My last custom rifle

[Big D]

Isn't orange a requirement? Sure is here in Mich, and our hunting accidents are 'way down since the law was enacted.

[Tom Flanigan]

It's not a requirement in NY as far as I know. I hunt on the old Governor Dewey estate and adjoining property. I wear what I want. We've had darn few trespassers over the years. Only 5 of us hunt the property for deer, I am the only bird hunter. We each have our separate section that we hunt and never run into each other in the woods. Even if orange was required, I wouldn't use it. I know it's probably saved lives but I like blending into the surroundings. I don't hunt deer anywhere else except for Saskatchewan on occasion. My biggest bucks have come from there.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Tom Flanigan

Monticello is about 2 ½ hours from Pawling. I’ve never hunted public land in NY, never had a need to, but I hear that public land in NY is a zoo early in the deer season. I can’t imagine deer hunting on public land. I like to know who might be in the woods where I hunt. I don’t wear orange only camo and I sure wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that on state land. I also like hunting land where the deer are not spooked to the point that they change their daily habits. But a lot of folks aren’t as fortunate as I am so state land might be their only choice.

I usually wear orange going in and coming out but once up my tree it gets covered . When I googled Pawling I thought it showed close to the Catskills hmmmm . First time I deer hunted the Poconos we had private land to hunt , BUT some Jersey A-Holes got permission also and baited the heck out of the place so we got outta there before the bunny warden tried to get us in connection with them . So opening morning I walked in a public place in Monroe county , sat down by a tree took off my orange and sat on it . Think I heard 98 shots by 9AM needless to say after the first 20 or so shots I had the orange back on and was stretched out on the ground behind a log .

[Tom Flanigan]

Originally Posted by CraigThompson

I usually wear orange going in and coming out but once up my tree it gets covered . When I googled Pawling I thought it showed close to the Catskills hmmmm . First time I deer hunted the Poconos we had private land to hunt , BUT some Jersey A-Holes got permission also and baited the heck out of the place so we got outta there before the bunny warden tried to get us in connection with them . So opening morning I walked in a public place in Monroe county , sat down by a tree took off my orange and sat on it . Think I heard 98 shots by 9AM needless to say after the first 20 or so shots I had the orange back on and was stretched out on the ground behind a log .

Pawling is about two hours from the Catskill Mountains which are across the Hudson River. The area I hunt is the Quaker Hill area. It's a large area that is made up of estates with mansions. I hunt the old Dewey estate and surrounding areas. Quaker Hill is very tightly controlled with resident funded patrols. It's not an area where yahoo's would try to sneak in. It has happened, but rarely. So I feel safe not wearing orange. But your idea of wearing it in and then taking it off is a good one. But its not necessary for me.

My grandfather hunted the property back in the day. He was a good friend of the Governor. I have been hunting there since I was 13 years old and flying on the airstrip that Dewey put in when he thought he would win the 1948 Presidential election. Pawling was going to be his summer White House. We still maintain the airstrip and our headquarters and hangout is a building behind the hangers. My friends up there are the grandsons of my grandfather's friends on the Hill. It's kind of a unique situation and I realize I am very fortunate.


I understand the value of orange. It no doubt has saved numerous lives. But it's not for me where I hunt.

[David Lien]

I too Have a 6.5 Mannlicher ((6.5x54)) My gun is a 1903 Steyr Ser. # dates date of Manufacture as 1910. The Steyr 6.5 is not as fast as your Swede, but very much effective, and pleasant to shoot, easy to load for with plenty of good bullets to choose from. I mostly shoot the 150 to 160 Wt. bullets.

[Jeff Christie]

David-- your little MS 6.5 is absolutely elegant!! They are one of the most classy rifles or carbines ever to come directly from the factory. Simply cannot be made better. Don't EVER let it go. Jeff

[C.O.B.]

David now thats a classic rifle. Very nice congrats.

[David Lien]

Rich: For over one hundred years those long 6.5 bullets have proven themselves all over the world, even Africa. They do penetrate well, bone does not seem to stop them. They do shoot through a Coyote or a Red Fox at the long angle. I have even bagged a couple of good old "Black Crows" with them. Good Luck with your new rifle. Very good choice.