Camp Mohawk Spirit

Adirondack 8-Pointer

2011-11-27T16:42:00.001-05:00

As Glen and I left the cabin for the two mile hike up to the top of the saddle ridge, I had a feeling it was going to be a very successful morning. After three years of trying, it was great to see Glen get his first buck, a nice Adirondack 8-pointer.

More November Bucks

2011-11-27T16:36:00.001-05:00

The rut is definately in full swing as the trail camers are picking up many new bucks on their feet looking for does. Here are a few pics of some of the great bucks from the week:

Southern Zone Bruin

2011-11-27T16:29:00.001-05:00

It was another successful weekend at Camp Badger for the opener of the 2011 Southern Zone Big Game Season. Nine guys took six bucks and this 350 lb. bruin, the first black bear taken from the camp.

November Buck Patrol

2011-11-13T20:24:00.002-05:00

You know it's November when the trail cameras start to document the bucks on patrol looking for receptive does. Here are a couple from the past week:

2011 Northern Muzzle Loader Opener

2011-10-16T19:56:00.002-04:00

Strong wind and rain by the bucket was the big news for the 2011 northern muzzle loader opener as not a deer was sighted. A banner beech nut crop has the deer hanging tight to the woods and it will take some shoe leather to get things stirred up before the rut. It was great to have my
nephew in camp and see him have a good time with the guys. The trail cameras caught a big bear taking an evening cruise through the winter rye. With a little luck we might see him during daylight hours. Here are some pics:

After Hurricane Irene

2011-09-03T23:16:00.007-04:00

Hurricane Irene struck a tough blow to the area leaving washed out roads, bridges and culverts, but luckily the road into camp is no worse for ware. A quick survey found one beech across the trail and a little erosion on the inclines. One positive of the heavy rain is that it helped jumpstart our food plots going into the fall. The oats, rye and brassicas are lush and have grown to about 4 inches over the past two weeks. Here are some pics:

Fall Plots

2011-08-23T07:11:00.003-04:00

The fall plots have been in for a week and the right growing conditions have gotten things off to a good start. A mixture of winter rye, forage oats, rape, purple-top turnip, and daikon radish should do the trick. Here are some pics:

Spring Growth

2011-07-06T22:11:00.002-04:00

A recent check of the trail cameras showed lots of activity at camp. Here are a few buck pics from the first week of June. It will be fun to see them progress over the summer:

Breaking Ground

2011-05-09T19:52:00.005-04:00

The warm weather made for the perfect conditions to hook the plow to the old Ford and work our food plots. The middle buster made quick work of the grasses and broadleaf weeds covering the ground and another deep till in a couple of weeks should make for a great seed bed. This year I am going with a mix of perennial clovers and brassicas to create summer feed and a lasting fall attractant. Here is a pic of our main plot and a sample from the trail camera:

Spring Hike

2011-04-27T21:54:00.004-04:00

There is nothing better than a spring hike to get some needed fresh air and to watch the last remnants of winter melt away. The camp weathered the deep snow and I am looking forward to getting to our list of chores. The deer have started to return and the many turkey tracks in the mud are a good sign for the upcoming season. Here are some pics from the day:

On the Snowmobile Trail

2011-03-05T13:07:00.005-05:00

When it comes to winter fun, there is nothing better than exploring the Adirondack backcountry by snowmobile. From the spectacular scenery to the thrill of flying over perfectly groomed trails, there is something for everyone. The winter of 2011 has provided perfect conditions and a recent run into camp did not dissapoint.

Southern Zone Success

2010-11-22T20:02:00.003-05:00

As I leveled the cross hairs on the 6 point buck checking his scrape 85 yards in front of my stand I had no idea that this would be the start of a wildly successful Southern Zone Opener that resulted in eight hunters putting six bucks on the meat pole. I don't know if it was the full moon, cool weather, or the hot does hiding in the valley, but it has been some time since the crew at Camp Badger filled so many tags opening weekend. In total we took two 6 pointers, three 7 pointers and a broken off fork horn. Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Question of the Day

2010-11-14T20:46:00.002-05:00

What would you do with an electronic "zapping" fly swatter at 4:30 in the morning?

Answer:

Comfort Zone

2010-11-14T19:47:00.006-05:00

When the thermometer behind the cabin hit 67 degrees I knew that the deer would be out of their comfort zone and laying low during daylight hours. Over the weekend we only saw 1 doe amongst the group , but it was good to see Ed, William and our long lost hunting partner - The Hairbone. The trail cameras showed us that the bucks are still on the prowl, with a high racked six pointer and a spike added to the inventory. Here are some pics from the weekend:

Lake Champlain Grand Slam

2010-11-09T08:02:00.010-05:00

Saturday at 5 am, Harrison & I headed off to the fabled waters of Lake Champlain in Westport, NY 70 miles to our north. We were were in search of Salmon, Lake Trout, Steelhead & Brown Trout and managed to catch at least one of each of those species making it an official grand slam outing! As most sat motionless in their deer stands, we trolled the lakes water managing a brown trout, 1 lake trout, 2 steelhead and over twenty salmon. It was a great day on the water by anyones standards. We didn't get that 10 pound salmon, but I know there is one in the lake with my name on it. I made my first trip to this section of Lake Champlain back in September with another local salmon addict and have now caught the bug to get back there as much as I can. Fish on.....

