Team Realtree

No one needs to start pointing fingers and blaming moderators for this. No one (including Steve) has posted that this was an issue between him and a moderator(s). We have good mods. Some more active than others, but if I didn't think they were doing their job, they would be gone (and some have been in the past). Members don't have some special "right" in here to know what happened or why. Me, along with other mods knew this would become a topic in here and it has. We will let the initial news, shock, or whatever, run it's course and see where we are at a later time. But don't start pointing fingers or discrediting others for doing a great job (or I will personally put an end to it). There will not be be prosecution based on speculation and hearsay on these boards. By the way, I am getting your emails, personally reading them, and responding to them all. I appreciate the feedback and comments. Thanks, S

Do you get our monthly E-Newsletter? If so, what's your opinion of it?

(and we read and listen to what you have to say) Minus the forums, what do you look for in a hunting related website. Are there things you would like to see us do differently with Realtree.com as far as the content, features, etc?

If you have noticed the movie playing when you first come on line and go to our home page, that is the beginning of a new campaign we are launching starring many of you. That Team Realtree logo is made up of the 5,000+ images of folks who have submitted trophy pics in our online trophy den. The program we use organizes the images in an order to create a large graphic. None of the submitted pics are altered in the process. You will see it better in the print ads we will eventually run. We also used the pics to create giant deer and turkey images. S

Steve doesn't have to explain himself to anyone on why he is a Pro Staffer. I have asked him (and many others to sign up in here). I will say that Steve has done a lot for this industry and for our company. It's not all about how many spurs you have or where you got 'em (and he has his share). If you want to read more on Steve, go to this link: http://www.realtree.com/about/prostaffDetail.php?ID=42 By the way, many believe "Pro" stands for "Professional," when it actually stands for "Promotional." In my eyes our staff stands for both. Reason being is how they conduct themselves under the Realtree banner.

New game here on the site: QB Challenge http://www.realtree.com/games/qbChallenge.php You guys should challenge each other in here. S

Bart and I graduated for the same High School. Actually met him a couple of times. An FYI. He played halfback and secondary in High School. Not QB. Sidney Lanier High School - Montgomery Alabama

Many of you old timers in here know of (or might have met) my son Jack. Five years ago, his first deer story was posted here on the site (Link: http://www.realtree.com/community/photoEssay.php?ID=15). Well after 5 years of hard hunting, 3 does, and a spike, Jack finally got that first good buck this past Saturday morning. Being at the right place at the right time is an understatement for this story. After getting Jack in his stand before daylight and in a stand called "Deer Valley," I walked back out and over a ridge to my truck where I got ready to go sit above another bottom (and basically scout for Jack and his little brothers for future hunts). I carry the little .243 that Jack took his first deer with me for coyotes and such. Daylight was perfect, but as the morning went on, it got windy. However, the deer were moving. I had 4 does walk through and mill around in my bottom and 20 minutes later, a small 6-8 point. Jack had also seen a bunch of turkeys and two does. Jack wanted to come out at 9:00. The wind was picking up more and he was ready. My truck was only about 30-50 yards from me. It was back up at the end of the road and on top of the ridge that separated the two of us. I stopped and put my jacket in and had only walked about 10 yards from it when I heard something to my right. About 20 yards to the right in the thicket (and straight from where I was just sitting) I saw the silhouette of a buck. Couldn't tell how big he was, but could hear and tell he was going to come out right in front of me. If he stayed on course, he would cross the road to the left and head down straight toward Jack. I froze and waited. About that time he appeared. 10-15 yards from me. I'm thinking "Don't look up. Just head the way you are going." Well, he was in no hurry. He was smelling the ground, looking ahead, down the hill and back up at me. After doing that a couple of times, we locked eyes. He bobbed his head, did double takes, and basically tried his best to get me to move. Here I was, not blinking and my truck right behind me in full view of him. This went on for 5 minutes. All of a sudden, he realized I was not suppose to be there. He snorted and leaped down the road away from me. Luckily his next jump was a direct left and straight toward Jack. Weak kneed and wiping tears from my face (from the cold wind and 5 minute no-blink stare down), all I could do was squat down and wait to see if he went where I wanted him too. 5 minutes later I hear the crack of a rifle followed by what I think might be him crashing and going down. Just didn't know for sure. This is when my knees really turned to rubber. As I circled around in front of Jack's location, I hollered, "did you get him" and he answered "It was a big 8 point. I know I hit him." about that time, I came up on a some blood on the trail, look to the right and there he was. I didn't stop. I just went over to help Jack get down. All the while he was giving me the story of what happened. When he heard it coming down the hill, he thought it was me just cutting through the woods off the trail. He then saw it was the buck trotting toward him and then slowing down to a walk. It then turned and quartered away from him heading away out front at about 40 yards. When it reached an opening, Jack whistled, the buck stopped and he hit him a little behind, but straight up into the heart and lungs. Below are the pics. The first one was how we found him. From the angle we approached, we thought he was still alive. But his rack had gotten caught up on a vine and had his head up. Jack shot him with a 25 year old Marlin 30-30 lever action (my first rifle) with a 150 grain Remington Core Lok Express. He only ran about 20-30 yards and went down. Needless to say, it was an exciting day and he will be on the wall in a few months. Now I have his twin brothers I need to get on one. S

