Before I get to old to do it at all, I'm thinking about a solo kayak/bow hunt in the North country. Either Cedar River Flow or maybe Indian Lake area. Most likely 3 nights and will pack just like I was backpacking.....LIGHT!! Takedown 2pc longbow and some cedar arrows. Deer and bear will be open. Any thought on getting ready for this kind of adventure??? This would be early October I think! :campfire: :coffee:
Hey Ron
I would get some topo maps of where u intend to wonder, make sure someone has copies, so they know where to start looking God fobid you don't check in when your supposed to. I went the light weight route for my elk hunt this passed Sept. So it really depends on if your going to have to portage a lot, or hike far from the water for the day off more. If your only going to do day long hunts, and not have to portage, then you can take a lot more creature comforts with you because weight becomes a lot less ofa factore.
As far as training goes start of easy and do a lot of stretching, before and after your workouts, with increasing your stamina as you go along, until you find that you can pretty much go all day with your pack, bow, and quiver on. Get a light weight walking stick, if you plan on hiking up and down hills with your pack on, it also really helps when packing out meat.
I also used kettlebells, but you really have to know how to use them, I was lucky being under the tutelage of my son who works out with them regularly.
Best of luck
Ken, been hunting and camping in the area for years, got the maps and such. I will paddle to an area and set up camp and stay for the duration, maybe a 3-5 mile trip. I go to the gym everyday and help teach martial arts so I'm not in to bad a shape...lol! Just looking for un-thought of tips and advice!
Ron,
If you are going to shoot a big one, make sure it's close to the road. Heaven forbid you shoot a deer or bear 16 miles from camp. :scared: You would end up spending a couple extra days :readit:
Bug Spray and Toilet Paper may be your best friends on this trip.!
Wow Ron, great minds think alike LOL!
I have been thinking of doing something very similar ever since Izzy and I hunted the Moose River Plains Last fall. In fact I was looking at the area just east of Cedar River flow. Check out the maps. It is called Buck Mountain. I would have to canoe south till almost the end. I may go up there this summer and canoe across to see if there is any area suitable to set up camp close to the water, so I wouldn't really be backpacking in far. I guess I would bring a small tent and sleeping bag. A small cooler with food. A nice take-down ILF recurve (guess where I got the riser!). I bought one of those Kelly Kettles to cook some light meals on. It would sure be spooky (for me) being out there alone at night, but it would be way cool!
http://mapper.acme.com/
This link may work, Ron. I want to camp down by the water and hunt my way up. Or part way up. Something about the name Buck Mountain that intrigues me...
You can zoom in or out to see where I might go.
I'll be following this
Hi Ron. Great idea for sure. If I read it right the 2014 early bear season opens 13Sept in the Northern zone, something to consider. I have made many trips backpacking, with kayaks, and a bow. I always seem to return to Stillwater reservoir, beautiful big woods to wonder.
Ron P. There is another mountain in the adks called Big Buck and little buck, they have great deer numbers for being the Adirondacks. Best accessed by boat.
Been back in that area many a time in my 70+ years. That trip will get you away from the crowd although there is a jeep road that follows the west side of the flow to its southern end. Not sure if the rd is open or closed to vehicles at this time. At the south end of the flow you would have good camping and Bookies to dine on. Buck Mt is just east of the flow and the mt runs North, North East forming a long ridge. The west side is not real steep but if you drop off the east side you will regret it. Beer have been plentiful on the mountain at times. You never know with the Adirondacks. The best place to learn about the area is pick up a copy of "French Louie". Not only will you learn a lot about that area but you will also find a new hero. A better than average chance to see a Moose on that trip. Seems the Flow is one of the hot spots. I am not to far from you. Brian.
Hey Ron,
Didn't you and Charlie hunt out west a couple years ago? Was that kind of a remote hunt like you are planning?
Goggle earth is a good tool, I have been using it to look for good spots to kayak bowfish this summer.
Another place you might want to check is Bog River Flow. Canoed in there a few times during the summer and saw deer. the water is not as big as Indian and Cedar so wind wont blow you off the water. Hunting season should find less people too.
Beautiful area. I haunt the million + acres of the West Canada wilderness, close to my house/Sugarbush ( border of Towns of Russia and Ohio by Morehouse). ALMOST did a fly-in w/ buddy of mine last year but the $!?!$(!! wind kept us grounded.
Do it! Nothing to lose and sounds like a great way to spend a week! I don't know a thing about kayaking but sounds like a pretty normal trip as far as gear requirements.
