kc2ixe,

You hit the nail on the head as to why I've only hunted with the shotgun so far. My inlaws have a place upstate - in West Hurley actually (you seem familiar with the town) - and I was thinking about heading out onto some of the city DEP land around the Ashokan Resevior.

Any other suggestions of areas to look into? I know I'm a bit late to the game this year, but with my move things have been a bit hectic, to say the least!