UplandFeatherstag:www.uplandfeathers.com,2010://12010-02-19T16:30:13ZMovable Type 3.2ysb5-20051201New York: 10-Year Pheasant Plantag:uplandfeathers.com,2010://1.3202010-02-19T16:26:55Z2010-02-19T16:30:13ZThe State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has adopted a new plan for wild and state-propagated ring-necked pheasants for the next decade. The plan incorporates information gathered by DEC biologists and input from sportsmen with the goal of fostering and...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has adopted a new plan for wild and state-propagated ring-necked pheasants for the next decade. The plan incorporates information gathered by DEC biologists and input from sportsmen with the goal of fostering and continuing the tradition of pheasant hunting in NY for years to come. NY's wild pheasant population has declined by more than 90% since peaks in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Numerous factors contributed to the decline, but the main causes are 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 NY come from the state’s pheasant programs. More than 100,000 pheasants are hatched for fall stocking. The new plan includes:
Establishing an area in western NY to concentrate efforts for wild pheasant management. By using available resources, the state hope to 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 NY 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.
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Why I Hate Berettatag:uplandfeathers.com,2010://1.3182010-02-17T18:48:39Z2010-02-17T10:11:44ZAbout 20 years ago when I was member of the Pachaug Outdoor Club we would meet every Wednesday evening to shoot trap. There was a shooter, at that time, who had an odd shotgun called the Beretta 303. It was...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
Pachaug Outdoor Club we would meet every Wednesday evening to shoot trap. There was a shooter, at that time, who had an odd shotgun called the Beretta 303. It was sweet and reliable and made the 1100s downright choke and the then new 11-87s really turn big green—green with envy. Then Beretta decide to fine tune the 303 and went through numerous model changes faster than a runway model changes clothes at fashion week. There was the 390 which made the 303 look like it was manufactured in China by blind, political activists under house arrest. Then came the 391s and the Extrema’s, Urika’s and Teknys’s. My gun safe just cannot handle the influx in the Beretta population, especially now with the A400 Xplor Unico. After 3 years of development, 8,000 hours of engineering, 2,000 hours of testing and more than 100,000 rounds fired, the Xplor chews up shells from 2-3/4” to 3-1/2” and it weighs 1 pound less than competitor’s 12 gauge shotguns. Plus Beretta flaunts the Xplor as the cleanest, lightest, fastest and most versatile 12 gauge semiautomatic shotgun on the market today. This is why I hate Beretta. Now I have to make room in my gun safe. Would any care to buy a well used 303? How about a nice 391? ]]>
Social Networking Sites for Bass Anglerstag:uplandfeathers.com,2010://1.3172010-02-15T18:21:15Z2010-02-15T13:48:43ZSo you all know why you join social networking sites like FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. You are looking to hook up with someone. Well, now you can literally hook up with people at Social Fins. If you are into bass...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
Social Fins. If you are into bass fishing, Social Fins (www.socialfins.com) is completely dedicated to bass anglers of all skill levels from beginners to touring professionals. It’s touted as a new place on the web for bass fishing anglers and fans to congregate and talk strictly bass fishing.
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Hunting Lodge Award Seasontag:uplandfeathers.com,2010://1.3162010-02-14T18:00:49Z2010-02-14T18:08:25ZWe have the Oscars, Emmys, Tonys, Obies et al. Now Beretta is handing out tridents—no not three-point spears—but an award to hunting venues. The Beretta Trident Program is a quality rating-system for wingshooting and or shotgun sports. Beretta calls it...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
Cheyenne Ridge Signature Lodge in Pierre, SD. Deep in the heart of pheasant country, Cheyenne Ridge offers the type of wild upland bird hunting one would expect at a 5-star establishment. They say the food is good, too. I’d provide a link to Beretta’s website for more information, but the site is rather abysmal. It looks like it was designed by an information architect going through ecommerce site withdrawals. Go to the Orvis site if you are looking for lodges. Though I always have tail feathers on mund at this time of the year I'm thinking about some place warm. Bone fishing in the Bahamas anyone?
