monahmat

I prefer a rock climbing harness as well. For me the pros are no fear of suspension trauma, easier to self rescue with the rope in the front and able to add and remove clothing layers easily without disconnecting. My cons are more difficult to take a leak, most climbing harnesses don't double as a linemans belt unless you modify them, takes a moment longer to put on. Regarding time to put on, if I had bought a speed harness it would be as fast or faster but I opted for a entry level model. Regarding linemans belt, I just use the generic harnesses that came with my stands when I need a linemans belt to hang sets. Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

Build would best be described as 'dad-bod.' 5'11" 220lbs. Carry the excess around my thighs and gut with average size chest and shoulders. I'm usually right on the line between L and XL for outerwear.

I love the design of the Fanatic but the cut didn't work for me. If that's how all Sitka gear is cut then that may eliminate them. I tried on a Fanatic about 5 years ago and the size that fit best was baggy in the chest near the armpits to where I didn't feel I'd be able to properly shoulder my gun. Maybe I'm oddly shaped, I ran into the same issue with Cabela's Wooltimate. Right now I'm wearing MidwayUSA Prairie Creek stuff which fits great but weighs a ton and takes forever to dry. Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

Are you removing the breach plug and pushing it out the muzzle or pushing it out the breach? I assume you are re-using the load the next time out? Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

Awesome! My plan was to use electrical tape but this has me thinking... I have a bunch of sterilite gloves laying around that I could cut the fingers off and use a rubber band if needed. Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

Great info, thanks! I got the one with the Konus scope mounted and boresighted from the factory. I'll make sure to check the mounts before sighting in because I'd make the same assumption as you. Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

I made the leap yesterday and purchased a muzzle loader. I went through a lot of the prior posts on here and the forum has been incredibly helpful. I decided on a CVA Optima V2 LR (Stainless Barrel) and immediately purchased the Blackhorn 209 breach plug and powder. I'm curious what people are using for cleaning between shots at the range and for thorough cleaning at home? I typically use CLP or Gun Scrubber on my rifles. Is that sufficient or should I be using something else? On a different topic, after taking the muzzleloader afield when no shot is fired do people typically unload or just remove the primer until their next hunt? Thanks for the help!

Thanks, this post was particularly helpful. I definitely like the way the Kuiu Super Down packs. At the moment I'm torn between FirstLite and Kuiu. I don't qualify for the Leo Adventures and Sitka sales aren't on the gear I'm looking for. Hard to justify Sitka at full price. I can get both the Kuiu Super Down Ultra and Pro for the cost of the Sitka Incinerator.

I've been putting off buying good cold weather gear for way to long. Up until now I've been wearing 6 layers of mid weight gear and still freeze as the wind cuts right through it. So now I'm shopping the holiday sales looking for good cold weather gear. The main purpose is stand sitting in temps below 30°. Primarily I'll be shooting rifle/muzzle loader but if I can draw a bow with it even better. Anyone have recommendations? I've been looking at the FirstLite Sanctuary jacket and bibs, Kiuiu Super Down Jacket and Pants and the Sitka Incinerator jacket and bibs. I was originally leaning towards Sitka but it's double the cost of FirstLite and Kiuiu and I'm skeptical as to if it's twice as good. I'm open to any recommendations.

Hunted private land in 4m yesterday and this morning. What a difference it makes. I saw 6 doe yesterday and a buck today. Buck never presented a shot. There was a good number of shots between 6:30 and 7:30. Out now as it was too cold for me. Time for a gear upgrade. Going to spend the rest of the morning surfing the web looking for deals on cold weather gear. Back to 4f tomorrow morning to sit until the storm starts. Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

Watching the last few patches of snow melt. Wind seems to be shifting every 15 minutes. About time to do a walkabout. Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

It's a warm one for an all day hunt but I'm out here. Hoping to at least see something. Starting to burn out. Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

I agree with you guys 100%. I'd estimate the weight between 45lbs and 55lbs. I have a shepherd/retriever mutt that is 55lbs and I'd say it was about the same size. If it weren't for the tail I could be convinced it was a bobcat but the tail was ~20 inches and curled up as it stalked by.

Yes, during bow. I had my doubts based off DEC saying they aren't here and tried to figure out what else it could have been. It passed in front of me at 30 yards unobstructed,. The animal was slightly larger than a coyote, tail as long as the body with black tips on the ears and tail. When I told the landowner I thought for sure they would call me crazy. To my surprise they said they had seen one on three prior occasions and reported them to DEC. DEC told them it was likely a bobcat and if it was in fact a Mt.Lion it had escaped from a zoo/preserve/private owner. I'm a skeptic but up to this point I can't find any other explanation as to what it was. It was beyond a doubt not a coyote, bobcat, otter, fisher.

I put a Vortex Crossfire II 2-7 on my slug gun and love it. Great eye relief. I'm in the market for a muzzleloader now and as soon as I get one I'll be purchasing another. Plenty of magnification for up to 150 yards. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00794LKHW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have that Plano All Weather case and I'm a big fan. I haven't flown with it yet but it's taken many trips to league and 3D and been knocked around pretty good with no issues. I'm confident it will work well on a plane. That case is a lot more rugged than my golf club case and that always seems to make it in tact.

I too use the Cabela's 2000 gram rubber boot. I bought a size up and wear a pair of smart wool socks. On cold days I'll sit the first few hours then take them off and drop in hot hands foot warmers. I've found if I double up on socks or start out with the foot warmers in my feet sweat on the walk in and it only makes things worse.

Temps warmed up enough yesterday to make skinning manageable. Everyone's comments were spot on. The hide came off quite a bit harder than when when I've skinned them fresh. I had to take two breaks while skinning to regain feeling in my fingers. Once the hide was off I was able to quarter it and get the back straps out pretty easily. All-in-all it wasn't as bad as I expected but I'll try and avoid freezing them in the future!

Lots of great info, thanks everyone! Nice knowing I'm not the only one to do this. Highs in the low 40's today, tomorrow and Thursday. Hoping that loosens it up enough for me to get the hide off in the garage and will be processing Friday/Saturday. On a side note it's also nice to see others hauling in their SUV's and minivan. Brought this guy home in the back of my RAV4. I may be in the market for a hitch carrier next year.

You guys will probably get a kick out of this. Researching this topic on another forum one of the recommendations I saw was wrap it in an electric blanket! I feel like that's one of those things that sounds good in theory but would end disastrously, but you never know! Also, I thought about throwing it in an old popup ground blind I have with space heater inside. Decisions, decisions. Good news is I'll be grinding almost all of it so I'm not to picky about the outcome. I'm really just concerned with salvaging the tenderloin and back-straps. I realize now I should have pulled the tenderloins instantly. This has already been a great learning experience!.

I agree, I had recently moved though and heard a ton of horror stories about the couple local processors. The one or two reputable ones I could find were backlogged and not accepting new customers.

That truck with the space heater idea sounds pretty great. Unfortunately, I don't have a truck or cap! I think I'm going to follow Mowin's recommendation and try hanging it in the basement this weekend. Ceiling is a bit low but I think I should be able to make it work. I did get the rack, head, and front legs off last evening so it is looking a little more manageable now. Last year I shot my deer the day before my wife was induced for our first born. As a result I had to do all the processing in a short amount. The good news is I can take my time this year.

This is my second year processing deer myself. Last year I had to process my deer almost immediately and some cuts were tough. This year I decided I'd age the deer in hopes of better results. Unfortunately the weather forecast changed and temps went low and stayed low so now I've got a frozen deer hanging. Some more info, I shot the deer Wednesday. It's hanging in my uninsulated, unheated garage. The hide is still on. Temps are predicted to be below freezing every night for the next week so I don't see a lot of promise in it thawing on it's own. I've done some reading up and so far my best option seems to be quarter it with a sawzall and bring it inside to thaw in coolers. Curious if people have experience dealing with this and can share any tips or tricks?

Wow, what a morning in 4F! Buck passed at 50 yards around 7am. 8am monster 8 strolled in to 10 yards and I got busted at full draw, major buck fever, shaking like a leaf. 9am dying down or so I thought. I busted out the coffee and protein bars when this guy came in fast, straight to my scent wick. Stuck my coffee cup in my pocket and popped him. My first bow deer. Super pumped! Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

I'm in the same boat. Was scheduled to be off all day today and Monday. Changed that to half days to hunt just the afternoons. Debating switching Monday to mid-week. I don't have good enough rain gear for all day rain.