grampy

Having a two year old in the blind with you? Bless you! Some day you will both get a good laugh when you tell the story! So cool that the boys are spending time with you in the woods at such a young age! You have plenty of season left to put that ol" gobbler down!

Love that confident look!!! You go girl!

Watched World War Z, for the first time last night. Good movie! I wouldn't have a chance outrunning those zombies!

Seems like the older I get, the less stuff I carry. Still carry a17 year old bow, release on my hand, knife, a pad for my hiney, a couple bite size candy bars and my phone, most every time I head out. And every now and then I'll go "heavy", and add a range finder, grunt tube, and bino's. Now years ago, I'd carry all that plus, cover and rut scents, at least two or three different calls, gutting gloves, enough food for two hunters, extra socks, a climbing stand, rope, cannon quick shot 35mm camera, more deer pee, extra release, and a hand full of other gadgets and gizmos, that I just knew I needed. Well, turns out that I don't really need much to kill a deer and get it out. As long as I pick the right set up at the right time. My back and shoulders thank me now, every time I head out! Go quiet, go light, go smart.

Thank you Mr. Lou.

Nice shooting moog! Hard to tell in the pic's, how far are you targets, 20 - 30? Those tusker targets look pretty cool too.

Today is Zach's 13th birthday! Among other things, that gun he's holding in the picture above is now his! I killed my first turkey with it and did the home made camo paint job, myself. He's loved that gun from the first time he shot it. Think I'll put a red dot sight on it for him too. At some point all my guns will be his. To make his own memories with. And hopefully to pass along as he sees fit. But for now, he has another gun to keep clean!

Very nice! Looks like it will be perfect for what you need to do! Go green!

I dunno', guess I'd be easy pickings for the walkers. Cause I still don't see em. Could be why I don't see any deer either.

I've been thinking about it, but will wait another six years before taking my NYS Teachers Retirement. I keep taking on more responsibilities. Like this past January, I started a school to work program for special education students. It has been the most rewarding thing I've done in my career. The joy working with these kids has given me, is enormous. Their boundless optimism is truly inspiring. In a few weeks, I'll be sixty. But a young sixty! I still have more to give.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. And you have my heartfelt condolences, with the passing of your Grandfather. Time in the woods has always been my way of sorting things out too.

I'll make a donation in his name! Absolutely right on ! It's not like they are penned up with targets painted on them for youth seasons! Just like in anything else. Experience brings confidence, and confidence brings success. Experience, confidence, success. Isn't that what all young people should be given the opportunity to achieve?

She's beautiful! What's her name? She a real good watch dog? Most shep's are. She has that on guard look!

He will be calling turkey's with those calls, long after my hunting days are done. We already have a plan when we get back out to the woods, he will be calling! I'll only take over calling, with a couple of purr's or clucks, when he is preparing for the shot. After the first one he does it all on his own. It will all come full circle when he calls one in for his grampy! Zach's first pic's with a turkey, and every turkey after that, with those calls, are going to letinmfly! So you better be sticking around for a loooong time!!! Thanks Lou.

Simply put, how can an "extra" weekend or "more" time spent with a young hunter be a bad thing? Those two days are just another opportunity to hunt, that wouldn't be possible to do otherwise. I really don't have a problem with more time available, in the woods for kids. "EVERY," opportunity is worth it! Anyone who does have a problem with a youth season, has selfish motivations in my opinion.

I really enjoyed following this thread! Congratulations to the prize winners!!! All the stories were so great! Glad I didn't have to pick the winners! Also, I think the winners were everyone who participated! Young hunters, mentors, judges, contributors, letinmfly, the site mods. All did their part to make this an outstanding event!

Anytime we can lift young hunters up, and make them the center of attention, even if it's just for a weekend. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. I also believe that it's the hunt its self, that is more important. Not if a bird is taken or not. It's the undivided attention that they get that perhaps, would not be as keen, if both mentor and youth were hunting together. I think that really makes a difference. Unless someone is worried that a youth hunter may kill a bird they have been watching for themselves, I don't see a problem with a youth season. If even one young hunter gets hooked on hunting during a youth season. The two days set aside was well spent. IMO.

Thanks. I'm hoping to be able to shoot my bow again. The last couple years, I can not hold full draw, more than a couple seconds and only able to shoot 5 or 6 arrows for practice sessions. Haven't been able to shoot at all, since late last year. I'm not ready to give my bow up yet! Not with a 13 year old, chomping at the bit to put his first deer behind him. Along with my love of bowhunting. So I'll just get it done now, go through the PT, and hope to be shooting by mid July, or sooner if I can. Then have the other shoulder done next year.

I've been around a bit, and I've never seen a place, with the acts of kindness and generosity, from so many, as this forum. Here is yet another example. My grandson Zac, just received a couple of awesome turkey calls from letinmfly! He sent these from his own collection. Zac's first words were " these sound better than yours grampy"! And he's right. This custom box call is the best I've ever heard! And the pot call is amazing too! Zac will kill many turkey's using these calls. He's really getting the hang of calling at 13. And absolutely loves hunting and the outdoors. A stand up guy took the time to make a difference in a kids life. From Zac, Thank You Mr. Lou. From me, thank you my friend.

I can't hear anything worth a crap anymore. Working around machinery most of my life has taken it's toll. It's very annoying at times, not being able to hear the little things. Will be shopping for hearing aids in the near future. Good that you can still hear that well grow. Especially at your age!............grin.

I'll be tapping out of turkey season this year. Having shoulder surgery done next week. Hoping to get out and at least do some calling for my grandson, as soon as I can.

Hope you feel better soon! Kidney stones are no joke. No matter how tough you are!

He should have run away and joined the circus.

What a beautiful first bird you got Kayden! Congratulations! You did an awesome job with Uncle Hoppy! And I'm sure, your Dad is so proud of you. And I'm also sure, he was sitting under that tree, right along side of you. God bless you and keep you safe, through all of your hunting adventures to come.

My favorites are the ones who barely speak English! what?...What?...WHAT?!!! Why don't you call me back, when you can speak my language! Years ago, I got a subscription to Buckmasters. Wasn't really impressed, so let it run out. Since then, every couple months, I get a call from Texas, from a guy who sounds just like Jackie Bushman! Calls me by my first name and asks how my hunting is going! I always say, not too good, could I come hunt with him? He says he'll work on that, then he then starts his pitch. I say whoa, whoa, whoa! AFTER, I hunt with you Jackie, I'll subscribe!........click. Literally, the same thing every time for a few years now. Still hasn't given up. I'm still hoping for that hunt!