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Years ago I bought a Savage Model 12 varmint rifle in 223 Rem to hunt woodchucks on the farm. A teacher came around here and there to hunt them. He peaked my interest and got me into it. We had piles of them and they were making a mess of the farm that's mostly hay fields. Numbers dropped off pretty hard after shooting 80+ each year. I still get a small number though. Yesterday I got the first one of the season. A couple more active holes with young ones I think but might have to put a trail cam on the hole to see what their feeding pattern is. Don't seem to be out when I'm there. Gun still shoots lazer beams with Black Hills loaded 60gr Hornady Vmax ammo. Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

Mother's day turkey

This early season has been great. Birds are starting to get vocal, I've made some Rookie mistakes but I'm having a blast. Have been near Gobblers 7 out of 10 mornings, have heard more gobbling on public than I have on private. Set up under a Jake who told on me, I never saw him there until after daylight. He busted me, and sent 5 gobs gliding off. They did give me a show when he started putting. (I hunted those birds again today they seem to be spreading out.) Had a stud come in silent, I saw all the sign around and I just rushed through and bumped him. He busted me. Today I Called a hen in, she had 2 red heads with her, at daylight, and when she got in the logging road she just didn't like something and putted off with her studs. I did a monster circle and came in from another direction i did get to have some back and forth with 1 of the birds but they walked off with thier grumpy girl. I feel fortunate to have this many birds to hunt, it's been a great early season. Scouting is so worth it. We all want to be under the roost, but sometimes you just have to sit in a tall spot and listen. It's paid off for me this year especially. Ps. Those eggs are from a mallard, it was on top of a ridge and the only water around d is spring fed diversion ditches.

Apparently that camo isn’t all that good …..

I bet only a minute amount of people would pick up a bow after using the X-Bow . Most archers started with a gun and then went hunting with a bow because the archery season gave them more weeks to deer hunt . That's what I did . I wanted a longer time to hunt .

Gobble! Moving a bit to close distance.

Up and at ‘em. The coffee’s on and out the door by 4:15. Good luck everyone.

Nice. When I was a young kid I would shoot almost once a week at woodchucks on a farm in dutchess county. My Dad knew a guy who wanted them dead. We had a .224 Weatherby Magnum. Most shots were 200-400 yards slightly uphill into the farm fields. It was great practice. I also learned to drive a Nissan Pathfinder in those fields when I turned 12.

Summer time meal Sent from my motorola edge 5G UW (2021) using Tapatalk

Freaking train came by and he stopped gobbling. He was down a ridge to my left. I'm sitting tight here for a bit to see if he comes in silent.

Potato towers. 1 for potatoes and 1 for sweet potatoes. 1st time trying this method

I’m going to guess potatoes Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Venison chili with cilantro lime sour cream , cheddar and Fritos

It's not Joe's fault. It's Trump's fault. Just ask @Versatile_Hunter , @Chefand @left field

On my way out from a turkey hunt, I came across some deer tracks in the mud. It was a pair of pretty small tracks and larger tracks, like a doe and a fawn. Way too early for does to be dropping babies, isn't it?

We're thinking about it. Lots of thinking going on. Gotta keep my mind busy so making it look good.

I’ve seen newborn on May 1st.

If the xbow all season is only for youth or elderly then yes they would as they got older would move to the compound for the same reason you did. Plus they got hooked on hunting already thru the xbow. Sent from my motorola edge 5G UW (2021) using Tapatalk

That was a pretty cool picture Bill. I've heard of early birthing a few times here and there over the years, but never seen any physical sign of it until today.

The minimum draw weight for hunting is not attainable for many teens. Women are becoming a larger percentage of the hunting population as well. Plus a xbow on a stand is generally a bit easier than a compound. There is no reason to think that using a xbow for the first part of hunting means that no one will ever pick up a bow. I would bet 90% of us archers started gun hunting first.

If they were digging up the floor in your barn you wouldn’t be passing any!