Charlie and I camped at 10,000 feet but it was accessible by road. On this trip I would kayak 3-5 miles from the truck and camp lakeside. Most likely hunt with in a mile from camp. Ronp, I have hiked to the end of Cedar River Flow and camped near Colvin Brook lean-to. Your back there pretty good. I'm keeping the areas I'm looking at in mind because they are not to far from home, maybe an hour and 20 minutes, Yet they give you chance to be miles from a road and darn few hunters.....maybe none.
Ron
I hunt remote areas in The Great Addies every season, mostly packing,some canoeing..first aid kit, 2 good compasses, water purifier, GPS..excellent flashlight (darker than the inside of a cow) up there in the early fall..possess good wood skills, and do a re-con as to where you are going. Have nerves of steel, getting twisted 22 miles from pavement can spell disaster. Taking a true mountain buck with a longbow and wooden arrows will be a memory to last a lifetime.
The big problem with flying into the West Canada Wilderness is most of the lakes are off limits to float planes in the "Designated Wilderness Area". The state has gone to far with there rules. The Sahara Club is having to much say on how we use our land.
I think I will take the wife on a few day kayak trips with a picnic to checkout spots to camp and look for any areas that look like they would be gamey. I like hunting creeks and drainages.
Ron Long Lake my favorite Lake Lila another.
Just 3 nights won't be enough time..
:biglaugh: 3 Nights on the ground is about all this old guy can take. In the Adirondacks 20 nights may not be enough!
Years ago ,my grandfather worked for JP Lewis paper company. We use to hunt the paper company land up around North Lake. This conversation brought back some wonderful memories.
Do a couple of dry runs w a fishing rod - scout - camp - if it is suitable for a return campsite cut firewood and stash. and for me out of a canoe I would run a hammock w tarp fly cover camp.
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QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
:biglaugh: 3 Nights on the ground is about all this old guy can take. In the Adirondacks 20 nights may not be enough!
Spend the money and buy a good sleeping pad like a Big Agnus insulated air core pad.
I have had all kinds of Air/foam/and every other type sleeping pad and The ground is still the ground. I have a packable cot but not sure if I want that much weight to take along. I guess if it makes sleep better it may be worth it. That hammock idea maybe the way to go!
Let me say a couple things ... first teh adriondacks are possibly the greatest place on the east coast IMO.
I say go for it man!
If it were me I'd have a good map laminated so it's waterproof, a good compass or two, and a GPS ... getting lost will not be awesome.
Plan on maybe being more than 3 days ... because if you shoot a deer on day 3, you may very easily be walking a mile or more farther out to track it, you just never know ... or it could end up at the bottom of a steep ravine and it might take a full day to pack it out ... you may not be able to track, pack and canoe back to your vehicle in one afternoon ...
I've heard the camping hammocks are good for trips like this where you may be expecting rough, rocky, or unlevel ground.
Lastly, Spring bear in that area opens like Sep. 19th and deer opens Sep. 27th or something like that.
If it were me I'd consider late September as it will be slightly warmer probably.
I did a similar trip (on foot) in the western high peaks a few years back with a buddy in late september and it was already getting at-near freezing at night and highes of maybe 40 during the day ... that may not be typical ... but you just never know up there in the north country .... but I guess I don't need to tell you that ...
Go for it Ron!
I hunted Indian lake area for years and had such a wonderful time.
I set up camp in lewey lake campgrounds (showers there too)
Very convenient.
You will kill a deer or at least have opportunity and bear are abundant there.
I mostly hunted an old apple orchard along Rt 30 between Indian and Lewey lake. Don't forget your fishing pole!!!
The fishing is terrific. Pike, smallmouth and perch.
Enjoy and good luck!
Philip
Ron looking at the map. I would say the east side of Indian lake. John Mack Bay looks real good. That or the lower finger just north of Driftwood Mt. Woodland creek or that brother if you want we have a camp just across from Lewey. You wouldn't have to float and could hunt Pine hill back over to the finger on Indian lake.. Pm me and we can set it up..
Johnny Mack Bay was one of the spots I had picked, Over the mountain on the other side is the Cedar River Flo area, looking at Buck Mt./Buell creek area. Lots of big woods.......
Ron, You must let us know where you are going so we can play a prank on you. ;)
:saywhat: Thanks Charlie.......
Well, since you're not new to the backcountry, not much to offer that you probably don't already know. A few thoughts:
-Learn to process at the kill site. I didn't even consider this until I moved out west. I made some hellish drags in my younger days. :)
-Be especially head's up when you are using your knife. Especially if you are tired or excited, or distracted.
