Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[sean donato]

Took a small respite from hunting and ran into town for some lunch. Walking out an old guy was dragging a little doe, and struggling quite a bit. Stopped and offered to drag it the rest of the way, old guy said "thanks, but if I can't do this then it's time for me to stop hunting." I was going to argue with him, (still had at least a 1/4 mile to the closest parking area.) But decided against it. Asked him if he was out with anyone else, and he said nope, none of his kids like hunting, just him and once he's done he may as well sell off all his guns and hunting stuff. Really made me feel bad for him.
I asked the old man if he was sure he didn't want me to drag it to his truck? And he said nope, I'm good, thank you. I made it back to the truck, out to town and back. the old guy showed up just as I was finished eating my Arby's. (I know, I know...) I hopped out said. At least let me help you get it in your truck. He didn't argue one but with me. Chatted with him a bit more and he left. I really enjoy hunting with my dad and brothers, I can't imagine how it would be to live to do something and just get too old to do it. Hopefully my kids like to hunt. I'd be miserable if I had to hunt by myself all the time.

 

[BeatCJ]

I stopped hunting when I didn't have anyone that wanted to go with me. Then got a stepson that wanted to hunt, so I took it up again. And now he's 26 and is overwhelmed by work. He hunts on weekends, though. I have a 13 year old granddaughter that enjoys it. She's really busy, so I don't know how that's going to work out, long term. I do have a buddy to hunt with, but he's having back problems, says he's not sure how much longer he's going to hunt. He's 15 years younger than I am...

 

[EchovsStihl63]

I stopped hunting when I didn't have anyone that wanted to go with me. Then got a stepson that wanted to hunt, so I took it up again. And now he's 26 and is overwhelmed by work. He hunts on weekends, though. I have a 13 year old granddaughter that enjoys it. She's really busy, so I don't know how that's going to work out, long term. I do have a buddy to hunt with, but he's having back problems, says he's not sure how much longer he's going to hunt. He's 15 years younger than I am...

Don't feel bad, I have not shot anything since I was 20 and still living at home. Adult life is mean to your hobbies sometimes when you've got large goals to focus on. I turned 30 this year and thought surely that I would take time to snag a deer to put in the freezer, but still have not had time to dedicate to it. Been getting the house ready for the little one to arrive and in the middle of all of that I recently lost power to my shop because something got in the old fuse panel, built a nest and shorted it out, so I had to start over with a new panel, which still is not done. Seems like there is always something like that that pops up this time of year to keep me away.

 

[sean donato]

Don't feel bad, I have not shot anything since I was 20 and still living at home. Adult life is mean to your hobbies sometimes when you've got large goals to focus on. I turned 30 this year and thought surely that I would take time to snag a deer to put in the freezer, but still have not had time to dedicate to it. Been getting the house ready for the little one to arrive and in the middle of all of that I recently lost power to my shop because something got in the old fuse panel, built a nest and shorted it out, so I had to start over with a new panel, which still is not done. Seems like there is always something like that that pops up this time of year to keep me away.

I hear that, I should be at home finishing the shop, or one of another 100000000 things I need to get done, but at the end of the day if I don't set aside time to hunt, I'd never hunt. Didn't really hunt for several years because I was too busy. Just as busy this year, but I took off so I'm out in the woods..... where the deer apparently arnt (again) today.

 

[sean donato]

Here's my view and the rock pile I'm sitting on top of. This is the first "claw" of turkey hollow. I usually sit up at the foot, about 1/2 mile away, but my older brother wanted to sit over there today. All good. Wish the evening crowd would show up and push some deer around, I'm bored beyond belief.

 

[farmer steve]

Deer were hiding here today also. Figured I might as well make some money. Split some HVBW for my 80 year old Pyro lady.

 

[BeatCJ]

Don't feel bad, I have not shot anything since I was 20 and still living at home. Adult life is mean to your hobbies sometimes when you've got large goals to focus on. I turned 30 this year and thought surely that I would take time to snag a deer to put in the freezer, but still have not had time to dedicate to it. Been getting the house ready for the little one to arrive and in the middle of all of that I recently lost power to my shop because something got in the old fuse panel, built a nest and shorted it out, so I had to start over with a new panel, which still is not done. Seems like there is always something like that that pops up this time of year to keep me away.

I don't feel bad at all. I'll be 63 in a couple of weeks, and plan on finding someone to go with me for another 20 years. It's just that life is always changing. I've taken 2 bucks in the last 10 years, both are bigger than any of the others the guys I hunt with. I have carried a lot of deer. It's a matter of setting the bar. All I care about is enjoying the time out there.

 

[Marley5]

Always loved this time year, deer hunting and wood cutting.
Killed my deer the 1st week over a mile hike from the cabin into national Forest.
Estimated weight 170lbs
I'm to old to drag it that far so quartered it up.

 

[MustangMike]

Here's my view and the rock pile I'm sitting on top of. This is the first "claw" of turkey hollow. I usually sit up at the foot, about 1/2 mile away, but my older brother wanted to sit over there today. All good. Wish the evening crowd would show up and push some deer around, I'm bored beyond belief.

I hear you. I have been to my local spot in Brewster 6 times now (including today) and have not seen a thing! Very Frustrating!

Last year, I got the big doe there and saw deer more than half the times I was there (often 3 - 5). I see sign, and the owner shows my nice Buck pictures (all at night), but have not seen anything in the daylight, and the hunting season is going by fast!

