Kuneytown Sportsmens Club

SQUIRREL DERBY SAT JAN 28TH

2012-01-22T18:24:00.004-05:00

Don't miss the first Squirrel Derby of the season coming up this weekend Saturday January 28th hope to see a lot of members and kids participate. Contact Eric at 315-730-2257 to enter or stop in the club this Friday night to sign up. Club opens at 6pm Friday stop in for happy hour and join the squirrel derby.

2011 Buck Pool Results

2012-01-09T15:42:00.001-05:00

The results are in:

1ST PLACE Dave Spogen 26 1/4 (a); 8 points x 18 1/4 spread
2ND PLACE Eric Riegel 20.5 (r); 9 points x 11.5 spread

GAME DINNER DEC 10th

2011-11-10T11:28:00.000-05:00

Please make plans to attend the annual Kuneytown Game Dinner. Dec 10th- Tickets are on sale now. Only $10 for a ticket which qualifies you for a raffle drawing. Only 300 tickets sold.

1st prize- $500.00 Bass Pro Shops gift certificate
2nd prize- $100.00 cash
3rd prize- $50.00 cash
4th prize- $25.00 cash

ATTENTION KUNEYTOWN MEMBERS:
Member attendance has been very low at recent club functions. Please remember that your membership involves, first and foremost, SUPPORTING YOUR CLUB. Please make every effort to support our club with your attendance, or better yet, your participation in putting on our events.

Turkey Shoot Oct 30th - 11:00 AM

2011-10-25T14:49:00.002-04:00

Kuneytown Sportsmen’s Club

Oct 30^th, 11:00 AM

Please make an effort to support your club through yourattendance at this event.

Don Lipker Jr. Memorial Dinner

2011-10-07T08:35:00.002-04:00

A ziti dinner is planned in memory of Don Lipker on FridayOctober 7^th, 2011 at Kuneytown Sportsmen’s Club. Don was ahunting member of the club.

All proceeds go to the family. $8 per dinner from 5 pm to ?.

Please come spend the evening celebrating Don’s life andsupporting his family.

Kuneytown Annual Patriot Day Youth Hunt

2011-09-14T14:59:00.005-04:00

On or about September 11th each year, the Kuneytown Sportsmen's Club joins forces with Charlie and his great staff at Whispering Pines Hideaway Shooting Preserve to remember the 2,977 Americans killed during the attacks of September 11th, 2001. At the same time, we honor the many soldiers, sailors, law enforcement personnel, emergency responders, and others who daily risk their lives, and sometimes sacrifice it, for our protection and the protection of our

freedoms.

We take this time every year to be grateful to be Americans, to make a point of acknowledging our Constitution and the Bill of Rights and to be sure to never take for granted our rights to keep and bear arms.

This year, we were honored to share our celebration with veterans of current wars, all Purple Heart recipients, associated with the group Wounded Warriors in Action. It was a moving and proud moment, after a group photograph, to observe the youth of Kuneytown approaching the soldiers and offering them a handshake and a heartfelt "thank you for your service."

When you have a chance, say thanks to Steve Sandroni and Eric Riegel for coordinating the hunt, and to Charlie Buisch of Whispering Pines for donating pheasants and creating a great space for the hunt and picnic to take place. Tell your kids that you are proud of them, and that you are proud of our servicemen and women.

Perhaps most importantly, drop my friend John McDaniel, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) US Army and founder of Wounded Warriors in Action a line at info@wwiaf.org -- tell him thanks or donate to a great cause.

Thanks to Elon Weinstein for the photograph. More photos can be found and downloaded here:

https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/19404134/1/Pheasant%20Farm%20-%20September%202011?h=4ee6d4

YOUTH PHEASANT HUNT

2011-09-05T15:31:00.002-04:00

Once again it is time for the Kuneytown youth pheasant hunt. The hunt will be September 10 th Saturday at 9:30am. A few changes this year due to sparse cover we will be hunting at Whispering Pines Hideaway in Lyons . The hunt is limited to the first ten youths to sign up so please get back to me asap.We will hunt all morning and then have lunch at Whispering Pines compliments of R.E. Kelley inc. Thanks Steve.We can meet at K-Town and car pool if needed or I can get you directions.

Contact: Eric Riegel at 315-730-2257 to sign up remember first ten so call soon.

Thank You Eric

See You In the Pheasant Fields

A big Thanks to Charlie Bisch at whispering Pines for having us

It's a BOY!

2011-08-31T09:12:00.001-04:00

Everyone meet.......John Stanley Presnar Jr

Aug 30 8:04Am 8lbs13oz 19.5in

Iceland

2011-07-02T18:50:00.002-04:00

Hey folks, just got done hanging out in Reykjavik, Iceland. These pics are of the Blue Lagoon, a geothermic water pool. What can I say the pics say it all.

Later,

Puddle Pirate

Hi K-Town Family

2011-06-16T14:24:00.003-04:00

Hello my K-Town Family, Just wanted to say HI from London, UK! I see you have another golf outing planned. Sounds like another woderful time wish I could be there. Have a drink for me? Sorry, my fault you are planning a non-alcohol golf event!!! Here's Idea...the 1st hole could be called the Puddle Pirate Hole.

Take care all, miss ya!

Puddle Pirate

KUNEYTOWN GOLF OUTING

2011-06-15T16:23:00.002-04:00

Greetings Kuneytown Golfers!

Please join us for our annual Kuneytown Golf outing on the 25^th of June! We will meet at the Bonavista golf course around 8:30. Tee-off is at 9 am sharp!

There is a 25 dollar sign up fee, plus 17 dollars greens fees. Your 25 dollars includes food, a gift, and a chance at prize money! You must sign up in advance to participate. Please contact John for more details at: 315-651-9742.

See you on the course!

For inspiration, here is a picture of pro golfer Anna Rawson. Check it out, then, show up and get your game on! It's a co-ed sport!

Quebec Fishing

2011-06-13T12:29:00.010-04:00

Kuneytown Sportsmen's Club members and friends, on a recent fishing trip in the northern reaches of Quebec, in the Reservoir Gouin area. Lots more pics here.

YOUTH TRAPPING CAMP!

2011-06-13T11:16:00.000-04:00

Youth Trapping Camp

Continuing with the success from last year's inaugural Youth Trapping Camp, the New York State Trappers Association (NYSTA) is proud to announce that once again the camp will be held over the Columbus Day weekend at Camp Rushford in Alleghany County in western New York again this fall. In addition, due to overwhelming need, a 2nd youth trapping camp will be held concurrently in the Eastern part of the state at the Twin Rivers Council Rotary Boy Scout Camp. These camps, which are the first of their kind for the northeast United States, are sponsored by The New York State Trappers Association (NYSTA) in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The Youth Trapping Camps will be held October 7th-10th, 2011. All Campers need to plan on arriving between 4-6PM Friday night and they will be released after 1PM Monday afternoon.

The NYSTA has designed these Youth Trapping Camps to extend and enhance the State's current 8 hour long Trapper Education Class, which is required of all new trappers regardless of age. The program will allow for in-depth education of various trapping and outdoor related topics; history and ethics, types and correct uses of traps, disease and biology of management of fur bearers as well as the humane treatment of our naturally renewable resource. The DEC will issue permits to set traps and possess fur bearers for processing so youth will have the full experience of trapping. There will be an experienced trapping mentor for every one or two youth to insure close hands-on lessons.

The Youth Trapping Camps will be for 12-15 year-olds only and we are pleased to announce that we have a limited number of openings for returning campers at both locations. Those in attendance will not be required to have a Trappers Education certificate before the camp begins, as there will be the chance to obtain it through the scheduled weekend activates.

