Doc

There was one time where if I hadn't have taken a step sideways to get behind a tree, I would have been run over by a deer during a drive. He stomped right through the very spot that I jumped from. No, I didn't get the deer. I didn't even get my gun up.

I understand that some of the urban and suburban archers can have some difficulty finding places to shoot. But I will say that some of the most enjoyable shooting and intense practice was had when I had to drive 35 miles each way to get to our club (Avon Bowmen). It is one thing to step out in the range behind my house and shoot by myself. But it was a whole lot more fun to go to the club and shoot with a bunch of friends and get involved in some friendly competition. So you guys that are forced to drive a bit to get to a range or an indoor shooting facility, may just be being forced to have some of the more memorable shooting experiences that you will ever have. Don't fight it ..... enjoy it.

If only it all were as simple as identifying one party or the other as the problem. I cannot remember any of the prior wars as being initially overwhelmingly opposed by one party of the other like what is happening this time. In the heat of the moment, there was nearly universal support for all of the wars that we have found ourselves in. Yes, even the Iraq war had overwhelming support from both sides of the aisle. In fact, this is the first one that I am aware of where one party (Republicans) has just flat out said "no".

Check this process out. It shows the most reliable way of establishing arrow length: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9JvS34x3iM Note that there is a major difference in what this guy is saying from what is depicted in Fantail's diagram. This is because there is a difference depending on the use of the arrow ..... Field tip vs. broadhead. I am a firm believer in establishing arrow length, using a real bow, with real accessories, and measuring directly instead of trying to use "wing-span" rules of thumb and some kind of calculation. This little U-tube clip is about the most reliable way. Most likely, you will not have a "measuring arrow" like they do, but any over-sized arrow can work with a felt-tip marker and somebody there to do the marking.

The wind is one of the most important feature of my stand choices. When I get to a stand and the wind is not in a favorable direction, I will not stay. It doesn't do me any good to be broadcasting my location to the herd. I hunt a lot of ravine areas, and the thermals will drive me insane. There are some areas that simply don't seem to have any wind direction for an entire stand. That can be very frustrating to watch the wind see-sawing back and forth and then around in circles. Ever notice how you never seem to be able to escape the smoke from a campfire? I have seen stands where that same kind of "cover-everything" wind is blowing.

Even without the gun issues, I agree with this.

Well then, I guess we know what we have to do next time these characters are up for re-election.

Well, I will say that it really boils down to slaughtering. As long as it's done in a humane way, and the meat is used adequately, it does become even more like slaughterhouse killing. As long as it isn't televised or passed off as hunting, I guess I really can't be too negative about it. They are performing a useful control activity and perhaps even feeding some people that might otherwise go without.

A long time ago, I lost an 18HP garden tractor to the little critters. They packed every cooling fin of the motor with grass, fur, and all kinds of stuff. They were clever enough to keep it where their handywork was covered by the cowling. So, I went about mowing our huge lawn in about 90 degree temperatures and pretty soon the thing was choking and sputtering and smoke started to come out from under the hood. The heat from the engine burned through a gas line and there was gas dripping all over the place. I shut it off, but it was too late. The engine seized and she was cooked. I also had an issue with hickory nuts and other crap being packed in around my ATV motor. So now I have a constant supply of D-con around the barn, and I also keep a close eye on the equipment.

Ha-ha, which is worse, a cunning shyster or a blithering idiot?

Level 8 (55 yards) ....... top guys are in level 17 .. ha-ha.

Wait until it dawns on them what nice nests the padding in that chair makes ... lol.

Yes, I think that is why people have reacted with a bit of shock. This was a wide-ranging and extremely controversial step. Also the sneaky way that it was rammed through also is an added irritant. I also think that our pro-gun advocacy groups are doing a much better job of rallying gun owners, and bringing attention to these things. I also think there is an awareness of just how vulnerable we are every time some wack-job goes out and pulls off one of these mass-killings. It seems that the anti-gun forces have a lot more to work with these days, and gun owners are feeling a bit of panic over that. Also, many of the previous restrictions allowed for grandfathering of existing shooting property, and this law has given us back-door registration and other scenarios that are, or border on, confiscation. Before it was a kind of "death by 1000 cuts" most people weren't even aware that it was happening. Not so with this law. It came on like a big splash with no pretenses in terms of motives.

