EagleCrag

They can be tough to spot without a dog. Look for them in pine thickets and or thick tag alders. Basically the thicker the better. Unlike Cottontails, Snowshoes almost always circle which is why it is so much fun hunting them with a dog. Without a dog, I'd ease along slowly and keep an eye down low near the base of trees and clumps of brush. Binoculars might help. If you can find an area where you can walk along an elevated area near the thick stuff and look down into it, it may help. There were a few areas where I hunted them this way. I used a 22 and hoped to catch them sitting before they spotted me and took off.

My wife has a .380 and I'd go with a 9 mm or something with a little more stopping power than a .380, but that's just me. My wife's .380 is a PPKS and fits her hand well. About all I can say for it.

I believe tennis elbow is the same thing as archer's elbow. I get it from shooting my bow, I'm right handed and I get archer's elbow in my left elbow. I can somewhat control it because I don't let it get very bad before slacking off. When I first got it years ago, I didn't realize what it was or what was causing it and I had to completely stop shooting for 6 months before it went away completely. I typically don't shoot after the season ends until the spring and I try to compensate by doing arm conditioning exercises to get my muscles ready to start shooting again. When I do start shooting, I don't ignore the initial symptoms any longer--I pay attention and slack off, as necessary--usually by shortening my sessions or shooting fewer sessions per week. Not the best situation in the world, but it allows me to manage it enough to hunt without any trouble. In my experience, some of the remedies above may help with the symptoms, but the cure is to stop shooting. I didn't want to face that, but had to years ago after quite a few short layoffs and then starting to shoot again. If it flares up badly in the future, I may switch and shoot left handed and see if I can do that without any problems. I suspect the process of pulling with my left arm instead of pushing might have a different effect (none) on my left arm. This info is just what I have experienced, nothing more.

I don't do a lot of grouse hunting but when I do, I use a 20 guage Ithaca pump with a modified choke. You need something that is quick pointing and has a pretty open choke.

And here I thought it was my scent the deer didn't like!

That blue tape never works. You need duct tape.

I find it hard to believe that a deer doesn't know what a gut pile is. I've never seen deer eating from a gut pile so won't comment on that aspect, but they certainly have to smell the scent of a deer. Perhaps they are led to the scene by smell and then are curious about what happened. I'm sure they recognize the scent of a deer they knew as well. I agree with DOC, there's still an awful lot we don't know.

In some ways, I am fortunate that I cut my hunting teeth in the Adirondacks where there is plenty of state land. I share the disdain with most folks here regarding the "hunting" shows on TV. Most years I get one opportunity per season to shoot a buck and I either make good on it or not. Some years I may get a second opportunity and some years none. I'm amused when I watch hunting programs that show a new kid whose mentor, drives them in a 4 wheeler to a "stand" that is nearly as nice as many hunting camps I've seen and then gets to look over (in one sitting) more deer than I see in a season to decide which buck they wish to take. That kid doesn't have the foggiest idea about what hunting is like IMO. What woodsmanship was required of them? None. They didn't even get to walk in the woods. I believe that the current trends in deer hunting de emphasize the need for woodsmanship in hunting as well as the hunting camp traditions that many of us knew. I agree that hunting is more and more becoming a sport for the affluent. On the positive side, I think current trends encourage hunters to let smaller deer pass, which is a good thing in my mind. Our attitudes, for the most part, are a result of the experiences we have had in hunting. In my case, I see a definite distinction between a deer taken in the "big woods" versus one taken in farm country and one taken on land where crops are planted specifically for deer. Undoubtedly this is because of my life's experiences. I bear no grudge against those who do plant food plots and manage land specifically for wildlife and don't expect them to share my views. I suspect many of them would give up hunting if they hunted where I do, simply because they wouldn't see enough deer to keep their interest up. I consider myself fortunate that I have been able to hunt the same area for over 40 years and should be able to do so until I can no longer walk in the woods.

Nothing like a week of hunting for some great father-son bonding. I wish you both luck. My son moved to Texas, which some might think is great, but Texas hunting is just not my style. I don't have anything against Texans or their way of hunting, its just not for me. I'm sure you will have some fond memories whether you get anything or not. Again, best of luck.

