Mr VJP

Well, bow hunters do sometimes get shot by other bow hunters, do they not? So I guess until we make them wear B/O we won't know if it improves things, now will we?

Good post Doc, even though it's a real downer. But other than society's attitude about hunting that we now have to put up with, the rest of the changes you mentioned do not have to affect us at all. We can choose to ignore all of that technology and competition and do it the way we did it as kids. We have the power to reject those changes and do it the way we used to do it. Keep it pure and simple. So maybe, with enough determination, we can all turn this train wreck around and get it moving in the right direction again. I think it's best we start telling all of these "good old days" stories more often and hope the younger hunters see the wisdom of it and adopt the same attitude. Almost forgot - We didn't wear Blaze Orange back then either. ;D Ah, the good old days.

OK Doc. This horse is dead and still being beaten. I'll agree to mandatory B/O law when it is forced upon every hunter in the woods. By that, I mean every bow hunter as well. If it is that effective, let this be a law that effects every hunter equally. And if it has no effect on deer hunting success, bow hunters have no argument against it being forced upon them either. If a law isn't equal for all, it's a bad law!

I'll snack a little on cookies or a sandwich if I get real hungry, or my stomach growls. But the less I have in me, the better I can hunt, especially if I'm not sitting on stand. I do carry about a quart of water with me though.

Warren, my first time deer hunting was in Dec of 1970 when I was 14 years old. I went to Stokes State Forest, just across Rt 206 from the Flatbrook. I had a Mossberg 500 in 3" mag and 00 Buck. Remember when we couldn't use slugs back then? Anybody else remember when everything in a hunter's closet smelled like Hoppes #9? I still love that smell.

Then you guys should be worried, as these methods of security are practically useless when it comes to preventing a terrorist from blowing up a plane. All they do is cause long lines and aggravate the flying public. You are trading your freedoms for a sense of security. A pretty high price in my opinion. Did you know none of these methods will stop a suicide bomber that has had explosives surgically implanted, or has inserted a 1/2 pound of C4 up his rectum? Look into the security methods the Israelis use. That is an effective system that has prevented any terrorist attacks at all for decades. They don't use scanners, pat downs or ask people to remove their shoes. They talk directly to people, especially suspicious or nervous fliers, and they (heaven forbid) PROFILE!

I like to have as little in my belly as possible when I hunt. Makes it easier to hike. I breath better and it seems to keep the blood pressure down too. I even sweat less. I notice these things as I get older. I'm looking to find every advantage I can while hunting these days. Maybe ancient instincts make a hungry hunter, a better hunter too!

I'll be in Zone 1 for the opener. I got the bear permit too!

That's great! Good for you.

Since I'm in a rifle area in NY, I only use my 12 ga slug gun in NJ. I test it before I head down to NJ to hunt.

I hate the wind, but windy rain is worse.

Oh, forgot to mention this......Carry a couple of Aspirin in your pack. Not Ibuprophen or Motrin or anything else....ASPIRIN! If you start having any chest pains, take two aspirin and call for help. They can, and very often will, save the life of someone who is having a minor heart attack. They may also prevent the onset of a major attack. Stay safe and healthy everyone!

Ditto! Good Luck everyone!

I carry 4 in the rifle and two in my pockets. I like to be a "six shooter". But most of my deer take only one shot, so six seems like a lot. Besides, I hunt my own land and the house is only 200 yards away.

Out of shape is not doing any exercise prior to the opener that would make it easier for you to hunt. Everyone has their own level of fitness. Going out on the opener and doing some very stressful stuff, like climbing mountains in a foot of snow, when you know you will have a lot of trouble doing that, is asking for a heart attack. We worry about gun safety and tree stand safety, but not about our own fitness and health risks while hunting. They are just as important, if not more so. I was a firefighter/EMT for 10 years and saw a lot. Believe me, getting a heart attack victim out of the backwoods and into the ER takes a lot of time. And the more the victim weighs, the longer it takes, the more people it takes and the lower the chances for survival. No insult to anyone intended here. Know your limitations, stay within them and work on extending them prior to deer hunting.

Ask her if she would rather have them on a BBQ grill or in her car's grill.

Welcome aboard.

There are already reports of very attractive women being randomly searched more often than any one else. Sounds like a lot of the TSA are perverts if you ask me.

Welcome aboard. Did you find any hair? Maybe the shot was not as good as you assume.

I don't think you can change the deer. I think you need to move. If you find the deer was on a trail, or in an area he is often in, move your stand closer for the next hunt. You can't get a deer to go anywhere he doesn't want, or need, to go.

Really? Your reading skills aren't up to par today then. You didn't see this... "If you're gonna hunt, get in shape to hunt." Looks like someone saying that you shouldn't hunt if you are overweight. Looks like your reading skills are not up to par here. Where does that statement say don't hunt? It says make sure you are physically capable of hunting so you don't die doing it. Ever see those Viagra commercials that say "see your Doctor to be sure you are capable of having sex"? Do you think that is telling people not to have sex? It's telling them to get in shape if they are going to have sex or you might die! Look, if you are not in shape, get in shape. You can do anything you want if you're out of shape, but you just might die doing it. If you don't have enough discipline to even attempt to get in shape, you are in a serious state of denial. I just went to a funeral for a woman I dated prior to meeting my wife. She was only 50. That's 5 years younger than me. She died of a massive heart attack. The first attack she ever had. Why? Because she had grown to 300 pounds and smoked. She was 5' 3" and 100 pounds when she was 19 years old. She's dead because she didn't care to even try to lose weight. And she wasn't even attempting to do anything physical like hunting. That's suicide, but done very slowly. Her husband and 3 kids now go on alone.

Welcome aboard. I was ready the day after last year's deer season closed. ;D

Welcome aboard.

Here's a radical idea. If you're gonna hunt, get in shape to hunt. I'll bet more hunters die from heart attacks on Opening Day, than are injured by firearms or tree stands.

Welcome aboard. Good Luck to you.