Capt Vince Pierleoni

Jerry, I COULD tell a story in less than 3 cell calls if the guy on the other end(YOU), didn't live in a Lakefront home built like FORT KNOX!!!! If you had normal walls, instead of 3 ft of poured concrete, perhaps you could actually conduct a phone call without it cutting out! When you asked for pics I thought you were only joking about posting, but here it goes: Well, my priority the last few seasons has been to put my wheelchair confined brother in position for "fair chase" Bowshots on Whitetail. He had only been bowhunting a couple years when he tragically became a parapalegic. He can shoot a fly off an apple with his compound, but of course is limited to the ground, and getting to those blinds is often louder and tougher to control scent. With the help of some good friends, some old, some new, we are getting better and more efficient. He, like many of us, loves big antlers, but understands what hunting is all about. He has been invited to special "high fence" hunts, and although appreciates these, really considers the fair chase game to be "real" hunting. With the help of a good friend, we relocated a blind to the edge of a partially cut cornfield. Not completely sure what direction the deer would enter the field from, we hoped for the best. Meanwhile, I ended up in a portable in an open woods along a ditch about 100yds off a thicket, about 200 yds from Marks ground blind. Set up by 2pm on the 10th, it started like SO many, with sightings of PREDATORS. First, a huge coyotee. Then about 3pm, a red fox. With supposedly a NE wind, that actually was swirling all over, I was feeling good about my scent preventative measures with these keen-nosed critters moving around me. However, the swirling wind made me feel the blind set up could be doomed, as a NE wind would at least let him see the deer before hitting the stream. At 4pm, my fears were realized,as what I believe was a adul doe started blowing for all the world to hear. She was west of me, near the edge of the woods near grass and cornfield-where we felt they would most likely enter the field-and hopefully saunter over in front of his blind. Instead, what I think happened was she spotted the "new addition" to the landscape. She returned to the thicket. Another adult doe snuck back into woods and was cautiously circling around my position. As I followed her movement, I shifted my feet and the stand(which was wedged too tightly between 3 trees ) creaked. The doe bolted about 30yds, but settled down quickly and actually picked at some browse. At this point, with the woods on "high-alarm", and now my thoughtfully concealed stand creaking by rubbing adjacent trees, I felt no hope for the rest of the hunt. About 10 mins behind the doe came the buck. By no means a trophy by todays standards, but by far the best deer I've seen this season from a set. He hung up for about 10 mins behind me at about 30yds, no shot possible because of the 3 treed set. He apparently was more cautious because of the blowing earlier, and I thought the swirling wind or the new "creakster" stand would end it all. If the wind stayed NE, and he tried to go around me like the doe, I should get a shot, I was thinking. Unless of course, the stand F%@ed me. He then of course made his move to the more difficult side to shoot, down wind and to my right. My safety belt helped me get out away from the trees, out on the edge of the platform and take the 25yd fast walking shot as soon as he hit the ditch. No way even consider stopping him with as tense as the deer seemed. Put it on shoulder and it hit slightly behind for a double lung pass-through, bolted out of site but heard it go down in seconds. Remained in stand until dark so my brother would have best chance. At last light, he had a buck he believes crash in directly behind him. He couldn't see it, but he heard the gut-wrenching blowing and snorting. Either the sight of the new furniture, or our residual scent from getting him set-up got us. He text "game over". We were back at it setting him up last night in Orleans co, and we will get him out at least 3 more quality sits before 2010 archery season is over. I think I'm gonna keep setting him up on cut and standing corn, as they are playing hard in it right now. Thanks guys for the congrats, and congrats to all who have scored some backstraps and to those that got the "wall hangers"

Tony, yes they are. I never thought the original design was a problem, the "clean" cover is flat, with no protrusions to catch anything. The new design is even less obtrusive. Think about it, out in B.C. where they were designed, they fish for Salmon in harsh, saltwater environments. Any model they make is proven,proven,proven.

Great shots Jeremy. That 1st one crossing power lines could be Mag cover. You gettin' paid while doin this? Nice gig!

Sometimes it seems like its just meant to be, and others, it just all falls apart. Great Pennsy Buck!

If you want skin mounts, Paul Czarnecki( who is a frequent contributer to this site) does great work-- 716-390-0085. For fiberglass replicas, my brother Mark is fanatical about beauty and accuracy--585-489-5245. Some of his work is on display @ LaRock's outdoors in Newfane.

I have many relatives who served. I want to thank you Bob, and all the LOU veterans for your service and Patriotism for our great Country. May it return to better hands in Washington DC soon.

Never had a chance to meet in person, but did correspond here. Sounds like a great guy. I am very sorry for this loss to his family and those of you that were friends with him.

Ray, you have your priorities straight. Great that you get to be a part of that, and have quality bucks as a bonus. Your turn will come, bet you're counting the days! We lost our camp-type environment years ago through the founders/locals passing on and heirs selling. The hunt/peck style hunting in small parcels we do now can still be effective, but nowhere near as fun. Good luck!

Absolutely. There are several different strains planted, although in recent years they have narrowed it down to the ones they feel give the best shot for natural restoration. I know strains from the upper Great lakes tend to be fatter in general. They love the Seneca strain in Ontario, and they tend to be slightly more slender with vivid coloration. The Lakers we encounter in the Niagara definitely tend to be more streamlined in general. There is also a tremendous difference in body shapes between a male or female laker, regardless of strain. Your 36" laker could have very easily went in the mid-20lb range. Some of the older ones look like they couldn't get out of their own way.