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New Hampshire: Snitchin’ on Turkey Flockstag:uplandfeathers.com,2010://1.3152010-02-13T15:07:32Z2010-02-13T15:09:58ZThe NH Fish and Game Department wants to know if you’ve seen a flock of wild turkeys this winter. Don’t think of it as actually snitching on the birds, but helping Fish and Game keep track of latin name. This...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
Fish and Game website from now through March 31 to fill out a short survey. The survey fills in the gaps of existing winter flock data especially in eastern and northern parts of the state. Last winter over 1,500 flocks totaling nearly 24,000 turkeys was reported from all over the state. The survey asks participants to report the number of turkeys in the flock, location, type of habitat the birds were observed in, and what the turkeys were feeding on. You’ll also be getting a jump start on your spring scouting.]]>
Benelli's Sleek Beautytag:uplandfeathers.com,2010://1.3122010-01-20T20:26:46Z2010-02-10T20:33:26ZNon Male. Yes sleek, beautiful and Italian. Not bad. Benelli likes to refer to their newest Legacy family member as she. And we can’t blame them. The new 28-gauge Legacy weighs only a lithe 5 pounds. That’s hunt-all-day weight. It...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.comNon Male. Yes sleek, beautiful and Italian. Not bad. Benelli likes to refer to their newest Legacy family member as she. And we can’t blame them. The new 28-gauge Legacy weighs only a lithe 5 pounds. That’s hunt-all-day weight. It comes with either a 24- or 26-inch barrel that's topped with a super-light, carbon fiber vent rib, red-bar front sight, mid-bead and uses Benelli's Crio choke tubes. It supposedly has all the other Benelli hallmarks, too, like fast-firing and ultra-reliable Inertia Driven operating system. With the silver receiver and tasteful engraving along with walnut stock and forearm she is splendid gun to look at. I can only image how delightful she may be to hold.
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Freedom Group’s Deep Pocketstag:uplandfeathers.com,2010://1.3142010-01-05T21:26:06Z2010-02-10T21:29:35ZYou know who they are. The Freedom Group owns dome very recognized brands including Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS/Panther Arms, Marlin, H&R, NEF, LC Smith, Parker, EOTAC, AAC, Dakota and INTC. Now add Barnes Bullets. My guess is Freedom Group, aka Cerbeus,...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
Freedom Group owns dome very recognized brands including Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS/Panther Arms, Marlin, H&R, NEF, LC Smith, Parker, EOTAC, AAC, Dakota and INTC. Now add Barnes Bullets. My guess is Freedom Group, aka Cerbeus, is hedging their bet on no-lead bullets being mandated in the future. Barnes makes some excellent lead-free bullets like TSX. Notice how they are referring to their products as “all copper” these days.
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Gun Dogs: Tracking Bellstag:uplandfeathers.com,2009://1.3112009-12-31T15:59:31Z2009-12-31T16:04:29ZBeing the Luddite I am the thought of strapping more electronics around my dog’s neck makes me wonder if they are GSPs or F-16s. A few gents this past season had some infernal contraptions around their dogs’ necks to make...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
Being the Luddite I am the thought of strapping more electronics around my dog’s neck makes me wonder if they are GSPs or F-16s. A few gents this past season had some infernal contraptions around their dogs’ necks to make sure that the said gentlemen don’t lose their dogs. The collars beeped and buzzed so much I didn’t know whether to get up or hit the snooze button. I like the old school sound of bells and I use two distinct sounds so I can identify when Cooper is ranging or Bella is working a patch of briars. Bella is seems was used to bells and would wear a pink tutu if it meant she was going hunting. Coop’s first reaction to a bell was pure fright. He was afraid to move fear that the jingle emanating from around his neck would cause dire consequences. He soon learned the clank of the bell meant time in the field hunting. I now need to handle the bells as if they were highly explosive. The slightest clank or tinkle and the dogs are on me. Since it is the time of jingle bells and the art of having dogs is about compromise, Ms. Deborah thought the two gun dogs would look cute in festive gear. The dogs immediately thought grouse or pheasant was in the near future, but the stereophonic collars with the jingle jangle only meant a steady stream of holiday well-wishers and food the likes not seen all year. Coop and Bella liked the collars and minced pie. At least they didn’t have to wear a silly hat or eat fruit cake.