The NYSTA is extremely excited about offering this one-of-a kind opportunity for young outdoorsmen/women at a time when there are so many other activities being offered youths which draw them away from learning about the heritage which founded not only our state, but country. There is a nominal fee of $40.00 per student to cover the cost of food and supplies. State policy states there is no charge for instruction for the Trappers Education Class given by NYS volunteer instructors. There is a limit of 26 new students for each camp location as well as positions for 11 returning campers. The NYSTA is also requesting donations to help defray the costs of running these camps.

The camps will be staffed by NYSTA members, many of whom are certified NYS trappers training instructors, with DEC assistance where their expertise is better used. Last year's camp received very positive feedback from not only all the campers in attendance, but the mentors as well. Applications for the Youth Trapping Camp as well as additional information such as directions, where to send donations, or if you would like to sponsor a camper, can be obtained from Patricia Arnold at patriciaarno@gmail.com or by phone at (315) 644-4643.

DEC PROPOSES TO OPEN NEW AREAS FOR BEAR HUNTING IN EASTERN NEW YORK

2011-05-23T18:02:00.000-04:00

DEC PROPOSES TO OPEN NEW AREAS FOR BEAR HUNTING IN EASTERN NEW YORK
Proposal to Also Change Bear Hunting Season Dates In Central and Western New York

(5/22) New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today announced proposed changes that would open new areas east of the Hudson River to black bear hunting and establish uniform bear hunting season dates across the Southern Zone beginning in the 2011 hunting season.

“The proposed adjustments to bear hunting in the Southern bear range are part of our continuing effort to better manage bear populations and provide excellent hunting opportunities in New York State,” Commissioner Martens said. “Black bears are thriving in New York and have expanded their range considerably in recent years. Increasing opportunities for bear hunting in the Southern Zone will help alleviate agricultural and homeowner conflicts with bears, provide recreational opportunity, and facilitate wise use of bear meat and hides.”

The specific changes proposed for the Southern bear range would:
• Open Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 3F, 3G, 3N, 3R, 3S, 4C, 4K, 4L, 4T, 4U, 4Y, 4Z, 5S and 5T to black bear hunting for the archery, regular and muzzleloading seasons. This would include all of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Columbia, Rensselaer, and Washington counties, and the portion of Rockland that was not already open for black bear hunting. Season dates for these units will be the same as those in place for adjacent units already open to bear hunting in the Southern bear range.
• Establish an earlier start to the existing regular black bear season in wildlife management units in parts of central and western New York by removing the 7-day lag that has previously existed between the start of the regular deer season and the regular bear season in this portion of New York. This will provide a uniform bear hunting season framework for all bear hunting in the Southern Zone.

Bear hunting is the only viable and cost effective tool for managing bear numbers on a landscape scale. However, DEC also encourages public understanding and tolerance of bears through various educational efforts. Additional information about black bears is available at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6960.html including tips for living with bears. DEC has also helped produce and distribute a DVD, “Living with Black Bears in New York,” which is available in most schools and public libraries throughout the state.

To see more detailed descriptions of the proposal, including instructions for providing comments, go to www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html on the DEC website. The proposed rulemaking can also be viewed in detail in the May 18, 2011 publication of the New York State Register, which will be posted at http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register/2011.html.

DEC will be accepting public comments on the proposal through July 5, 2011. A map of the proposed area expansion is attached.

YOUTH TURKEY SEASON

2011-04-03T20:23:00.001-04:00

Kuneytown is having a youth turkey hunt. Open to members, if you have a youth hunter ages 12-15 and want to get them in the woods for the youth turkey hunt contact Eric at 730-2257. Limited space available, please contact me asap. We will hunt Saturday April 23rd. There will be a meeting Thursday night, April 21st for parents and hunters. Please get a hold of me asap if you want to participate. If you don't have a youth hunter but would like to guide a youth or have a good hunting spot we can take the kids to, please contact me asap also. See you in the turkey blind. Eric

BULLHEADS ARE HERE

2011-04-03T20:13:00.000-04:00

STARTING FRIDAY APRIL 8TH FISH DINNERS BEGIN FOUR WEEKS ONLY

DON'T MISS OUT

Bullheads

Fried haddock

Don't like fish? Burgers will be available. Get out to the club and enjoy a great dinner and the company of your fellow members. See you at the club,

Eric

Ducks Unlimited Event at Kuneytown!

2011-03-31T08:51:00.000-04:00

Canoga Creek Clean-up a Success

2011-03-27T12:22:00.007-04:00

Thanks to all the members that participated in the 2011 Canoga Creek Clean-up. There were more than 20 people involved, from the Finger Lakes chapter of Trout Unlimited and Kuneytown Sportsmen's Club, with support from Cayuga Lake Watershed Network. We are well on our way to establishing the Canoga Creek Conservancy Consortium (C4).

7 bags of trash were collected, as well as at least as many tires and even an old TV set. A great deal of effort was expended removing the invasive and noxious Multiflora rose. The removal of this invasive species will allow greater access for anglers as well as for future conservation efforts to address erosion, improve in-stream habitat for brook trout, and reforestation activities in the state-owned Canoga Creek Wildlife M anagem ent Area. A special thanks to Andy Buss for bringing his enthusiasm and skills to the project, and to Eric Riegel for hauling the refuse and the use of his business' dumpster.

Band Night at Kuneytown- April 23rd 9pm til ?

2011-03-21T15:44:00.005-04:00

Its time to ROCK! Fight the cabin fever by coming to Kuneytown Band night, April 23rd from 9 pm until ?

Tickets are $5 (in advance at the bar).

There will be two bands. The first band is REPEAT OFFENDERS and the second band is Raised on Radio.

Stay tuned.

There will be pizza and of course the bar will be open for business.

K-Town & Finger Lakes TU to conduct a Canoga Creek Clean-up

2011-03-19T11:08:00.001-04:00

On Saturday March 26^th, at 9:00 AM, Kuneytown Sportsmen’s Club will work in partnership with the Finger Lakes Chapter of Trout Unlimited to conduct a Canoga Creek Clean-up.

Our mission is to clean up trash and junk that has accumulated in and around the creek as well as to remove the invasive species “Multiflora Rose” from the stream bank, which is limiting stream access and preventing native species from re-vegetating the erodible stream banks of the creek.

We need members and their families to come get involved in conservation work to enhance our neighborhood trout fishing resource. Please come in work clothes, and bring your tools- ie machetes, pruning shears, work gloves, etc. You may want to bring high boots or hip waders as well if you plan on wading to remove trash. Trash bags will be provided.

We will meet at 9:00 am in the state parking area near the Canoga Cemetery. We will focus our efforts on the section of the stream that is public, east of Rt 89. This section of the creek is scheduled to be stocked with brook trout again this year by the Trout Unlimited folks before opening day (April 1).

Please come and take advantage of this great opportunity to represent your club’s efforts to protect and enhance our local natural resources. It is a great opportunity to get to know Canoga Creek!

See you there on Saturday.

PRIME RIB DINNER

2011-03-01T19:56:00.002-05:00

Coming Soon Prime Rib Dinner March 12th 6pm Don't miss this great time and great food.You need to pre register by March 5th so stop at the club this Friday night and sign up and enjoy the company of your fellow members.