Don't just pay attention to the Republicans. All those that voted for that act need to be punished (Democrat, Republican, or independent).

For those here that are convinced that the system doesn't work, pay attention to what is happening here. Rambo didn't even show up and no one had to fire a shot. The system works, you just have to have the courage and true dedication to use it.

I'm a bit confused about the point you're making, but I would just like to correct one thing about that first line of your reply. There's been a ton of gun legislation that has passed prior to the Safe Act.

Actually, that is the first time you have said that. That makes a nice sound-bite, but sure is light on details as to how that would happen. After all, this government has for more than 200 years claimed to be a constitutional form of government, even with a judicial branch to ensure that it remains so. So theoretically you already have your wish. But anyway, I was led to believe that you have bigger issues with the government than simply constitutional items. You seem to have problems with how laws are created and passed and how the court systems work and how the legal system functions and problems with the judicial branch and basically how everything in this government operates and has operated since our inception. That sounds like you have a much wider agenda than just constitutional adherence.

Personally, I am not interested in the results of a scan of the internet looking for every governmental abuse or conspiracy type story that they can dig up. Those articles and documents are a dime a dozen. Try to understand this ..... No one here believes that there are not abuses in government, and I don't think anyone ever said that there isn't. In fact if you think somebody here thinks that the government can do no wrong, you either have not bothered to read the replies, or you have a comprehension problem. So, the bottom line is that you are way off-topic. The discussion has been about how best to tackle those problems.

Could be a case of camera shyness. Also depending on the set-up, it may have been a one-time occurrence that he showed up in that exact spot. They don't spend their lives walking in their same tracks everyday. But as was already mentioned, it does show that he lives in the area, and another encounter during season is always a possibility.

A lot of people got into archery because of the challenges of getting up close and personal. Frankly, I draw a certain amount of pride out of just being able to get that close to an animal that has the razor-sharp instincts and senses that they have. My favorite hunt of all time was the doe that I could have reached out and touched just before I shot her. I have shot a few nice bucks, but none ever gave me the level of excitement of that hunt. I have a personal limit of 30 yards, and anything over 20 yards had better be an absolute perfect shot. I would say that 90% of my deer takes have been 20 yards and under. I do have a 40 yard pin on my bow for practice only and always step back for a few shots from there just to up the interest of the practice session. That pin is never used for hunting.

Well-fought battle. I hope that the outcome of all this is another great day afield with a huge trophy at the end. You have earned it.

There are some things that are labeled "hunting" that I would just as soon not be associated with. It always bothers me when some jerk decides that those things should be aired on TV or some other public media. What ever made anyone think that a program like that should be shown on the Outdoor Channel?

While it may be convenient for you people to believe that I think the system is flawless, I must point out that your line of discussion is simply a red herring. I have no illusions that we do not have some very evil people within the ranks of our government. I have made all that very clear and you know it. You also know that the crux of this discussion is "What do you intend to do about it and what miracles of government do you have to offer". But the fact is that none of you has anything to offer in terms of what you would change our government into. I have repeatedly asked, and all I get are ravings about the failure of our government. The truth is that you only have ideas on tearing things down with no end-game of what you would replace it with or even who would do the replacing. That is because you don't have a clue or a care about what kind of mess you would make. Would it do any good to ask one more time? ..... No, it is clear that none of you have bothered to think that far ahead.

Lol ..... You know, you are absolutely right. Hell, you can't even get them to vote. Too damn inconvenient.

Yes and today the mercury topped 90 degrees. Not exactly the kind of weather that helps you do any of those things. I even skipped practice today. Can't stand shooting with sweat running down in my eyes....lol. I do have other stand locations to work out and I can always use more scouting. But even in retirement, time still is a precious commodity. I am beginning to wonder if they really did do us any favors by opening up bow on October first. It's going to take a year or two to get used to it.