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Bird Dogs: The Snow is Deeptag:uplandfeathers.com,2009://1.3102009-12-23T15:03:18Z2009-12-23T15:05:17ZA few days ago mother nature dumped a heck of a lot of snow here. I figure it was about 2 feet or just high enough to chill a GSP's belly. Cooper is like a kid and loves the snow....SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
A few days ago mother nature dumped a heck of a lot of snow here. I figure it was about 2 feet or just high enough to chill a GSP's belly. Cooper is like a kid and loves the snow. Bella is more reserved and prefers to keep her paws on dry ground. So what do you do with two dogs that are wound up? Shovel and shovel some more. I dug a path from our house to the main road, which is about 100 yards. And these two used the path as their own private drag strip nudging each other into the banks. Eventually we cleared the snow off the entire driveway and their new trick is to run like bats out of hell up and down the 100 yard stretch. Cooper was on the scent of something and plowed through the snow, more like leaped through the snow. But he's still a kid and kids like snow.]]>
Win a Hunt with the Duck Commander or Compete to be America's Top Shot or Show Off Your Ducktag:uplandfeathers.com,2009://1.3082009-12-17T15:02:33Z2009-12-18T16:16:08ZThere are three contests we thought were interesting enough to mention them here. Benelli has a contest and the lucky winner gets to hunt with the Duck Commander himself. You will need to submit a video to showcase your personality...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
There are three contests we thought were interesting enough to mention them here. Benelli has a contest and the lucky winner gets to hunt with the Duck Commander himself. You will need to submit a video to showcase your personality (no lame ducks allowed) and your desire to hunt with Phil Robertson and his cronies. The contest ends January 2 so hurry up and grow that beard.
The History Channel is also offer a contest of sorts with a casting call for skilled marksmen and markswomen for a shooting competion show called America's Top Shot (maybe that's the working title). Either way you'll need super human shooting talent and of course a big personality--it is TV--and those chosen to participate will take on exciting physical challenges with multiple guns and mystery projectile weapons. Deadline is January 18.
Arkansas Outdoors Online is featuring a photo contest. Go to the site to upload your favorite waterfowl hunting-related photo. Deadline is February 15.]]>
Unboxing: Montecristo Cigarstag:uplandfeathers.com,2009://1.2282009-12-16T16:02:10Z2009-12-16T16:49:44ZThis has nothing to do with upland hunting, habitat restoration, the bird dogs or what’s happening on Capitol Hill. It has everything to do with one of my vices. I collect vices like some collect antique firearms or classic cars...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
This has nothing to do with upland hunting, habitat restoration, the bird dogs or what’s happening on Capitol Hill. It has everything to do with one of my vices. I collect vices like some collect antique firearms or classic cars or art. Vices, I have found, are easy and fairly inexpensive to acquire, and there's no need for gun safes or garages since this particular vice you can carry in a shirt pocket. In fact unlike other collectors I can even enjoy multiple vices at the same time. I practice with a cigar in one hand and a finger of whisky in the other. It takes some practice to be able to enjoy numerous vices at once so I intend to practice at every opportunity.