See You at the Club Eric

SQUIRREL DERBY RESULTS

2011-03-01T19:33:00.011-05:00

Kuneytown's 2nd derby this year was a great success. We had 16 registered hunters.Unfortunately the snow storm Friday slowed down the hunting. The animals and the hunters were reluctant to move Saturday morning but a few of us got out and were successful. Moira Tidball from the Seneca Wild Harvest Table of Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension was there to demonstrate how to prepare and cook rabbits. She also was a registered hunter in the derby. Thank you Moira, the rabbit was excellent. The winners were:

Heaviest bag, Squirrels: Tom Grasek 7.11 pounds

Heaviest bag, Rabbits: Danielle Riegel 2.15 pounds

Lunker squirrel: Danielle Riegel 2.00 pounds

Lunker Rabbit: Danielle Riegel 2.15 pounds

Thanks to everyone for their participation.

See you at the club.

Eric

Kuneytown Regulars on the Cover of a US Fish & Wildlife Program

2011-02-22T11:42:00.001-05:00

Forest health, deer population, etc.

2011-02-14T11:25:00.003-05:00

I have been part of many conversations around the bar at K-town discussing the pros and cons of deer harvest management in our area. The arguments generally tend to end up around conspiracies that "They" are allowing too many deer to be killed, resulting in hunter satisfaction decrease because hunters "aren't seeing" hundreds of deer a day like they used to.

Please see the interesting report here:

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newyork/files/forestregenfactsheet.pdf

Pay special attention to the photograph taken in Seneca Falls and think about where your deer stand is. Do they look similar? If yes, ask yourself about the bigger picture of deer management, and more importantly, forest management (where ALL of our wildlife live)-- there are reasons why we aren't seeing a hundred deer a day anymore. Good ones. If we don't get these forests back on track, it won't just be deer that we are seeing less of... food for thought.

MEETING NIGHT CHANGE

2011-02-07T10:43:00.001-05:00

THE MONTHLY MEETING WILL NOW BE ON THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH MARK YOUR CALENDAR 3/7/2011
See You at the Club Eric

SQUIRREL/RABBIT DERBY 2/26/2011

2011-02-07T10:27:00.004-05:00

To end the small game season, we are having a combination squirrel/rabbit derby. Hunters will weigh in the total rabbits and squirrel bag separately. We will pay out first place and lunker in both categories. Please contact Eric at 315-730-2257 or stop at the club on a Friday night to enter and enjoy the company of your fellow members. Don't forget to enter the kids. This is a great event to involve young hunters.

Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension will again be conducting processing and cooking demonstrations.

Flyer with rules coming soon.

See you at the club.

Eric

Squirrel Derby Results

2011-01-25T21:20:00.005-05:00

Despite frigid arctic temps, the Kuneytown Squirrel Derby was a success. Two out of three of the winners were YOUTH members! And we all enjoyed squirrel hors doeuvres while celebrating with the winners.

Thanks to Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension, who provided a processing and cooking demonstration.

FIRST PLACE- Danielle Riegel

SECOND PLACE - George Havelin

THIRD PLACE- Aric Stuck

Squirrel Derby Registration Form

2011-01-18T12:54:00.000-05:00

Kuneytown Big Buck Challenge 2010 final results

2011-01-02T11:45:00.011-05:00

CONGRATS TO THIS YEAR'S WINNING SPORTSMEN!

1st Place Deloss Stuck 10 points, 16 1/8 inch spread- 26 1/8 total points

2nd Place Donnie Stuck 7 points, 18 inch spread- 25 total points

3rd Place (Tie) Eric Riegel 7 points, 16 1/8 inch spread- 23 1/8 total points
Keith Tidball 9 points, 14 1/8 inch spread- 23 1/8 total points

Aging White-Tailed Bucks on the Hoof Using Antler Characteristics

2010-12-20T22:03:00.001-05:00

Here's an article for those interested in better judging deer on the hoof, and/or for those practicing QDM on their properties... enjoy!

By Wayne Masters

The Masters' Main Beam Method

With the growth of more progressive deer management more emphasis has been placed on managing for age and not just antlers. Using selective criteria of "number of points on a side" (typically 3 points or 4 points) for passing bucks leads to the possibility of "high-grading" and also not managing for the greatest potential. This has opened dialogue that centers on educating deer hunters to methods that will enable them to actually judge the age of wild, free-ranging whitetail bucks "on the hoof" using various antler and body characteristics.

We must remember throughout any of these discussions that when we "set the bar" at any stage of antler and body growth, we put an excess of hunting pressure on the very next available age-class or portion of an age class based on the criteria; thus high-grading (harvesting the best of) a portion or all of that age-class. Any movement of whitetail bucks into age classes older than yearling should be considered a step in the right direction in terms of managing for an older buck age structure. However − being skilled at field-judging all age classes of bucks allows you the freedom to choose exactly where you want to set the bar for your club or cooperative.

A different method of field-judging whitetail bucks for age started developing in central New York in the mid-90s, was practiced, and continued to be refined, and is used successfully by many private deer managers and deer hunters throughout New York State. I believe it is an easier and better way. I call this method the "Masters Main Beam Method" and it relates directly to the position of the tip of the main beam in relation to the eye & the nose of the buck. Let's take a look at how it developed.

In 1993, I was part of creating a progressive deer management cooperative of approximately 9,000 acres for private landowners in Otisco Valley in central New York State. The use of Antler "width outside the ears" was chosen as their criteria for passing younger bucks, a method that would protect virtually all yearlings. Early on in this effort one of the more avid hunters in this cooperative began noticing that harvested and "ground-checked" (aged by tooth wear) yearling bucks had antler tips that did not extend forward of the eye, regardless of number of points. Furthermore he felt that most 2½ year-old bucks demonstrated antlers with the tips (or forward-most point of the antlers) slightly forward of the eye. This was potentially important information, because at that time little thought was given to a "more balanced buck age structure" and moving all yearling bucks to age 2½ was the shared goal. Several local cooperatives saved lower jaws and those were aged by certified agers from New York's Bureau of Wildlife using tooth-wear and replacement techniques. In the ensuing years a concerted effort was made to compare age with antler-tip relationship to the eye.

It should be mentioned here that they never considered a judgment of actual main beam length in inches as the criteria and still do not think of it that way. Talk of judging "inches of length" only makes it seem more difficult to the average deer hunter. Relationship to the eye sufficed to give them the decision they needed. Obviously this was a huge step in a positive direction because now it gave them criteria using a front view (width outside the ears) and a side view (antler tips forward of the eye) to accurately judge bucks on the hoof and protect all their yearlings, including the high end ones − the potentially best bucks of the future.

From 2001 to 2005 I was involved in deer research in Cayuga County New York that required countless hours of daytime and nighttime observations, including repetitive spotlight surveys to get a handle on herd composition and buck age structure. The field sheet for those spotlight surveys was formatted for three columns to include bucks of ages 1½, 2½, 3½ and older, and three more columns for does, fawns and unknowns. Separating bucks into those three age categories required me and my technician assistant to have an adequate method of field-judging bucks for those age categories. By then I was very familiar with the techniques used for recognizing the antler characteristics of yearlings and 2½s and quickly trained my assistant in that method. As other antler (and body) characteristics became evident we put them to use and soon had antler characteristics for 3½ and 4½ year-old bucks that we felt were reliable. When you are doing repetitive spotlight surveys on a specific area you soon become familiar with individual bucks and their favored core areas. Many of those bucks we observed (and videoed) were harvested and brought to our check station during the fall hunting seasons. This provided a wonderful opportunity to check our previous age determinations and substantiate our theories of field-judging bucks for age.

