Doc

Why aren't you guys using that plastic/wood decking material? it seems like a stand made out of that stuff would be virtually indestructable ....... FOREVER! Doc

In my case, there is no shortage of local needy families that can use some extra protien in their diets. I have always tried to see that one of those local families that I have gotten to know get some of mine. I know it helps them out. On the other hand, the Venison Donation Coalition is a very good hunter activity that provides some very high visibility P.R. for hunters and hunting, and is probably a better way of utilizing excess venison than the kind of thing that I do. The problem is that the recipients of my excess venison really do look forward to it and really have a need for it, so there is no way that I can stop doing it now in favor of the government sanctioned program. Doc

Once again, we are very lucky to have the NRA in our corner.

I have seen other examples of the same thing. They didn't involve kids, but the same point was demonstrated. Actually, when you think about it, it's not really all that surprising.

If lead bullets were banned, what is the alternative material?

That sort of a thing is only a problem if you exhale. ...... There's the solution. ;D

There is one thing you will never hear me say about government fees, taxes, etc. That is, "gee those fees aren't so bad, I could afford a lot more". As soon as you say that ...... POOF! ...... you instantly are paying more. Also, do not assume that everyone has the financial situations that you have. Not everyone is buying a new Matthews or a new 300 Weatherby. If we are going to worry about hunter numbers as in the first part of your message, we can not turn around and say that adding to the fees to hunt is just peachy. It is a known fact that the government can impact behaviors through taxation. If you don't believe it, just ask anyone who has quit smoking recently just what it was that finally made them quit. You want to eliminate something, tax it. If that doesn't do it, tax it some more. That same principle can also apply to hunting. People are not a bottomless well of resources and every time fees go up, somebody out there is making that tough choice in priorities to decide what has to be cut. You are right to point out that everything required for hunting is going up, and in most cases, at a ridiculous rate. That is just one more reason to try to keep the lid on government increases. With everything going up, something has to give. I believe the sliding hunter numbers is part of the proof of that. My take on it all is to make the government struggle for every penny of increase. Certainly never sit back and invite them to raise fees by saying "gosh I could afford a lot more". They really don't need that kind of encouragement. They think of enough of that sort of thing on their own. Doc

My dieting is a year around thing now. I do a carb-counting routine to control a diabetic condition. That doesn't mean I am always successful ....... lol. I do try to get some form of extra exercise daily, usually in the form of walking. But then that's nothing new. I have always done that. Doc

My brother-in-law from Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada took some seeds from some Wolf River apples out of our old ancient orchard and sprouted them. His trees are getting huge and are bearing apples now, so yes they can be grown from seed. However, more to the point of your question, I must admit that I have never seen a bunch of seedlings growing under an apple tree. So I'm not sure about natural propagation. I'm not sure. I have to admit I have come across some pretty domestic looking apple trees in some pretty unlikely places. Doc

Yes, heaven forbid that we lose the right to be stupid. My gosh people, I am right in your corner when it comes to the protection of individual rights, and the protection of freedoms. But I've got to tell you that it scares the hell out of me when I come across some of these jerks out there dressed in full camo. There is a difference between a right to be stupid vs. trying to have an involuntary hunter assisted suicide. When someone wants to simply be an idiot and risk their own welfare, that's one thing. But when they are out there baiting other innocent hunters to become involved in a hunting mishap, that's something else. Doc

It's the one's that don't think about these things that bother me. And there's way too many of them out there. As long as I continue to be surprised by guys on heavily pressured state land on opening day that are dressed in head to toe camo (including face paint) or read about such things on this or any forum, you can count on me speaking out against such things. And if it takes graphic examples to get the point across, so be it. I understand that it's not a pleasant subject, but it's not really all that healthy to hide from it either. Doc

Yeah, it was that guy, Johnny Appleseed that brought them. I didn't know he was french ......

I once called in a buck by rattling, but he saw me about the same time that I saw him. Other than that one time, I haven't really had any luck. I have to admit though that I really haven't tried it all that much. There's something about sitting out deer hunting making gosh-awful noises that just goes against the grain with me, so I generally just sit there and use more traditional methods of hunting. I do have to admit that there have been times when my noises (other than rattling) have brought in bucks. On two different occasions, bucks have come in when I was clearing some leaves from my stand. More than likely sounded like another buck making a scrape. On two other occasions, deer have shown up while I was clipping limbs out of my shooting lanes. I'm not sure what they thought they were hearing then, but it got their curiosity going. So standing out there making a racket can produce, but it still feels like a strange way to hunt, and while I probably will try it again some day, it most likely will not become a common way of hunting for me. Doc

Here is a little thought that makes it real easy for me to wear blaze orange. Picture the wound on any of the deer that you have seen shot with a 12 guage. Now look at your arm or elbow or stomach and picture that wound there. Doesn't even have to be in a lethal spot. Just picture that. Perhaps that is a good exercise for keeping people from burying their heads in the sand and pretending they are invincible and that nothing bad can ever happen to them. Here's another thought. How many shots have you taken at deer where you could swear with any real certainty that there was nobody tucked away next to some tree way in the background dressed in some of today's hi-tech camo? Unless your hunting on a prairie or a sanctioned backstopped and cleared shooting range you might find that your answer is "never". Does the lack of a blaze orange law only effect the idiot that is out there in camo? Maybe not always. Doc