More November Bucks

2010-11-08T19:42:00.003-05:00

Here are more November Bucks captured on the trail cameras. If these shots don't get you fired up for this weekend you should probably stay home:

November Bucks

2010-11-07T20:08:00.006-05:00

Lots of activity on the trail cameras this week, with several good bucks caught cruising for does. The best of the bunch is this 200lb class 10 point. A beautiful Adirondack buck in the prime of his life. Hopefully we will be able to put a tag on him before the season is over.

Firearms Opener

2010-10-24T19:27:00.002-04:00

Opening weekend of the Northern Zone firearms season started off cold and crisp as we arrived to camp on Friday night, but ended up warm and damp before we pulled out on Sunday. Even with the mild weather is was great to be in the woods with my trusty Remington 7600 carbine. The trail cameras prove that the deer are limiting their movement to night, but Jim did see a couple of does from the "Bear Trap" and Glen saw a buck and a doe on the edge of the swamp by the "Hemlock" stand. We don't spend enough time down on the swamp edge and I glad to hear that this has become Glen's new favorite spot. The woods are full of food keeping the deer in the thick cover, but a couple of frosts and the upcoming rut will hopefully get things moving over the next few weeks.

A Windy Weekend

2010-10-18T19:21:00.002-04:00

The Northen Zone muzzleloader opener was a windy one with no deer sighted. Even though the weather did not cooperate, it was good to get in the stand and enjoy time away from the office.

Bears, Bears and More Bears

2010-09-07T19:54:00.002-04:00

I don't know if it's the bumper crop of blackberries, but something has really concentrated the bears at camp this season. In a three week period we picked up over 580 pictures of 5 different black bears. Early season opens in a week. Here is a sampler:

Fall Food Plots

2010-08-17T06:59:00.003-04:00

It's been a few weeks since we planted and the fall plots have germinated and are starting to grow. All in all things should be in good shape come the fall.

Preserving Nature's Bounty

2010-08-16T23:00:00.004-04:00

Harvesting wild blackberries is becoming an annual tradition that adds to our enjoyment and the long term value of our camp. Crawling through the jungle of thorns is surprisingly satisfying as you find the next cluster of black gold hidden amongst the leaves. This year, the fruit is sweet and plentiful, and even after a day with family and friends, acres and acres were left untouched for the bears and birds to enjoy. The many quarts that were picked will soon be preserved so we can enjoy nature's bounty for some time to come.

Annual Work Weekend

2010-07-25T21:19:00.003-04:00

Thanks to our buddies from out west for joining our annual work weekend. Even though the rain could be measured in inches, we toughed it out and got our food plots ready for the fall. Hopefully forage oats, brassica, and winter peas will be the right combination come October. Good friends, good food, and a barrel of laughs made for a great time. Here are a few shots from the weekend:

Happy Independence Day

2010-07-06T21:07:00.003-04:00

Had a great 4th of July weekend at camp and in between the laughs the new 3-point cultivator had its trial run on the food plots. The trail cameras are keeping a good eye on things and we got some great shots over the last couple of weeks. Pics of a daytime bear, several young bucks, a couple of fawns, daytime coyotes, turkeys and even a few snowshoe hare were great additions to the photo album. Here are some pics:

Spring Turkey

2010-06-01T21:01:00.004-04:00

A check of the trail cameras this past weekend reveals many turkeys working the property, with several good gobblers in the mix. Here's one of my favorites:

A Welcome Sight

2010-05-02T21:07:00.008-04:00

The flock of turkeys grazing out front was a welcome sight as we drove into camp for the start of another season. A quick tally revealed eleven before the two longbeards strutting in full fan took notice and ushered the laides up the ridge and out sight. Winter was good to the cabin, but several blow downs will need to be cleared before the food plots are put in order for the coming fall. Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Deep Drifts of Snow

2010-03-09T19:48:00.004-05:00

An early March check shows that deep drifts of snow still blanket the ground at camp. Looks like the snowmobile will be the vehicle of choice for many weeks to come.

Helmet Cam Test Run

2010-02-02T22:33:00.004-05:00

It's been awhile since an update, so we thought we would share some video from Jim's new helmet cam. This little gem mounts just about anywhere and puts the viewer right in the action. Here is a sample that Jim took as he cruised the trails around Speculator on the Ski Doo. Just think of the possibilities...

2009 Southern Zone Opener

2009-11-23T21:22:00.007-05:00

Had a great trip down to the southern zone for the Saturday opener of the regular firearms season. While the weather was warm and deer movement was slow, we were able to put a couple of bucks on the pole. Congrats to Dan for taking a great 8 pointer that is his best buck to date. Our crew also took a couple of coyotes out of a population that seems to be growing by leaps and bounds in this neck of the woods. Thanks to Badger for hosting our crazy cast of characters. While we all look forward to the hunting, its the time spent at camp with friends that keeps us coming back for more.

Bucks on the Move

2009-11-15T14:24:00.004-05:00

Ed, William and Glen joined our regulars in camp this weekend and in total we saw 5 does and no bucks. Ed, who likes to sit all day, had a missed opportunity on a coyote because his rifle jammed. While the warm weather has dampened the daytime deer movement, the trail cameras reveal that the bucks are on the move. Here is a collage of 3 nice bucks taken this week. Listen for the grunts as the third buck appears:

Paella on Saturday night and a decent bear that wandered through this week.