That research project was on an area of approximately 4,000 acres, but within a Wildlife Management Unit of 357 square miles − more than 200,000 acres. As a certified ager I was also required as part of my routine duties in the fall hunting season to visit meat processors and collect age and beam diameter data for that WMU. Obviously I also noted and recorded the relationship of the tip of the antler beam to eye and nose for all those bucks aged − yearlings to age 4½. We don't see many 4½s in New York State and 5½s are rare. Meanwhile the deer hunters on those locally managed cooperatives were saving lower jaws and making the same observations for me. Now I have deer hunters in clubs and cooperatives across New York State using this method. Thousands of aged bucks later, we have developed a very reliable method for the deer hunter to age bucks in the field! While all field-judging methods are subjective I feel that the one I'm going to describe here is the easiest and most reliable.

As a whitetail buck grows from age 1½ to age 4½ his new set of antlers changes each year and that change very much resembles a blooming flower, in this case opening forward and down and out to the side and down. Think of it as going from up and tight to down and out.

In earlier times deer hunters thought that a whitetail buck added extra points each year and that "number of points" was an indicator of age. As it works out number of points is a very poor indicator of age and we regularly see a yearling buck with 8 points and on occasion one with 10 or more. Although width of the antlers can be a useful tool for passing younger bucks, it also is a poor indicator of age in 2½ and older bucks. I have aged 2½s with inside spread ranging from 14" to 23". And height (as judged hurriedly in the field) is not something to use for judging the age of whitetail bucks. Many times I have had a deer hunter (who was intent on passing younger bucks) show up at the check station with a nice 8 point yearling whose rack was up and tight and say to me "His rack looked really high, so I shot him".

Using The Main Beam Method: Of the antler position indicators you can use for field-judging a wild, free-ranging whitetail buck, the relationship of the tips of the antlers to the eye and the nose is the best.

While this is best judged with the buck's head up, we have found that any deer hunter can soon get a handle on this regardless of head position.

Using the jaw bone-line as the base, visualize a perpendicular line from the jawline up to the antler tips.

Where does that perpendicular line lie in relationship to the eye and the nose?

Regardless of number of points, most yearling bucks have antlers with the tips behind the eye.
Two and a half year-old bucks usually have antler tips that are slightly ahead of the eye.
Three and a half year-old bucks usually have antler tips half way from the eye to the nose.
Four and a half year-old bucks or older usually have antler tips right over the tip of the nose.

I have purposely not mentioned antler beam length. You are not judging the length of the beam. You are judging where the antler tips come in relationship to the eye and the nose.

This method is exceptionally easy when a buck is broadside (which coincidentally is the preferred position for shooting, but it is also very easy to use regardless of the head position. By always using jawline as the base, then you can easily "draw" that imaginary perpendicular line and estimate where you believe the antler tips will be when the head is turned. If the jawline is the basis of your entire determination, and you then visualize a perpendicular line down from the antler tips to the jawline base...then it will never matter what position the head is in!

Let's look at a few examples of this method with the head NOT broadside. These illustrations will allow you to clearly imagine where the tips will be in relation to the tip of the nose:

1.5 years old: when this deer turns his head broadside that tip will be behind the eye, as it is a vertically oriented beam.

2.5 years old: note the slight downward angle of the jawline, so the perpendicular line leans forward. Even if you erred and made the perpendicular line vertical to the ground, this rack tip wouldn't venture past the middle of the snout.

3.5 years old: head slightly down, and clearly past mid-nose, and approaching the tip.

4.5 years old or older: These bucks are turned 45% towards the viewer, but you can visualize a line between the tips, then the perpendicular from the jaw & tip of the nose, and clearly see that when the heads come back to pure broadside, they each will be forward of the nose.

Note: If you can't easily visualize this, do you remember the Body Characteristics of Harry Jacoboson? Deep Chest, Loose Skin at neck and brisket, thick girth at belly, broad hips.....? This says mature animal older than 3.5!

It is always recommended that you look at the body and the rack in conjunction to get the very best possible overall impression by which to base your final determination of age...especially when you are looking at bucks with larger racks. Many high end 2.5 year olds are shot mistakenly for 3.5 year olds because hunters see a large rack and shoot without truly assessing the body for proper confirmation of age.

We could stop right here. The average deer hunter, the non-professional, could use only this indicator for judging the age of wild, free-ranging whitetail bucks and probably be correct 85% of the time and I think most hunters would be happy with that. But let's add a few things to it to round-out our ability to judge bucks on the hoof.

Going back to our "flowering antlers", we have covered the "growing forward" with each new set of antlers. Another helpful indicator is that the main beams are coming down from that upright position and, in my experience, by age 4½ are typically horizontal, virtually parallel to the jaw-line. For those of you looking for a much older buck this horizontal "look" is a key to what you're looking for in the field. Looking at the main beam, from G-2 to tip, determine its angle in relation to the jaw-line.

Yearling bucks have main beams that usually angle upward, closer to 90 degrees.
Two and a half year-old bucks have main beams that are at a noticeably 45 degree angle.
Three and a half year-old bucks usually have main beams that have come down to a point almost horizontal to the jaw-line.
And four and a half year-old (and older) bucks have main beams that typically are horizontal - parallel to the jaw-line.

While this indicator is much less definitive than the first one, (some 3½ s still looking like 45 degrees), it is still a useful tool, with the "horizontal look" being a common characteristic of older age in New York State. And finally, from the front view, we are basically going to look for the same thing - antler beams that are developing out and down with each ensuing year of age. Looking at the part of the main beam from G-1 to G-2, (the portion most obvious to you as observed from the front) −

Most yearling bucks have antler beams that angle upward.
Two and a half year-old bucks have beams that exhibit a decidedly 45 degree angle.
Three and a half year-old bucks usually have antler beams that are looking more horizontal, coming down closer to the ears.
Most 4.5 year-old (and older) bucks have beams lying horizontal, tightly down over the ears.

This is the basic field-judging technique I developed and is backed by hundreds of tooth-wear aging checks by certified agers, including myself. I am deeply appreciative of all the deer hunters across New York State who use this method and have taken the time to have their deer aged, confirming the reliability of this technique. I am hoping other deer hunters across the country try this method, have their deer aged by certified agers and give me some feedback.

If our true mission is to create a more natural buck age structure, we could get there much more quickly by understanding and using this technique as a part of any management program. We know that legal hunting is the greatest form of mortality on whitetail bucks. If a buck survives the hunting season he has a very good chance of being there next fall. The latest research proves this to be true.

Therefore, depending on what age classes you choose to protect, you can add older bucks in large numbers to your woodlot if everyone is on the same page. It is truly a case of "the more you save, the more you earn"! A natural buck age structure would have 2½ and older bucks at more than 60%, with 4½ s and older at more than 20%! If we chose to pass bucks unless their antler beams looked horizontal from side or front view and unless the antler tips were over the tip of the nose, we would quickly approach a natural buck age structure in our woodlots. Gracious - what an idea!

2010 Fall Game Dinner

2010-12-10T14:31:00.002-05:00

Lot's of good grub! Tomorrow-doors open at 5pm- food to be served beginning at 6 pm.

Woman Hunter Featured in Oprah's O Magazine

2010-12-02T12:44:00.001-05:00

"Many mainstream media outlets, particularly women's publications, shy away from positive hunting stories. This wonderful article gives a voice to millions of hunters and provides valuable insight to non-hunters. I encourage everybody to check out this article." - Brent Lawrence, NWTF public relations director.

http://www.oprah.com/food/Women-and-Hunting-Kimberly-Hisss-Humbling-Harvest

Youth Pheasant Hunt!!

