Last year Pennsylvania went to full day turkey hunting for the last half of their season. New York is now debating the issue. New Jersey and Massachusetts (states I hunt) hunt only half days.

What are your thoughts?  Lets get a good discussion about this……

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2011 Brook Trout Pond Survey an Overwhelming Success!

Project to continue and expand in 2012 Falmouth, Maine – Two conservation groups and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife are seeking volunteer anglers to survey remote ponds for brook trout this fishing season. This will be the second year anglers can help Maine Audubon, Trout Unlimited and state biologists gather data on which ponds in western and northern Maine are inhabited by wild brook trout. In addition, a team of biologists will be conducting “new pond surveys” on more than 40 ponds where brook trout were caught or observed by volunteer anglers in 2011. For more…http://www.maine.gov/ifw/news_events/pressreleases/index.htm

Lynx – The Maine Story

Maine is the only state in the Northeast with a known breeding population of lynx, comprising the southern edge of a larger lynx population that extends into Quebec and New Brunswick. For More…

http://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/management/lynx_theMaineStory.htm

New Hampshire

Moose Hunt

New Hampshire’s moose hunt is nine days, starting the third Saturday in October. The 2012 hunt will take place on October 20-28, 2012. By permit only. Permits are distributed by lottery. Enter today for the chance at the adventure of a lifetime! For more….http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_moose.htm

Introduction to Trapping Workshop –

June 2, 2012, in Holderness HOLDERNESS, N.H. – Learn what skills you need to become a first-time trapper in New Hampshire at a free workshop being offered at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, N.H. The workshop will take place from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2012. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, call the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center at (603) 536-3954. This is not a Trapper Education Certification course. For more….

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Newsroom/News_2012/news_2012_Q2/Trapping_Intro_050912.html

Habitat Work Underway to Conserve Rare New England Cottontails

CONCORD, N.H. – For the New England cottontail, mild winter conditions were a stroke of luck – a lack of snow made it easier for them to hide and find food. For the biologists who are surveying cottontails, the same conditions made it maddeningly difficult to find evidence of their presence. The challenges have not slowed the efforts of biologists from New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, along with partners across the Northeast, to ensure the survival of this state-endangered native rabbit. For more….

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Newsroom/News_2012/news_2012_Q2/NEC_update_051112.html

Vermont

Moose Hunting Applications Are Available

VERMONT FISH AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: May 4, 2012 Media Contacts: Cedric Alexander, 802-751-0105; Mark Scott, 802-583-7194 Vermont Moose Hunting Applications Are Available WAITSFIELD, VT — Vermont moose hunting permit applications are available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com), and printed applications will be at Vermont license agents statewide in June. For more….

http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/Detail.cfm?Agency__ID=2005

Sign Up Now for Youth Hunter Education Challenge

VERMONT FISH and WILDLIFE Press Release For Immediate Release: May 10, 2012 Media Contact: Chris Saunders, 802-241-3722 Sign Up Now for Youth Hunter Education Challenge WAITSFIELD, VT – Youths still have a chance to join the fun at the upcoming Youth Hunter Education Challenge on May 19th. For more…

http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/Detail.cfm?Agency__ID=2012

New York

Lookout for Lake Sturgeon

DEC Advises Anglers to be on the Lookout for Lake Sturgeon in the Great Lakes and Oneida Lake Anglers should be aware of spawning lake sturgeon in tributaries of the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, Finger Lakes and Oneida Lake, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today advised. “The return of lake sturgeon to spawn in New York state’s tributaries reflects well on efforts by DEC and our partners to restore this valuable native species,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “These fish have been part of New York’s natural landscape for thousands of years and through sound management they will remain here for future generations to enjoy. It’s extremely important that anglers fishing these waters are aware of the presence of spawning sturgeon and take all measures to avoid catching them.” For more…http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/82097.html

Pennsylvania

SPRING GOBBLER HUNTERS HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY REMAINING

All-day season begins May 14 HARRISBURG – For those spring gobbler hunters who may feel the hunt is already over because of the early spring, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials report that there is still plenty of time to harvest a gobbler. “Our three years of radio-telemetry data show that hen turkeys did not begin incubating nests any earlier this year than the previous two years, even though we experienced a warm, dry early spring” said Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist. “That’s because nesting is triggered more by photoperiod (amount of daylight) than weather. So, that warm spell we experienced in March was just a bit too early for most hens to begin laying eggs.” For more….http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=12775&PageID=648010&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/marketingsites/game_commission/content/resources/newsreleases/newsrelease/articles/release__048_12.html