When you go to Bermuda visit the parish of Pembroke and the city of Hamilton. I found a cigar shop on a corner street not far the Hog Penny Pub. The Montecristo brand is premium cigar produced in two places: on the island of Cuba for Habanos SA, the Cuban state-owned tobacco company, and in La Romana, Dominican Republic for the Franco-Spanish tobacco monopoly Altadis SA. I have had the Dominican variety but wanted to taste the Cubans. I won’t go into the embargo and why we can’t have Cubans in the states. Cigars not people. The Montecristo No. 4, I have been told is the most popular cigar in the world and has been in business since 1935. By the way being the patriotic American I am, I made sure these cigars were gone before I reentered the states. Did you know they also limit the amount of alcohol you can bring back duty free? As a good American I made sure I only took back the allotted amount. Who want to carry around all those bottles anyway.
Here are the stats:
Origin: Cuba
Manufactured: Hand Made
Gauge: Medium
Length: 129
Format: Mareva
Ring: 42
Weight: 8,46 gr.
Post Script: there will be no Unboxing Follow-Up like with other postings. Just picture a splendid cloud of smoke and gray ash.
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Benelli Teasestag:uplandfeathers.com,2009://1.3072009-12-11T22:11:29Z2009-12-11T22:31:36ZWhen you hear words like: “Sleek.” “Beautiful.” “Italian.” The first thing probably not to come to mind is a shotgun, but Benelli is teasing us again this year. Last year it was with the launch of the Vinci. Remember the...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
When you hear words like: “Sleek.” “Beautiful.” “Italian.” The first thing probably not to come to mind is a shotgun, but Benelli is teasing us again this year. Last year it was with the launch of the Vinci. Remember the video that was like an action movie? This year they have gone visceral. Benelli is comparing their newest and lightest auto-loading shotgun to a women. Of course it is very artistic and espiring. The grace. The beauty. The tattoos. Benelli even refers to the new gun as she. And I’ll bet that female form is delight to handle. I can’t believe I’m having lascivious thoughts about an autoloader. Prurient even. I really doubt Ms. Deborah will allow me to handle her, I mean the shotgun.
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Bird Dogs: Gentle Force Fetchtag:uplandfeathers.com,2009://1.3062009-12-10T16:56:08Z2009-12-10T16:58:48ZSince this is only the second season that I have hunted over Cooper and Bella I notice a few things that needed attention. They work great, locking and holding point until I flush the bird. The problem I saw most...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
Since this is only the second season that I have hunted over Cooper and Bella I notice a few things that needed attention. They work great, locking and holding point until I flush the bird. The problem I saw most this season was fetching or the lack there of. At fun trials they both refused to pick up the bird an retrieve it. I have seen dogs do this with woodcock and it is thought that the woodcock’s diet of worms maybe distasteful to dogs. These were downed pheasant they refused to retrieve and I’m not sure if they refused on grounds they were pointers and nowhere in the pointer definition does it say retriever. Perhaps they thought it beneath themselves. Regardless, they were going to retrieve. To a canvas dummy I tied real pheasant feathers and doused the canvas with scent. I then had the dogs sit and I opened their mouths and placed the dummy inside, while I praised them profusely. I then continued by playing a game, ironically called “fetch,” that involved me throwing the dummy a few yards away and me speaking the command “fetch.” They took the game quickly and retrieved the dummy without haste. From there I placed the dummy in the field and told them to find the bird. They pointed and held the point until I could flick the dummy in the air to the sound of blanks. They ran over to retrieve the bird and placed it at my feet. I think we may have cured or rather taught them how to retrieve.