2010-09-29T23:27:00.001-04:00

To mark the 9 year anniversary of 9/11, Kuneytown Sportsman's Club, in collaboration with Whispering Pines Hideaw ay and Canoga Creek Farm and Conservancy, hosted a Youth Hunt. We felt it is a fitting way to remember both our debts to those who lay down their lives for freedom, and to celebrate the next generation of young people as they learn to love the outdoors, one of America's greatest freedoms.

After the hunt, there was a short course on game bird processing and preparation, followed by a delicious lunch, courtesy of the author of the wild fish and game blog Seneca Wild H arvest Table and the Senec a County office of Co rnell Cooperative Extension .

A Great Time was had by all.

Turkey Shoot Oct 10th!

2010-09-27T14:15:00.003-04:00

Don't miss the Kuneytown Sportsmens's Club annual turkey shoot this October 10th, from 11 am until ?

There will be the following events:

pie plate slug shoot
100 yard slug shoot
running deer competition
running rabbit competition (bring a field load/bird shot for this event)
youth .22 shoot

Scopes are allowed, any gauge shotgun.

There will also be raffles for shrimp and beef loin.

Come win a turkey for Thanksgiving and other good stuff.

See you there!

High Life for the Vets

2010-09-11T20:57:00.000-04:00

Pig Roast Sept 18 2010

2010-09-03T08:45:00.001-04:00

Don't miss it!Camping available.

Live music from "Lonesome Train."

From 1 pm to ??

Food served at 4 pm.

Advance tx $10

$15 at the door

kids are free

September 11th Youth Hunt at Canoga Creek Farm & Conservancy

2010-08-16T11:24:00.007-04:00

To mark the 9 year anniversary of 9/11, Kuneytown Sportsman's Club, in collaboration with Whispering Pines Hideaway and Canoga Creek Farm and Conservancy, will be hosting a Youth Hunt. We feel it is a fitting way to remember both our debts to those who lay down their lives for freedom, and to celebrate the next generation of young people as they learn to love the outdoors, one of America's greatest freedoms.

Join Us.

September 11th, 2010

1000 (10:00 am)

3208 State Route 89

2 miles south of Cayuga Lake State Park

You MUST preregister for this event.

Call Eric Riegel at 315 730 2257

DU Golf Tourney 2010

2010-07-28T23:23:00.003-04:00

2010-07-27T21:55:00.004-04:00

LOOK Everyone I'm sailing. Just wanted to say "HI and I miss you all"

Gretchen and McKenna are doing great. She is 3 months old now!

Miller High Life Supports Vets!

2010-06-27T18:10:00.002-04:00

Golf Outing- A Good time was had by all

2010-06-26T09:07:00.010-04:00

Kuneytown 1st Annual Golf Outing

2010-06-04T15:24:00.002-04:00

Come join us at the K-Town 1st Annual Golf Outing! We'll have fun and send off Puddle Pirate (John Presnar) in grand style.

June 12 @ Silver Creek Golf Course

Meet at Golf Course @ 9 AM

Golf Party to follow immediately after golfing at Kuneytown. Will have plenty of food for all.

4 Man Teams with Best Ball Play for 9 Holes Blind draw to select teams

Fee: $20 plus green fees (100% pay out)

Contact John Bugonian @ 315-651-9742 to sign up and get more information.

DANIELLE'S FIRST TURKEY

2010-05-09T09:40:00.008-04:00

May 8th Danielle turned 12 and was legal to hunt I was very excited to say the least. We planned a hunt on the base with John. I was up at 2:30am couldn't sleep I went to the shop and purchased Danielle's license a perk of being a license issuing agent.Danielle was up at 4am we were in the woods by 5 it was a beautiful morning. The turkeys wer gobbling the grouse were drumming and the deer moving. They gobbled alot on the roost and we called to let them know we were there when they flew down it got queit but we waited and called and at 7:15am a hen showed up to our right followed by a red head and then another red head game on. We had to reposition to get the shot so I slowwly slid back and moved Danielle's gun over and John slid Danielle around we were in position.The hen and first jake went by and were behind a tree the second jake stepped into view and Danielle took aim he dropprd his head no shot we had to wait then up popped his head again and BANG he dropped a perfect shot head and neck at 17yds. and Danielle's first turkey and first kill was on the ground. It is one of the proudest moments in my life and a memory I will have forever.Well enough talk check out these pics.

Take a Kid Hunting see you in the field Eric and Danielle

2010-05-02T09:57:00.003-04:00

OPENING DAY SUCCESS ~ Father and Son Tag Team

My father shot this bird @ 7:15 AM opening day. This big Tom had a 9.5" beard, 1" spurs and weighed 20lbs. We also seen a few others but no shots. Hope everyone did as well as us.

2010-04-25T23:43:00.004-04:00

K-Town's newest member...........

McKenna Grace Presnar

Born: April 25, 2010 @ 1647

Weight: 8 lbs 10 oz

Height: 20.5 in

Sign her up to work the next fish fry!!!

Congrats also goes out to Mo Tidball for winning the Baby Lottery!

Wetlands Event at Kuneytown

2010-04-06T15:15:00.001-04:00

Wetlands -They Protect us - Help protect Them - a conference April 10, sponsored by CLWN and IO.

Tour of Canoga Marsh 9:30-11:30
- Meet Keith Tidball at 3208 State Rte 89 2 miles south of Cayuga Lake State Park, Seneca Falls. Keith's home and barn have a red metal roof - an easy landmark! Map
Optional lunch at noon (cash) Kuneytown Sportsmens Club, Fayette, 3735 Hoster Rd. Map
Conference
- 1:00pm - Tom Jasikoff, Montezuma Refuge (Keynote Address)
- 1:35pm - Keith Tidball (Citizen Wetlands Restoration)
- 2:00pm - Andy Buss, Applied Ecological Services, Inc.(Corporate Wetlands Restoration)
- 2:25pm - Jon Negley (Farm Wetlands Management)
- 2:50pm - BREAK (cookies, fruit, beverage courtesy of the IO)
- 3:00pm - Panel discussion including above speakers and Kris West (FLLT); Darby Kiley (WRC and IO); Peter Klienman (ARS), Dan Delawyer (Ducks Unlimited)
Cash bar and informal discussions following the conference
Poster Link

2010-04-04T20:33:00.004-04:00

BABY BOTTLES are no challege for K-Town members!!! The BIBS match our shoes!!!

Bullheads are IN....

2010-03-25T16:35:00.003-04:00

Bullheads will be served at the Friday night Fish Fry March 26, and until further notice.

FIRST BLOOD

2010-03-11T19:39:00.002-05:00

The snow geese have arrived and season is open until April 15th, however with this warm weather I think they will move out soon. So you better get out there and kill them. No plugs required electronic callers allowed and the limit is 15 per day.Nick and I drew first blood on the white devils today after work.

Hope to see everyone at the fish dinner Friday Eric

Haddock & Catfish Dinner March 12th

2010-03-08T11:27:00.005-05:00

There'll be a fish dinner this Friday!!

2010-03-08T10:18:00.000-05:00

Friday Night Fish Dinners Postponed

2010-03-02T00:17:00.002-05:00

Looks like if you want fish, you'll have to catch them yourself, at least for the time being... There will be no Fish dinner March 5th. Stay tuned for updates about when the Fish Dinners will commence.

Got Fish? Friday Fish Dinners begin March 5th!!

2010-02-22T13:22:00.005-05:00

I know there are quite a few members enjoying some ice fishing on Cayuga Lake...
here are a some snap shots.

