phade

I was smart. I bought some pink camo lingerie at the harrisburg show...she'll get that tonight. Gift for her...but really for me. Actually, it was more for comedic effect, but she'll get a kick out of it. Card, some flowers, and a home cooked dinner is in order tonight.

Visioning is not hard to do in this situation. Harrisburg's sport show this year was filled with more crossbow products and services than plain old archery. Crossbow presence has been building at that show for a few years and now it is clear that there are more crossbow products and services offered there than vertical bow. Heck, I think someone made a post in this thread or the xbow practice range where the person said he would drop using the bow in the field and use the xbow. The industry has shown that they are focused on increasing speed and narrowing the width of crossbows (which is one of the hinderances of its use in stands). In a mere 2-3 years, the width of high hend crossbows have dropped considerably. That trend will continue...also, cocking a xbow is getting easier with the creation of the built in crank system that aligns it perfectly every time...(Ten Point)...as well as Parker's CO2 operated drawing system. While these advances are great and I generally support them, these kinds of things start to point that most people will opt for the better implement if given a choice between two in the same season. Take, for example, late archery/mz. I bet a large percentage of those hunters are using mz instead of the bow. I align myself much more as a bowhunter than any of the other means; however, I'm just as big of a nut with the bang sticks as anyone...yet I take my mz out 9:1 for every time I tote the bow in late season. People are even taking their modern mz now in regular season because it has an advantage over modern shotgun technology. While you may still choose to take your bow out, you are more than likely in the minority of most hunters - which are casual hunters...not the die hards that typically hunt hard, take vaca time, and are are active members on forums debating such topics (pretty well for this thread might I add). The impetus has also been seen in the compound revolution and its impact on traditional archery. Please understand that I am not anti-crossbow...I just think that the implications and trends lead to a clear vision of vertical archery being reduced to what traditional archery is now at best in 10-20 years with the integration of crossbows. Past states have had xbow for a while, but that was also during a period of limited manufacturer support and relatively little pressure from state game departments/laws. The snowball effect of multiple states and intense manufacturing involvement just basically is a nail in the coffin for the future of vertical bows.

Love hate relationship there. Glad to see he is sharing the news of a world-class buck. He's going to regret it in following years as his land may never likely be so lightly hunted ever again. Even if he prevents trespassing...stands will be ringed around the property line. If I ever shot a buck like that, I honestly think I'd call Art Hirsch (Reg. 8 biologist)...have him and the ECO come out and look the kill site over, give me info on the deer, and then I'd shut the heck up. I trust my taxi enough to keep it under wraps, but it'd be a very straightforward conversation.

I'm so on the fence with xbows. I support the benefits, but the detractors also concern me, namely the technology issue as mentioned (vertical archery going bye bye) and bow season impact if undertaken in current regs. References to Ohio are a good use as they have been around the longest. But, Ohio is also a one and done state. I think that difference is huge when trying to make an apples to apples comparison to NY, which is not a one and done state. Ohio also doesn't have the same hunter density/numbers. I'm not all up to date on PA, but is PA a one and done?

Another thing to think about is the vertical vs. horiztonal nature of crossbows. I imagine there would be some lane issues with it, if the range were packed. Probably plenty of logistics and red tape right now...once they are brought into archery season...then I think the flood gates will open. Do you plan on hunting gun season with the xbow? I haven't seen anyone hunting with one here in NY since it is still limited in scope. Do you bowhunt/shoot archery as well? I heard a xbow go off in a hunting situation this past season in Ohio...guy was hunting about 120 yards from me (came in after I had set up)...darn thing sounded like a .22 going off. He got a nice buck out of it though. Deadly in capable hands.

I have a sportsmans banquet Saturday....unsure of what is going on Sunday or the following weekend. Let me know when you are free.

Not for nothing, but it could be insurance policies limiting that. You think hunters are critical of weapons...try an insurance company with a policy. It may simply be that not enough crossbow hunters are in the area to justify a shop reworking a policy. Sure, the umbrella policy would apply, but I be the riders are specific to archery - and outside of a lawyer...an insurance compliance person can be picky about the legit use of the cross bow in an archery range. That, and us archers are snobs some times....ha. Seriously though, I wouldn't let it bother you. Find a willing range/shop and support them with your $. Best of luck getting involved with the crossbow.

Problem is that it is their right to do so. It is a privately-held operation. Not much you can do about it.

Sounds good. I actually just looked at the decoy in the garage and asked myself why I have two of them still.

Crack is Whack... It's pretty diva-ish don't you think to up and die the day before the Grammys? Such nerve. Choices people make can be their undoing. It does appear to be the case here. Pills and a bathtub full of water are a bad combination. Probably didn't think much of it...and that was the end.