New Jersey

Living with New Jersey Black Bears” DVD

The Living with New Jersey Black Bears DVD includes 60-minutes of video on the biology, habits and management of black bears in New Jersey, Arkansas, Florida and New York and steps the public can take to better coexist with black bears. The DVD also contains a 15-minute segment, which can be viewed below, devoted solely to the management of black bears in New Jersey. For more…http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bearfacts_dvd.htm

 White-tailed Deer in New Jersey

2011-2012 Harvest Data New Jersey’s deer herd is a major component of the landscape throughout all but the most urbanized areas of the state. Deer affect our forests, farms, gardens, backyards and roadways. From a population reduced to a handful of deer in the early 1900s they rebounded during the 20th Century to a thriving herd today. For more.. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/deer.htm

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By Rob Wrobel

This story originally appeared on NortheastArchers.com.  

1994. 14 years old. It was my first year bowhunting. Dad owned a fishing and hunting store, mainly a wholesale bait shop in Central New Jersey in which he let me work at for 3 dollars an hour.  That 3 dollars an hour pretty much went to pay for my consumption of hunting and fishing equipment. Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops catalogs were the only place I thought money should go at that point. Funny the amount of boat/marine stuff that I wanted every year, we didn’t even have a boat at the time. I’m 31 and I still don’t have a boat, but if I did, there is a faded crumbling list of things I already know I want.

My $3 an hour for grinding dirt for packaged night crawlers, cleaning killie and shiner tanks, interspersed with long breaks of shooting in the back, or wandering the Old Bridge woods, probably never came close to paying for all the stuff my parents bought me, supposedly with the money I “earned”.  Earned was much more. I never bought a cup of nightcrawlers that had such fine soil in it than what I produced at my father’s instructions. And you know what they say ” you are what you eat”.  Never another store in our area would allow you to come in and order 1 dozen big killies, or a pint or a quart for that matter. You now get what comes in the net. Not my Dad. He gave what was asked, because who wants to go flukeing with inch long killies?

On with the story at hand. I had a sweet bow that my parents bought me, and some great hunting partners. Uncles, my Dad’s friends. Guys to look up to if only for certain things. But that’s life at 14, when adults bring you into their world. Hindsite will point out all of our faults, but at that time they were kings to me.

George and my Dad helped me build a stand between two oaks. Nothing special, just a platform and seat.  Dad always wanted me carrying around this heavy ladder stand. I presume to be safe, or maybe to keep me out of his good spots.  That stand haunts me. Like carrying a Prius on your back.  It’s probably something that still pushes me to hunt as light as possible. The built stand allowed me to ditch the ladder stand and the two couldn’t be thanked enough for that. If that was only all.

The full year is a blur to me, still in school, not hunting weekdays. Some weekends during bow season still being taken up by fall baseball. I was pretty decent back then. Both with a bow and a glove, but not so much a bat. I don’t even know how many times I was out bow hunting but at one point a doe was standing 30 yards from the built stand. Didn’t even see her come out. Just appeared, like a gift.  My 14-year-old nerveless body wasn’t phased by 30 yards, chip shot. She went down and died with a bleat, which confused me. It was my first deer, Why was she bleating? I didn’t even know it was called a bleat at this point.  Fear of wounding, fear of losing, fear of failing I called Geo on the walkie talkie, or ran to his stand, I can’t even remember which. He took me through the blood trail, explained the “dying bleat,” and brought me to my first deer.

Friends, family and hunting partners come and go and sometimes come back again. Some even leave this world forever. But the beauty of hunting is the connection that can never be broken between Men. The times shared, the times enjoyed or suffered are never forgotten and forged in a manner that could not be stronger. Thank you Dad, Mom, George, Jim and all the other adults that brought me along, taught me, loved me and spent their time on me.

left to right: Geo, Me, Dad and Uncle Don with a mess of pheasants

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The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board on Wednesday gave a preliminary approval to one of the proposals designed to stabilize the growth of the bear population in Vermont. They want to also expand hunter opportunities, and provide the Fish and Wildlife Department biologists with important data that will help better manage the black bear population in Vermont.