Improvements made to your club

2010-02-04T22:31:00.001-05:00

New ceiling fans and light kits have been installed, and new insulation rolled into the attic. These improvements, combined with the addition of an efficient wood burning stove last year have created cost-effective ambiance at Kuneytown- heating bills are way lower and the club has a nice feel. Here's a few snapshots- come and check it out!

Photos courtesy of Charlie Stuck.

DEC ADOPTS TEN-YEAR MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR RING-NECKED PHEASANT

2010-02-02T15:08:00.001-05:00

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the adoption of a new plan to guide DEC’s management actions for wild and state-propagated ring-necked pheasants for the next decade. The document revises DEC’s 1999 version of “A Ten-Year Management Plan for Ring-necked Pheasants in New York.”

“This plan incorporates the extensive information gathered by DEC biologists and input provided by sportsmen and other partners to provide a comprehensive assessment of pheasant management in New York,” Commissioner Grannis said. “We look forward to fostering and continuing the tradition of pheasant hunting opportunities in our state for many years to come.”

New York’s wild pheasant population has declined by more than 90 percent since the peaks seen in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Numerous factors contributed to the decline, with the main causes being the loss of fallow grasslands for nesting and brood-rearing, a decline in grain farming and expanding commercial and residential development. Most of the pheasants hunted in New York come from DEC’s pheasant propagation programs. Each year, more than 100,000 pheasants are hatched for fall stocking and cooperative rearing and release programs that provide recreational hunting opportunities for hunters of all ages and abilities.

The plan announced today provides an action plan for guiding management and use of pheasants for the coming decade. It was developed by a team of DEC biologists and technicians following a review of the current pheasant management plan and programs, looking at how other states manage the birds, and talking to sportsmen and other pheasant program partners and cooperators. The pheasant plan revision process included a two-month public comment period that ended in November 2009.

Management activities directed by the final plan include:

Establishing a focus area in western New York to concentrate efforts for wild pheasant management by DEC and other interested organizations. The focus area would utilize available resources and help determine if increasing wild pheasant populations is possible under current biological, social, and fiscal conditions.

Extending pheasant hunting seasons in most areas of the state to provide greater hunting opportunities.
Reducing the size of the cock-only hunting area in western New York to reflect changing habitat and land use.
Discontinuing the Young Pheasant Release Program (YPRP) after 2010, while continuing the Cooperative Day-old Pheasant Chick Program.
Increasing adult pheasant production from 25,000 to 30,000 birds annually beginning in 2011.
Discontinuing the supply of adult birds for field trials.
Establishing one or more pheasant hunting areas for people with disabilities.

The pheasant management plan and additional information about pheasants in New York can be found on the DEC website at: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7071.html. If you do not have access to the internet, please call (607) 273-3763 to request a copy of the plan. DEC appreciates the input provided by pheasant hunters and others during development of the new plan.

Flashback- K-Town Pig roast a few years back...

2010-02-01T09:44:00.000-05:00

WOOD PARTY

2010-01-18T18:32:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all the members that gave up their Sunday to cut wood at the club. We had a great day. We should have enough wood for the next two winters. Great job everybody. Dont forget next weekend is "insulate the attic" Sunday at 10am. Hope to see some more members there to help out.

Again, thanks to everybody that worked this weekend.

See you at the Club,

Eric

Reminders

2010-01-11T10:37:00.000-05:00

1. Kuneytown Monthly Meetings are the first Thursday of every month. Your attendance is welcome and needed!

2. The Club is OPEN on Friday nights! Come check out the improvements being made at your club!

3. There are still tickets available for the 20 Week club... see Howie for more details.

New Years Eve Party photos 2009-10

2010-01-07T09:48:00.000-05:00

Steer Clear of the Fruit...

2010-01-05T23:11:00.000-05:00

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY !!

2009-12-23T10:59:00.000-05:00

6:00 PM

Bring a dish to pass.

Kids are welcome.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Game Dinner a Smashing Success- Fall Raffle Winners Announced

2009-12-17T21:52:00.000-05:00

The Kuneytown Game Dinner was a huge success thanks to the generosity of all of the many friends of Kuneytown, and the hard work of the members. Thanks and congratulation s all around! By all accounts, the food was spectacular,and the raffles were a big hit.

The winners of the raffles were:

$500 Bass Pro Shops Gift Certificate- Eric Schumacher
Buck Knife- Bob Fiscus
Gun case-Carl Poorman
Headlamp- Matt Schumacher
Hand Warmers- Rob Bevier

Many thanks to all involved, and we hope to see you at the club.

Bucks, Bucks, and more Bucks... deer report v.1

2009-12-07T20:22:00.000-05:00

The Duck Season that Wasn't

2009-12-06T11:17:00.000-05:00

Duck Season was non existent this year. Too warm I guess. No birds in the area. Nick and I ended the season today with 1 mallard. Check out this odd colored hen I shot earlier this week. Maybe a cross with a Gadwall?

See You at the Club Eric

2009 DEER SEASON

2009-12-06T11:07:00.000-05:00

Just a quick deer season update. So far the buck pool has some great entries tough pool this year. I believe Dennis is still leading. A few pics of the deer Dave and I were lucky enough to get. Lets see some pics from all of you that entered bucks.

Deer and Bear Regs for 2009

2009-11-18T11:19:00.000-05:00

DEC ANNOUNCES NOV. 21 OPENING OF SOUTHERN ZONE REGULAR
DEER HUNTING AND CATSKILL BEAR HUNTING

Allegany Regular Bear Season Also Starting Soon

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that the 2009 regular deer hunting season opens at sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 21, in New York’s Southern Zone. Regular bear hunting season in the southeastern portion of the Southern Bear Range also begins on Nov. 21, while regular bear season in the central-western portion of the Southern Bear Range begins Nov. 28.

These big game hunting seasons close at sunset on Sunday, Dec. 13. See the 2009-10 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28602.html for a map illustrating the specific boundaries and season dates for the Southern Bear Range.

“New York’s deer and bear populations are great resources for the state, and hunting is an important part of New York's outdoor heritage,” said Commissioner Grannis. “This fall marks the second year of the Junior Hunter Mentoring Program, and I encourage all adult hunters to participate by sharing their experience, outdoor skills and passion for wildlife with a young hunter.”

Late Archery and Muzzleloading seasons for deer and bear in the Southern Zone open at sunrise on Dec. 14 and close at sunset on Dec. 22. Hunters taking part in these special seasons must possess either bowhunting or muzzleloading privileges. During the late special seasons, hunters may use either of their bowhunting and muzzleloading tags, and may also take a deer with an unused regular season deer tag. Unused Deer Management Permits (DMPs) may also be used in the late seasons for antlerless deer in the unit for which they were issued.

In the Northern Zone, the regular deer and bear hunting season opened Oct. 24 and will close Dec. 6. This zone generally includes the Adirondacks, the Tug Hill Plateau, the Eastern Lake Ontario Plain and the Champlain and St. Lawrence Valleys. A late muzzleloading season for deer will be open in portions of the Northern Zone from Dec. 7 to Dec. 13.

Hunters should be aware of several important programs and recent changes as they prepare for the 2009 regular hunting season.
• Some Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) boundaries have changed. It is important that hunters review the new WMU boundaries since Deer Management Permits (DMPs, or doe tags) are only valid in the unit for which they were issued. The boundary changes also affect some season dates and bag limits and open areas for other game species. Check www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8302.html for boundary descriptions and revisions.

• DMPs can be transferred from one hunter to another, but a recently adopted regulation prohibits the buying and selling of DMPs between hunters. See www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/56325.html

• Junior Hunters (14 and 15 years old) can hunt deer and bear with a firearm when appropriately accompanied by an adult. See www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/46245.html for program requirements and to download the Mentored Youth Hunter and Trapper Permission Form.