Southern Exposure

2009-11-04T11:57:00.004-05:00

Travelled down to the Southern tier for a couple of days to bow hunt at Camp Badger. Came home empty handed, but had a great time including a fun encounter with a buck who was dogging a small doe. Things are looking up and Hairbone and I are looking forward to heading down for the regular season opener in a few weeks. Here are a couple of pics from the trip:

Bucks Starting to Move

2009-10-31T17:47:00.004-04:00

A check of the trail cameras revealed that the bucks are starting to move, albeit under the cover of darkness. In total we had pictures of over 10 different bucks, including a nice 8 point. This year we have a large crop of 1 1/2 year old bucks with several spikes and crotch horns. This is a big change given that some years we will be lucky to see a spikehorn. The thermometer topped out today at 62 degrees depressing the deer movement, but with a little luck things will turn around.

Here is a video of a doe and fawn that gets rousted by young buck. Watch till the end and you will see that she is not very happy about it:

Opening Weekend

2009-10-25T19:12:00.008-04:00

The woods were quiet for the opening weekend of the regular firearms season with a pouring rain on Saturday and only a couple of shots heard on Sunday. Justin joined Hairbone, his son and I for the hunt Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. The trail cameras reveal that the deer are bedding down before first light and aren't exposing themselves until it’s too dark to shoot. The pre-rut, which is just around the corner should get things rolling, especially with all the does on the property. Here is the odd daytime video of a young buck out for a stroll this week:

Here are a couple of pics, including a snowshoe hare that I picked up on the trail camera:

Early Muzzleloader Season

2009-10-18T19:44:00.000-04:00

The early muzzleloader season brought the crew into camp for the weekend. The deer were moving and by 9:00 am opening morning, we had seen three bucks and two does. A 69 yard shot with the Thompson Center put one down for the count. It was a great to see Jason, Justin and Hairbone Jr, who was all decked out in his new youth sized Realtree hunting suit. In addition to the great hunting we ate like kings. With homemade waffles and Gulf of Maine Fish fry on the menu, how could you go wrong? Things are looking up and we may be in for a very productive fall at Camp Mohawk Spirit.

Deer vs. Turkey

2009-10-04T21:20:00.001-04:00

Spent the weekend hanging stands and sighting in the rifles. Hairbone finally has some confidence in the smoke pole now that he is shooting a TC Encore. Three Pyrodex pellets and a Powerbelt bullet is the load that will put him in the kill zone.

My TC Endeavor shot well from the bench and I am sighted in with 3 White Hot pellets and a TC shockwave sabot.

Here is a great sequence from the trail camera. My money is on the turkey:

Early Archery Opener

2009-09-28T19:01:00.007-04:00

Crispy waffles and hot coffee helped start an early archery opener that was dominated by a cold pouring rain that lasted all day. While things started slow, the deer were moving by the end of the day and we all had some action. D.C. hasn't missed an opener with me in seven years and it was a real treat to have his wife along to share in our annual tradition. Here's a couple of memories from the weekend:

Practice Makes Perfect

2009-09-15T09:30:00.005-04:00

With the opening of archery season just a couple of weeks away I spent some time in the backyard tightening the groups. While I don't practice near enough, it's a good confidence booster to put them all in the kill zone. As they say, "Practice makes perfect."

Some video and pics:

The Other Whitetail Hunters

2009-09-14T19:50:00.001-04:00

Scientists may disagree with the notion that coyotes are killing the deer in our woods, but one thing is perfectly clear - there are lots of other whitetail hunters among us. From the frequent howls heard from the front porch to the almost daily shots taken from the trail cameras, the wiley coyote is on the upswing in the Southern Adirondacks and he is here to stay.

Here is a recent video:

Bears in the Blackberries

2009-08-31T07:22:00.000-04:00

As if we needed reminding that bears love blackberries even more than we do, I spent the day stepping over huge piles of berry-filled bear scat as I walked the trails at camp. Here is a great sequence of shots from the trail cam that shows a sow followed up a few seconds later by her football sized cub. Look close, the cub is just right of center. Most of the trail camera pics I get of bears are at night and these early morning shots will surely end up in the scrapbook.

The Year Without a Summer

2009-08-23T18:02:00.000-04:00

Meterologists predicted that 2009 would be a year "without a summer" and based on the heavy rain we have seen at Camp Mohawk Spirit I may have to agree. A trip up to camp today revealed that a torrential downpour had flooded the road as the culvert by the main gate was unable to handle the flow. Hopefully when the water receeds we won't need any major repairs. The good news is that all the rain has made for a great blackberry crop. The fruit is large and sweet and we started the harvest by picking enough for a couple of pies and batch of jam. The clover plots look good and the 1/2 acre of brassica I planted a few weeks ago has taken off and is already attracting the deer. A check of the trail cams showed a couple of doe family groups, several spikehorns and a decent black bear. Here are a few pics from the day:

Roger's Rock

2009-07-19T20:38:00.008-04:00

Hairbone’s birthday brought the clan to the north end of Lake George for an afternoon picnic and day on the lake at Roger’s Rock. Roger's Rangers were a colonial militia that fought for the British during the French and Indian War and were commanded by Major Robert Rogers. On March 13, 1758 the Rangers ambushed a French-Indian column and lost 125 men in this encounter with Robert Rogers originally reported by the French to have been killed. Legend has it that Robert Rogers’ evaded capture by sliding 400 feet down the side of a mountain to the frozen surface of Lake George. While there is no proof of this event, the rock face he supposedly went down has become known as Rogers Rock. We had a great day and even though the water was a little choppy, the kid’s caught a couple of fish. Here are some pics:

Here is a short video of a group of guy's who had rigged up an old school rope swing to keep cool. The rope was tethered at least 100 feet up a pine and they had build a jump platform another 12 feet in the air. Definately not for the faint of heart:

Fall Planting

2009-07-19T08:54:00.003-04:00

Got a jump start on the fall plantings by putting in 1/2 acre of forage brassica this weekend. This year I went with a seed mix from Evolved Habitats called shot plot. This mix of new Zealand rape and turnip has performed well for us in the past and should be the perfect compliment to the clover I have planted in the far end of this plot.