Bought some Crossfires this weekend...first encounter with Vortex glass. I like it despite being China made. Was leaning on the Redfield hard but they were 10X42 and I really wanted 8X42...that and the addition of 5 ounces over the Crossfires. The clarity on the Redfield was unreal....but the Crossfires were just as good.

Should be shorter than that even....probably up to 4 feet max. I've experienced the 2 ft dropsies before...talk about a heart-pumping, pants-filling experience.

I don't think the Impact is tooless is it? If it is not...I'm sure he'd rather focus on the others.

Patent pending it pretty easy and straightforward. Getting the actual patent is a PITA. I strongly suggest a patent attorney. Not cheap, but again, worth their weight in gold.

I think your experience has more to do with the bullet choice than the caliber.

Redfield's scope is awesome....it's right around your $250 range, I think. But it is very nice for the cash. I have a cheapo Barska that does OK but it almost always is abused (on a window mount being tossed around in the truck). Not great at clarity...and nothing compared to the Redfield. I'll be honest and say it's probably the only model (Redfield) I would be pleased with under that price range. To be even more honest...it's underpriced. I recently noticed that the Redfield scopes are going up in price in many stores from $160 to $200 for the 3-9x40 with the regular duplex.

FIL was sold on using my Wolf this past season. He's going to get one during our trip to Cabela's/Harrisburg. He asked me to research some viable options. He liked the Wolf, but it's the only one he's ever shot....so he is open to other brand/models. He will not spend enough $ to go T/C or high end models (Vortek UL/Accura v2, etc.). So...we're looking at mid-range setups. My short list is pretty short...so far: CVA Wolf Traditions Canyon (new but similar to Wolf in purpose/design) CVA Optima (Some models on clearance at Cabelas). Anything else to keep an eye out for? I think I can safely chuck the Impact from the list because it is not a quick pull breech plug design...I think he'd prefer that.

The first thing I would do is go to the family attorney (who was county judge for 30 years), grab him, and then take him to my financial advisor. I'd sit down, draw up a trust to house the money, and lay it ALL out before spending a dime - except for fees to both men. Then I'd proceed to claim it via the trust so my name is not attached to it (avoid calls/threats/robberies/long-lost family members). From there, the well-planned administration of the the trust will let me know how much I spend per year based on my life expectantcy while still allowing for firm value to be transferred to my wife/kids, etc. The gap between super rich and middle class is growing. If I can ensure my family line will be better off, then I will do so first. For example, if it were a large sum per year (this would have to be likely 5 million plus total post-tax winnings), then I would consider setting up college or trade school funds for the kids and relative's kids. My personal finances would be address based on advisement of my advisors (ie tax deductible loan payments/interest, etc.). Only then, once I had a clear picture of what the winnings would allow, would I make a plan to spend money. Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, and Ohio would likely be on the short list for property purchases - all have quality hunting and the timing of some seasons vary so I'd be able to hunt extensively. That an a cottage on a lakeside. If it were a mega-win (100+ million). I seriously consider giving away a portion of it for causes...my alma mater high school, a few people who I know are struggling but are deserving, and I'd love to give money to maybe St. Jude's or something of the sort that helps kids with health issues. I also don't play the lottery often...sooooo....

Old lady said no, eh? I can relate lol. I wanted to get another gam cam this week. She didn't even answer...I just got the glare. I fully understood what the answer was.

I know Piffard, too. Spent many a night there while in high school. Interest in what land opened up there. I may call the DEC about it. There were always deer in and around the fenced in chem plant. The York Sportsmen club leases land either from or bordering the monestary. Great deer there...but in general, I find the clubs to be a waste of time and money unless you use the shooting grounds. I've spoken to some of the members and I just kind of laugh at the general level of hunting knowledge - and I'm not expert. Seems very much like a social club with more politics than the presidential election.

There's a bounty; no limit. Similar to wild boar...no real season dates either. Shoot on sight.

Zombie hunting...ground zero.

You should go...Got an extra room if you wanna join. Going Feb 10 and coming home that Sunday.

From my talks with ECOs, and a good chat with the Region 9 K9 ECO handler, most are usually crimes of opportunity. As in, seeing a buck in an open field out of season while passing by in your truck coming home from the rifle range...or encountering a bear out of season (when it wasn't aligned) and shooting it...or shooting the cub as well... There's plenty of premeditated poaching, but just as many are taken by opportunists that make a bad decision on the spot. One story that I remember being told from one ECO was busting a three teens (which included a girl) flattening deer on random fields. Ended up it was just being done "because." The deer let lay rotting...simply shot for the shooting. The kids had been screwing around with a gun at one of their houses and amidst going from one to the other's house came upon a deer, shot it, and then went out the next few nights doing that til they got caught.

Family brought her back here. She was in IL. I haven't talked with her in a few months but I believe her significant other was still running the outfiiter in IL...Tall Tines or something of that nature. She filmed for Drury in Ohio year before last...don't know about this past season. She is a class act. Lucky to have her in Rochester.