Bolt action

I've been planning some improvements for next year since a few months ago. I need to clear some lanes and move some stands for sure. Biggest project though will be building an elevated box blind in the spring. My son is 6 and can't wait to get out, so the blind will provide a spot for him to join me. It'll also be nice for me on those windy.. rainy.. general crap weather days.

I'll be out for sure.. squirrel and bunny seasons are still on for a few months!

All in all it was great season. I managed to take my first Buck in a long time. That was a tasty 4 pt and my first with a crossbow and also the first out of the climber. A week later I shot a giant of a doe but lost her in the snow storm. Then in the first week of the gun season I dropped a solid Buck. Not my biggest, but respectable. That one nearly killed me with the drag back out (4.5 hrs). Those two filled my freezer so from then on I just tried to help buddies get on deer. This was my third year on the property and the first time I had success. All in all a good year.

I know that spot all too well!

Just took the puppy for a walk in Braddock Bay, the Rose Marsh unit. Came within 40 feet of a big coyote. My dog took off after it. Probably thought it was another dog and wanted to play. Fortunately the coyote didn't want to play and disappeared into the brush. That was a little too close for my comfort..

@Nomad seeing this one takes me back.. when I was a kid this was the first picket knife my dad got for me.

Boot fail.. the creek is flooded so I had to Wade through higher water than I anticipated. Not sure if it went over the top, or through the boots, but I took on water. Tried to load a video of me pouring the water out of my boots but it wouldn't load. Hope my buddy gets one. I put him in the best stand for these conditions.

Headed in for last sit of the season. Good luck everyone!

Keeping an eye on the morning weather.. 20 - 25 mph winds from the West, 40% chance of rain after raining all night.. should be interesting..

^x2

I've gone through a few before finding this set that I like. Outdoor edge skin and cape combo. I always seem to misplace my knives when field dressing, but these orange handles are hard to lose. They stay sharp, handle well, and didn't cost much.

Man that's cool..

@TheHornHunter have you tried deer search? They might be able to get you on that deer in spite of the rain..

Looks sweet!

Venison stew, paired with Guinness.

Good luck to anyone still getting out.. and especially good luck to guys like Rob who are putting the time in but not seeing anything! It'll happen. Just made plans for my last sit of the year on Sunday coming up. My buddy who is older and hasn't seen anything is coming to my property for a try. My freezer is full but I'll happily drop a doe for him. I need to break in this ml properly!

What do you have to lose? I'd give it a shot with the right wind..

Good idea. Just ordered one.

I store it in the safe, but never thought about any sorry of moisture it humidity control for the safe. I just had it in that case getting ready to take it hunting..

I used a lube which is why I was surprised that it was seized.. in any case it's in working order now and ready to bark in the morning!

Maybe fouling is the wrong term.. there was what appeared to be a little surface rust in the barrel and on the breech plug threading even though it was out away clean.

Got the muzzy out for a quick look before heading out in the morning. Breech plug was stuck and they don't provide the tool for it. A little ingenuity and some elbow grease and I was able to get it out. I put it away clean last year but there was some fouling on the threads and in the barrel so I gave it a good scrub tonight. Should be good to go in the morning. I wonder if moisture in the room caused it?

From online order to in the mail to killing deer all in under a week.. nice job!

Venison sausage 'n peppers