grampy

He ain't ugly, he's a shooter around these parts!

I'd really like a hat and T-shirt ! But think I'll wait to order, until after you guys have been taken care of......

The author of that book John, is my tracking mentor. Yes the dog needs to be certified. And so do you!! From the DEC. There really is a lot more to it than just training a dog to follow a blood trail. The human partner is just as important to the dog, as the dog is to us. And has to have the experience to help his four legged partner. It is a team effort. Each must do their part to be successful. And it works best when both partners contribute equally. Yes, the dog has the nose. We have the brain. Perfect example, from a current thread on this forum..........Outdoorstom with Luna and Kunox, they depend on Tom to know when to backtrack, restart, push, slowdown, run ahead, search escape trails, circle around, and any number of other things, to help them if they lose the scent trail. Read through that thread and you will get an idea of what I'm saying. That is an all star team!!! He looks like a good pup. Nothing says you can't have fun together! Try an old deer hide at the end of your mock blood trail.

I think you're a pretty sporty woman Paula!

If not for football, pretty sure It would be 3 for 3 now! But we aren't done yet.....................giving it our best shot!

A hearty congratulations Jay! So happy to have you as a 'blood brother' ! You have come so far with bowhunting in a short time my friend. Not surprising at all though. You are one heck of a hunter! Way to go man!!! All those guys who helped along the way, are typical of the kind of people who frequent this forum. Group hug!!!..................................................

What a great conclusion to a great story of your Dad's old bow. I'm sure he was with you all day Bob, with a big smile on his face. Congratulations on getting it done with a trad bow! Never an easy task! Great job, and a super accomplishment my friend! Brian is one of the most unselfish people I know. Always willing to help with bows, and set ups, trad or compound. Also, to share the bounty of his spectacular hunting properties with friends. Not many would do this to the extent that moog does. You two made a great team on that tough recovery! I've heard some of the details. Not many would have, pulled that off successfully like you guys did. My hat is off to you both.

Due to varsity football commitments, my grandson only has Sunday the 13th to hunt this youth weekend. I'll bring him to the spot where I was surrounded by 25 to 30 deer, over the course of last Saturday morning. Mostly doe's and fawns, but did see three bucks too. One of them was a mature ten point with stickers, a true giant!!! This spot is a travel pinch point. So no guarantee that any, or all of them will show up? This is a notorious all or nothing spot. But I think for early season, it's the best spot I have to kill "a deer". We talked yesterday, and I asked if he is still set on taking only a buck? He told me that maybe he will shoot a doe, just to get the first one under his belt. But he will decide for sure while we are out there. I told him, you shoot whatever makes you happy, and to be happy with what you shoot. I refuse to put any pressure on him whatsoever. He puts enough on himself with everything he does. I want our time together in the deer woods to be a fun and relaxed time for us both. So who knows what this Sunday will bring??? Stay tuned. I'll post whatever happens here.

Thanks so much for the comments guys! I was just concerned when I saw the blades in the closed position, sticking out of the back of the target. But perhaps the "sudden stop" pushes them back to closed??? A sheet of paper on the back of the target will let me know for sure. I hope my disappointment will turn to confidence. I really do want them to work. Like the many reviews I read said they would.

That I don't know. But what you are saying does make sense. Think I'll tape a sheet of paper on the "back" of the target and see? Thanks again!

I saw that too in some of the google posts I looked at. After the second shot I taped a piece of paper on there to be sure, and saw no cut marks from any of the three blades. Just slight indentation from the "tabs". Thanks for commenting thought Rob.

NAP Spitfire Maxx 100gr 3 blade mechanical. I bought these awhile back. Had some time to dial in the crossbow today and decided to try them out. Well.... I'm disappointed. They fly accurate enough, actually very accurate. But the problem is, they are not opening! I shot one into a multi layered stack of cardboard, that I use for a broadhead target. First thing I noticed was that the three blades were not deployed, when I saw the head sticking out the back of the target! Shot it four more times, same thing not opening! Seems to take a good amount of pressure to even get them to open with my fingers. All the heads in the package feel the same way. Looks like I wasted $40+ as I can't trust them to open on contact with a deer! I may try them on a softer foam target, to see if it makes a difference. But if hitting hard cardboard doesn't get them to open, I don't thing anything will? Reviews were and are very good for the most part. Anyone else use these or have experience with them?

Deer need only three things. Security/bedding cover, food, and water. They will move with the preferred source of each one, for any given period of time. The key to all that, is to figure what source they are keying on at the time you are hunting them. Easier said than done sometimes. When you hit it right, you'll see plenty of deer. As apposed to just hoping one ambles by. Find the deer sign, and piece together the puzzle. Nothing beats boots on the ground for finding the sign. When the rut heats up later in the season. That is much different than the early and late, food, bedding tactics.

Real nice buck and write up! Congratulations to ya!

Congratulations! Glad your surgery went well.

You definitely got a good one. Good boy Nash!!!

Compound or recurve? Either way, congratulations my friend! She's a chunky doe!

It will be cool enough tonight. No problem. Give it plenty of time to bed and die. That's where you'll find it. Best of luck with recovery!

If you heard an impact sound. That deer was hit somewhere. Sometimes with an arrow, the cut hair flies out in a very fine poof, and can be next to impossible to see. As it's short single cut hairs that scattered while falling. Definitely worth giving it another look!

Hitting one and not finding it, hurts much worse than a clean miss. We all had to learn from our mistakes. He sounds like a very conscientious young man. And is enjoying hunting with his dad. What's not to like about that! It's only a few days into a long season. I have no doubt, that he will have redemption before it's over!

Sat the upper part of the farm this afternoon. Not as much action as this morning at the lake. But did see four flat heads. Overall, my first hunt of the season was great! Congratulations to all who got a deer today!

Had a morning to remember. 25 to 30 different deer. Was tempted by a decent 8 pt, but passed. Had a giant 10 with trash at 35, but no shot. And bunches of flat heads outside the ground blind. Guess where my grandson will be next weekend? Best sit I've had in many years. Also had three huge gobblers at five yards to start the show after first light. Decided to let them all walk on the first morning. Will leave this spot clean for my grandson.

Perfect morning! Blood will flow today! Looking forward to the pic's later! Have deer in the back yard as I'm loading up the truck.

Congratulations!!! Love stories like this. My wife is the best hunting partner I've ever had. And she's never hunted a day in her life. But she has supported every day that I have over the last 40 years.

Hope everyone is OK?