stubborn1VT

I haven't seen any black and white. You're so full of yourself that you can't tell facts from your self-important opinions. We see plenty of deer and kill them. That's why there aren't many big ones. Not everyone gets to be Lee Lakosky or 4SW.

You continue to preach from what you experience. I know people on this site have hit list. I'm saying that in my part of the world it is different. The biggest buck reported in Vermont in 2016 was around 126". There's a whole world of hunting that you are misrepresenting with your grand proclamations. You don't really know it all, you just seem to like to speak for the rest of us.

Hit lists are for TV. The only hunter I know with a hit list is a spoiled rich kid. He has 1000+ acres that his family manages for deer. The rest of the guys I know are pretty pleased to put meat in the freezer each fall.

Still disagree with "big antlers being the drivin(g) force in the hunting world for most hunters". I get the connection to the hunting industry and your line of business, but I don't see how that carries over to "most hunters". Sure, hunters get excited about big antlers, but I don't know anyone who hunts just to put a big rack or mount on the wall. I expect reality is somewhere inbetween. Where I'm from the driving force in the hunting world is still venison.

I get what you're saying, but do you have a 4WD that gets 32MPG in 2WD? My girlfriend's AWD Subaru gets between 25 and 32MPG. That's not a claim from the manufacturer. We have checked it ourselves.

Out of the dozens of hunters I know, only a handful are horn hunters. Those few are rich business owners who travel to hunt. I don't know anyone who horn hunts in Vermont. Pretty much every male in my hometown hunts, and I can't think of one who is going to eat tag soup instead of putting meat in the freezer. I grew up on a dairy farm, and still hunt there. There were times when I routinely saw 15+ deer at at time in one field. In 30+ years of hunting, I have seen a handful of "big" bucks. If I had to guess, I have seen less than 10 bucks that were 3.5 years old or older. If you waited for a mature buck, you would likely go years without filling a tag. Eating venison is way more important. In Vermont we don't get to shoot does with a rifle, so lots of young bucks get killed. The bucks are getting bigger, probably due to more posted land, less hunter participation in the state, some mild winters, and the state's ban on shooting spikehorns. The hunters I know are more interested in body weight than horns. I shot a half-rack forkhorn this rifle season, and I was thrilled! I don't care what someone else shoots, and I consider the hunting shows on TV to be entertainment, not reality. I don't live in Iowa. I guess I'm speaking for the dozens of hunters I know ( a hundred?) not just myself. I don't know a single hunter who would actually call themselves a horn hunter. That's the reality in my neck of the woods.

Yeah. Off topic, but it seemed worth noting. You are one happy guy. Real ray of sunshine.

Looks like white cedar to me. Deer will eat it like crazy in the winter. I've seen cedars stripped like that 8 feet high from when there was deep snow. Both pictures don't look the same to me though. The first pic looks like deer. The second looks more like rabbit.

Who said I was upset about it? I get it. I really wanted horseradish, but the store was closed...

There are less expensive Subaru models than the Forester. My girlfriend bought a Legacy AWD. The thing is a tank on the road. It doesn't have the clearance for off road. I'm awfully impressed with it though. AWD and 32MPG. Pretty hard to beat.

I'm not talking about spewing jealousy, just spewing BS in general. If you're such a big deal with the world by the azz, then why are you online talking sh*t? Shouldn't you have something better to? I wish the heck you could hear the garbage that you post. Middle school BS that is a detriment to this site and is in no way productive to other people, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, or human beings, for that matter. It gets really old reading posts of you boasting and running down other people. I shouldn't have to steer clear of this forum just to avoid your antics. Debating is one thing. Acting like a know it all jackwagon online is another. I imagine it makes you feel like a big man. You are the worst thing about huntingny.com. I won't waste any more time on this topic. I hope to continue to participate in this forum. I can handle the childishness. It would be nice if we all didn't have to.

Yeah, you are one to talk about "it" spewing out of them. C'mon.

Somebody who is out of Tabasco. I didn't make you drink it!

It was only so-so. I backed it up with a Bloody Mary with some extra Frank's in it. Wish I had some horseradish, but it hit the spot. Not feeling awful. Head cold just kind of lingering.

Gonna try a hot whiskey toddy for my head cold/sore throat. Crown, honey, lemon and a touch of ginger.

I have used the Primos "Ol' Betsy" slate call for 15 years at least. I got it because it's cheap, but it turns out to be my absolute favorite for close in work. A diaphragm call is nice because it's hands-free. I favor any 2 reed call, and have used the same "Raspy Old Hen" that guys have already mentioned. I know a glass pot is a better choice in the rain. I just never got one to sound right no matter what I tried. We raised turkeys for years, and a glass always sounded to sharp to my ears.

Calling for 6-12" of sleet and snow out of this storm here. Supposed to be -4 tonight. Poor conditions for germination.

What a CROCK!

Of course you were! I'm not doubting you, but you must have been using a different 4X than I ever have. I don't see how that's possible at any kind of magnification. Whatever. I'm going to be wrong no matter what I write in your presence. Carry on.

I believe that you have the experience and knowledge to justify your choice. I find it hard to believe that most modern ammo over 140 or 150 grains would do the trick. I agree that it is better to be "over-gunned" than "under-gunned."

The past week or so it's been: venison stroganoff, venison sloppy joes, and shepard's pie. And Chinese food one night I didn't feel like cooking.

Time and a place for everything. I don't see how you can get on target faster with a scope than with open sights. I can tell you that the M16/M4 with open sights is awfully good for target aquisition and accurate too. As for deer hunting, I happen to agree with you. Because of my hunting style I only carry a scoped rifle. I do think there are guys that could outdraw you in the brush with an open sighted 30-30 or a slug gun, pardner.

When you do PLEASE put it in a 2018 thread Biz!

You gave an example of a heavy bodied buck shot with the .35. I'm not arguing, just asking an honest question. If you had made the same shot with a 165 or 180 grain bullet out of a 30-06, would it have died any differently? You obviously know your stuff, but placing the .35 over the 30-06 seems to be overthinking things a bit.

What is the verdict Sensei?