-Dress right. Cotton kills. Keep your wits about you. I canoed 7 miles into the Adirondacks with a buddy some years ago and we had a cold rain one afternoon. I parked myself under a big deadfall and waited it out. On the hike back to camp, steam was rollin' off my layers of wool and poly. I was bone dry when I got to camp. When I arrived I saw my buddy's sopping wet cotton shirt and sweatshirt hanging outside the tent, a failed fire in the ring, and him in the tent nearly hypothermic. I got the fire going, fed us, and then shared my wool and poly with him for the evening and following day, til the weather cleared. I would go to thrift stores and find "Shetland wool" (reprocessed wool) turtlenecks for cheap. They've been the best, lightest, warmest, undergarment I've owned. Actually too warm for most uses.
-Be aware of when you are at all fatigued. When I notice the first mis-step, I say to myself "You're tiring. Be careful." I say it so that I acknowledge it. You don't need a twisted ankle, or worse.
-And of course, don't go alone unless you know the ropes really well. And let loved ones know where and when.
Lesseee...
-Look for hanger's -dead trees over your tent site.
-Plan for trouble. I once popped a hole in my tent roof during a nasty snow squall wiping water off a broadhead. A piece of duct tape made a quick patch. I carry some wrapped on a short piece of dowel in my "tool kit".
-Pretest ALL gear you haven't used before.
All good stuff........thanks!
Bug spray and a head net, good water filter, good rubber boots and a good tent.
Ron, I wouldn't skimp on the sleeping gear-- old bones stiffen up on the ground! I have been having the same thought about a solo trip before it gets too late. Unfortunately, I am having a shoulder replaced on May 2nd (shortest turkey season on record but I have to be recovered by October) so I will have to delay my trip. Good luck and go for it!
Susan
I live in Tupper Lake. If I can help out somehow, let me know.
Mike
Hi all good luck with your hunt. We have some great country in NY to get away from it all . It was my understanding that it is illegal to bone out a deer in NY , and it has to be brought out in one piece . Good luck , have fun and be safe .
May life's simplest things bring you the greatest pleasures !!!!
I think you can bone out the animal but need proof of the sex of the critter. I could be wrong...I know many guys that pack out meat that way. Of course that don't mean they are right....LOL!
You don't need to go radical with weight savings but some ideas of the backpacking people could be interesting. Try to reduce the weight of the big three, tent, sleeping system and backpack. For you, backpack can be secundary as you are using a canoe.
Spend money in the sleeping system, a thick sleeping pad and a good bag, i would choose a quilt over a mummy design and add some type of waterproof bag for it, you don't want a wet sleeping bag. You have great tents models to choose, don't go very small.
Think about your cooking system, a good stove and a small pot is all that you need using food as mountain house and cooking in the bags, adding hot water and waiting some minutes. Add other stove, a light one as Esbit or alcohol catstove, as backup.
Sorry for my english
Ron, its probably warmer here than it is there, but when we do a similiar hunt by canoe in October,one of our main concerns is what to do with the meat when you do kill one, a solo hunt will mean packing the meat from the kill site to the water then either having ice chests in the truck or in your boat, and that takes up precious room in a canoe. It may not be a concern there though. one place we have hunted is a 26 mile section of river where we have a long days float down river to the truck at the fastest. and going to the truck means the end of the trip, i assume your paddling flat water?
for sure do the hunt ! im in the same thought process and on my 60th birthday last year,i took a 5 day solo canoe trip which is something i had been putting off for one reason or the other, it was a awesome 5 days. as i get older, i look back on things that i have put off and really wish i hadnt, its not going to be real long before i cant do the back packing and hiking i could a few years ago, so im planning several adventures over the next two years or so to do em while i can...
I hear ya Dave.......
QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
... Any thought on getting ready for this kind of adventure??? This would be early October I think! :campfire: :coffee:
Very cool!
Plan for the worst (weather) and hope for the best, you'll be fine.
Joshua
QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
I think you can bone out the animal but need proof of the sex of the critter. I could be wrong...I know many guys that pack out meat that way. Of course that don't mean they are right....LOL!
You are right on that.
mike
There are campsites all around Indian Lake and near the Johnny Mack Bay area, and even near the south end of the lake. They are all part of the Indian Lake Islands state park and campgrounds. It looks like the campgrounds are open until Columbus Day week end this year.
Hey MikeS, I don't see Maggie on your avatar pic.
Well I guess she was taking the photo.
See you soon at the local shoots.
Yves
QuoteOriginally posted by mulot:
Hey MikeS, I don't see Maggie on your avatar pic.
Well I guess she was taking the photo.
See you soon at the local shoots.
Yves
No, that is a picture of Feather. Looking forward to our paths crossing again! Say "Hi" to Stan!
Hey Ron,
You want to talk to Scotty Dillon, that area is his playground and he knows it as good as anyone. I know he spends a ton of time in the winter months tracking big bucks in the snow. The stories he's told me and the distances he's had to drag out "big deer" is insane!
