Fantail

Something like the baloon idea sounds good.

Ask yourself, do you realy want to share your spot with three other guys? http://www.trophylineusa.com/subpages/photos/pics/trophylineusa_05.jpg If you can hunt out of one of those more power to ya. But it looks like it could cut circulation or crush a nut with the wrong move.

Nice buck man. Not sure I could sleep very well knowing a buck like that was passing by one of my stands.

A little off topic but have you tried the Phantom MX heads? They fly great for me. The 3-D has been seeing some heart shot practice. Mainly because I've kinda shot the core out.

Didn't own - use a metal ladder stand for a few years untill this year, new lease. As they seem to be prone to theft. The one you said you got looks huge. But all in all they make fairly sturdy stands. They all flex a little when your climbing, but it's nothing to worry about if it's secured well atop & at the brace. Some people feel more comfortable, or safer in a ladder stand over a climber. They are both about the same to me. Either seems a better footing over a hang-on & sticks. I've used a can of flat black or grey to touch-up any shiny buckles or bolts.

Now that's funny right there. I seem to prefer standing. Sure I'll take a break now and then. I'd say 80% to 20%. My climber has a removable front bar, left it on because I use it while I'm climbing. Probably shouldn't do that but it helps alot. But my point is when I stand it's not in the way at all. That, and it's very cozy so standing I tend to keep alert.

Could be smoke, but considering who's named in the 1st. paragraph .. source http://www.nssfblog.com/epa-considering-ban-on-traditional-ammunition-take-action-now/ All Gun Owners, Hunters and Shooters: With the fall hunting season fast approaching, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Lisa Jackson, who was responsible for banning bear hunting in New Jersey, is now considering a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) – a leading anti-hunting organization – to ban all traditional ammunition under the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976, a law in which Congress expressly exempted ammunition. If the EPA approves the petition, the result will be a total ban on all ammunition containing lead-core components, including hunting and target-shooting rounds. The EPA must decide to accept or reject this petition by November 1, 2010, the day before the midterm elections. [view source for complete atricle & take action links]

100 miles seems to be about a limit for day runs. But it's alot of lost sleep, wear & tear & gas. If it is your last year there hope it's a memorable one. To luck.

Gators fear Betty White. No wait, she feeds them cows.

Caption: "What? The other bears told me I could get 2-bars up here."

Slammin` Bet it was a great hunt!

Hey are they bedding around there? Looks like soft grasses.

Looks like he's stuck his tounge out at you, like he knows when the season opens. Nice deer man.

Check out this KS hunt, great shot

Well considering that a few apples are starting to drop around here, I see crabapple trees loaded, and the opener (NZ) is still a month away, damn.

Soon as I read the first post I thought of this video

Sounds like your happy and that's what counts. ;D I use Muzzys, MX-3's are chizle point and the Phantoms are cut on contact, both fixed blade and seemed to tune well. What arrows did you buy with it?

I think that's a decent mod to your stand, hopefully it doesn't make alot of noise setting it back up.

I never thought gutting a bird was that much work. And then you still have to clean out the cavity so I see no point in having some medevil looking tool just to rip the guts out.

I've seen a group or two with hens not a ton. But there just doesn't seem to be as many in 6k as 7m/r. Decent grouse sightings though.

Looks good from here, hope it pays off.

Had the shop set mine to 50#. If I kick it back up to 60# or even 70# I can't shoot as much due to wrist problems (carple tunel). I agree if you got the right arrows there's a set-up for just about everyone.

Yes of course I've hunted in the rain. Not crazy about it but it's a basic question sometimes of how much hunting time you want to loose. We're talking rain, drizzle - not downpour. The other element, wind. Strong wind and rain I'm no fan of but if it's not so bad in a blind or stand umbrella. But wait - theres one other thing to consider, rain washing out your blood trail. Maybe that's more of a bowhunters concern. If it was spring turkey season a few decent hunts have paid off after a rain or thunderstorm. Come to think of it the weather was a foggy drizzle the morning I scored an 11 pnt. Ok well it can pay off. I'm thinking on puiblic land wma perhaps a few less hunters. Or at leaast be prepaired for other hunters kicking them up as they move back to their trucks earlier then usuall. I also remember one fine slow cold rainy day I'm up in a shallow shotgun stand just wet and miserable. Nothing moving at all and by 10 my butt was numb, and I had to drain. Get out of the stand and moved 30 yards and while I'm takin care of business I spot a nice doe broadside another 30 yards out staring right at me. But instead of a shotgun I got the old shlong in my hand.

So, how many deer did you get outta there?

Well it looks like I'm going to pick up the compact. Friend of mine has one new, hasn't even shot it yet. He's having a little trouble with bills this month so I offered to buy it, and I like that model. Should be a good basic ml. Hunted with muzzleleader before but only for a day here and there in SZ. Interesting how a new location can change perspective.