Nice fish!

The Niagara is one of the few rivers in the world that gets a Lake trout run, probably because of the depth at the mouth. Yes, they do actively spawn in the river and on "the bar". This is one of those historical sites that used to produce many of the naturally reproduced Lake trout before their demise in the 50's. It is not known if they are successful with any hatching in the river, but they do produce some fry that survives while spawning on the bar. Watch for the annoucements of the "state of the lake" meetings, both on this forum and in newspapers. They have them annually in March, 2 locations that would work for you would be Lockport and Rochester. They usually give reports on Lake trout survival. That was a giant. I have only boated a couple like that over the years. I believe the lake Ontario record was 41'' long. I'm sure you are aware, but because of their fall spawning and the restoration goal of the species, the season is closed in Lake Ontario and its tributaries from Oct 1st and reopens on Jan 1st.

Congrats on getting into a very exciting fishery. I spent some time around your home port this past Spring, as I bought a boat there. Be prepared to run Red, Red, and some more Red, the end of March through early June there. The hardcore anglers there obliterate Cohos there early, and then mix in King and Laker stuff towards mid Summer, about the time you got started. Walk around the docks and you will see productive combos dangling everywhere. The red pertains to the flashers, dodgers, and Spin doctors. The flies vary, but greens are a staple.

Where did you catch it? A L. Ontario laker that long would be a minimum of 23lbs, and could push high twenties, unless it was a spawned out Niagara river fish. Some of the finger lakes guys on here could probably give you a better estimate if it was from those waters. Congrats!

Good for you, Stan. We have been through lots of this here. Former Region 8 DEC Biologist Carl Widmar re-wrote stocking policy regarding Chinooks 20+ years ago for NYS. More important than water temp at plant site, is water temp in relation to temp of water in stocking truck. 10 degrees or more either way is likely lethal.

Good news, Scotty manufacturing is pleased to launch it's new HP series of downriggers. They will be shipping in December. I had the pleasure of field testing these the last 2 months of the season. Only minor bugs were discovered. They have been rectified and are now ready for World-wide launch. The 3 biggest features that appeal to me are MUCH faster, HUGE digital display/ counter that is lighted, improved rod holder design. Other features the company is touting: Kevlar drive belt, same material used in high-end vehicle drive belts, sealed/lighted counters w/ 5yr battery, marinco corrosion resistant plugs, and World-class weight retrieval speeds: 20lb ball-- 260'/min, 15lb ball--295'/min, 12lb ball--304'/min, 10lb ball--312'/min. The riggers come with a limited lifetime warranty for original purchaser. More info and details [email protected] http://www.scotty.com/

Ray, interesting that you posted this. Is it the coyotes or unlimited tags? The guys I bow hunt with and talk with in Niagara co, Naples area, and Jasper area have all experienced the same thing. The worst year for deer sightings ever. Yes there are some Giants being taken in all of these areas, but the joy of observing undisturbed deer from your stand/blind is what keeps you going until you get your shot. The coyote population is exploding, and they are practically throwing tags at everyone around here. We found a fawn coyotee kill on top of a mountain in Naples just this past Wed. We know everyone there who bowhunts, and it was too far away from a road to be a car collision. On top of it, here in Niagara county, nuisance permits are basically unlimited. All Summer long they are shot at night with rifles. It doesn't have to be the landowner, they can give them out to whomever. You may be on to something Ray. I have passed young deer early, but we are primarily archers who enjoy venison. Hope this "trickle" rut brings my bro and I some backstraps before the booming starts. Good Luck to all, and congrats to those who have harvested.

Very nice. Congrats. Nice pic too.

Congrats Shadster!

Unfortunately, just too much voter apathy. Oklahoma had a far better voter turnout. Thank you to those that made the time to vote, and those that fought for our Country. I'm afraid "fear of lost hand-outs", spoke the loudest.

Voter apathy got us again. Less than a million total votes cast for the two leading players? C'mon, pathetic.

Although this is a wonderful time of year for trib fishermen and bowhunters, please rally all of your friends and relatives to vote tues, Nov 2nd. It does make a difference.

No mistake at all. Awesome places to fish as well, and hopefully there are young guys in "yaks" or on bikes enjoying Sandy Ponds year 'round too. Once we got our drivers licenses, we covered Sandy Ponds with tip ups in the late 70's and enjoyed the great pike fishing there.

Guys like you can help "police" things down there. BTW, absolutely beautiful pic you posted on twitter. The way you framed tht Bow was perfect.

jKarol, those ponds have provided so many good times and memories for so many. My dad tells me about how good they were for Walleyes before the Alewives invaded. I grew up in Greece, and made many an 8 mile bike ride down there to cast for Pike and Bass. Later, trapped muskrats and ice fished for Pike, as drivers licenses allowed greater adventure. You are very lucky to live where you do, as I don't think you drive yet. I enjoy your posts, brings back many memories.

Has Been, I have been asking myself that exact question about many of the candidates, and NYPA reps as well. Carl may be crazy, but he's real. He won't cut winning, money making programs like State parks and stocking programs in favor of deluxe downstate prison visits.