Parker

+1 on the 1x4 variable or even a fixed low-power scope.

They do have a great sense of smell, matched by a great pair of eyes and a great pair of ears. I've spooked more from a distance that I didn't see because they usually saw me first. Because they are animals that both stalk prey and are opportunistic feeders, they locate game by all three senses.

Your hunter education card is good for life in NJ. If you have an old license, that is sufficient to allow you to procure a new hunting license. Hunting licenses (bow, general hunting, or all-around sportsman) are valid for a calendar year. Your hunter education card I'll assume is for shotgun only so you can buy a hunting license to take deer & turkey and other small game. Bow is separate. To hunt with a muzzleloading rifle you need to take the course for muzzleloader safety and then you can get your rifle permit. If you want to hunt deer & turkey, buy a 12 ga. shotgun with a pair of barrels so you can use both slugs for deer and birdshot for other game.

My five year countdown started this year. I've been looking at NH a lot. Yes, VT, ME & NH are starting to change, but it will take them awhile. Hopefully the cold will keep everyone away. NJ is about to teeter off the precipice it's balancing on, and when it does there is no coming back. I look forward to the day when I'm gone.

My condolences to you and your family on your great loss.

Some counties in NY are now making it mandatory you attend a handgun safety course, approved by the state, before issue of the permit. Westchester, Rockland and Putnam come to mind. Rockland and Putnum sheriff's conduct the course free of charge.

You can place the caller, wired or wireless, out from your stand. You can also use a decoy. When they say in the regs. "a predator calling device must be in possession while hunting," it means if you are afield you should have a call in your possession. Otherwise, you might be doing something else. (And this is during the special coyote & fox season only.) You don't need a call in your possession during 6-day deer season. The same logic holds if you are crow hunting. If you are afield after regular small game season ends with camo and headnet, shotgun with appropriate ammo, and tell a CO that you're crow hunting but you have no crow calls, you may be suspected of doing something else. Another example: If you are out at night hunting raccoon, you better have a .22 or shotgun with appropriate ammo, a spotlight, and a brace of coonhounds to appear legit.

You can go to one of those lodges and spend some hard-earned cash. You can be pampered if you choose or just use the lodge for food and rest, get a Gazetteer of the area and hunt on your own, almost like a DIY hunt. Been doing that for grouse & woodcock in Maine for years. Camps up north are good and cost is reasonable.Then you can afford that nice double.

I can't offer much schooling since I haven't been successful yet. If the proposed regs. get approved for 2014, you will be able to hunt coyote with a rifle in New Jersey. Trappers are the most successful in this state, followed by those who hunt at night. (You will be able to use #4 buckshot at night under the new proposed regs.) Deadshot Coyote loads in HeviShot size "T" are said to be lethal out to 50 yds. provided your shotgun patterns them tightly. My friends swear by this load. Reg. proposals - http://www.nj.gov/dep/rules/notices/20130415a.html Deer hunters are often accidentally successful during deer season since coyote will move with the additional hunters plodding about in the woods and they offer opportunity to undetected hunters sitting in their elevated treestand's. (I always saw coyote and fox during deer season, but always gave them a pass.) When I've hunted exclusively for them, I struggle. But, then that's why they call it hunting. You can use electronic callers in NJ. I've hunted for them specifically in NY with shotgun (#4 buckshot) and rifle. I've just started getting proficient using a rabbit in distress mouth call. I've never really focused on hunting them in New Jersey.

I remember the DDT clouds when the Hackensack Water Company came in and sprayed around the reservoir and swamps and woods along the Hackensack up my way when I was a kid.

Indeed.

For those who like fine shotguns, upland hunting, etc. http://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=18740&l=1

Reminds me of whether to pith or double-pith your frog at dissection time.

Hawk Bullets in Salem? http://www.hawkbullets.com/maintest.htm

Nice. All you need now is a new rear sight and slide for the ramp base.

When dispatching wild or domesticated rabbit, you hold them up by their ears so they are immobilized, strike down at the base of their skull for a quick kill. A sharp rap will separate the skull from the spine.

Beautiful, healthy looking animal.

Safe Act states 7 for magazines when carrying or hunting, with 10 acceptable at a range or competition shooting event. NYC is 5. Hence the popularity of the 5-round Ruger 10/22 magazine! http://www.midwayusa.com/product/119540/ruger-magazine-ruger-10-22-22-long-rifle-5-round-polymer-black

They were proposed, and F&W was looking for feedback, the deadline was June 13th for comments. I suspect we will hear something soon on these. http://www.nj.gov/dep/rules/notices/20130415a.html

Squirrels are pretty tough critters. The pellet gun would have to be a stout one. It will be interesting if they open up a rifle season for coyote.

I agree. Depending on the seasons based on zones and regulation sets, you can bowhunt for almost 6 months (Sept. - Feb.) in NJ, so there are plenty of opportunities. Finessing your way to understand the permits, zones, regulation sets and special permits is the tough part.

Looks like a fun month for the folks of British Columbia. At least we have buybacks here. http://bcgunamnesty.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=1555&languageId=1&contentId=-1

This guy definitely should get nominated for the Darwin award this year. https://www.nyspnews.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=31314

The article should be titled; "What not to do in New York when you are from New Jersey" or "Gratuitous plug for the SAFE Act in action." Some folks just invite trouble. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/NJ-man-found-with-guns-pot-on-Thruway-4607907.php NJ man found with guns, pot on Thruway By Matthew Hamilton Published 4:57 pm, Tuesday, June 18, 2013 COEYMANS — A New Jersey man was arrested Monday morning after he was found with a trio of guns — two of which were loaded — and marijuana, State Police said Tuesday. Gerald T. Hagan, 50, of Mahwah, N.J., was allegedly driving down the Thruway at more than 100 mph when police pulled him over at 8:03 a.m. An officer then found a Walther P22 handgun with a loaded 10-round magazine, a Glock model 19 handgun with a loaded 14-round magazine and an unloaded Bushmaster assault rifle, as well as approximately 30 grams of marijuana, police said. Under the state's new SAFE Act, magazines can have only seven rounds in them at a time unless at a firing range. Hagan was charged with felony second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of certain ammunition feeding devices and fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana, both misdemeanors. Police said Hagan was arraigned before Coeymans Town Justice Phil Crandall and sent to Albany County Jail without bail.

Based on your picture, your shell stop appears to be installed incorrectly. Make sure your gun is unloaded first - then: 1) Underscrew the single screw behind the trigger guard 2) With the gun upside down, pull up at the rear by the trigger guard loop and slide the assembly towards the butt once unseated 3) The shell stop has a round stud on its backside that fits in a corresponding round hole in the side of the frame 4) Seat the shell stop into that proper hole. I sometimes use a dab of grease to hold it in place when re-assembling since once the trigger group is removed, it simply falls out. 5) Now, remember how with the trigger group to remove, you had to pull up and slide rearward to remove? Now, with the shell stop in the right place nestled in the frame, slide the trigger group back into place and seat it back in place by pushing it in. The sidewall of the trigger assembly unit will hold the the tail of the shell stop in place. It is free to move as intended, pivoting on that stud. Remember: Don't force anything. Everything slides easily into place. PS - And yes, basic disassembly you can do wth your eyes closed. (That's why so many Model 12 frame edges are scratched by the slide handle arm!) Putting the bolt back in is the only tricky part.