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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Each summer I tan 2 deerskins from the prior fall’s harvested deer into leather, using hemlock bark. This year I made a simple rifle sling for a new rifle Santa Claus brought me this Christmas. Thankfully there are many templates online with video instructionsContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Every time I see this mountain’s silhouette, it sure does remind me of home. It’s the silhouette of Paltz Point or “Sky Top” on the Shawangunk Ridge that sits above the Wallkill & Rondout Valleys. The stone fire tower was built in 1923 andContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? My 2nd oldest daughter–Maple–finally got her wish when it snowed recently. She’s been asking for “Maple on Snow” or “Jackwax” as some call it. This is when maple syrup is heated up to about 235 degrees and poured over fresh snow to make aContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Tis the season for hunting. Here is a photo from my maternal Grandfather’s family farm in the Town of Gardiner, Ulster County from the early 1930s. Description reads “unknow friends of Bob Jansen (my Grandfather). Just look how dressed up they were to huntContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? A fellow member of my rod & gun club let me use his walk-in cooler this year to hang deer in. It’s basically an insulated room with a regular AC unit installed. The AC unit is tricked out to cool to 36 degrees orContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Deer season ended early for me this year. Last year it was 2 does & this year 2 bucks & 1 doe (2 deer taken during archery). Got this medium-sized buck on Opening Day of Gun Season. This guy must have been rubbing someContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Had to go to Stamford, CT recently and came across this tree growing on its own in some woods between a housing complex and doctor’s offices. Its yellow foliage, star-shaped leaves, with spherical spiky fruit heads caught my attention. It’s sweetgum or Liquidambar styraciflua.Continue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? I transplanted this sycamore 6 or so years ago. Last winter I took a photo of it. At the time, it showed no signs of the bark flaking. As sycamore matures, its bark begins to take on a camouflage pattern with flaking bark thatContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? The fruit winner for 2025 in my neck of the woods goes to autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata). Autumn olive is on the naughty list or rather listed as “invasive” by the State of New York. Though I would argue that autumn olive is notContinue Reading

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? It’s been a while since I found a big one like this. Until a few days ago, things were pretty dry from the lack of rain. After that first measurable rainfall, this big guy popped up–a giant puffball. They are edible when white andContinue Reading