Since our tractor needs some welding on the 3 point, I went at it with Hairbone's 14' garden rototiller. Talk about cleaning a bathroom with a toothbrush. Three and a half hours later I applied fertilizer and dragged it smooth. The soil test showed that this plot has retained a 7.1 pH since the last major liming, so 130 lbs. of 10-10-10 was all she needed. With a little help from mother nature, we should be in good shape come hunting season.

Blue Mountain Fire Tower

2009-07-02T18:53:00.003-04:00

This week we followed in the foot steps of Verplanck Colvin, an early Adirondack surveyor, and climbed to the summit of Blue Mountain to visit the fire tower. The difficult two mile hike climbs 1350 feet in elevation, but the views and special collection of Adirondack ecosystems made for a very worthwhile effort. The 35 foot fire tower was built in 1917, in response to forest fires in the early 1900s caused by the sparks of railroad locomotives and the massive amounts of slash left by logging. Even with a cloudy sky, the view from the tower revealed Whiteface and Marcy to the north and lake Durant to the south. Here are a few pics:

The "Halibut Whisperer"

2009-06-29T20:19:00.005-04:00

This past weekend I joined Hairbone on a two day offshore fishing trip out of Glouster, Mass. When I was shown my cramped bunk below decks I was a little concerned about the prospects for this adeventure, but in the end we caught alot of fish and had a great time.

Here are some pics from the trip:

During one drop Harry hooked up on one that took drag and felt really big. When he called to the deck that he was hauling on a halibut the crew came a running given what a prize it would be for the boat. In the end when the fish turned out to be a foul hooked 20 lb class cod, Hairbone was given his new nickname by the crew - the "Halibut Whisperer." Here is the video:

Camp Chores

2009-06-13T20:00:00.008-04:00

Spent the day at camp catching up on chores and ended up mowing the lawn, some clover and sprayed grasses and weeds with Round-Up. Checked the main plot and the Round-Up application from two weeks ago was a major success as it burned everything to the ground, including the invasive broadleaf plantain that I am trying to eradicate. Deer sign is abundant and the blackberry bushes are in full bloom revealing a sea of white flowers as far as the eye can see. I will be looking for volunteers to pick berries come the first week of August. Should be a banner crop. Look closely and you will see a newborn fawn at the foot of this mature doe:

Here is some video of me cutting the clover at the Firetower. The knee high clover is so lush and tender that deer are hitting it very hard:

Trolling for Lakers and Landlocked Salmon

2009-05-31T16:50:00.004-04:00

With the exception of a break-in that cost us an old .22 and a hunting knife, things have been quiet at camp. Last weekend I began to prep the fall plots and its clear that there are plenty of deer around. This weekend, Haribone and I took his new boat up to Schroon Lake to troll for lake trout and landlocked salmon. The boat was trimmed out and equiped for the job, but alas the fish were not biting. We did land a smallmouth when we went in close to escape the gusting wind. Here is a video from the day:

StriperPalooza 2009

2009-05-16T13:07:00.010-04:00

This Saturday was spent searching the Hudson River for Morone saxatilis, better known as the striped bass. Striped bass are native to the Atlantic coastline and travel each spring up the Hudson to spawn. In New York a keeper has to be 18 inches, but they can grow to more than 48 inches and weigh over 50 pounds. Hairbone, Hairbone Jr. and I launched the boat at Corning Preserve in Albany at 4:45 am and by the time we were underway there were 10 other boats full of fisherman behind us in line. The first stop was a couple miles up river to Troy to fill the live well with herring for bait and then we turned our attention to stripers. Fishing was slow, but we were able to pull up a couple of "shorts" to say we caught some. One of our best would set a new record for one of the smallest fish ever landed from this famous fishery. Fresh mozzarella and our homemade venison bologna seemed like a gourmet treat out there on the river.

Here are a couple of pics and a short video from the day:

The chip off the old Hairbone

I think I see something!

USS Slater

Downtown Albany from the river

Spring Turkey Season Opens

2009-05-02T20:15:00.005-04:00

Friday brought the opening day of the month long spring turkey season. The trail camera shows a couple of nice toms working the clover. Just maybe I can figure out how to put one of them in the freezer.

Spring Bears

2009-05-02T20:09:00.003-04:00

What a suprise to check the trail cam after a two week "soak" to find 856 pictures and two very nice bears for our part of the 'dacks. The extra Infrared illuminator that Pat bought me really improves the quality of the nightime shots. Here are a couple of samples of the 40 plus bear shots I got:

After the Harvest

2009-04-26T09:32:00.004-04:00

It took some time, but we finally got out the grinder and took care of last season's venison. Inspired by our buddy Badger, we kicked it up a notch and made bologna and pepperoni in addition to our usual mix of italian sausage. I am very impressed with the taste of the bologna and will double the amount in the future. It total we made 10 lbs of bologna, 4 pounds of pepperoni, 15 lbs of sweet italian and 15 lbs of hot italian. Not bad for evenings work.

