phade

I used to think along the same lines, but that's changing. Mature bucks don't relocate as easily as most hunters think. If a buck is bumped, many of the more agressive hunters will be right back in there to shoot him as he returns to that bed. If a buck is bumped in a prime spot, and he safely leaves...then that spot works. Now, repeated bumps day in and day out change things...but the occassional soft bump isn't going to necessarily send the buck to the next county. They'll likely move in the evening...problem is the real staging area is small...only a very short distance from their bed. Most hunters think "I'm going to hunt the food source" that time of year and never see the buck, thinking he doesn't get up, when that isn't true. The buck is likely up, feeding on browse, acorns, etc. that is within a protected area close to his bed. It's a tough pill to swallow as a hunter because it goes "against" the grain of thinking, but I'm starting to see why this is true. Hunters like Dan I. and Andrae D'Aquisto (spelling?) have really perfected this style of hunting and why it works. Dan esp. since he does it on public ground in WI. Early season is also one of the best times to put down a mature buck...certainly not easy, but it's possible with the proper scouting of buck beds, food sources, and hunting style.

Mags are almost useless...lots of repeats. But, there are a few worth checking out. Deer & Deer Hunting (not as good as it used to be but still the best in terms of general info) Bow & Arrow Hunting (by far the best archery focused mag out there - some western info, but lots of technical and hunting info useful for easterners) Quality Whitetails (QDMA's journal...not so much for QDM...but moreso the science and the plant, environment info is primo...worth the subscription price) Books: John Eberhart's books...bowhunting pressured whitetails...basically all of his books. Bil Vale's book is also good Brad Herndon - Mapping Trophy Whitetails - real useful for topo reading and wind use

Great hunting ground will make even the shoddiest of hunters look better than they really are. Seat time can be a great calculator...but great ground is the mitigator.

Still available.

A rifled barrel is not needed. In fact, I see many people going BACK to smoothbores because the performance vs. cost and their usualy hunting circumstances (75 or less yd shots). My 12 gauge 500 is smoothbore with a turkey barrel (screw in chokes) and has killed a good number of deer...I really don't need a rifled barrel. I can always tote the MZ. Try a few boxes of Truballs or some of the other variants. Truballs have a following here for smoothbore shooters, and I am one of them.

Lots of ratchet straps. I've been in some stupid skinny trees with ladder stands. Used makeshift shims once or twice, but always ended up being more work. I once ratched a nearby tree to tighted the stand up on another. The two skinny trees made it work. Granted, that strap was toast after a season, but still.

Yeah, this storm is putting down some rain. A solid inch in the Rochester area.

60x is nice....the maker is a serious tournament archer.

Elite makes some quality bows. Don't know what you mean by little info on them...they sponsor shows on the Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, have ads in mags, host 3d events, etc. Sure, might not be to the level of Hoyt/Mathews...but still. Plenty of info out there on them.

As long as the bow is tuned for you and your arrow...it's the indian that makes it accurate.

I usually buy something sweet, like marshmallows and molasses...and then something meat or fish based. Used to have good luck with dog foord soaks in fish oil...throw it in a ziplock and you can just pour some down dirt holes, etc. Used some past baits too, but mice seemed to wipe them out fast.

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1615264&page=2 Post 48 to quiet the buckles. I also really like the bridge idea, but unsure if I have the time to find the parts and get a another tether to make it work this season.

Just ordered mine...looking forward to it.

Welcome Welcome!

She's a 1:1 teacher aide.

Not far at all. Went to Roberts for for my undergrad and my business grad degree. My mother works for CCSD.

The combo is likely what did it...scent that was minutes old attached to a new item.

I hate to burst bubbles...great bucks...but don't breathe until the velvet sheds and they show back up. If they have a core range shift, it's happening soon. I'm holding my breath, too, got a heck of a group of bucks passing by in the afternoons...hoping a few stick around.

Churchville has some big ag and some big deer...used to go to the small bow shop there Burnt Mill, I think it is.

Its the combo of scent and sight. Just because it is a yard, doesn't mean scent won't alarm them. Think about it...you just tripped two of their three triggers (sight, sound, smell). More damage is done by scent left behind in the woods than any stand.

I'm interested in this one...used to hunt in Rush.

I hate it when pins have to be stacked. I seem to shoot wayyyy worse. Luckily my bow although nice (Z28) is not a barn-burner.

Was a little shocked to see it, but a road I drive by every couple of days had a few fields mowed down...both fields were in horrible shape, so I am assuming it went to silage. Got p!$$ poor field of corn behind my house that will likely be in the same boat.

What size pins? .029? .019?

I think she was talking about unofficial summer...Labor Day Weekend. As we age, we get slower and everything else speeds up. Time, technology, etc. This summer wasn't all that exciting...just too much stuff to do to stay on the up and up. Hoping for a fall with some relaxation, some action in the woods, and maybe some traditional fall activities (pumpkin picking, etc.).