The definition of what is ethical will vary with each hunter. I agree that it is very very important for each bowhunter to recognize their limitations and to stay within those limitations. What is ethical is not cut and dried however. While I'm sure there are certain ethical matters that everyone will agree on, there is much grey area and perhaps hunting in the rain is one of them, and of course, you must define what you mean by rain. There are just too many variables to pass judgement on another hunter (at least in this case, IMO). Where I begin to have issues is when someone thinks that their definition of ethics is the only one and adopt a "holier than thou" attitude--and I'm not directing that at any particular person. If the shoe fits..... Passing judgement in a condescending way usually results in one's comments getting totally rejected versus making a suggestion in a less offensive way, which may get the person on the receiving end to listen.

I have bowhunted off and on for about 30 years and haven't even thought about not hunting in the rain. That being said, I wouldn't go out in a downpour simply because of the discomfort. I have, however shot a deer in the rain with a bow and recovered it. No blood trail and I was lucky. Found the deer the next day in an area with pretty fair visibility. After reading this thread though I will be more thoughtful when considering bowhunting in the rain. I do think deer movement is much better in a light rain and it helps mask your scent. For those being so critical, I can remember the days many years ago before I killed my first deer. I wanted one so bad and my adrenaline was in overdrive for weeks before the season. In addition, I hunted the Adirondacks where deer numbers are sparse. To tell me back then that I shouldn't shoot a deer in the rain would have been preposterous. Today, a different story. So I think there are lots of factors involved. I suspect that those who let a lot of deer pass are experienced hunters and also hunt areas where they at least see a lot of deer during the season. If you hunt areas where deer numbers are low you spend many hours on stand and see nothing, so its a much different scenario (IMO) than hunting areas where deer are plentiful. I think some folks watch too much television.

Purchasing a bow is NOT like purchasing a gun. If you have never purchased a bow before, I believe you are ill advised to buy one from the classifieds unless you have someone with a lot of experience to guide you. I agree with Lord of War. Go to an archery shop and shoot a bunch of different bows. If nothing else, it will give you an idea of what different bows feel like, find out what your draw length is and what poundage you are comfortable with. Archery shops usually have a number of used bows that you can buy and they usually come all set up with sight, rest, etc. Let them know what your budget is and if you don't find anything you like at one shop, go to another but don't buy online without expert advice.

I bought a set of the leafy camo a few years ago and I'm really sold on it for ground blinds. It really breaks up your silouette and makes it less defined. I purchased it big enough so it will fit over my clothes no matter what the season. The leafy part is attached to material that is like a light webbing material so that it doesn't make one hot in the warm weather, although it doesn't aid in keeping you warm in the cold weather either.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has tried the anti fogging products on the market. Apoallo, let us know what you find out. I just don't want to spend a cent on products that don't work. Too many things competing for the dollars I earn. Now that I'm older, I wear bifocals. When I first started using them from a treestand I found it difficult to focus and it took me half a season to realize it was because I was often looking through the bifocal and not the upper part of my lenses. I don't like heights either so the blurred vision was making me even more uneasy, especially when I stood up. Though it hasn't happend yet, it may also be an issue if a deer is very close, under my stand. I also find that I have to keep my glasses pressed tight to the bridge of my nose or my sight picture is blurry when I shoot. So all you folks out there that don't wear glasses, be thankful and protect your assets. One advantage of glasses--they protect your eyes when walking to and from the stand in the dark. There have been lots of times I have been smacked in the face in the dark and the glasses protected my eyes (I prefer not to use a flashlight if I don't have to).

When it comes time to shoot at a deer, I find I have to force myself to concentrate and think about the bow mechanics of the shot and put the deer out of my mind (good luck with that). I also try to maintain my sight picture until I hear/see the arrow hit the deer. Most of the misses I have experienced have been because I didn't hold my bow arm through the shot, but dropped it or moved it to the side prematurely to watch the hit which in those instances didn't materialize. Its hard when you're starting but keep your mind on the mechanics of the shot like you do when you are at the range. If you haven't practiced from an elevation, you need to. Your arrows will hit higher when shooting from a treestand and its important to know how much it affects the impact point of your arrow. Also try some nearly vertical shots. You don't want your first one to be when the deer is right under your tree.