grampy

Always excited for opening morning of regular season. This will be my 48th opening morning. And I always reflect back to the first few. Hunting with the old farmer guys that have long since passed on. The guys that took a fatherless, stubborn kid who found peace in the woods. Took him under their wings, and started him hunting. From my first opening morning, I can still smell and taste the strong black coffee, and the thick bacon, on homemade biscuits in the farmhouse kitchen. As we made "the plan" on who was going where. They were all shining examples of good men. And I hate to think where I may have ended up without their influences on my life. Ray, Don, Bill, and Warren......will be sitting with me in the morning. Whispering encouragement as always. And I will give my thanks to them again for doing what they did. And at some point, try to pass along to someone else, the values and love of hunting that they gave to me. Well.... My hunting partner took a ride around this morning, and saw one of my target bucks near where I'm going in the morning!!! A four year old, heavy six point that i'm sure will dress out close to 200lbs. Hope to see him tomorrow! Good luck to all of you. Keep safe. Shoot what you like, like what you shoot!!

Will be even colder on Sunday morning! Will be hovering around zero here then! Brrrrrr........

I dug this out from my ice fishing gear. May help to keep me in the blind a little longer! I too use many layers for cold weather hunting. My Under Armour base layers are the best cold weather gear I ever bought. Worth every penny.

Poor Luna.....heal up soon little girl.

Give it a few days rest, and get right back in it !

Congratulations Brad! What a cool looking doe! And big too! Really sorry to hear of your injury. Hope you are feeling better soon. My apologies for posting in the harvest thread. Didn't realize it until after posting.

What a total POS!!!! I hope they find and prosecute this A hole! Why would anyone get it in their head, to intentionally try to hurt someone else over a damn deer!!!

What an awesome mature buck! Congratulations!!!

Go Garmin. You won't be sorry.

Trigger stick tri-pod. Have used it at the range, so very comfortable with it.

For the longer shot, hands down the bolt Rem 308 with the better scope. Best tool for the job at hand. And best of luck to ya sir!

The reason for this set up being there, is a deer of a lifetime is a possibility in this spot. This is where they spend a lot of time. The area is now split. If he goes from one end to the other, he has to cross this cut. There is a cliff at the other end of this cut! Somewhere between that cliff and me, any deer going through, will have to cross that cut. Been thinking of doing this for years! Made it happen. So now I just need to make the shot. "If" the deer follow the plan....we'll see. That's hunting!

At some point yes. Saturday there is an athletic department holiday fundraiser. So he will be there. I think that his little friend from the cheer squad being there too, is a contributing factor....lol Possibly Sunday he will get out with me? He knows anytime he wants, he can go. And it will be all about him!! Him getting a deer is much more important to me. But I will never pressure him to go. And I'll love him either way. I want to thank each and every one of you guys for the reply! You will never know how much you have put my twisted mind at ease! It really was to the point where I was just going to go to a different spot! And not hunt this great set up, I've worked hard to put in. I have total confidence in my rifle. In the right hands, no doubt it could drop a deer way past where I'm fretting over! I think it's just a confidence issue with me not wanting to make a bad shot, doing something I've never done? It kinda is hard to teach an old dog new tricks I guess? I do have a triggerstick trip-pod for a solid rest. And now, thanks to you guys, I'm going there and getting it done, if the deer cooperate! This place is pretty special in the way we all help each other. You guys have certainly helped me here. Thanks.

I have a plus inch and a half zero at a hundred yards. At two hundred it's about half a inch low. I know this rifle very well! Have put over 300 rounds down range with it. It is a VERY accurate and consistent gun. My issue isn't hitting targets. I hit those just fine! Just not any experience on real deer that far. Thanks Brian. That is likely the best advice I could get.

My longest kill shot was just a little over a hundred yards. And that was many years ago. Probably 90% of all my deer shots have been sixty yards or less over 48 years of hunting. Until possibly this year..... In the above pic is my set up for opening morning on Saturday. To the end of that lane is 214 yards. The lane separates two bedding areas leading to feeding. I'm shooting a 270 with good glass, and my own handloads. Yes, I've practiced out to 200 and beyond, but never shot at a deer that far before. Don't know why, but as the time gets closer, I'm feeling more apprehensive about this. This is a well thought out spot that was cleared this summer for just this purpose! I would hate to pass it up after all the work done, because I'm iffy about going out of my comfort zone! I know to many of you, 200 yards is a chip shot! But to me it's a long ways, and I don't want a missed or worse, wounded deer!! Of course if I can pull off this shot, it would be a highlight of my hunting career! Any suggestions from the longer range shooters at live deer, that can help calm me down. This is a real issue for me.

Welcome, and good to have ya join us Al ! Looking forward to hearing more from you. Just pull up a seat and join right in anytime! Best of luck to ya this season!

One time I really thought I had one on trail cam! Come to find out, it was the neighbors tabby just playing a joke on me!!!

Got a buck on the property that I've been chasing for the last two seasons. Seen within 30 yards each year, AFTER my buck tag has been filled! He is at least five years old. And has been seen by multiple people this season. I would love to hold off on the other bucks and take him? But at the very least, I want to shoot a three year old buck. Will just have to see how it all plays out. I just feel grateful to be here, to participate in another season! Hopefully my grandson will get out with me at some point too. THAT....would make my season more than any buck I may or may not shoot.

Buckmaster7600 that is an awesome well earned buck! Congratulations!!! Not many, including myself could have pulled that hunt off like you did! And the story was excellent too! I agree submit it for print.

Way to go Dan! Beautiful bobcat! And great picture! Thanks Larry!

Chili!!!! What else?

My prediction is, they will all have have learned so much from this program, and the mentors. That they will be putting venison on the table for years to come!!! A huge tip of the hat to all involved with this program!!!

A long, long shot I know!!!!! But I'll throw it out there. Could exchange a buck hunt on private land?

I do believe in using as as much of the animal as I can. That said, there are certain parts I just can't get to my lips. But bon appetit'......come back to let us know what ya think.

And so do you my friend!!! Happy Birthday G Man!!! Wishing you all the best today, and through the coming year!