents within a large clearing. A man could be hunting 10 feet from his tent or walk for miles in any direction and have a whole ridge to himself.
Bring your bows fellas, all TGers and family are encouraged to join us next year.
And just a heads up if you werent aware. Terry and Rob have provided us with a NY dedicated forum. Down in the state trad org section. Its in it's infancy but it will grow some. :campfire:
Izzy and Ron, thanks for sharing your adventure; that must be one helluva wilderness.
Shick
Another sight that stirred my imagination. Odins Throne! (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1680.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1680.jpg.html)
All that moss covered terrain was cool. It was like walking on a mattress in a lot of places.
What I wouldnt do to put a trail cam on this run.
(http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1663.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1663.jpg.html)
My newest huntin buddy that I hope to share many more trails with, RonP.
(http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1686.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1686.jpg.html)
:thumbsup:
I can't stop thinking about that ridge where I jumped that deer...
:campfire:
Absolutely Awesome Izzy!!!!! Many Thanks, To you & Ron for sharing your experiance!!!!!
I spent many years,long ago, rifle hunting the Moose River/Cedar River Flow. I hunted everything between Old Forge & Lndian Lake. MILES of country!!!!! Theres just something about putting your nose in the wind & heading off into the mountains.....
I sure would like to do it again!!!!!
(with an old Bear Grizzly in my hand,of course!)
Great Srtuuf guys. I know sharing Camp with either of you would be awesome.
Thanks for the pics, wish I could have been there.
Good stuff Izzy. My favorite hunts were with my bowhunting mentor - canoeing into a remote area and setting up tent camp for four days.
Great stuff Izzy ... thanks for sharing
Looks like a great hunting and camp experience. Been thinking about doing an Adirondack hunt. I'd love to join next year for sure.
There's something special about the Adirondacks. I hunt the Stillwater reservoir area and now after reading this thread and seeing the pics I can't wait to get back to them mountains. I hope I can join you next year.
I remember driving back into the Stillwater Reservior area back in the early 1980's.
The old Buck racks nailed to the barns a sheds will flat out scare ya!!!!!
Looks like a blast! Beautiful country, thanks for posting the pics and story... :thumbsup:
Something about tent camping and bowhunting just go together. Thanks for letting us peak into your experience! I could feel the excitement, it's infectious!
Something about tent camping and bowhunting just go together. Thanks for letting us peak into your experience! I could feel the excitement, it's infectious!
The Adirondack mountains is a special place.
I have many memories bowhunting and fishing up there.
We spent 8 days in tents each fall for 10 years.
Best times of my outdoor life.
QuoteOriginally posted by Izzy:
A look at the Little Moose River. I gotta say I was tempted to trade my bow for some fishing gear. (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1684-1.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1684-1.jpg.html)
looks like a tenkara rod attached to the quiver is needed there,, camp trout.
Cool stuff, thanks for sharing!
QuoteOriginally posted by Tajue17:
QuoteOriginally posted by Izzy:
A look at the Little Moose River. I gotta say I was tempted to trade my bow for some fishing gear. (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/IMG_1684-1.jpg) (http://s122.photobucket.com/user/2crazyboys_photos/media/IMG_1684-1.jpg.html)
looks like a tenkara rod attached to the quiver is needed there,, camp trout. [/b]
Yes, that did occur to me!
One thing that I forgot to mention that thrilled me to death! Our camp site abutted a grown over field that must have been clear within 10 years or so. It is now chocked with some willow type scrub. At 1st I heard them and then little by little, there they were. Woodcock, about 5 or 6 lifted off next to us while we enjoyed camp fire and cold ones for several hours. They are my second favorite bird next to grouse. At the time the season was still 4 days away, but it was another trip highlight for me. Hope to share with a few more compadres next year. By the way, good luck to all who are getting out tomorrow for the 1st time. I know I wont sleep tonight.
looks like an AWESOME time, wish i could have made it!
That's awesome Izzy!!, I totally forgot about it, been working like crazy. I used to hit the Moose river and Lowes Lake with the muzzle loader. It sure is a beautiful place.
Looks like beautiful country Izzy.