I talked to the person that heads this up and he said all prizes are being worked on and he is talking to manufacturers daily. It seems that some are on back orders.

I'm checking into this. It was held by a third party company and not us. But I'm certain everyone will get their prizes. S

Yes, welcome back. Someone kicked the plug out of the wall and we just found it this morning. S

Congratulations to you both. I think this is a forum's first. S

See this thread: http://www.realtree.com/forums/showthread.php?p=780883#post780883 Thanks, S

We have a partner in the industry that needs your help. They are doing some research on scent control and want to know what you (the hunter) thinks about it, knows about it, and what your experience with it is. If you could briefly reply with answers to the following questions below, we would appreciate it greatly. And please feel free to add additional comments or thoughts. Thanks, S (Just place the number before each answer) 1) What brand of scent control apparel are you familiar with? - ScentLok - NoTrace - VisaEndurance - X-Static - ScentBlocker 2) What is the brand of scent control garment that you have purchased within the last year? - ScentLok - NoTrace - VisaEndurance - X-Static - ScentBlocker 3) What was the main reason for your selection of this brand? - Brand name - Price - Scent Control Performance - Recommendation of a friend or salesperson - Garment styling or features other than scent control 4) What type of odor control are you most interested in? - Antimicrobial - Adsorption - Don't Care

With Jr. leaving his team for another, and a new merchandise agreement we have with Motorsports Authentics, I was just told we are clearing out all of his inventory from our Realstore at very low prices. We have not advertised this yet, so I'm giving any fans of his in here a first stab at it before it sells out. S 3 pages of products (just look for the price cuts in red). http://www.realtree.com/store/category/27/startat/1/s/0/

With Jr. leaving his team for another, and a new merchandise agreement we have with Motorsports Authentics, I was just told we are clearing out all of his inventory from our Realstore at very low prices. We have not advertised this yet, so I'm giving any fans of his in here a first stab at it before it sells out. S 3 pages of products (just look for the price cuts in red). http://www.realtree.com/store/category/27/startat/1/s/0/

We only have some southern universities available right now, but they're here and on AP caps. S http://www.realtree.com/store/category/48/startat/1/s/0/

Yopu did fine Randy and everyone was amazed. I don't think a good archer could have hit one in that wind. It was great to see you up there. S

We are not removing it here unless folks get out of hand and the thread follows. Guys, I have personally known Jeff for many years and find it hard to believe he would ever knowingly break the law. And do it while filming a hunt to sell on a video. All of this has been very unfortunate for Jeff and all involved. The following is our official statement on the matter: We at Realtree are currently looking into the question of whether Jeff Foiles shot four shells from an unplugged gun or whether he simply loaded and shot a fourth shell quickly and legally. Please be aware that as a matter of both personal conviction and corporate policy everyone at Realtree follows game regulations to the letter of the law. We are acutely aware that our high profile in the hunting industry – as well as with the hunting and non-hunting public – makes it extremely important for us to set the right example. We would like to make note of the fact that no Realtree employees have been named in this issue, nor were any involved in the hunt in question. It is also important to state that we are not aware of any game law violations that have occurred on any hunt in which Realtree or our employees have been directly involved. We are watching the situation with Jeff Foiles closely and will base our actions on the facts. We will make every effort to gather these facts as quickly as possible, but hope you understand that we must respect everyone's rights and will not simply react without sufficient cause.

Our new Realtree Girl line: http://www.realtree.com/store/category/47/startat/all/s/0/

These are never before seen hunts. S

We have posted the intro video that aired Friday at midnight with the N&L release. Go to http://www.nockednloaded.com/nockedpopup.html and click on "Videos, Photos and More" on the right, then "Bonus Features" under "Video" on the 2nd page.

Not a problem. Just send me the link once you have it completed. S ([email protected])

Not dead, just has been on the back burner. I will look into getting it going again. Once we have a final design, it shouldn't take long.

As of right now, you can only purchase them here at the REALSTORE. You can never say never, but it has been our intention to make this available only to our "very loyal" visitors to the website. S