grampy

Scumbag thieves, are not worth the air they inhale. It's incomprehensible to me why a socalled "sportsman", would steal anothers gun.

Luuuuke!!!

Unbelievable how tough these animals are. Meat looks fine though chef.

I applaud your common sense and self control! The hunting spirits, no doubt took notice! They may reward you with an even bigger prize! Can't count the times deer have caught me half stepping. My last big blunder was last year on thanksgiving day. I was going in for surgery the next day, and not feeling well. But I wanted to be out there! Made my way to a great ground blind that hadn't been hunted yet that year, bordering a big swamp. Was in before light, and was still there right before noon. Had not seen a deer in that time. Now anytime I stand up, especially from a ground blind, I ALWAYS look 360 degrees around me. You guessed it! Discouraged by not seeing any deer and needing to move, I just stood up. 40 yards away, over my left shoulder stood a buck I've been after for three years. He didn't stand there long and was gone before I could get on him. So I share your pain! And before the end of this season, there will be plenty of pain to go around, for many of us!

Great analogy Matt. Also add, the people who will be telling you anything, during the interview, or what they think you want to hear. Just to get you to come out to them, and track a poor shot, that shouldn't have been taken. Or to make up for a sorry attempt at recovering their own deer. They just assume the "dog can find it'. Won't find it, if the deer is still alive, during the tracking sorte! The "average" recovery rate is less than 40% in a given year. Even with the best certified dogs and handlers. I think, outdoorstom will agree.

Severino only lasts one and a third, before being pulled. Yanks bullpen and one clutch HR from Voit bail the Yankees out in a close game. 4 - 3 Yankees.

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family John. Will say a prayer for all of you. When you are out hunting with that rifle, keep in mind your Dad, nodding and smiling approvingly, just over your shoulder.

Yes, there is a difference in the terminology. But I just call it all........hunting.

Moisture helps bacteria grow, hence the smell. I have those air dry, boot dryers, and dry my boots as soon as I take them off. That helps. And as the temps cool and get cold, dry boots are much warmer. Also use the carbon inserts from Dr. Sholls too.

Been sneaking up on critters since I was a boy. Not sure if it's the Native American blood in me, but I find doing this very natural. I've been fortunate enough to kill a number of deer by stalking with the bow. Including two of my top three bucks. I never just 'walk' to and from a stand, or through the woods while hunting. Most times I'll see them far enough out, as they are moving, to either intercept them in place, or try to move closer to intercept them. I tend to mostly stalk tree to tree, or cover to cover. And try to keep a tree between myself and the deer when possible, especially when the deer is close. I find stalking a bedded deer a bit more difficult, and challenging. It has to be done with even more caution and stealth, as when they are stationary, they catch movement even better. Doing this takes a lot of patience. All movement is done in SUPER slow motion, especially when the deer is close. If you think you are moving too slow, move slower! The last deer I stalked, was when I was hunting with moog last year. Came within a couple steps getting a shot at a nice 8pt. while moog watched and silently cheered me on. That was my best hunt of 2017.

Happy Birthday Joe! This young man always impresses me. Hope all is going well with ya kid. Guess now that you're 21, this one's on me.

I really enjoy the old hunting pic's!! The pic of deer piled on the car is something you don't see much anymore. But it was quite common back in the day! Those pic's bring back some memories! Couple real nice bucks in there too!

No way would he get a pass from me, if he was within range. Dandy Buck ! Good Luck Eddie!

Congratulations my friend!!! Beautiful buck! You had a dead deer from the moment you hit him. Awesome recovery and tracking job! Huge props to you and the guys!

There is so much more than just antler restrictions in play when trying to keep older bucks on a property. Yes, if you kill a small buck, he will never be a big buck. That is absolutely true!!! But..... More than anything else, deer need to feel secure! Without the thickest, nastiest bedding areas, that do NOT get hunted, or invaded very little by humans. Deer will move to where they can find that security. Especially during hunting season!!! In short they need a place to hole up, and have a chance to survive a couple of hunting seasons! It may only be one or two bucks that make it, that wouldn't have otherwise. But they become more difficult to kill with each passing year. More to it than 'just' what you shoot on any given property. As you have no control what others shoot on theirs. Like I said, more to it than just AR. Age based shooting is always better than AR, in my opinion. Learn the difference of how a one, two, and three year old, or older buck appears physically. There are no easy shortcuts to putting mature bucks in a place, where there are very few or none. A lot of planning and patience is involved, with what is or isn't shot.

HaHaHa........I'll admit to not being the smartest guy in the woods Mike. Hope ya have better luck next time out my friend.

When I lived on the lake property, up until three years ago, we'd burn ten plus, full cords a winter. A lot of work for sure, and I don't really miss that. But I do miss the smell of wood smoke outside, and drying out hunting clothes and boots by the fire. Not to mention nothing takes the chill from your bones quite like a wood fire. I vote to fire up the wood stove!

Another vote for the summit viper. Very comfortable and safe feeling. I have one that hasn't seen use for awhile. Wish you were closer, we could make a deal.

Hey man, it's me! grampy! I thought that was you up there! I gave you a wave but maybe you didn't see me? Not much on the cam but a small buck and those doe you are watching. Just so ya know, my wife has names for them. Give me a few more minutes, and I'll have this stand strapped in. Not as young as I used to be, and I'm afraid of Heights too! Figured if I grunted and groaned enough, you'd come over and give me a hand? Almost done. Then I'll head out to your truck, drop the tailgate and sip suds till ya come out! Just yell if ya need me buddy!!!

Welcome! Pull up a seat and join in!

I'm posted up in front of my work computer. Sending good luck to all out there. Sure wish I was. C'mon....somebody bloody an arrow!

I don't bowhunt in the rain very often. And only when it is a very light rain, with no heavy rain in the forecast. Also only take high percentage shots. And my max range shrinks from 30 yards to 20. With the wet leaves and ground, a light blood trail can be diluted quickly and made almost impossible to follow.

Let em roll and let it ride burmjohn!!!

I'll be at work until Saturday. But will be following along with all who are out there. Best of luck to everyone heading out! Waiting for pic's!!!

Early season tracking can be very hit or miss, as I'm sure you know Tom. The next few calls can be totally different! Wishing you and the deam team safety and success! Love this thread! Let me know the next time you visit John and Jolanta, coffee's on me!