I do enough hunting in both the rifle and shotgun zones that I don’t think there will be much of an issue with doing away with the shotgun only zone. There is quite a bit of ag land and lots of urban areas in the rifle zone and I don’t hear anybody suggesting that they should expand the shotgun zone.

X2 on the Carhartts. I have shot more deer wearing my black Carhartt artic extreme coat and bibs than I ever have wearing camo.

Maybe the other party thought the ladder stand was abandoned or thought it would be a good place for a father and child to hunt together for the youth season next weekend if they had permission from the landowner. Don’t just assume the worst in people.

I use 12″x30″ plexiglass with hinges attached to the top to allow to tip out to open and a piece of wood spins out to hold it open. I have about $20 invested in the 4 windows for each of my stands. I use a buddy heater for heat if needed and usually keep a window cracked open. Never had a problem with frosted windows in temps as low as -15.

1500 lbs?! Are you moving in or stating for a week or 2? Most boat trailers are close to capacity when boat is filled with fuel and batteries. Unless you have a tandem trailer and a light boat and motor, I wouldn’t suggest putting much if any additional weight on the trailer.

I have a 6 1/2 X 14 H & H with the rear and side ramp. Its great for hauling a wheeler and a sxs or up to 3 wheelers. I prefer the wood deck vs an aluminum deck, the wood decks don’t seem as slippery.

The forcasters were foolish to predict 12+” of snow with the temperature so close to the freezing point. The media has this storm so hyped up you would think the state should be shut down. I’ve got maybe an inch of slush so far.

Would lifting the trailer be a better option for you? I have seen 5ers with lifts installed and it might be a better option than lowering a truck.

I like the old Wingard Batwing antenna that they use to put on RVs. There are very few places in the state on MN that I can’t pick up a few channels. But I think a coathanger and tin foil would work better than the antennas that are put on fish houses today.