This vote is going to be able to extend the annual bear season by four extra days and will establish a new, black bear tag for the hunters that want to pursue bears in advance of the deer rifle season that starts in November. The season for both bear and deer rifle will increase from five to nine days with this new proposal.

Those bear hunters that are looking to pursue bears from the beginning of September until the opening day of deer season are going to be required to purchase bear tags which are $5 for residents of the state, and $15 for non-residents. Those hunters that are only wishing to hunt bear during the overlap time period can continue to get a bear tag along with their deer tag on their general hunting licenses for no additional cost. These changes are expected to take effect in 2013.

“We’re fortunate in Vermont to have a healthy, and growing, black bear population,” said Mark Scott, Director of Wildlife for Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “The additional four days of hunting opportunities we’ll add in November under this proposal will help us to slowly stabilize the bear population.

Additionally, the bear license will enable us to gather essential information about hunter effort and success as well as an idea of overall bear hunter numbers, measures that are vital for better estimates of bear populations across Vermont. It is our belief that bear management in Vermont can then be more responsive to changing bear populations and public interests.”

The estimated bear population by the biologists is around 6,000 animals. This is at the upper end of the population goals that are outlines by the Vermont Big Game Management Plan for 2010 through 2020. Four hundred of these bears were harvested in 2011, and hunters typically will harvest around 400 to 600 black bears each season.

The annual bag limit for these bears is one per hunter. “In 1990, Vermont’s bear season was shortened by four days in November because we had an objective at that time to increase the bear population,” said Scott. “We achieved that objective, and now we’re aiming to stabilize the population. In recent years we’ve seen a tripling of bear-human conflicts and an eightfold increase in automobile collisions with bears.”

As part of the rule process that the Fish and Wildlife Board has come up with, the proposal has to be voted on at two or more upcoming board meetings, and agreed upon. On top of this, the department is also recommending that one or more public hearings are held in relation to the adoption of this rule.

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You will have more opportunities. This is because bow hunting runs through a longer portion of the year compared to rifle season. These extended seasons give the hunter more opportunities to be in the great outdoors. Some species are restricted since you may need a special license in order to hunt them. You can acquire this through an application, or get a general over the counter tag through your local tag office. Each state has different rules and regulations for bow season.

Traditional or high tech. These two choices are important. Being close enough to the game so you can shoot with a bow is not only exciting, but exhilarating and you’re going to need something that doesn’t make sound while shooting. The question you should ask is whether or not you want to use a traditional recurve or long bow or a high tech compound bow. The decision that you make should be based on your level of motivation and the amount of time that you have to invest into bow hunting. Traditional means need less time, and you learn more by the more you shoot the bow. Compound bows need more training and practice beforehand. This is because you have to tweak the bow to your specifications to get the right shot.

Price ranges of the bows? A high quality recurve or long bow can be anywhere from $200 to $800 depending on the make and design of the bow. Adding accessories such as bows and a quiver will run another $100 or so. Although, if you want the more high tech option, think about doubling your money and your efforts since it is for the sport of archery and not just hunting. There are many different options to the new hunter. You should take the bow down and feel it in your hands, are you comfortable with it? You can buy this equipment secondhand, but there is also a beware out there for the buyer when it comes to any kind of used equipment. This is because it can be run down, and if you spend a little extra you can have peace of mind. The sky is the limit for these bows and accessories.

Choosing the right bow is important. Some considerations that you’re going to want to keep in mind are the poundage, shooting style, draw length, sights or no sights, and matching the shaft of the arrows to the bow and draw weight from your shooting. If you’re using compound bows, short axle to axle lengths usually require you to use a mechanical release of some sort. The draw length is probably the most important decision. If it doesn’t fit, then it is useless. Men’s bows have the largest draw lengths, while women’s and children’s are shorter. Each person’s length depends on their finger and release shooting style.

Accessories are also another important factor with bow hunting. This part can be a bit overwhelming, but you should start with the basics. Basic pin sights, side mount quiver, a stabilizer, and kisser button. You can really add as much or as little as you want to your comfort level. You also need to purchase the correct size arrow shafts. They are graded based on the thickness of the wall and diameter. You can visit the technician in the archery shop to find out which ones you need based on your selection of bow. There are also arrow types and fletching combinations. Aluminum shafts are the most economical for hunting. Carbon arrows are the most popular, and cedar shafts are the most widely preferred of hunters. Plastic might not be the best option, it is the cheapest however.