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From the Hood to the Woodstag:uplandfeathers.com,2009://1.3052009-11-21T19:46:30Z2009-12-10T16:57:09ZWho would have thought that a rooster pheasnt would create such an impression. I read John Annoni's book, "From the Hood to the Woods," while on the train traveling from NYC to CT. If you take Metro North from Grand...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
Who would have thought that a rooster pheasnt would create such an impression. I read John Annoni's book, "From the Hood to the Woods," while on the train traveling from NYC to CT. If you take Metro North from Grand Central Station, the train stops at 125th Street in Harlem, and then off to points in CT. At the Harlem stop, which has become re-gentrified since I first lived in NYC, reminded me of the importance of Annoni's work, which he outlines in his book. It was as if I had sat down with him at a diner and over a cup of coffee he explained his awful childhood. He ran away from his worries to the woods outside the apartment complex where his mom lived. It was there that nature helped him endure his lot and where he found a love for hunting and fishing. I won't tell his whole story but the important part you should know is the work he does with inner city kids. He created a program for kids that uses fishing and hunting to help build responsibility and self esteem. And it gets many kids out in open spaces. His program is a registered non-profit operating out of PA. Go to Camp Compass Academy and check out the work he does. He has been recognized by SCI and was named one of the most influential people of the outdoors in 2009 by OL. If you can't take a kid hunting--your nephews nieces, sons and daughters don't count--then send a check or donate something to Camp Compass Academy so Annoni can keep up the good work.]]>
Gun Dogs: Trading Painttag:uplandfeathers.com,2009://1.3042009-11-12T20:51:40Z2009-11-12T21:09:20ZThere is an expression in NASCAR racing called “trading paint.” With my two GSPs I would slightly modify it to “trading fur.” If you read this blog you know that Bella, Cooper (Coop for short) and I regularly hike one...SwampYankeewww.uplandfeathers.com
There is an expression in NASCAR racing called “trading paint.” With my two GSPs I would slightly modify it to “trading fur.” If you read this blog you know that Bella, Cooper (Coop for short) and I regularly hike one of the land trust parcels in our town. The idea is not so much to teach or reinforce hunting technique but more to burn off the excess energy these two have. A borough of New York City could run off the energy from these two. Part of their land trust ritual is to sit and stay at the entrance of the hiking trail. They whine and fidget until I motion them to go or give two quick blasts from the whistle. I always make sure there are no unsuspecting hikers before I give the signal since the trail is as wide as a runway model’s hips and I’d hate to see two German Shorthairs plowing into a neighbor or the town selectman. Paw prints usually don’t leave a permanent mark but I fear some poor unsuspecting nature lover would be tattooed by these two. Bella and Coop are so competitive that they race each other down the path of the open bowl and blast their way into the hardwood canopy. By the time I’m half way through the bowl, they are looping back to see me. I think they are afraid I might get lost. Then they bolt right back out under the hardwood canopy zig-zagging across the trail. I smile to think of bushed, resting dogs when we return home. I’m unsure when the gash on Coop happened. Not a whine, whimper or peep from him the entire hike which is a few miles. Ms. Deborah noticed the cut as she toweled them off and checked for ticks. Eleven stitches later the vet recommended no land trust hikes for two weeks. Ever try keeping a GSP quiet and calm for two weeks? I could solve the recession and economic woes of our country easier. Is it two weeks yet?
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The History Channel is also offer a contest of sorts with a casting call for skilled marksmen and markswomen for a shooting competion show called America's Top Shot (maybe that's the working title). Either way you'll need super human shooting talent and of course a big personality--it is TV--and those chosen to participate will take on exciting physical challenges with multiple guns and mystery projectile weapons. Deadline is January 18.
Arkansas Outdoors Online is featuring a photo contest. Go to the site to upload your favorite waterfowl hunting-related photo. Deadline is February 15.]]>
By the time I’m half way through the bowl, they are looping back to see me. I think they are afraid I might get lost. Then they bolt right back out under the hardwood canopy zig-zagging across the trail. I smile to think of bushed, resting dogs when we return home. I’m unsure when the gash on Coop happened. Not a whine, whimper or peep from him the entire hike which is a few miles. Ms. Deborah noticed the cut as she toweled them off and checked for ticks. Eleven stitches later the vet recommended no land trust hikes for two weeks. Ever try keeping a GSP quiet and calm for two weeks? I could solve the recession and economic woes of our country easier. Is it two weeks yet?
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