• New areas in central and western New York were opened for black bear hunting in 2008. The expansion was a continuation of efforts to manage bear population growth and range expansion. See http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28602.html for a map of the areas opening to bear hunting.

• Reporting harvested deer or bear is mandatory. Successful hunters may report via our online reporting system ( www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8316.html) or call the toll-free automated reporting system at 1-866-GAME-RPT (1-866-426-3778).

• Rifles may be used for big game hunting in Madison County, and new for this year, rifles may also be used in Schuyler County.

• Successful bear hunters are asked to submit a tooth of their bear to assist DEC with monitoring the bear population. See www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/45598.html for instructions.

• Mandatory testing of all deer taken in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Containment Area will occur again this fall, as well as random testing in other counties throughout New York State. Additionally, there are restrictions on hunters bringing deer, elk or moose carcasses into New York from some other states and Canadian provinces. Specific guidelines regarding CWD can be found in the 2009-10 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7191.html. Since discovery of CWD in two free ranging deer in Oneida County in 2005, no additional cases have been detected despite testing over 6,500 deer in the CWD Containment Area and almost 27,000 samples statewide.

Hunters are encouraged to pay careful attention to basic firearm safety rules that can prevent hunting related shooting incidents:

- Point your gun in a safe direction.
- Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
- Be sure of your target and beyond.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
- Remember to wear Hunter Orange.

Although safety-conscious hunters have significantly reduced the number of firearms-related injuries, studies show that individuals wearing hunter orange clothing are seven times less likely to be injured than hunters who do not wear the bright fluorescent color. During big game hunting season, people who wear hunter orange are 16 times less likely to be the victim of a visibility-related mishap, and 23 times less likely to be killed in such an incident. For more hunting tips, visit the DEC webpage "Hunting Safety” at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9186.html.

To subscribe to New York Big Game, DEC’s email outlet for information on black bear and white-tailed deer in the state, visit http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/mailman/listinfo/nybiggame .
Subscribers to this email list will periodically receive information from DEC about bear and deer biology, management, research, regulations and hunting.

For specific descriptions of regulations and open areas, hunters should refer to the 2009-10 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. The guide is published annually and is available free of charge from all DEC regional wildlife offices, all license issuing agents and on the DEC website. Hunters are urged to review all regulations and safety tips contained in the guide.

Whispering Pines Supports K-towns Kids Hunting Efforts

2009-11-12T13:59:00.000-05:00

Charlie helped us have a great hunt to celebrate Veteran's Day again this year at Whispering Pines Hideaway Shooting Preserve. The pictures tell the story.

Yankees are in

2009-10-29T19:22:00.000-04:00

Fall Turkey Shoot

2009-10-28T17:22:00.000-04:00

The turkey shoot was this past weekend. We had a great time despite the low attendance. Where was everybody? The running deer target was a huge success. It worked great and was a lot of fun to shoot. If you missed it, I highly recommend trying it next year. The kids shoot was fun, too. Everyone shot well and won some nice prizes: 1st place Eric Stuck$25 Bass Proshops gift card; 2nd Danielle Riegel turkey; 3rd Teddy Stuck $15 Bass Proshops gift card; and lots of .22 cal shells were won by most shooters. Sorry no photos-- forgot the camera.

Hope to see you at the next shoot.

Eric

YOUTH PHEASANT HUNT

2009-10-14T19:31:00.000-04:00

Kuneytowns first annual youth pheasant hunt was a huge success. A big thanks to John Presnar for pulling it together,whispering pines and Pete Carol for donating the birds and Keith Tidball for allowing us to hold it at the Canoga Creek Conservancy. The kids had a great time, everyone got in some shooting and shot well. The dogs worked great and flushed all but two birds and the kids were succesful in taking some birds. Thanks to all the kids and parents for participating hope to see you next year.

Bounties of Autumn- a Time to be Thankful

2009-10-05T09:08:00.001-04:00

Preparations have begun for the Thanksgiving feast to be enjoyed in only a few more weeks. Between now and then, much will be harvested. But, we at the Tidball ranch have much to be thankful for already.

We especially want to thank our friends at Kuneytown who have generously helped us through Moira's injury. Your generous gifts have been such an inspiration and blessing to us. Many thanks.

In the spirit of gratitude, I enjoyed a fall weekend excursion hunting squirrels with my daughters. The mast production this year is producing some fat squirrels!

We also got lucky and scored a delicious wild mushroom (shelf fungus actually) called a Chicken of the Woods.

EVENT REMINDER

2009-09-27T19:26:00.000-04:00

We have two big events coming up the 20 Week Club Dinner 10/4 and the Turkey Shoot 10/25. Mark them on your calander. Start spreading the word about the turkey shoot we need to make this a big event for the club.

See You at the Club Eric

SHOOTING RANGE UPDATE

2009-09-27T19:03:00.001-04:00

Saturday 9\25 we re-positioned the targets and added a dirt back stop,the range looks great.We also added rock back stops to every target to minimize shooting through,and added parking by the shooting shack.Great job thanks to all the members that participated and also a big thanks to Deloss and Seneca Pipe for the equipment and Seneca Stone for the materials and Joe being able to bring his loader over. Come on out and check it out. Also we have hay bales set up for bows and 3-d targets in the shed for those members getting ready for the archery season coming up.

2009-09-25T18:08:00.000-04:00

Going South? NOPE, Going to Dinner!

These geese we got 25 Sep 09. All together in four days (22 - 25 Sep) we got 32 birds. We did pretty well for the last week of early goose season. Hope everyone did just as well. If not, there will be more waterfowl days ahead.

Pig Roast Aug 22-- Don't Miss It!!

2009-08-18T16:26:00.000-04:00

festivities start at 12pm

food served from 2pm on

DEC Camp - Thank you from Jake Stuck

2009-08-05T20:54:00.000-04:00

July 17, 2009

Kuneytown Sportsman’s Club
Hoster Road
Fayette, NY 13065

Dear Kuneytown Sportsman’s Club Officers and Members,

Thank you for sponsoring me to go to DEC camp this summer. I went to Camp Rushford that is located in western New York, a little south of Letchworth State Park, on the 4,500-acre Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area.

This was an awesome experience. I learned a lot about how different environments work together. We walked on the Bog, and it was like walking on a huge waterbed. The camp counselor taught us about the different plants that make up the Bog. One flower on the Bog, the lilly, is protected and is $1,000 fine if you pick it. We learned how to make a fire. Even though I thought I already knew how to make one, the counselor taught us better and faster ways. We also learned how to make a shelter out of sticks.

The counselor was really good. He is a professional lumberjack, and has been on TV in competitions. He’s been in fire making competitions where he made a fire in 4 seconds.

Our whole cabin (5 kids and the counselor) did the Polar Swim at 7:00 in the morning every morning in the pond. It was cold!

There was a big owl around the cabins that I got to sit next to me on a log. He actually let me touch him before he flew away.

Thank you again for giving the opportunity to go to this camp. It was an experience I won’t soon forget. I would tell any kid who likes the outdoors to go.

Sincerely,

Jake Stuck

My cabin

The Bog where we walked. It's all water underneath (which is hard to see in the picture) and if you step in the wrong place you can fall down through it.

Protected lillies on the Bog

The Bog
The Bog

Support Cayuga Lake watershed protection efforts

2009-07-19T22:37:00.000-04:00

“Sunset on Cayuga”

Saturday, September 26

5:00 to 9:00 pm

The Lakewatch Inn

1636 Lake Shore Drive, Ithaca NY

Sunset on Cayuga is an annual

fundraising dinner of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network.