Learning to shoot the bow. This is important since there are many components to bow hunting. You have to know how to draw, aim, and release the arrow from the bow. Technique and stance are both important as well. You can even get lessons from a local qualified archery instructor. To keep it simple; learn to shoot with the fingers first since you have to have a feeling of the bow. A shooting tab or gloves will help you get a true feeling of the string. The biggest thing with this is preference and how comfortable you are with the bow.

Practice makes perfect. When it comes time to become a new bow hunter, you should know that the more practice you get, the better off you will be. Repetitive drawing and aiming is important to learn how to shoot the bow correctly and accurately. You should get knowledge from other bow hunters to find out the specs of bow hunting. Start shooting at 10 yards, and then slowly move your way up to further yards. 3d targets can be the best thing as well when practicing in the field. They provide you with a more realistic approach to practicing.

Shot placement is important. You want to take precautions when it comes to wounding and then losing game while out in the woods. You want to kill, and by doing this you have to understand how bow hunting needs to be accurate in order to kill. Delivering the arrow into the vital organs will do just that for you. Penetrating both lungs is a good starting point. If you hit one, wait at least 30 minutes before tracking them down. They will usually not move more than 40 yards.

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My brother and I have grown up breaking through endless acres of dense pine forest, climbing over boulders scattering the Appalachian foothills, and wading (and cursing) our ways through the eerie and silent labyrinths of cedar bogs in this territory.

There are few hunters, and even fewer deer to be seen in this neck of the country, and I promise I’m getting to the point here soon: hunting, for my family, is only partially about bagging a trophy buck. It’s just as much, for us, about walking silently through the woods, about enjoying the thrill of tracking and becoming one with nature, about channeling the heritage of our ancestors who hunted alone over hill and dale in the driving snow and wind and rain.

We are track hunters, jump hunters occasionally, and we rarely find ourselves thirty feet up in a tree for the better part of a morning or an afternoon—with so few deer to so many square miles of wilderness, one’s best bet in these woods is to go where the deer are, rather than hope that they return the favor.

…Whiiiiiiich is why I felt like such an IDIOT when I first tried on the Mossy Oak Drystalker 2 Scent-Stop Parka Treestand and Raintamer 2 Pant Treestand as our hunting party assembled the gear for the coming day’s rifle hunt. My first thought as I pulled the surprisingly lightweight and insanely comfortable pants was “wait a second, where are the pockets?” My second thought, embarrassingly, was “wait, no belt loops? There’s no way this drawstring alone will hold up until noon…” Now, the joke is on me: had I done any advanced reading I would’ve known that the Raintamer 2 Pant, though being “100% waterproof, breathable, and windproof,” is uninsulated, and possesses only one zippered back pocket.

Another initially disappointing feature was the sizing of the pant: at 5’8” I’m not the tallest drink of water, certainly, but the ostensibly “large (L)” size of the pants (which fit perfectly at the waist, mind you) had these things a good six inches too long for my legs.

Knowing the cold, rugged, wet, and unforgiving terrain that lay ahead of us that day, I couldn’t help but picture these baggy pantlegs soaked with bog-water and caked with snow and mud and moss, dragging noisily behind me on my walk out of the woods.

The Drystalker 2 Scent-Stop Parka felt more robust (it is, after all, “made from soft/quiet microfleece & insulated with 4oz polyfiberfill”), and I was plenty pleased with the proliferation of pockets (six total). It felt reassuringly more size-appropriate, and I totally dug the hood; it was also very quiet as I wound my arms and brushed them against my chest. Still, the “adjustable closures” left a lot to be desired (let’s just call a Velcro spade a spade, alright?).

Out we went: 20mph winds, 5°F in the overcast 4AM November morning… I could see myself bee-lining it to the truck by mid-morning, frozen to the bone.

…and yet, this is where the otherwise predictably critical train leaves its tracks.

The pants did prove to be somewhat noisier than my traditional green woolies, making a silent approach difficult with rustling branches swooshing along the sides and the legs rubbing against each other. With thermals underneath, however, they stayed warm enough, considering the mix of walking and stand-taking I incorporated into my morning hunt. The legs were indeed too long and baggy, but were more bothersome rather than technically impeding.

The jacket held my walkie, my clip, my knife, and my obligatory bag of Halloween candy; it also stayed PLENTY warm with only one long thermal undershirt and was extremely versatile and comfortable. Both garments stood up to some serious snags on undergrowth and low broken pine boughs with only minor scratches and fiber pulls.

I realize that until now I’ve made no mention of the visual aspects of these garments, an error I’ll immediately correct. Mossy Oak doesn’t disappoint with its camo patterns (see below). As soon as I’d bemoaned this northern winter for its lack of snow, I bit my tongue realizing that this pant/jacket combo was about as camouflaged as I’d ever been, or would be. Perfect, absolutely perfect, though admittedly better suited for the earlier stages of the hunt (bow season) rather than after the snow falls.

Again, no big surprise here, since the garments are meant to be worn by the treestand hunter, thus most likely one gripping a compound bow. They are nonetheless visually striking and well-broken up, with lifelike real-tree patterning and shades that perfectly match the northern woods in fall. (Reviewer’s note: in the photo, check out the Mossy Oak hat I’ve been rocking for the past three years as well… huge fan of their hunting products, and proudly embrace their continuing influence in the hunting community.)

And thus, beginning with a caveat, I’ll end with one too: I didn’t give this product a truly fair shake, taking it out for track-hunting rather than stand-hunting in the freezing November woods of my home state. But you know what? This stuff still held up, still outperformed my expectations, and I can only imagine that if I had pulled these babies out for a couple late fall days up in our treestand, they would have blown my socks off (if I could see them beneath the extra-long pants, that is).

That says a lot, to me, about a company’s product: versatility, durability, and quality. Welcome to my future hunting wardrobe, Mossy Oak Drystalker 2 Scent-Stop Parka Treestand and Raintamer 2 Pant Treestand.

Quality (★★★★)

It’s immediately obvious that these are well-made garments, and the jacket is particularly comfortable, flexible, and warm. Zippers, clasps, and closures are all well made, and the outer materials are durable enough to last at least two to three seasons, probably more. I can’t help wishing that the pants (though both they and the jacket are ostensibly 100% waterproof) had a bit more insulation, and a more robust waistline than a simple drawstring (Please, Mossy Oak, just add beltloops and take these pants straight into the ‘badass’ category…).

Beware of the lack of pants pockets, those of you hunters that carry more equipment with you than Robinson Crusoe had on his entire island. Also, the rather generic sizing can leave much fitting to be desired for shorter or longer bodytypes. All that said, these certainly constitute high-quality hunting apparel.

Reliability (★★★★)

I’d turn to these first given the right weather and hunting conditions. It’s hard to imagine other jacket/pant tandems beating the combination of camo pattern, comfort, durability, and performance for stand hunting.

Price/Value (★★★★)

I mentioned above that I’d bet my rifle these pants/jacket would last at least two to three seasons… at only $80 for the jacket and $80 for the pants, that’s a hell of a deal.

Referability (★★★★★)

Jealous of the new duds I’d worn out that hunting day, and cognizant of a greater need for such apparel given his much greater expertise and enthusiasm for treestand bow-hunting, I didn’t only refer these to our good friend Tim (ex-army, currently a Sherriff’s deputy and longtime hunting/shooting enthusiast), I gave them to him.

He also had glowing reviews of the performance and comfort that these babies offered, and has raved about them to his buddies at the station, as I have to my friends and family in and out of our hunting party. Home run, Mossy Oak!

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The Songbird Clear is a “sound enhancement device” that is designed simply to sharpen your ability to hear and to create clarity in the sounds around you. When it first arrived in the mail, I was skeptic, to say the least. A device that is going to magnify sound can be nothing but a pain in the neck, right? I mean, everything will be noisy once you put it in, right?

Wrong.

The Songbird Clear somehow manages to clarify the sounds of the things you want to hear the most–voices, television audio, songs and more, all without enhancing the ambient noise around you. It’s pretty impressive and no doubt far beyond my technological understanding. The key to it all is that it works, and well.

Quality (★★★★)

The Songbird Clear is a pretty worthwhile device, especially for a hunter. Where many products that are designed specifically with hunters in mind can cost a couple hundred bucks, the Songbird is designed for use by anybody and comes with a smaller price tag right around $120.

The construction of the device at first feels like it might be too fragile to really handle, but the truth of the matter is that I am not gentle with anything–it’s a curse of being a large man with fat sausage fingers. This thing has withstood several beatings and even got lost in my truck for four days before I found it, frozen nicely in some water that had dripped off my boot. And, guess what? It still works like the day I took it out of the package.

Reliability (★★★★)

The Songbird Clear is pretty cool in the way that it picks up a lot of little noises. I was sitting out in the woods the other day with it and it sounded like I had been invited to the dinner table with a family of squirrels.

I haven’t had any kind of experience of having the Songbird cut out or anything, but I did have a moment of feedback when I accidentally increased the volume while adjusting it in my ear. It was a lesson I only had to learn once, and I don’t place my finger near the volume while moving it. All-in-all, especially after being frozen and still working–I’d say it’s a very reliable device.

Price/Value (★★★★)

I’ll be honest when I say that I’d typically not pay $120 for a device that enhances my hearing, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth every dollar. For hunters who are either easily distracted from the mundane task of sitting and listening or someone who really wants that extra edge, the Songbird Clear is a great device for the amount you pay–especially when you compare it to the other high-end sound enhancement devices on the market.

Referability (★★★★)

If you asked me what kind of sound enhancer I would suggest to you, I’d openly say the Songbird Clear and give you a list of reasons as to why it’s my top choice. This device works as advertised and better than expected, it’s cost is lower than it’s high-end competitors and it competes with anything like it I’ve ever used.

In short, if you’re looking for a sound enhancement device to use for your hunting trips or any other reason, heavily consider the Songbird Clear. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

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Currently, only hunters with disabilities and a special permit are allowed to use crossbows in Vermont. That law is actually pretty typical, with more than 20 states having the same restrictions. However, there are at least 15 other states that don’t have a problem with everyone being able to use crossbows during archery deer season. Two of the most recent are right up near our neck of the woods with New Jersey and Pennsylvania passing laws to open the use of the weapons up to everyone.

The arguments on both sides of the issue range from allowing them because they are easier to hold, shoot and fire at fast arrow speeds to those who say that they shouldn’t be allowed in archery season because they operate on many of the same basic levels (stock, trigger and locked and loaded at all times during the hunt) as a gun.

We here at Northeast Hunting understand both sides of the argument, knowing that the legalization of crossbows in a state like Vermont would likely increase archery season license sales and deer harvest numbers, but also detracts from the challenge of being a good bow hunter and the skills necessary to successfully harvest an animal that way.

On one hand, it means a likely increase in hunters and profits from the sale of licenses, but on the other hand we would likely see a bow hunter become a rare sight in the woods.

When the debate does come to Vermont, we encourage hunters on both sides of the fence to let their voices be heard and to actively promote their beliefs.

What are your thoughts on crossbows? Do you think they should be legal for everyone to use? Why or why not?

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While they do covet many items like my flashlights and my GPS unit, they almost always pine most longingly over my Nikon equipment. That was definitely the case during my tests of the Nikon Bolt XR Crossbow Scope.

This scope, which has a bolt-drop compensator to allow for easy targeting up to 60 yards away, is touted by the company as being waterproof, fogproof and shockproof. I had the chance to test that out and am proud to say the Bolt XR passed with flying colors.

I brought the scope to Michigan, where it’s legal for anyone to use a crossbow during archery deer season, and mounted it to an Excalibur 6730 Ibex crossbow. The crossbow itself got the initial attention, but my uncle lifts it up to his shoulder, peers through the Nikon Bolt XR and immediately comments on the clarity of it. Soon, it was being passed around from cousins to uncles to my dad and, finally, back to me. They were impressed at just how clear it was and the eye relief it gave.

They weren’t nearly as impressed as I was.

Quality (★★★★★)

I’ve had the luxury of using several Nikon products here at Northeast Hunting, from muzzleloader scopes to binoculars and more. I’m even a Nikon camera fan, using their digital SLRs when I need to snap pics, and the lenses on my glasses are even made by that particular company.

