Born4it

Good to have you, Buddy! Welcome aboard! Some really smart and fun people to learn from and share stories on here! I try to milk it for all it's worth, and you should too! Take care, Ryan

What a hog! Nice!

Great to hear that you've found a new stomping ground! Still sucks, but hopefully everything will work out and you'll keep hunting the rest of your life! Don't give it up, Man! Good luck, Ryan

Maybe an Indiana record, but certainly not a world record...heck of a deer though! Thanks for posting! Ryan

Before or after a good rain has always been pretty good...activity during a light rain can be awesome as well! Like was said, you never know what walked by the stand if you're at home watching Monster Bucks! Good luck, Ryan

Tim! Get over here right now! Yer missing it, Buddy! Just joking...you'll be great for shotgun season! Like Matt said, they're going haywire! The last few days have been getting better and better. The peak of the chasing phase here is supposed to be the 17th, but I think the warm weather put them off a few days, so maybe it'll be perfect for the 21-23! Hope so! There's already a TON of huge ones on the ground, but I'm sure there'll be some left ;-) Take care, and welcome to Illinois in a few days! Ryan

Well you've got it out of your system now! Get back on the horse and show us the pictures when you get him! Take care, Ryan

Exactly. I would definitely say gut shot...even if it doesn't smell. If you're ever not positive the deer is dead, I'd give him at least 2 hours, and if he acts like your did, at least 4 hours. Live and learn! Take care, and I hope you find him! The water thing is a definite must for searching for the body. My buddy shot a nice 8 the other day and I ended up finding him floating in their creek. They'll go to water if injured a lot of the time! Good luck, Ryan

Sweet! Next time I'm definitely doing wraps! Nice work, Man!

I like the forks on the left side! Very nice! Congrats...another one bites the dust here in IL! Take care, Ryan

I would say that's a little excessive. I keep everything in Hunter Specialties' big green scent safe bag and spray down before walking to the stand, making sure to get my boots (bottom too!) and pants, because they're what touches the most ground, grass, and whatever else you walk through. Afterwards, I just put it back in the bag. I never wear my outer layer in the truck either. That's a must in my opinion! Take care, Ryan

It's not pathetic at all! Everybody accidentally shoots button bucks..heck, some people shoot them for meat! Great eating! It's a deer, it was taken legally, and it sounds like everything you did was ethical! Congrats on your first bowkill! Take care, Ryan

Glad to hear you're ok...

Sweetness, Man! That thing's huge! Congrats to Mike on picking the right spot and making the shot!

Hello all! I haven't had a chance to get on for a few days, but just wanted to say that I proposed to my girlfriend of 2 years a few days ago. She said yes! We're really excited about it! Haven't set a date yet, but we're getting close Hope everyone's seasons are going well! Take care, Ryan

Definitely a good one! Good call.. There's a lot of good songs out right now! Start a Band with Brad and Keith is awesome too!

Thanks, wacoyote and Gus! It's hoppin' here. I'll be out HOPEFULLY tomorrow, but definitely Friday, Sat, and Sun. They're entering the chasing phase of the rut...just getting wrapped up with the seeking phase. The big boys have and will be out regularly during daylight hours, so spend as many hours in the stand as you can, everybody around the midwest! I was at my buddy's farm a few days ago and saw two bonified shooters! One had some nontypical stuff going on. Maybe we'll catch up with one of em soon! He's also got a really weird one that needs to be shot...it's about 12-15 points, huge body, very dominant, but antlers are really small I guess. It'd be nice to get down to one of the last days if I still had a buck tag and shoot that guy. Get some extra points for the team, do some nice herd management... Well everyone keep at it! Looking forward to hearing more stories! Also, congrats Supermn on the buck! Take care, Ryan

10 Point for Team 12 Here's my IL 10 point with the Hoyt and the hunter. Team 12- Death from Above Ryan Riggins-Born4it Shot 11-3-08 at 4:45 pm.

Here ya go... Typical 5 point side on the right, and a split brow on the left. Long story short... Came in on a string right in front of me at 20 yards, way down in a creek bed I was sitting over (probably 45 feet down). Stared at me for probably 5-7 minutes facing directly at me. Finally turned to his left, I drew back, and somehow my arrow fell off the string and landed on the ground under me. He whipped his head back around with me at full draw and stared at me for another 5 minutes (full draw remember). I finally was able to let up when he turned away and got another arrow. After staring at me for another couple minutes he turned just like he did the first time. I drew VERY carefully, settled the pin for a split second, and nervous that something else would go wrong, I let it fly as soon as I could. He ran about 50 yards and died within my sight! Rut_n_strut helped me drag him quite a ways up to the field so we could drive the truck to him. He's at the taxidermist now! I've got one more buck tag and more than 2 months to fill it still, so hopefully I'll have more good news over the next few weeks! Take care, everyone! Ryan

Hey boys and girls...I've got good news! I played a little string music on Monday...let the Montec go to work on a big ol' Illinois 10 point. I'll get pics up asap and enter him so we can get our 15 points! Hope everyone's seasons are shaping up and you're seeing some nice deer! The team is doing really well! Take care, Ryan

They're movin here in IL, but it's warmed up again a little bit. Before too long, they'll be goin crazy! I'll let you know! Good luck, Ryan

Ya...don't keep us in suspense...what'd it score!? You'll get 'er next time! Ryan

Very nice! I like the arrows too! Great job, mentor! Ryan

Awesome to hear about! Especially with a recurve! Ryan

Hey, Lou...If you were a person that never practiced and took a shot you shouldn't have after it was too dark it would be one thing. You obviously practice and are very comfortable from 30 yards. That's an honest mistake. It's like getting mad at Kobe Bryant for missing a free throw...you put in the time, and sometimes it just doesn't work out. Take it easy, Buddy..you'll get the next one! Ryan