Good luck......Tim
Tim, I have done that late season tracking thing myself. Great fun but a lot of hard miles......lol, getting to old for that stuff. That's why I'm going early. :dunno:
Thanks Tim ! I spend considerable time in the High Country, and at 53 years young, I feel like I'm 25 and in my prime when I am hunting/tracking there. Sometimes you feel like a dot on the map in the vast wilderness, but it's rewards are great..now that I have my German Girl sharing my passion, it makes it even better..not too many solo hunts anymore..do they make " DUO HUNTS "??? :D
Unless you're totally set on a solo hunt, maybe see if one of the good folks on this site from upstate NY might join you. Nothing better than hunting with others and sharing stories in camp afterwards. And a helping hand is nice too when you need it.
Very true and my wife would be more comfortable also......we'll have to see.
My dad and I got flown into a remot lake in the mid 80's. Great hunt, but we where gun hunting and the lake froze in one night making for a long hike out. No other hunters seen all week and I shot a beautiful 10 pt. definitely bring a compass and an am radi to listen to the weather.
I've really enjoyed following this thread. Lots of good information given! Remember to take lots of pictures to share with us. September will be here before you know it!
Bernie
Hey Ole timer, I here them Susquatch run them thar big woods!
:biglaugh: Who you calling Old Timer, How ya doing Jim. Stump shoot this weekend......
Ron, haven't picked up my bow in quite sometime, stinkin RA! Really kicks my ass sometimes. Is this the Rockwood shoot? BTW spent lots of time camping & yak fishing that area. Hey Scott congrats on your new girlfriend,...she turn 16 yet? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Yep....Rockwood shoot.
Very Funny Jim!! haha! remember those nights up in Perkins Clearing in that ol army tent?? ahhh the memories!! and yes, she just turned 17...lol :D
Did a 5 hour paddle today......not to bad. If the weather plays fair and my knees don't give out... I may just pull this hunt off. :thumbsup:
Keep us updated. I started walking with 40# pack this week. I'm way late but I'll be good Should be just about right for a deboned deer in our area.
Good luck
Go for it Ron, these hunts don't get any easier.
I didn't read the entire thread, but if someone hasn't already suggested it, you might want to consider a canoe instead of a solo kayak. Packing light, a solo kayak will get you in and out, but you expect to kill a critter, right? Be tough to get it and your gear out on a solo kayak. Good luck. An excellent way to hunt.
I have an open tandem kayak, I can take the front seat out and pack my gear up front, with room for game if I got lucky. The kayak is 16'......
Hey Ron,
Go for it, my friend! I have been trying to get up the nerve to do something similar. I bought a hammock to try, but haven't tried it out yet. And I have a Kelly Kettle to cook with. Maybe I'll start out locally on some one night adventures!
Ron, I have got all the camping gear.....I just have to decide what bow to take...lol! :biglaugh:
Ron - If you decide to try the Buell Creek area and would like some company let me know. I haven't been in there for a few years and would love to go back.
This sounds great Ron, cant wait to hear your stories after. I love that area! Good luck and keep us posted on the preps.
(was nice seeing you and the mrs at Denton as well)
Nathan
Good seeing you Nate. John, trip is still a rough plan, have to see what develops.
QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
Ron, I have got all the camping gear.....I just have to decide what bow to take...lol! :biglaugh:
Bring em all! But you would need a party barge, not a kayak to fit em all!
QuoteOriginally posted by ronp:
QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
Ron, I have got all the camping gear.....I just have to decide what bow to take...lol! :biglaugh:
Bring em all! But you'd need a party barge, not a kayak to carry em all! [/b]
Ron P. That was really funny the first time LOL :smileystooges: :biglaugh:
Uhhh, I wanted to re-enforce my point??? :banghead:
ronp,,,,,, my kayak is pretty big.....I can fit in a back-up......lol!
Well the old knee is saying your not going, and I guess I have to listen. I have to see the Dr. this month cause things just ain't working well. Maybe I can pull it off next year. Thanks for all it input! :notworthy: :notworthy:
That's unfortunate Ron. I know you were looking forward to doing something like this. Heal that knee up and make plans for next season.
That's the plan ronp, even if I have to have replacement this isn't over yet!
MIssed you at the Muzzy, Ron. Was it the knee that kept you home? Good luck with the Doc. Keep us informed.
Ron, when you get new knees, you will be running up the mountain. You will make me feel Old!
:saywhat: I pray that your right Charlie......
Sorry to hear about the ole leg bender but, hope it gets better soon! I was reading along and following this to see how it turned out. Be safe out there. :thumbsup:
Too bad Ron, I will be after a Blackie this weekend..was hoping to find your campfire this season..and swap some 'Dacks Hunts Stories..
If all goes well we will attack the Mountains next year...... :thumbsup: