Jdubs

Looks like a nice cold front coming in the end of next week to wrap up SZ gun season. Let the deer relax from all the pressure, then schwack one when the chilly temps get them moving. For me, I'm also switching to xbow for some sits to hunt them in a few hidey spots close to houses. Saw one nice doe, but she stayed just outside my range. The bucks can't be too far away.

This Cabela's handwarmer muff is just awesome. I hunt with a pair of Mechanix gloves and a couple Hot Hands tucked in. If Cabela's made a body warmer muff, I'd buy one of those too!

Frosty am sit in the tree stand with xbow. Actually had my first encounter with a coyote that trotted by at 30 yards. I squeaked to stop him, but he was on a mission. No shot. Later a nice doe came in to 40 yds, quartering to, munched a couple acorns and was only steps away from getting a broadhead. Unfortunately, she flicked her tail and walked straight back to bed. No response to my calls and no shot. Fun hunt, but no joy. Did I make a mistake letting the yote pass? I don't practice moving target shots with the xbow and there was some ground scrubby stuff that could have deflected a shot, I suppose. Still, I have no love for yotes and they are an automatic shooter with a firearm. Unfortunately, I was in a spot where the 500' rule was in play.

That's exactly why I always have my Surefire handy. It will light up the woods like a truck's headlights!

Gene Hackman had a great scene in 'Hoosiers' when his kids are awestruck at the arena for State Finals. Hoosiers arrive for Championship As it relates to hunting, your shot placement isn't going to change one bit no matter how big the rack is.

Mucks are great. I lucked out finding a $35 pair of Fieldblazers in a Cabela's Bargain Cave. Mind you these are not insulated, but not heavy and clunky either. I'd rather stay nimble. Footwear is a personal fit thing and your blood circulation may be different too so go with whatever works for you. To keep warm while hunting, I wear a heavyweight Smartwool hiking sock with a toe warmer stuck to the bottom. On top of that I wear a second wool sock with a Hot Hands warmer taped on top of the Smartwool sock. Feet stay toasty warm unless I'm in a ground blind with snow/ice directly underfoot.

Because it's easier to quit than admit your failings and commit to making all of the changes that will lead to a successful hunt. I choked down a large piece of humble pie in this my first xbow season and now have a full appreciation of the skills, preparation and equipment needed to be in a position to be successful. Guess you could say I'm not a quitter.

Presume this was in PA for today's Opener. PA regs allow younger hunters than NY and it's great to see that tradition being handed down.

What an awesome day for both boys! They'll be talking about this one forever.

Random shots into the bushes while still hunting with a xbow would quickly become an expensive lesson in stupidity.

After yesterday's hunt where I heard volleys of 3, 5 and 6 shots, I think some guys probably do need 10 bullets to kill a dee-uh.

HP and MW are posting quality updates in HD. Those guys are getting after it year round.

Never pay retail. Ever. I actually bought my Tikka T3x Lite Stainless lefty .308 at F&S for just over $400 out of pocket. Retail price was $848.98 plus tax. It's all a big game.

I totally freshed up a scrape this morning (a pot of coffee will do that) and will post follow up cam pics of how the deer react.

Doesn't get much better than that. Congrats!

Liquid dinner, unless you count the aged parm cheese.

Seems like a good time to pop one.

What a sh&t show today. One dude blazes 3 shots right behind me. Not to be outdone, another guy across creek goes 5 shots, probably emptied his slug tube. Then 2 yahoos with zero blaze orange go waltzing up and down the creekbed and ridges, either clueless about still hunting or lost AF. Grand finale was a 6 shot salute behind the house some 15-20 minutes after sundown. No way are there 14 dead deer. If they couldn't hit a standing deer, how in the hell do they expect to hit one running away at Mach 3? People who can't make a clean kill shot or practice minimal hunting safety should friggin stay home.

Not only 40 min after sunset, but he shot her from 200 yards, with a pistol and on property he didn't have permission to hunt! https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156325453041336&id=15704546335 If all the reported facts are true, then he needs to be promptly arrested for manslaughter.

What state or local law was cited, specifically? I'd like to read that one. NY at its communist finest right there!

Passed up today to get all of my hunting-related chores knocked out that went untouched due to last night's severe food coma.

I just wear a pair of Muck Fieldblazers and prefer these to heavy insulated boots. To keep warm, I wear a thick Smartwool hiking sock with a stick-on toe warmer then layer a second wool sock over that one with a Hot Hands warmer on top of my toes. Plenty of room in my boots to wiggle toes and keep from freezing.

I would have expected more action in this thread by now. Hunted all morning then ate all afternoon. Stick a fork in me, I'm done!

Can't think of a better way to work up a Turkey Day appetite than hunting all morning!