Don't forget the number of hawks that are around these days. They get their share of bunnies too. Doc

It is amazing that Carhart chose that brown color, and even more amazing that people would wear them out during a deer season. They seem to be decked out with everything but a pair of antlers strapped on their head ..... : . I am constantly amazed by people who could mistake a human for a deer, but I am equally amazed by those that seem to get a kick out of tempting fate by going out and trying like crazy to tempt one of those idiots to shoot them. I don't get it. Doc

Do the tresspassers notify you before they step through the posted line? Seriously, we always think we know who is on our land and when, but the reality is that unless you have an electrified 8' fence around the perimeter, you never know who is there and who isn't. My property is posted such that you are always in sight of 3 bright yellow posted signs at any point along the boundary, and still I occasionally come across trespassers deep inside my land. And a word about "the good ole' boys who make sure its a deer and whats behind it before letting one fly". I truly believe that the only place where you know what's behind (or in front of) what you are shooting at is when you are shooting at a shooting range that has an earthen backstop and all trees and bushes removed between the shooter and the target. I have had guys walk right past me during bow season and never know I was there. Camo works! So to those who feel absolutely safe on their own land during gun season, I can only say that yes, the odds are definitely more in your favor there, but never say never. you have decided to accept the more favorable odds and that is certainly your right, but do not get the feeling that nothing bad can happen. It just isn't so. I would never recommend that anyone go into the woods during a firearms deer season without a generous amount of blaze orange. And that applies to hunters or non-hunters. Also, in my mind there is nothing about a deer drive that requires blaze orange more than any other hunting situation. Doc

I have the same dilemma in my ground stand. My legs won't last through the hours anymore so I spend most of my time sitting on a folding stool. So depending on how the ground blind is constructed, I may have the choice of remaining seated. I have the same problem if the deer decides to take some whacky direction, I may be forced to risk standing up at a time when that is just about impossible to pull off. If I can see the deer coming from a pretty good distance and there is enough cover between us, I prefer to get into a standing position. I know my shooting is better when I stand, and if I have some good big thing to stand behind as part of my blind, I have more mobility and options available. Doc

I'd hate to say how many prime spots have been lost over the years because the landowner decided to sell out or build a house or some other kind of action that has left me looking for a new spot. It's hard enough to get hunting permission to start with without having the land changing hands every so many years. That's one of the reasons that I rely primarily on state land. It may be over crowded, but I know that nobody is going to sell it out from under me. Doc

What's nice about gun season is that you can put on some of the excellent rain-gear available these days and stay dry and comfortable. The extra layer of stuff does not impact your form like it does with a bow and will not interfere with executing the shot. Actually, the best rain-gear that I have is poncho. Lots of air circulation and nothing gets through. Doc

No-no-no-no-no! That's all wrong. I've heard it many times. The right way to do that is to take somebody along that is clearly more gimped up and slower than yourself. That way, you don't have to out-run the bear. All you have to do is out-run the other guy. ;D Doc

Well, you know after you have seen a few hundred kill shots, you kind of get burned out on that stuff. Most of the TV hunting shows are so predicable, you could watch one and pretty much see what's in all of them. First you have the hunter-heros driving to the camp that they are going to hunt out of. Then they have the introductions. Then they might show a bit about the ranch or hunting camp or whatever. Then you see the guy in his stand. Then they have to show a whole bunch of monster bucks that they are passing up because they are not quite what they are looking for. Then the hunter-hero whispers that there is a "shooter" coming. Then the funky 1970's music starts as the buck slowly moves in. He shoots the deer and it runs away with 4/5 of the arrow sticking out of some non-vital part of the deer, but he flashes the thumbs-up signal and starts giggling all over himself. Next thing shows him following the blood trail. Then all of a sudden it's pitch black and the hunter is kneeling behind a well manicured and cleaned up buck and he's telling the viewer how the buck only ran 80 yards and died. That's pretty much all there is to any of the shows. As far as educational, I haven't seen one of those since the video, "Bowhunting October Whitetails" with the Wentzel brothers a jillion years ago. I think I only watch these shows anymore just so I can see how much phoney stuff they're trying to put over on us. Yes they do have an opportunity to do a bit of education if only they would try it once in a while. Even experienced hunters can always use a bit of a brush-up on the basics, and if they would just try, there probably are some little ways of looking at things just a little differently or pointing out some info that maybe never occurred to a lot of us, that could benefit viewers. Yes, I'm afraid I am getting a bit burned out on these scripted hunting tales. I think Jim Shockey probably realizes this too and maybe that's why he's trying a little different approach by trying to show the behind the scenes views of his end of the business. Unfortunately, it's not really working for me. Doc

Great pet! :

These kinds of dangerous encounters with wildlife seem to be happening on a more regular basis these days. We seem to have more recent cougar attacks out west with an occasional fatality. There was the 15 year old girl up in Canada that was killed by some coyotes, bear incidents now, occasional deer attacks. It all seems to be increasing quite a bit as time goes on. Is the outdoors gradually becoming a dangerous place, or is it just that now with the internet, we are simply hearing about more of them? Doc

Can they survive our winters?