Tominator

Trace of snow here, cold winds last night and today.

We dodged the bullet. All the weather dudes kept saying anywhere from 6" to 12" of snow, and we got maybe 2", but it is cold out there.

Predicting a mess here in Ohio Sunday into Monday. Weather.com says there's another storm right behind this one. I love snow, but I'm pretty tired of the cold.

Bah humbug!

Happy birthday Ross!

We luckily got a good thaw in the last few days. The drifts on either side of my driveway were approaching 3 feet, which is a little too much for my little 18 hp tractor and grader blade.

Ross does some awesome work, I have one of my own too.

Really awesome story bud. Congratulations.

Yep. I can't really comment on the last 2 years as I haven't been able to hunt that much, but when I could hunt, numbers of deer seemed to be really reduced. Just a few years ago, it was almost like hunting rabbits, deer were all over the place. Not so much now it seems. The proposed limit laws don't seem to be backing off harvest numbers either. I don't know if it's pressure from the insurance companies and farm bureau or what. I've also heard Ohio's deer guru, Mike Tonkovich talk about Ohio's deer herd was approaching numbers that were unsustainable when it comes to producing quality (size and rack size both). Tonkovich related that Ohio's situation is approaching the situation they have in Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. In light of that, I think the DNR maybe trying to reduce numbers to the point so that our population doesn't get stunted. The state is on record as trying to balance commercial concerns with sportsman's concerns; I'd like to believe that, but I just don't know. Anyway, as for non-res hunting, I'd bet some non-res hunters are going to go home empty handed and disappointed for the next few years.

Generally speaking, IMHO, Ohio will produce bigger racks if that's what you're looking for. The states you mentioned have bigger populations of deer I think. There are exceptions of course.

Used to be. Not lately though.

Pretty sure they have the hearings this month, but don't vote until later. Nothing is law yet. Here's a link you might want to read: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/News/NewsReleaseArchives/tabid/19075/EntryId/3381/Ohio-Wildlife-Council-to-Consider-Proposed-Deer-Hunting-Dates-Bag-Limits.aspx

Watched men's downhill last night. Those guys have some large ones to perform those controlled falls down a mountain, lol.

Gotta go with Joe, #3, even though he apparently shoots a Hoyt.

They don't look like they're worth $50 more than a good ol' Muzzy fixed blade.

Scared me a little bit, actually. :yes: Based on the size and dark tarsals, buck that dropped already, thus the pass?

I'm about to find out. My house uses a heat pump until the temps get below about 20 or so, so we've been using quite a bit of propane lately with these brutal temps. My tank got filled back in early November, it's down to 30% as of Tuesday. I have no idea what the Co-op is charging right now.

We've been on cold delays last two days, and tomorrow is going to be worse. Good thing I got a raise a few months ago, my heating bill is going to suck this year. :yes:

Katie enjoys it. I watched an episode, the guy made a pretty big blunder during the show. End product looked pretty cool. Amazing view the girl had after her room was complete.

Have a good one Alan!

:chat:

Six month cancer updates and we're all good. My numbers are stable, nothing remarkable, MRI in the spring. My oldest son had some high pancreatic numbers, but his MRI and follow-up tests were good. He's probably looking at parathyroid surgery this summer. My middle son has a small tumor on his pituitary, but thankfully it's "inactive" so far. MRI in the spring for him too. Thought some of you would like to know. Thanks for the continued thoughts and prayers.

Awesome deer, congrats!

So far a wash for me. Ohio's numbers are down, and my theory there being the DNR has over harvested over the past 10 years or so. When I do have the time to get out, I'm not seeing deer. Time was you could go out and see 5-10 deer every sit. Now I'm lucky to see 1 or 2. That being said, last 2 years I've been working on my 2nd masters which has taken an incredible amount of time. I was only able to hunt about 10 times last year, and I think I've only been out 3 or 4 times this year. My interest is waning too. Just don't have the motivation to go out for various reasons. We'll see what next year holds.

Bring back the like button. Bring back Johnny too...