The Woods

Coeymans Parcel

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I was reading that the city is once again talking about selling the Coeyman’s Parcel they bought from several land owners to the DEC for a new wildlife management area. I think it’s a good idea, as there really isn’t enough land near Albany for opportunities for people to hunt and trap who don’t have their own land.

There are many parks and privately owned preserves, and obviously the Albany Pine Bush, but really a darth of largely undeveloped public land near Albany, until you get well out to the hill towns in Albany or Rensselaer Counties.

Now I get that the city is working to recover its sunk costs in buying the land as a ruse to expand the landfill further into the Pine Bush, but so be it. I think if the city and state can come to an agreement this land should be put in the public domain for all to use. Government is not a for profit business, it’s fine for it to lose money in its transactions, it doing so serves the public interest.

My Camping Hammock

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The camping hammock I bought not only seems like a good way to take a nap while back at my campsite, and it seems like an easy way to back country camp. It’s great for taking a nap, reading a book or playing on my smartphone. The hammock when folded up in its built in bag is about a third of the size of my day pack, it takes all of 30 seconds to assemble. Much smaller than a tent and a sleeping pad to say nothing about a sleeping bag and something to use as a pillow when tent camping.

I fell asleep in the hammock last weekend at camp, listening to a podcast. The walls of the hammock are high, almost like a cacoon, so it’s unlikely that one would roll out of it. It’s fairly comfortable but I do think a pillow or a something acting as a pillow can make it even more comfortable.

I have fairly broad shoulders and the sides of hammock put a bit of pressure on the shoulders although maybe I could try repositioning myself in the hammock to reduce the pressure on my shoulders. Not really uncomfortable but waking up I did find a bit of odd tightness in my shoulders. Using a pillow and stringing closer between trees that are closer does help a lot though.

The first hammock I got had a defective carabiners that broke the second time I used it but after I exchanged it the new one seems good with no issues with the carabiners and quite comfortable. Other than that the finish of the hammock seems good and able to hold my weight. I’m not sure how you can call it a double hammock – but then again I’m a big guy. After the exchange of the defective hammock, I’m quite happy with the product.

Up to 22 can be hunted this fall in Wyoming

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Grizzly bears: Up to 22 can be hunted this fall in Wyoming

"It's unclear exactly how many activists have entered the license lottery, but their effort has infuriated hunters who have funded the bears’ recovery via licensing fees and spent more than 40 years watching the population slowly rebound. While most of Wyoming is highly conservative and supports the grizzly hunt, opposition is centered around the generally liberal and wealthy Jackson Hole. Hunters who win licenses will be informed shortly before the start date, and only a small number will be allowed to hunt at a time, to avoid accidentally killing more bears than permitted."