Deadliest Catch 2009

2009-04-20T14:50:00.011-04:00

Thursday I fished in "Battle of the six packs" in sporty seas out of Seabrook, New Hampshire. 18 of us had 3 six pack boats chartered and it turned into being a lopsided competition wheras Team Melanie Jean skippered by Captain Ralph took top honors. I took the haddock pool with a fat 10 pounder and my friend bill brought in a 16 pound cod for the boat pool. We had 143 haddock & 53 cod by 1:30 when we called it quits. We caught more fish than the other 2 six packs and even the two large party boats outs that day combined. We left port in 7 to 10' seas, and in a down east lobster style boat it was like I was on the Berring Sea...... The fishing this year has been the best I have ever seen in the Gulf of Maine!

Friday found us all on a charter with our Friend Captain Phil Eastman. The fishing slowed down to the point he did the unthinkable at 1pm and steered us 8 miles to the famed Redfish grounds. I was lock & load fishing for the next 2 hours until we called it quits. The redfish is the most despised fish for any mate on a party boat to clean.

Poetry in Motion

2009-04-19T17:46:00.002-04:00

Took some time out to run the tractor over to camp and found some great action shots waiting for me on the trail camera. The first two shots of deer caught mid air are poetry in motion. I also included a picture of the first buck of the year caught on the trail cam, one of two coyote pics and a shot of four deer cleaning up the last of the turnips in the food plot:

Cod/Haddock Slam

2009-04-11T12:55:00.003-04:00

Joined Hairbone for a day of fishing for Cod and Haddock on Stellwagen Bank and had a great time. We went out with Captain Joe D'Orsi's Fish Tales http://www.bostonfishtales.com/home1.html and limited out on Cod by 10:15 and then filled the boat with Haddock. Service was top notch and our mate Mike was still cleaning fish as we hit port. You could not ask for a better day fishing. Here are a couple of pics:

Early Spring

2009-03-29T10:23:00.004-04:00

The warm spring air has helped melt most of the snow blanketing the ground at Camp Mohawk Spirit, but it will be another week or so before we can drive to the front gate. A quick hike in showed that the camp wintered well and everything is as we had left it at the end of deer season. I was able to put a trail camera out to see who migrates home after a long winter in the valley. The creek next to the cabin is swelled and we got some great video:

Here are a couple of other pics:

Lincoln's Day Check Up

2009-02-12T17:46:00.002-05:00

I celebrated Lincoln's birthday by strapping on the snowshoes and hiking into camp for the afternoon. The National Weather Service(http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/nerfc/graphics/snowmaps/html/snow_depth.html) puts the current depth at 15-20 inches. Not a deer track in sight, but the predators were obviously on the prowl for food. The weather was a pleasant high 30's, but the light snow that started falling on the hike out reminded me that spring was still many weeks away.

Here are a couple of pics from the day:

Yes, There is a Santa Claus

2008-12-25T12:16:00.005-05:00

My youngest daughter has been struggling with her belief in Santa Claus and when she came up with the idea of hiding one of my trail cameras by the fireplace to get proof positive of his existence, I was happy to oblige. Here is the result:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Till Next Season

2008-12-14T18:04:00.009-05:00

While 200,000 homes and businesses across the region struggled to deal with the aftermath of a massive ice storm, things were warm and cozy up in the "Fire Tower" on Saturday morning. The last watch of 2008 was quiet and uneventful, but it was great to make the walk into camp and enjoy the woods one last time before the deep snows of winter keep us away. Looking back the 2008 season flew by and it seems that it only opened yesterday. Over the course of 8 weeks we spent quality time in the outdoors, made new friends, and shared many great memories. The 2008 season is officially over, but we are already making plans for this spring and look forward to another great hunting season at Camp Mohawk Spirit in 2009.

Regular Season Wrap-Up

2008-12-07T18:34:00.005-05:00

Four inches of fresh snow and a visit from the gang made for an awesome wrap-up to the regular season. We saw lots of does and had alot of fun. It was great to have a couple of youngsters in camp and I hope that Hairbone and Ed bring their sons again. A check of the trail cameras confirms that we have several bucks working the property, including many during shooting hours. With a week left with the smoke pole, hopes are high that one of our big boys swings through and we connect.

After the Feast

2008-11-30T21:01:00.005-05:00

We had a great time with the family up at camp for Thanksgiving. Lots of laughs, great food, and we found a beautiful Christmas tree on the ridge behind the cabin. The snow on the ground shows that there are lots of deer in the food plots, but all that I saw were does. Luckily the trail camera does not lie and we have proof positive that there are several nice bucks still running around. Hopes are high for the final two weekends of the season.

Here are a few pics:

Here is a big bobcat track that Hairbone spotted on the way out. We used a quarter for scale:

One for the Record Books

2008-11-16T20:53:00.004-05:00

Went south to Camp Badger for opening weekend of southern zone and despite the heavy rain we had a fantastic time.

The boys knocked down three bucks and a coyote. Badger's son shot a buck that is on the "next level" and not common for these hills. A hot doe brought the buck by the stand late in the afternoon and in total he had 11 points, tremendous mass and is almost 24 inches wide. Long tines and gnarly bases as thick as your wrist make him one of the finest bucks I have ever seen.