There will be two live

bands (Back Talk and The Bottom

Feeders) playing both inside and

outside, full dinner, silent auction

and raffle! We will also be presenting

the annual Lake Friendly Farm

award, and the David Morehouse

Memorial award. In all, this event

promises to be a night of fun,

friends, good food and best of all,

watching the Sunset on Cayuga!

Cost: $45.00 per person, or $80.00

for a couple, and each ticket includes

two free drinks. We have special

BIG FISH DONOR rates for parties of

8 or more. Please call our office at

(315) 364 2992 for details; you can pay

online at http://www.cayugalake.org

A point for Budweiser

2009-07-12T14:35:00.001-04:00

Despite the fact that there is no competition between Miller High Life and any Bud product, ya gotta hand it to the Anheuser people for this one...

Get your team together...it's almost time!

2009-07-07T14:36:00.000-04:00

Odyssey

2009-06-21T09:46:00.000-04:00

The Family has been on a vacation... we have almost completed our odyssey- circumnavigating all 5 of the Great Lakes. We have canoed, we have fished, we have star gazed, we have roasted marshmallows. We have had our Miller Time. See ya'll soon.

Hunter's GUN BLOWS UP

2009-06-18T08:51:00.000-04:00

Clink on this link to watch a hunter's gun blow up while shooting at game. the barrel splits like a bannana!

http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=192557

May Madness

2009-05-26T16:56:00.000-04:00

They are not the $5,000 dollar trout I was looking for but they will eat just fine. Biggest one was 24" and 4.5 lbs. I'm planning to grill these fish June 3, during the youth trap shoot. So, all can enjoy!

Just a little turkey! It had a 4" beard and weighed 15 lbs.

2009-05-23T07:41:00.001-04:00

On Salad

2009-05-21T23:16:00.001-04:00

SALLY SALAD EATER

2009-05-18T20:26:00.000-04:00

Sunday afternoon it was time to eat those perch and there was no Sally Salad Eaters allowed. Hot oil fresh caught perch and HIGH LIFE.

ARE YOU A HIGH LIFE MAN

THE PERCH ARE IN

2009-05-18T20:15:00.000-04:00

I heard the perch were biting so this weekend I grabbed some minnows and Gary and I hit the dock with the kids. We had a great time the kids were catching fish so fast Gary and I hardly got to fish between taking fish off and baiting hooks they kept us busy.We caught over 40 fish in about an hour and kept 32 nice perch we caught several lunkers really nice fish. If any of you K-Town members want to get into the perch grab some minnows and come on down to the dock.

Volunteers needed for Lawn work-- See Charlie

2009-05-08T09:44:00.000-04:00

2009-04-28T08:38:00.000-04:00

Memory For A Lifetime

Alex Karlsen, who is 13 years old, became a man on 26 April 2009. He and I (John Presnar) went turkey hunting during the youth weekend. On the first day we hunted very hard and came up empty handed. Well not completely empty, we did take in a few learning experiences: gun safety, how to use a call, and enjoy Mother Nature. Alex's persistence and dedication inspired him to awake at O' dark thirty again on Sunday. We were in the woods and heard our first gobble at 5:40 AM. Shortly after a nice tom flew down off of his roost at 5:50 AM and came right to us. He stopped about 60 yards out. He started to strut and gobble; giving us a wonderful display that made our hearts pound. Just then two more turkeys flew down and he went right for them, leaving us with despair. We decided to sit and wait a while for another opportunity. At 6:15 AM, I decided to give a nice soft yelp with my box call. Instantly after the last note, a turkey sounded off with a gobble that you felt the vibration run down through your body. I told Alex to get ready this tom is coming in. Just then we see two big toms coming right for us. They were in full strut spitting and hissing. After the one ran off the other he turned and came right into us. With nice soft purrs from my call put the big tom at ease. When he got thirty yards away and I told Alex to shoot. He shot and rolled the turkey. As we started to celebrate the turkey got up and started to walk off. I told Alex to shoot again and he did; hitting the bird with a lethal shot. Then the real celebration began with a few high fives and man to man hand shake. Alex got his first turkey!

The turkey stats were: 10" Beard, 1 1/2" Spurs, and weighed 27 pounds.

Diets & Wives

2009-04-28T01:06:00.000-04:00

Time to get that boat going and go fishing!

2009-04-20T09:25:00.000-04:00

Please email Keith so you can post your own highlights of your fishing exploits on this blog. We want members of Kuneytown to post!

FISH DINNERS

2009-03-21T10:33:00.000-04:00

Starting Friday April 3rd Kuneytowns Famous fish dinners serving Haddock and Catfish.
FRIDAY APRIL 10th THE BULLHEADS ARE HERE COME ON OUT AND ENJOY A GREAT FISH DINER.

See you at the club bring your appetite

SEAFOOD PARTY

2009-03-21T10:17:00.000-04:00

Saturday April 11th come on out and feast on some great seafood.Crab legs,Scallops,Clams Casino, shrimp and more. Dont miss out on this great spread .
$25 per person sign up at the club
NOW ALSO SERVING PRIME RIB GET YOUR LAND AND SEA FEAST AT THE CLUB THIS SATURDAY. PLEASE CONTACT JIM BY WEDNESDAY IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND THIS GREAT FEAST.

COYOTE UGLY

2009-03-20T10:39:00.000-04:00

Coyote season is still open until the end of March.I caught this big male crossing a field the other day on the Tidball farm. Luckily I had the .223 in the truck. He was about 200 yds, but that was no problem for the 55 gr full metal jacket bullet- 1 in the boiler room. He didn't go far.

Waterfowl Hunter's Party at KUNEYTOWN!

2009-03-18T19:29:00.000-04:00

Saturday April 18th, 1pm

Get your tickets now.

CAYUGA SNOWS

2009-03-03T20:15:00.000-05:00

Found the snows on the lake today and was able to sneak into a blind at a top secrect location. Unbelievable there was thousands of geese swarming all over the place I never saw anything like it. I spent 2 hrs taking photos and just watching the incredible amount of birds.I finally decided to shoot the next flock that flew in and was able to take four snows what a great afternoon. I could have water pounded 100's of them but decided that was not what it was all about.Here are a few of the photos.

See You in the Blind Eric

LAST DAY RABBITS

2009-03-01T19:20:00.000-05:00

Saturday was the last day of small game so David,Joe,Danielle and myself decided we better get out and chase those rascly rabbits around one more time. It was pretty cold and windy but the rabbits ran pretty well and Casey(beagle) did a great job. We ended up with 6 and had a great time.

see you at the club Eric

SQUIRREL DERBY RESULTS

2009-03-01T19:09:00.000-05:00

K-TOWNS ANNUAL SQUIRREL DERBY WAS A GREAT SUCCESS

We had 28 hunters register and most were successful even though the hunting was tough. The squirrels are quite wary this time of year and can be a challenge.

Results were as follows 1st place Ken Poormon $100

2nd place- Joe Stuck $50

3rd place- Alan Aho $30

lunker- tie Joe Stuck\Jason Cece $25 each

A great time was had by all. Hope to see everyone there next year.

GUN SAFE RAFFLE

2009-03-01T19:06:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to David Beadell for winning the gun safe raffle. Enjoy your new safe they are a great way to safely store your guns and ammo.

Kuneytown's Firewood Brigade

2009-02-26T21:11:00.000-05:00

Squirrel Derby!

2009-02-16T16:21:00.000-05:00