sampotter

So the fine isn't enough of a deterrent? I personally don't know what the fine is for shooting bucks I don't have tags for, I just figured that I wouldn't do it because it is illegal. Finding yourself 5 MPH over the speed limit is a lot different than pulling the trigger one more time...

http://m.sharpie.com/enus/pages/ultra-fine-point-marker.aspx They come with every tag. You didn't get one?

The internet version didn't seem to recognize my buck tag #. P.s. the actual tags suck. The ink fades fast and you can't write on them clearly.

A- it's illegal B- it's greedy There was a guy a couple of years ago that shot a nice 3 year old during gun season, then shot a mature 8, and couldn't help himself when a spike came out too. I still regret not calling him in.

Yes, probably comes from the same mold...

The bucket I use is a 5 gallon feed bucket I bought at TSC. Any bucket will probably work, but this one is a little shorter and squattier than a standard 5, which probably helps maintain temps.

I told you Curmudgeon...! Here's a question: at what point does shooting an animal behind a fence become "cruelty to animals"? If I took money from someone in exchange for letting them shoot one of my Holsteins for sport, would that be a whole lot better than a Michael Vick scenario? People have been jailed for animal cruelty after shooting dogs and/or cats even though the actual kill was quick and humane.

Loving the Savage smokeless...

Fisher

My wife wants to go. Apparently there are 4 shows in 2 days? Sounds a little commercialized.

Geez- don't post that on here- someone is bound to take you up on your offer!

"Hunting" farm animals is like hiring a prostitute in Vegas; sure you "bagged" one but are you really proud enough to tell your friends about it?

That's because pheasants are from China just like everything else that looks great at first but doesn't last long.

OK Grow, no legal shortcuts

Yes, but the label of "hunter" sure doesn't make us all the same or buddies. There are certainly some that call themselves "hunters" that the rest of us would be better off without.

Anyone ever hear the phrase "10% of hunters kill 90% of the deer" or "90% of the big bucks" ? There's a reason and it's all in the details, just like any successful endeavor. There are no shortcuts to success.

I've used them a bunch of times- yes, it takes a while but they always get back in the estimated time. There is also Matson's Lab.

What town was that buck shot? I have one on trail can north of Cato. I wouldn't raise or lower my standards for a piebald.

Pretty much nothing. I've put heavy duty degreaser in when I've boiled them and it doesn't make a difference. The only thing I found was the grease migrated from the forehead to most of the rest of the skull. The only thing I've found that works so far is Zep citrus degreaser (Home Depot) at a 1:3 ratio (or stronger) with water in a bucket and let it soak for a few weeks. Supposedly, dawn will work the same way, but again- it needs to soak for weeks. You may think you don't need to because initially the skull will look nice, but give it a few months and you'll have grease start coming through on the forehead like this (wet looking areas between the eyes): The problem is the skull isn't solid bone, it has a somewhat hollow core in a lot of areas, and fat will be in the bone marrow in those places. Even when beetles are used the skulls have to be degreased.

So, in this article it is claimed that the wild elk were infected by escapees from a nearby game farm?

Kind of like claiming that deer farmers had nothing to do with the spread of the aforementioned CWD or that no deer was ever transported across state lines without the proper health testing, permits, and paperwork...

I put them in looking like this: (This was in the original buck boiler before it burned out) After 3-4 hours the head will look like this... Note the skin has split across the bridge of the nose. At this point I walk over to the dumpster and give it a good shake. The bottom jaw and everything from the split forward usually falls off. I then whip out my trusty leatherman and pop the flesh and skin off the forehead. It usually takes less than 5 minutes to get 95% of the soft material off. I also do a water change at this point. After another 2 hours or so (time can be different depending on all the variables I listed in a previous post) the head will come out looking like this. I use a pressure washer to get any last little bits off. If the deer is 3 years old or younger you will probably need to glue the nose bones (upper mandible) back in. The last step is degreasing, which I think I've finally figured out...

I throw them in skin and all. Make sure you wrap plastic around the bases up to the brow tines as tightly as possible. Keeps the bark in and the greasy scuzz from sticking to the antlers.

Virgil- not much different than hunting behind a fence.

As far as time goes- a lot depends on your water start temperature, ambient temperature (I made an insulated shell for mine), cook temperature, and how much flesh is removed ahead of time. I've found some skulls come out nice and white and some don't, even if everything was done the same way. Also plan on degreasing the skull. You won't notice it at first but after a few months the forehead area of the skull will start to get a oily look. I've been using Zep citrus degreaser from Home Depot at a 1 to 3 ratio with water. I let the skulls soak in this solution for several weeks at room temperature.