In addition to the great hunting action, we were pleased to meet Badger's regulars and make many new friends. If anyone needs a great camp cook, Tim is your guy. The Venison Parmesan was a new one for me and a recipe that is going into the rotation at Mohawk Spirit.

Camaraderie with friends, new and old, and the hospitality extended to a couple of Adirondack stump sitters made this southern opener very memorable and one for the record books.

Rut Time!

2008-11-09T16:09:00.006-05:00

Had a short weekend, but it was fun to have Hairbone's son in camp. Starting to see rubs and scrapes and got some spectacular video on the trail cams. Take a look:

Buck Battle - Turn up the volume and enjoy this encounter just to the right of the camera:

Here is a clip of a buck chasing a doe. She's obviously not in the mood yet. Love the grunting just before he crosses the screen:

Couple of basket racks - First I have seen these boys:

So Much for Melvin Lardy

2008-10-29T21:25:00.006-04:00

The Discovery channel, which brought us cutting edge reality television with shows like Deadliest Catch, has done it again with their new series Dozer Man. Follow the antics of a merry group of mountain men who are desperate for a piece of bottom land. Even Melvin Lardy from Ax Men has nothing on the Hairbone. Here is the trailer for the new series:

Shirt Tails in the Southern Zone

2008-10-26T16:56:00.007-04:00

Took some time off from the big woods to head down to the southern zone to bowhunt for a few days. I had a great time at Camp Badger and look forward to my return. Here is my video diary:

2008 Muzzy Weekend

2008-10-13T20:40:00.013-04:00

The Northern Zone muzzleloader season opened on Saturday with daytime temps nearing 70 and trees full of leaves to keep the deer hidden. Justin had a couple of does pushed right under the stand, but he was slow on the trigger. One thing for sure is that the woods are filled with a banner black-cherry crop that the deer (and bears) have been filling up on in the safety of thick cover. A quick check of the old homestead on the State land revealed that even the old crabapple trees are producing.

A long hike west of the cabin put me into a new beaver meadow and hemlock island that I spotted on an aerial photo. Deer sign was scarce, but it was great to see some new country.

Lastly, the trail camera produced a great chase scene. Its hard to make out in the low infra-red light, but you can see the doe keeping the would be suitor at bay. There were four 30 second clips in the sequence. Here are the best two:

Odds and Ends

2008-10-05T15:49:00.007-04:00

Hairbone and I spent the weekend making final preparations for the opener of Muzzleloader season next Saturday. We put ladder stands in several new spots and burned some shoe leather scouting. I took a stand with my bow on Saturday afternoon, but my hopes faded when the neighbors decided to cause a ruckus. Browse is everywhere and beechnuts are hitting the ground so trail camera shots from over the food plots are scarce.

Lastly, here's some video of Hairbone sighting in the 7 Mag. Is it any wonder why deer quake at the mention of his name?

Adirondack Smoke Pole Challenge

2008-10-01T11:13:00.008-04:00

It's almost that time of year again to breakout the smoke pole and try to keep the powder dry. In my everlasting challenge to down a whitetail with my muzzleloader the question remains: Will Hairbone finally close the deal? Time and time again it has been the ultimate challenge of my bullet hitting its mark or leaving the barrel on a full load of steam…..

Speaking of closing the deal, look at the advice coming in from across the country:

“Hairbone, it’s just as simple as this….throw away that darn MDM muzzleloader and git yourself a real gun like the TC Encore. Add a goatee and you are sure to put the smakdown on one of those big nastys.” - Michael Waddell

“Hairbone, you have to use my Shockey's Gold American Pioneer powder. No GUFF! I have enough faith in my powder to trust my life on it.” - Jim Shockey

"Hairbone, Listen to your uncle Ted. If you feel the spirit of the wild when you put flash to the pan, back straps will be hanging on the meat pole.” - Ted Nugent

Wow, with advice like that we will have to see what happens so stay tuned! -HB

Hunt the Sign

2008-09-30T20:07:00.003-04:00

Bear hunting in the Adirondacks is a challenge that takes long hours of scouting and lots of luck to be successful. Last week, when I hung a treestand on the edge of our hemlock swamp, the sign had me feeling that the trail camera might reveal a bear.

This series of pics shows a curious bear at 11:00 am investigating the funny little camo box in the woods:

Fall is in the Air

2008-09-21T19:01:00.008-04:00

Fall is in the air, but it seems as though the change of season is a little behind last year. We had our first frost and the leaves are just starting to change. Deer are just starting to really hit the food plots and there is bear sign everywhere. A new buck caught on a trail cam is still in velvet. This weekend we did some stand repairs and hung a couple off the beaten path. Looking foward to the opening of early archery season next Saturday. Here are some pics:

Fall Plots are Looking Good

2008-09-14T21:26:00.010-04:00

The fall annuals have germinated and are looking good. Here are some pics:

Quaker Boy 15 Plus Mix - Several types of clover, millet, turnips, etc

Winter Rye

Shot Plot Brassicas

Imperial Whitetail Clover

Time for Pie

2008-08-25T21:52:00.003-04:00

There is an abundance of blackberries this year and in about 3 hours we picked over 10 quarts. The first pies tasted great.

New Plot Critters

2008-08-25T21:26:00.009-04:00

A few new critters working the food plots this week. A knarly spike, more fawns and a daytime coyote:

Food Plot Update

2008-08-10T19:56:00.008-04:00

Going into late summer the food plots are looking great. The clover has been cut for the final time and the brassicas have been planted. We are just waiting on the winter rye to be harvested and available in the feed store to complete our work.