 

[JimR]

I went out this morning and again this afternoon just to sit around because no deer showed up. They always come by in the afternoon. Somebody must have pushed them out of their daily schedule today. I didn't hear any shots today at all. For opening day that is really weird.

 

[benz66]

Ok scroungers, I'm looking for ideas for a simple wood shed. If you've built something, I'd love to see how you store your firewood.

 

[MechanicMatt]

Well, in the past when the kids were small, sometimes I’d only get out a handful of times. Now that they’re older, I get out more often. My wife is very understanding about it. I tell her, “you know the guy you married”. I’m blessed to have 3 spots that are close that I can use rifle. Very blessed that I can go out back and use my bow and xbow. As long as I do the stuff she asks, she doesn’t mind me hunting. Got my tree up (she wants item)

Find the balance and she lets me hunt. I don’t mind going alone, but definitely love going with someone and them getting one….
I have taken 4 deer this year so far. North Carolina Buck, Archery Buck and two rifle Doe. The rifle Buck is eluding me….

Then, muzzleloader starts!!! I get excited for that one as I’ve only taken a doe in muzzleloader and want to get a Buck with one!! Santa even brought me a more modern muzzleloader with a scope last Christmas

 

[benz66]

Sorry the prior post was a "negligent discharge." I meant to click but it double clicked and sent it on the way.

This storage is made out of 2x6-12 with 14s for the roof purlins. The roof is 8 x 14. I bought 4 4x4s for the corner posts, and all the new lumber you see,, along with a bucket of screws. The roofing on the right side is an old steel shower, and some pieces of an old plastic shower enclosure. The left side is some corrugated plastic panels my F-i-l bought 50+ yers ago. The posts are set on concrete pads, and each corner has an earth anchor tie down. The inside stacking area is 12 x 6, and about 8-9' high. on the ends, there are 2 2x6x8 across, as you can see in the first picture. I also added a 2x6-12 front and back to keep the posts from spreading. before stacking a lot of wood in it, I added 5 2x4s vertically on each end, screwed to the horizontal 2x6. These are to retain the firewood at each end. I also added a 2x4 diagonal brace at each end.

The pads and tiedown make it a "portable building" that is not taxed. I'd rather have stuck the posts in the ground.

The cement blocks on the bottom are from a basement that was torn out. (free for the scrounging) I had intended to use pallets to keep the firewood off the ground, but these are more durable.

It cost me about $400 with a bucket of screws, or around $300 without fasteners. If you have a nailer and compressor, that would be cheaper. It took maybe $30-35 worth of screws. The 8' 2x6s, the 2x4s and the braces for the roof were all on hand.

It is not a scrounged building, but a combination of some new structural stuff, and whatever I had on hand. It endured the first winter just fine, with very strong winds. I holds roughly 4.5 cords. I cut 24" for storage. One stove will eat these, The lesser used stove likes 12-16" so I figured I'd just whack some of these if needed. I have 16" stored elsewhere also.

 

[FXJenkins]

I stopped hunting when I didn't have anyone that wanted to go with me. Then got a stepson that wanted to hunt, so I took it up again. And now he's 26 and is overwhelmed by work. He hunts on weekends, though. I have a 13 year old granddaughter that enjoys it. She's really busy, so I don't know how that's going to work out, long term. I do have a buddy to hunt with, but he's having back problems, says he's not sure how much longer he's going to hunt. He's 15 years younger than I am...

Cats in the cradle with a silver spoon. Carpe diem!

 

[svk]

Morning everyone.

Winter arrived with a vengeance. Was below zero on Saturday.

The lakes froze up over the weekend, close to one of the latest ice-in ever. For reference, we froze about 4 days later than last year.

 

[djg james]

Some of you have installed one of those 220v electric garage heaters from the ceiling. BIL (the good on -lol) bought a 7500W unit from Menards for his 2 car garage. The 5000W unit would be easier, but he wasn't sure 5000W would be enough.

So for the 7500W version, #8 wire and 40A(50A) circuit is required. I found a 3-pronged 50A receptacle, but am having trouble finding a #8 3-conductor appliance cord.

Any of you install a 7500W unit? Would 5000W be sufficient?

 

[FXJenkins]

View attachment 1223664

I think your dog is an angel....

 

[farmer steve]

Called in a small rack buck to within 10 yards on my hard left in thick brush. Never saw him till he was right there. Being a lefty couldn't get the gun around. Apparently he didn't get the memo to come out in the shooting lane. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[svk]

 

[GrizG]

Called in a small rack buck to within 10 yards on my hard left in thick brush. Never saw him till he was right there. Being a lefty couldn't get the gun around. Apparently he didn't get the memo to come out in the shooting lane. Maybe tomorrow.

I used to carry a .44 mag revolver and my rifle for those situations… I shot one buck with a revolver and it was while still hunting—found him in his bed. I stopped carrying both guns as it wasn’t worth the weight! I do stick an air weight S&W .38 in my pocket — that’s for biped sphincters if things go sideways while my rifle isn’t loaded (gutting, dragging, in and out of the woods). The property I hunt is now posted so that problem seems to be gone… There is a history of encounters—hunter harassment, trespassers stealing trees, and other stupid stuff.

BTW, the managing trustee for the property found out who the trespasser is. A friend of a friend of the owner. The trustee dealt with it.