grampy

Welcome,some good folks here and some good info tossed around by some knowledgeable hunters and outdoors men and women. I'm not too far from you. I'm up in the helderberg hills. Years ago I used to catch some nice fish summer and winter on Mariaville lake.

Very nice job done! Looks great and congratulations on a awesome buck! I like the sound of western mount too.

Me too!

Happy NGD (new gun day)! Hope it brings you a lifetime of shooting memories!

Like the old saying goes, you only get to go around once! As long as ole sawbones gives you the thumbs up, ya gotta go! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Not to mention the posts and pictures that we all would be anxiously awaiting!

I bought the Barrnet Raptor last year,150lb. pull,330fps. Came with Scope,cocking device,quiver,3 bolts with field points and a sling, adjustable butt stock all for about $400. It will shoot almost same hole accuracy out to 30 yards and is fun to shoot. Weighs about seven pounds and 18 inches wide. There are a lot of brands and styles out there. Try to go where you can shoot one to see what fits your dad the best. Good luck with your search!

Ok, just my opinion here, not trying to tick off the OP. I too have hunted 30+years with a compound bow. And I too got a cross bow last year and am impressed with some of its capabilities. But my actual "hunting" range has not changed at all. Still 30 yards or less. I will not shoot unless I'm 100 percent sure that I can put the arrow or bolt exactly where it needs to go to cleanly kill that animal. Perhaps a "lucky" or not shot at 60 yards worked out well once but can you be 100 percent sure it will every time? I know we all have different skill levels, but I just don't see many hunters consistently making 60 yard shots, even with a crossbow.

Those pics were taken around rut time. My guess is that it's some kind of new doe makeup, put on to be more attractive to the bucks!

Not hearing much about global warming these days.

First I'll get this out of the way,I have broken laws in my lifetime! I don't think too many people can say otherwise. But,when it comes to being the mentor for teaching my grandsons about hunting,I cannot and will not knowingly break any laws while afield with them. I strive to be the best example I can be to give them a foundation to build on. My hope is that this foundation will be passed to their sons and and grandsons. Will they break laws in their lifetime? I'm sure they will as I have done. But they will know good hunting ethics,what is legal and not legal,to begin their hunting careers. What they do with that the rest of their lives is up to them,but at least they will have been given a good foundation to start with.

Not a big Rex or Bills fan. But my opinion is they could have done worse. Time will tell the rest of the story.

Welcom Robin, I checked out your video and it's very good. Nice to have you here!

Welcome Robin, good to have you join in. Very nice video work, can almost smell the coffee. The camp looks cozy and well thought out and packs into that beautiful old canoe very nicely. This is how hunting was done for hundreds of years in the dacks. So great that you're keeping some of the old traditions alive. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Look forward to hearing more from you!

I got a barnett raptor for around 400 bucks. About 330 fps and very accurate out to 50 yards. I'm sure more money will get you a better crossbow, but I'm pretty impressed with this one.

I would have no problem shooting a doe with the bow for the freezer. But I surely would not be as excited, the night before opening day.

Nice buck but it does look a bit unnatural with front leg position. I like the concept though. Sorry for the double post.

My best hunting buddies now are my two grandsons ages 10 and 12. Their enthusiasm and awe of the deer woods is something to behold. I love watching them watch deer while we are in the woods. Can't wait to be there with them when they take their first deer. They are learning fast about the way of the woods. And the bonds we are building will last long after I'm no longer able to be there with them.

The name sure does fit ! Was the deer found dead or just the sheds? Also very very nice mount too.

Wow, those are some really nice bucks! Looks like you will have a long wait till next October 1st. Funny how mature bucks can be there and not there at the same time. Good luck hunting them this year!

wooly might have to pony up a little more to even out that deal!

Congratulations guys!

That is a very nice collection of sheds! By just dumb luck over the years, while doing some post season scouting I've found four singles. Never a matched set. Are there certain areas to focus on like hemlock stands, field edges, bedding areas or fence lines that may be productive for actively looking for sheds? I'd like to get out there and give it a try!

Welcome SWEDE. Some good folks here, and lots of great info from some very knowledgeable people on a wide range of outdoor activities. I'm planning this summer to hook up the bass boat and take my grandsons out your way to do battle with those football sized Erie smallies! Any ice forming out there yet?

Happy birthday Doc! Hope it's all that and more!