Here are some pics and video:

Mohawk Spirit Fire Tower

2008-08-10T18:38:00.005-04:00

Our recent hike up Kane Mountain served as the perfect inspiration for the name of our new shooting house. It will be known as the "Fire Tower"

Kane Mountain Fire Tower

2008-08-10T15:59:00.002-04:00

Kane Mountain and it's firetower is without a doubt one of the most popular hikes for those visiting the Southern Adirondacks. The Kane Mountain fire tower was built in 1925 and was the only one built in Fulton County. Today, the Kane Mountain tower is in excellent shape due to the restoration efforts of DEC and the Canada Lake Protective Association. Views include the Canada Lakes region, Peck Lake, Caroga Lake and many others.

Work Weekend

2008-08-03T20:32:00.006-04:00

A little rain and bed wetting did not stop us from having a great work weekend. We put up enough firewood to last several hunting seasons and made progress on what will be the ultimate deer stand. Hairbone's fish fry was outstanding. Thanks to everyone for helping out and adding to the great time.

Cold Water

2008-08-03T18:32:00.009-04:00

Pat went to visit his old friend in a secluded area of the Adirondack Mountains. After chatting all night, Pat's friend made a breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast. However, Pat noticed a film on his plate, and questioned, "Are these plates clean?" His old friend replied, "They're as clean as cold water can get them. Just finish your meal!"

For lunch Pat worried that the plates had dried egg and asked, "Are you sure these plates are clean?" The olf friend said, "I told you those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them. Now I don't want to hear any more about it!"

Later that afternoon, as Pat was leaving, his friend’s dog started to growl, not letting him pass. Pat yelled, "Your dog won't let me get to my car." The old friend shouted, "Coldwater, go lie down!"

Clean-Up Begins

2008-07-26T20:17:00.011-04:00

Today we started the process of cleaning up after a major storm that put trees down around the property. A long day reslulted in some cleared roads and a mowed clover plot. Thanks to Pete for helping out.

A good mix of wildlife on the trail cameras this week. A bear, turkeys, and our first fawn sighting:

What are the Odds?

2008-07-19T22:40:00.007-04:00

After spending a couple of weeks away to tend to family and work commitments, I was disappointed to find that a severe storm had taken quite a few trees down. Even more discouraging was that the storm took out a tree that one of my trail cameras was hung on.

According to the U.S. National Weather Service, the odds of being struck by lightning -- in your lifetime -- are 1 in 5,000. The odds of being struck in any given year: 1 in 700,000. I can only imagine what the odds are of loosing your trail camera tree.

Take a look at this video after tree fell:

Where are the Bucks?

2008-07-06T16:56:00.007-04:00

We are getting lots of does on the trail cameras, but it seems as if the bucks are hiding out. I am happy to see some daytime activity in the clover. Here are a couple of fun videos. (Don't forget to turn up the volume)

Doe chasing her fawn:

Something Smells Funny:

Double Take:

Food Plot Update

2008-06-29T17:27:00.007-04:00

After a couple of weekends of hard work we finally got the expanded plot at the Wilson Stand done. With 1.3 tons of hand spread lime and a good soaking rain Saturday night we are off to a good start. Here are a couple of pics from the tree the new shooting house is going in:

On Sunday we spent some time working on Blind #1 and I am very happy with how the clover/chicory trails leading to the stand have faired this year. Here is Hairbone up to his ears in Winter Rye and a doe I caught having a late morning snack on the walk out.

"... From My Cold Dead Hands!"

2008-06-26T12:29:00.004-04:00

Supreme Court Upholds Individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms

I just saw this article and the importance of the NRA in this country have given us more time to enjoy the shooting sports. Lets hope the Supreme Court does not make a ruling on the Second Amendment for another 69 years. That being said, just think of the outcome if Al Gore had been elected President and had put a justice on the bench? - Hairbone

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,372041,00.html

Taking the Trail Camera to a Whole New Level

2008-06-21T13:27:00.009-04:00

It's hard to explain how much I enjoy documenting the deer and other wildlife at camp with my trail cameras. From deer locking horns to big bruins crossing during the day, I have gotten some great shots. When I saw the new Leaf River model that records both color daytime and infrared night-time video with sound I knew I had to give it a try. Right away I see the advantages of Infra-red technology and am pleased with my first video clips. Stay tuned as we take the trail camera to a whole new level. These are a few of my first attempts of video with the camera:

Food Plot Pests

2008-06-02T20:56:00.003-04:00

Found a sap sucker when I pushed over an old stump on Sunday and decided to try out one of the new implements. Check out the video! HB

"The Best-Laid Plans of Mice and Men Often Go Awry"

2008-05-27T21:21:00.004-04:00

First Sprouts of Spring

2008-05-27T21:09:00.005-04:00

Well the bucks are recovering well from a tough winter and starting to show us the first sprouts of spring. Here are a couple of recent pics:

Grubbin' Out a Plot

2008-05-18T17:14:00.005-04:00

Grubbed out a few new food plots this weekend between the rain drops. This is a picture of a new secluded 1/4 acre below the famous Cossayuna Stand. With a ton of lime and a little bit of luck we should have one heck of a honey hole come November.

The bulldozer broke down twice this weekend. Busted a radiator fitting and then broke the oil filter. Both were an easy fix and thanks to Jim for having everything we needed to fix the radiator at his place.

