Bowguy 1

Guys on this site like to argue. Show some respect, especially for the ladies.

I don't think real old, his body isn't showing age. Racks btw can never be used to determine age. The face has not yet appeared to fill out, no jowls, back has not started to even remotely sway. All indicators of age.

How many guys or gals see a buck come fall n think some idiot drug it towards the truck n only wanted head? Seems around my parts it's fairly common thought. What else could be a reason? Animal rights morons have people thinking the wrong things about us. In fall Bucks roam as many of you know, they get rut crazed, cross unfamiliar roads or are just preoccupied. Bunch of guys I'm sure know that but we need to educate the rest, it's in our best interest. Imagine some teacher, old lady, what have you in a store remarking what a shame it is people shoot deer only for the head. After all she sees it all the time, though she came to wrong conclusion. Ask her why she thinks some guy would drag a deer hundreds of yards to leave the carcass? There's food places we can donate unwanted venison to. Let her know it was someone scavenging a road kill n not necessarily a hunter. For the guys that do take horns, move the carcass out of sight. Something to think about

You fall hunt w dog flushing em. Than calling em back.

I agree I don't see bugs as an issue either. Thermacell works even in bear swamps. Certainly does in turkey woods. This year I've yet to turn it on. I'm thinking turkey hunting can be a hard thing to initially learn, no guarantees of success when you first start off. It can be tough in the beginning. Wondering if that's actually the problem for some?

Fletch, the time just at first light would be the time to actually be there. You can't get good at it if you don't try. Fields are the worst place to kill birds imo if you can call n have anybody else camping out there too. Woods/mountain birds are much easier. Maybe harder to initially locate but that's what presesson is for

Just carefully pull em out

Another thing I want to add is the weather is beautiful, great time to mentor kids n have high probability of some at least audible action. The next is the time of year, you actually can't deer hunt. I don't fall hunt much, would never shoot a passerby, if I'm bowhunting Id be concentrating on deer or bears. So I do understand that passion for me I've got a bunch though. Turks are kings of spring for me. Miss lots of fishing time to chase em.

I saw the other thread n I made me wonder why everyone isn't crazy bout turkeys? No need to sway anyone just personal opinions. Myself I love deer hunting especially w bow, It can also be buggy early season but a thermacell takes care of that. Reasons I find turkeys especially fun is that if you roost birds you're guaranteed one high odds chance a morning n that happens right after first light. If you don't succeed you can run n gun, go aggressively find a bird to work. With deer we often just sit n wait. You can be actively involved in the hunt (calling/communicating w bird) and a turkey very often takes it's time getting to you. We typically shoot deer within 10 seconds of seeing them. Turkeys have us on the edge of our seats so to speak for 20-40 minutes often. That's a bit of anticipation and adds to my personal fun. You don't need to be conscious of scent. You get to rest after the morning until you again roost if you do. And they're easy to get out n clean for the table. Taking nothing from either animal. Both fantastic, to me turks have some definate benefits. Anyone else have anything they like better?

I've never taken the NYcourse but if you're hunter Ed card was "international" which Id assume Pa is, you'd be ok long as you took course there. IBEF is the type course. International bowhunter education foundation it stands for.

Field birds can be tough. I don't think I'd have boogered em up by trying to stalk. If you're seeing dominance demonstrated by one perhaps gobbler yelps or a fight might move him. If not Theres always tomo. Imo keeping pressure off the birds makes em much easier to hunt

Thanks guys!

Youth Hunter I was mentoring this morning.

.22LR for soft, small targets. .375HH or .338 win mag for bigger animals. .300 win mag for almost everything.

I was always told to never shoot one since they're slow n easy to catch if you're lost/stranded. Never been lost overnight even but still haven't shot one.

Just something to think about. All trainers arent for all dogs. Gonna depend on what you want, also what's in the dog (bloodlines). French britts arent known to be big runners or hard headed so you'd want someone who trains differently than say someone looking to horseback trial a dog in American field

Confidence keeps you trying

Pygmy have someone play them in the woods for you. They have a pretty natural sound and like a scratch box are different in tone/pitch than other calls. Sometimes it'll trigger em.

Wow very nice bow!

I teach archery, very often kids. Mission or diamond are two companies that Id recommend. Other companies also make self adjustable/grow with you bows but those two are a place to start. Remember to get eye dominance tested so you get the proper bow

They are not that tough but they are a little pricey. Mark sharpe makes fantastic cane calls which run in a similar fashion but a lot cheaper. Look him up his work will blow your mind it's fantastic. He also makes. Wing bones , another cheaper way to learn suction type calls

It's not stringy nor taste like chicken. It is lean though. Least what I've had

I'm sorry guys but I did taxidermy full time for over 20 years and went to school for it. Wet tan imo is not inferior. Now if I had a customer who insisted on dry tan Id certainly comply but I did many mounts both ways n you can see no difference either way. Now what I think you may be describing is dry preserved. Basically using a raw hide, fleshed n basically borax soap and preservative is thrown on it than mounted. You can see those mounts everywhere. Ears split, drumming, etc. Either wet or dry tan are great, pros n cons to both. Wet tan stretches much easier, thus fits a manikin easier n fills "voids" in the manikin. But it takes up space in the freezer if not instantly done, turn around as WNY said is a week. Dry tan is gonna get wet once you soak it to remove ear, nose cartilage, turn eyes, etc. can be thrown on a bench for storage n takes slightly longer. Anyone who is telling you its a tannery at fault isn't being honest. Yes it takes time, shipping costs so you can have slower guys trying to fill boxes for a few months before shipping, as WNY said there's prob a bunch of folks in front of you. I've never heard of one guy ever cut a customer off cause he spent less or put say a 15 grand guy in front of him. If your tsxidermist is working n not screwing off Id hope you pick a busy one. I tried to stay under a year but it was tough. That mount is s memory that stays on a wall a long time, if the guy is doing quality work don't Rush it

It does look good! Wild turkey is one of my favorite meats. Have some good recipes but since almost all I eat is game I'm always up for new recipes. Saw a recipe in the NWTF book this month that looks great. Gonna try this weekend

Congrats to her. If you're near southern NY pm me n I can give info on youth hunt days in NJ. They're free n tons of fun. The pheasant hunt alone every kid gets multiple shots over trained dogs. Lots of places free to kids such as the refuges w a observer/caller type permit for a mentor (you). In NJ they can hunt at 10