When are you gunna learn I’m always right Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Biden promised to cure cancer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Always wanted a 39. That being a no dash is that one all steel? Im a smith and wesson junky big time. Love that K22 as well. Enjoy

A cheap ring camera mounted up high can easily catch a person or license plate Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

It's been years since I've hunted ruffled grouse. Last time I did I ate it. Even experimented by cooking it right along side store bought chicken breast in a pan on the stove. It was pretty easy to get close to but doesn't seem to be many around. Last time I saw one I let it go. Came to full draw on it while bowhunting for deer. He was fluffed up looking to fight the world walking back and forth under my stand at 15 yards. Let down and watched him for longer than I taught he'd stick around. Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

Another bowl

Keep an eye out for leaks, that they didn't punch a hole in it. Sent from my motorola edge 5G UW (2021) using Tapatalk

Who puts a car in the garage? Where do the boats, motorcycles, snowmobile, atv’s and lawnmower go? I have a 52x28 garage and my car or truck have never been in it, then again it’s never been locked either. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That’s what I thought also but they got it out.

Couldn't wait for the fence to be installed. Fifteen plants in the ground assortment of peppers, an eggplant with four okra plants. Really hope the deer leave them alone for a couple days.

We used to spend quite a bit of time in the Moose River Plains area. It is huge, and has a lot of free rustic camp sites within it. Limekiln State Park is just outside it. It would be a very good idea to go up ahead of time scouting. There are a lot of ridge lines you can follow with map and compass, and a canoe would be a good idea. There are a number of fairly large lakes that you can access lands by, or by going up different branches of the rivers. The area has a full time ranger on duty, whos office is at the entrance near Limekiln State Park. It is well worth the time to go up for a week end or two to familiarize yourself. I understand it has been quite heavily used the last couple years, but am sure mid week/off holiday, and after labor day you will not have any problems with crowds.

That’s why you’ve only hunted turkey one day this year? The agony of defeat would be too much to deal with…….

I was out yesterday for the first time this year. Heard some gobbles, saw 5 deer and it was a beautiful morning. Other than dealing with DEC because they got a call that people were in the woods, all in Camo and carrying guns! He was a nice guy and seemed annoyed at the call. All was good accept my back tag was still on my backpack from deer season and i didn't have it with me. He didn't give me a ticket which i thanked him for cause i deserved it... Congrats Bill and Cynthia and the rest of you guys that scored!

A January flintlock season would be WONDERFUL

That is a T-Rex of a bird! You and Sweet Ol' Bill got 'er done!

Thank you @goosifer I can't wait to spend a day in this new stand!

The seasons are perfect - quit your bitchin...lol We can take two bucks, most places can get doe permits, there's a long archery season, an overlap with xbow and a generous gun season, followed by a southern muzzleloader/archery. A northern and southern range with lots of different hunting options. We gots it good! If you don't want to use the implement or hunt a season or full season don't. No one is making you. It's like bitching that the steak dinner is too big. You don't have to eat it all. I am all for the xbow at 55 as I know several guys that can't draw the bow anymore and just love the archery season. And being older have a tougher time in the cold as well. Less restrictions and more freedoms are always a good thing. To argue about the semantics of whether a crossbow is more like a gun or bow is silly to me. Who cares. Hunt with what is legal and works for you and who cares what others do. I use and enjoy them all. Sent from my motorola edge 5G UW (2021) using Tapatalk

Know what's funny? There is no evidence Trump ever went to Epstein's island and Trump barred him from Mira Lago immediately when he learned what he was doing. Yet you point out Robby's meme for being fake news. LOL!

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I never check prices , I just get gas . A couple bucks savings wouldn’t be worth it to me to have to cross traffic either .

I bow hunt with a longbow , after many years hunting with the compound it just became routine to kill a buck and my interest started to wane. That was about 20 years ago and I haven’t looked back. I make my arrows using feathers from turkeys I kill, make my own strings , hand sharpen my broadheads and the flight of arrow is so fascinating I shoot for hours and never get bored. I’m now shooting a bow I made myself with guidance from a friend that’s a Boyer. I have brought many people into traditional archery and I can’t describe the smile on someone’s face the first time they hit the bullseye it’s really magic.

As someone who's collected historical military firearms, I recommend you do very little to maintain value of old firearm as long as it functions. A light steel wool and a good oil. You will be surprised as what comes back to life. The rest consider patina like the salt and pepper grey presently on my head. It comes with age. I cry every time I see a historically reverent gun that has been "Bubba" And they "fixed" it. Cold blue doesn't work well and tends to look like crap. If the bores are heavily pitted start with wire brushing. You won't eliminate it and bores will always be a pain to clean but you can lessen it. As a last resort use a mild abrasive bore paste on a patch. If they aren't pitted, I would still start with good wire brush a follow up with a bore solvent that can get copper like Sweet's or Butches Bore Shine. I warn you though, they both stink to high heaven.