In total we broke ground on over 1 acre of new food plots. Here are is some video and more pics from this weekends action:

Return of the Hairbone Express

2008-05-15T10:10:00.003-04:00

The Hairbone Express has made its return voyage to once again chop out some new food plots. Pulled into camp last night with just enough time to unload and walk the loop around the property to see how things are growing. I checked the clover and the tracks tell me we have a lot of visitors. 3x will be happy when he pulls the trail camera card this week. HB

Spring Plot Maintenance

2008-05-06T21:23:00.007-04:00

Hairbone and I spent a few hours working on our food plots this past weekend. We fertilized the clover, plowed under the winter rye and planted some buckwheat to build up the soil. Here is some video:

Bear vs. Trail Camera

2008-04-26T22:30:00.004-04:00

Last week I noticed bear tracks around the main clover plot and had a feeling I would get one on the trail camera. The first shot shows him walking by the camera and the next shot is of the camera sailing to the ground. I guess he didn't care to much for the flash. He bit right through the strap holding the camera to the tree.

Here is the first picture:

Here is the next one minute later:

Luckily the cable I had locking the camera to the tree broke the fall. Before the bear knocked out the camera we had taken over 200 pictures of deer. Not bad for 5 days.

Fishing Trip

2008-04-21T07:58:00.003-04:00

Went on a charter boat on the Eastmans Fleet in New Hampshire Friday. Had a real blast! The fish pictured from left to right are a cusk, cod, pollock & haddock. The fishing was fair do to the big ocean swell caused from the full moon but I caught my fair share. We are having a fish fry at camp in a few weeks. Pat was there for the last one and we ate so much you couldn't move afterwards.

I drove home friday after the trip and loaded up the tractor and headed to camp the next morning. Slave labor has officially begun for the season. Lots of deer returning to the area after winter and we are expanding the plots to the next level. We are starting off the season with a good base of clover and the PH is perfect in all of the areas we put the lime down in last year. HB

Breaking Ground

2008-04-20T18:25:00.004-04:00

Hairbone and I spent the weekend breaking ground on a couple of new plots. We were very pleased by the new tractor and it did a good job knocking down the blackberry bushes. Here it is in action:

Here are a few other pics from the weekend:

New Coffee Table Book

2008-04-12T08:28:00.004-04:00

Author Dan Ladd hits a homerun with his new book "Deer Hunting in the Adirondacks." This self-published tribute to deer hunting in New York's Adirondack Park serves as a guide to the amenities and resources found in the big woods. In his writing the author demonstrates his passion for the heritage and history of hunting and showcases the techniques and tools used by backwoods hunters to get their bucks. An autographed copy will grace our camp coffee table and here's the link to order your own: http://www.adkhunter.com/Adirondack%20Deer%20Hunting%20Book.html

New Camp Ride

2008-03-30T19:59:00.002-04:00

3X and I went and picked up the new camp tractor up on Saturday. Just needs an oil change and a few minor things and it will be ready to go. Brought home the 4' brush hog so we can get that clover tasting sweet for the deer. I have been working on a few bulldozer modifications and some new paint. Hoping the weather breaks soon. HB

End of Winter is Near

2008-03-24T21:15:00.004-04:00

You wouldn't know it from the foot of snow still on the ground, but the end of winter is near. The streams are flowing, the days are getting longer and surely the snow will melt soon.

The Binford 5000 Burger Press...

2008-03-22T21:20:00.006-04:00

With the Binford 5000 Burger Press you can have perfectly formed 4-1/2" diameter venison patties as fast as you can grind the meat. When it was all said and done, you would have thought that there had been a chainsaw massacre.

A Deer Hunting Legend

2008-03-08T17:30:00.004-05:00

The New York Whitetail Classic has become an annual stop for deer hunters across the Northeast looking to escape the "cabin fever" of winter. This year's show featured Maine Master Guide Hal Blood and the Adirondack "Horn Hunters." What an honor that we had the opportunity to meet and spend a few minutes with the legendary Larry Benoit. When you sit down with Larry you instantly realize that his passion for deer hunting and the great outdoors burns as strongly in him now at 83 years old, as it did 76 years ago when he shot his first buck. When you speak to Larry you feel like you have known him your whole life and you take in every word as he speaks of his sons and the deep respect he has for the sport of deer hunting. Long live Larry Benoit, a deer hunting legend.

Viking Starship Montauk NY 2-9-2008

2008-02-20T18:07:00.004-05:00

Had a good time on this deep sea fishing trip. Met Marty "Poore Ray's Twin" and this guy Bernard from South Brazil on the ship. They were a hoot to hang out with.

Justin Gets the Girl

2008-01-27T21:50:00.001-05:00

Well Justin didn't get his buck, but he got a great girl. Justin and Jen were married today on board the Crown Princess as it sailed from San Juan to Barbados. This photo compliments of the live "Wedding Cam." Stay tuned for some additional shots from the "Wedding Night Cam" as soon as available!

Muzzy Weekend Highlight Video

2007-12-30T16:11:00.000-05:00

Thought you guys might enjoy this clip. Denise put on such a good lunch...and of course there had to be an aftermath. HB

Backyard 8 Pointer

2007-12-25T19:13:00.001-05:00

J-Bone has been testing a new trail camera behind his house in Northville. After a couple of weeks filming does, this great 8 pointer made a visit. You got to love those Adirondack Bucks!