One truth about Nikon is that they are a fairly young competitor in the hunting optics field, but they are definitely proving themselves to be as trusted and as rugged as anyone out there.

The Nikon Bolt XR Crossbow Scope is no different. It only took me three adjustments to get the bolt firing dead center at 35 yards.

On my first day out in the woods, I had the lovely misfortune of accidentally knocking my crossbow out of the tree stand at about 6:30 in the morning. Thankfully there weren’t any deer around at the moment, but I had a gut feeling that my entire day of hunting was shot.

I made my way back to camp and set up the target at 25 yards, getting ready for what I expected to be a full day of adjusting after a fall from 15 feet in the air. Nikon shocked me with the durability of the scope–one adjustment later (that’s a single, one-time turn) had me back at the dead center mark. I moved the target out to 35 yards and was dead on once again. I was baffled and impressed at the same time–I only wished my rifle scopes were so tough.

Reliability (★★★★★)

I’d like to think that dropping a scope from a tree stand and having it nearly shooting at center still is enough to convince everyone of the reliability of the scope. But the true test is one that comes in the field.

I, unfortunately, didn’t get that chance–but my dad did. When I packed up and headed out of camp and back to home, he had one simple request for me: Mind if I use the Nikon?

I hesitated at first, but agreed to let him take it in exchange for the promise of venison if he were successful with it. I’m proud to say I’ve dined on his deer several times since the following morning when he put down a seven-point buck that made the mistake of wandering in too close.

The Nikon Bolt XR was dropped, removed from one crossbow and placed on another and still performed without exception. My father, a long-time hunter who has used everything from a Simmons to a Leupold, went out and got himself the very same scope to use on his crossbow–and that’s the only testament of reliability I really need.

Price/Value (★★★★★)

I couldn’t believe that the Nikon Bolt XR Crossbow Scope carries a price tag of just $160 at Bass Pro Shops and staggering $131 (with free shipping!) from Amazon. I honestly would pay $200 for a scope with this kind of quality and dependability and not even think twice about it.

The Nikon Bolt XR outclasses its competitors and puts red-dot scopes to shame. It’s worth every penny and then some.

Referability (★★★★★)

I can’t say enough about this scope and would suggest anyone who does any kind of real crossbow hunting to go out and buy one. This scope is, hands down, the best crossbow optic I have ever touched, let alone used in the woods.

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Since we have a clean slate, we are hoping to make this hunting season better than the last. Everyone makes a New Year’s resolution. A lot of people say they will eat healthier or maybe exercise more, while others, hunters like us vow to make this hunting season one of the best.

Resolutions might not be the way to go for everyone, but setting goals might be something that you can actually stick too. Hunting goals might be what you need to make this year a total success. There are a few steps that you can work on to make this year great.

Keep All Hunting Goals Specific: You need to make sure that each of the goals that you make for yourself this upcoming hunting season are as specific as they can possibly be. This is because you want to make sure you get the most out of your goal, and the only way to do this is to be specific. If you want to kill a buck this hunting season, then write down specifics. Does it have to be over a certain length or weight? Does it have to be more than 3 years old? Specifics are the best way to go to make sure you know when you have met your goal.

Keep All of Your Goals Realistic: When it comes to making goals, you have to make sure that they can actually be met. You can dream about doing all sorts of things, but when you actually set your hunting goals, you want to make sure that you do not have to jump through hoops in order to obtain them. You want to make sure the size of your expected deer is reasonable and realistic for the part of the woods that you hunt in. Your goal should be high, but not so high that your goal cannot be achieved.

Create Your Goals on Paper: Sit down and jot down your goals on paper so you can see them, and not just think about them. This makes the goals more obtainable since you know what you’re looking to do. You can keep it out pinned to the fridge, or anywhere else that you can see them. Remind yourself every day that you’re going to obtain them this hunting season, and how you’re going to do it.

Think of your paper as a map, and you have to get to your goal or your destination through this map. Add things as you think of them, or take notes when the time comes. You can plan and get ready for the upcoming hunting season this way, and actually see your progress written down. Break your goal down and take it step by step.

Related posts:

1. Vermont Deer Hunters Had a Successful Deer Season in 2010
2. Deer and Bear Hunters in Massachusetts: Get Your Applications in
3. Vermont Moose Hunters Have Success in 2011